Cloud SDR Satellite Reception for Multi-Protocol Demodulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite ground station modems operate on different protocols and formats, necessitating inconvenient conversions and lacking flexibility, stability, and security against hacking.

Innovation Solution

Implement satellite signal processing in software-defined radio (SDR) on a cloud-based system, enabling demodulation, preprocessing, and application processing of satellite information across various manufacturers, with features like signal quality determination and data estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If satellite signal processing is performed using hardware modems from different manufacturers, then signal processing capability is provided, but flexibility and universality are reduced due to different protocols and formats requiring conversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and universality of satellite signal processingVSAvoidprotocol conversion complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hardware-based modem processing with software-defined radio (SDR) processing. Instead of using physical modems from different manufacturers that require protocol conversion, the system uses software running on general-purpose hardware to perform all demodulation and signal processing functions. This substitution enables a single unified processing platform that can handle multiple satellite protocols without requiring physical hardware changes or complex conversion mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of repair

If modem operations are performed on ground station hardware, then signal processing is achieved, but maintenance, management, and updates are time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of modem maintenance and updateVSAvoidtime for modem maintenance and update

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a software-based copy of modem functionality that runs on virtualized infrastructure. Instead of maintaining physical hardware modems that require on-site technical intervention for updates and repairs, the system uses virtual machine images that can be easily copied, deployed, and updated remotely. This allows maintenance personnel to update satellite processing capabilities by simply deploying new software images without physical hardware access or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If modems are implemented in hardware form on ground station, then signal processing capability is provided, but security against hacking attempts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against hackingVSAvoidvulnerability to hacking attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtualized software layer as an intermediary between the physical hardware and the satellite signal processing functions. This virtualization layer acts as a security boundary that isolates critical processing functions from direct hardware access and external attacks. The software-defined architecture enables centralized security management, authentication, and monitoring that is more resistant to hacking attempts compared to distributed hardware modems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If multiple manufacturer modems are used for satellite reception, then signal processing coverage is improved, but stable and quick processing is reduced due to protocol differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of satellite information processingVSAvoidstability of processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal software processing platform that can handle multiple satellite protocols and formats through a single system. The SDR architecture with virtualized processing functions enables one piece of hardware to perform the roles of multiple manufacturer-specific modems. This universal platform provides stable and consistent processing performance across different satellite constellations and protocols without the variability introduced by hardware differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12489522B2Cloud-based satellite information reception processing apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 CONTEC CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is technology for processing demodulation, preprocessing, etc., performed by an existing modem in a hardware form for satellite information received by a ground station at a cloud level based on a software define radio (SDR) mounted to a cloud. A cloud-based satellite information receiving and processing apparatus may include a satellite information collector configured to collect, on a cloud, satellite information received from a satellite by a ground station terminal using at least one antenna; a signal processing unit configured to perform demodulation and preprocessing of the collected satellite information on the cloud based on a software define radio (SDR) mounted to the cloud; and a storage configured to record and maintain the demodulated and preprocessed satellite information on the cloud.