COTM Antenna Obstruction Detection and Transmission Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite communications on-the-move (COTM) terminals experience interference and radiation issues when operating in urban areas due to shared frequency bands with terrestrial radio relay links, causing data corruption and potential harm to individuals blocking the line-of-sight.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an antenna, communication equipment, and a computer with sensors and a connection and control board that detects obstructions using reflected wave, signal loss, and optical data to automatically stop or resume uplink transmissions, predicting blockages and altering vehicle routes to maintain clear line-of-sight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If COTM terminals operate in shared frequency bands in urban areas, then communication service coverage is improved, but interference with radio relay links and radiation to persons occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication service coverageVSAvoidinterference and radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of obstructions using optical sensors, reflected wave analysis, and signal loss measurement before interference occurs. When potential blockages are detected in advance, the system proactively stops uplink transmissions to prevent harmful interference to radio relay links and radiation exposure to persons, while maintaining the ability to provide communication services in urban areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If COTM transmissions continue without interruption, then communication productivity is maintained, but data corruption and interference occur when line-of-sight is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors communication conditions through optical sensors, reflected wave data, and signal quality measurements. When obstructions are detected that would cause data corruption, the system provides feedback to stop transmissions. The system also predicts future blockages and provides advance warning, allowing for proactive transmission cessation before data corruption occurs, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If transmission stopping mechanisms are added to prevent interference, then harmful effects are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference and radiationVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. Optical sensors not only detect obstructions for transmission control but also provide navigation and positioning information. Reflected wave analysis serves both to detect blockages and to characterize the communication environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective interference prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents interference with radio relay links and minimizes radiation exposure by dynamically managing COTM transmissions based on real-time and predictive obstruction detection, ensuring reliable communication and safety in urban environments.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna configured to transmit an uplink signal and receive a downlink signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The communication equipment of this system may be configured to receive reflected wave data from the uplink signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2168258B1Systems and methods for mitigating radio link interference in mobile satellite communications
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 OVERHORIZON (CYPRUS) PLC
  • EP2168258B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2168258B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods according to embodiment of the present invention prevent or otherwise mitigate data corruption and interference that may result when a communications on-the-move transmission is blocked by a radio relay link antenna transmitting on a shared frequency band. Harmful radiation that could affect persons blocking the line-of-sight of a COTM transmission is also prevented or mitigated. According to one embodiment of the present invention, if a building or other obstruction blocks the line-of-sight between a COTM antenna and a target satellite, the transmission will automatically cease, preventing or minimizing any potential interference that can occur, such as the interference to a radio relay link antenna operating atop a building. Similarly, persons who may have been in the line-of-sight will not be subjected to harmful radiation. COTM transmission remains offline until free line-of-sight is re-established.