Digital Payload Channelizer With Variable HPAs for Beam Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication payloads face challenges in efficiently reallocating RF bandwidth and power among antenna beams due to limitations in the number of amplifiers and power routing, making it difficult to match satellite resources with end-user demand, especially in areas with fluctuating service demands over time.
Innovation Solution
A digital payload subsystem that includes a processor to control a digital channelizer and adjust the saturated output power of power amplifiers, allowing for finer increments of bandwidth and power control, enabling better matching of satellite resources to user demand by dynamically allocating bandwidth and power among multiple beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical RF switches are used to route bandwidth and power among beams, then flexibility in matching satellite resources to demand is improved, but the number of amplifiers and power routing capability is limited due to spacecraft resource constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical RF switches with a digital channelizer that uses electronic signal processing to route bandwidth among beams. The digital channelizer divides the incoming RF signal into multiple frequency channels and routes them to different beams electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical switches and their associated physical routing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the power amplifiers variable and programmable, allowing each amplifier to serve multiple beams dynamically. Instead of having dedicated amplifiers for each beam, the system can allocate amplifier output to any beam that needs power, making the amplification resources universal and adaptable to changing demand patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of amplifiers is increased to provide more power routing options, then adaptability is improved, but mass and volume constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable power amplifiers that can be dynamically allocated to different beams through electronic control. Instead of installing multiple fixed amplifiers for each possible beam, the system uses a smaller number of programmable amplifiers that can serve any beam as needed, reducing the total mass and volume while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic, programmable control over power amplifier allocation. The system can reconfigure which amplifiers serve which beams in real-time based on demand, replacing static amplifier assignments with dynamic electronic routing. This allows fewer amplifiers to provide the same level of service as many more fixed amplifiers would have been required.
3Device complexity
If fixed power amplifiers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to match power allocation to demand is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed power amplifiers into variable, programmable amplifiers that can dynamically adjust their output power and destination beam based on real-time demand. The system incorporates electronic control mechanisms that allow remote reconfiguration of amplifier parameters, enabling adaptive power allocation without significantly increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables changes in amplifier operating parameters such as output power level and destination beam assignment through electronic programming. By making these parameters variable rather than fixed, the system achieves high adaptability in power allocation while using standard amplifier hardware, thus not significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A spacecraft includes a payload subsystem including a plurality of transmit antenna feeds, a digital channelizer, and a power amplification arrangement including a plurality of power amplifiers. The power amplification arrangement has at least one input communicatively coupled with an output of the digital channelizer and at least one output communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of transmit antenna feeds. A processor is configured to control the digital channelizer, and to adjust a saturated output power of at least one power amplifier of the plurality of power amplifiers in the power amplification arrangement.