Digital Satellite Payload Bandwidth Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite communications face inefficiencies due to fixed bandwidth and power allocation in analog transponders, leading to wasted capacity and high costs, with limited flexibility and compatibility issues during transitions to digital regenerative systems.

Innovation Solution

An all-digital satellite payload combining transponded and regenerative functions, featuring a digital channelizer, switch matrix, and combiner, allowing for flexible bandwidth and power allocation, and on-board processing of signals to support multiple formats and modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If analog transponders with fixed bandwidth allocation are used, then signal compatibility is maintained, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates due to unused capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the analog mechanical switching system with a digital signal processing system. The digital payload uses software-defined radio technology to dynamically allocate bandwidth through digital signal manipulation, replacing physical analog switches and fixed transponder configurations. This enables efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining signal compatibility through digital modulation techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment in the digital payload, allowing bandwidth allocation, power distribution, and signal routing parameters to be changed in real-time based on demand. The system can reconfigure transponder parameters digitally, enabling flexible bandwidth allocation that adapts to varying signal requirements while maintaining compatibility with different signal formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If fixed transponder bandwidth is allocated, then system simplicity is maintained, but resource allocation flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidresource allocation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The digital payload is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple signal types, modulation formats, and bandwidth allocations through a single reconfigurable system. The software-defined architecture allows the same hardware to perform different functions by loading appropriate signal processing algorithms, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware for each transponder configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic reconfiguration capability to the payload system, allowing bandwidth allocation, power distribution, and signal routing to be adjusted in real-time. The digital signal processing architecture enables rapid reconfiguration without physical hardware changes, providing flexible resource allocation while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If sub-allocation of transponder bandwidth is implemented, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but system control deteriorates due to lack of onboard regulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The digital payload incorporates onboard monitoring and control systems that provide real-time feedback on bandwidth utilization, power consumption, and signal quality. The system can detect unauthorized signals and dynamically adjust resource allocation to maintain service level agreements, providing reliable bandwidth control while improving efficiency through intelligent resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The digital signal processing system performs autonomous resource allocation and signal management without requiring external ground control for each adjustment. The onboard digital payload can independently reconfigure bandwidth allocation, power distribution, and signal routing based on real-time conditions, providing self-service capability that maintains both efficiency and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7542716B2Systems and methods for digital processing of satellite communications data

Publication Date: 2009.06.02 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A digital payload for processing a sub-band spectrum received on an uplink beam at a communications satellite includes a digital channelizer, a digital switch matrix and a digital combiner. The digital channelizer divides the sub-band spectrum into a plurality of frequency slices that can be routed by the digital switch matrix to any of a number of receiving ports. A digital combiner receives the frequency slices and re-assembles them to form one or more output sub-bands for transmission on an output beam of the communications satellite. The digital payload may also include an embeddable digital regeneration module configured to demodulate some or all of the sub-band spectrum to extract a digital bitstream therefrom. The digital bitstream may be processed to implement code-based multiplexing, switching, access control, and other features.