Dome-Shaped Antenna with Beam Forming for Multi-Satellite Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite tracking antenna control devices face difficulties in communicating with multiple satellites due to mechanical attitude adjustments, which become challenging for satellites with different altitudes and relative speeds, leading to inefficient communication.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a dome-shaped antenna featuring a conformal array and zenith array, utilizing beam forming circuitry to control beam formation based on satellite position information, allowing for flexible beam adjustment without mechanical movement, enabling effective communication with satellites of varying altitudes and speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical attitude adjustment is used to track satellites, then single satellite tracking capability is improved, but communication with multiple satellites simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple independent antenna elements arranged in specific regions (first region including zenith, second region, third region). Each element can independently form beams, allowing simultaneous tracking of multiple satellites in different directions without mechanical movement of the entire antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical attitude adjustment system with an electronic beam forming system. Instead of physically moving the antenna to track satellites, the system uses beam forming circuitry to electronically steer and shape radiation patterns, enabling rapid and flexible multi-satellite communication without mechanical constraints.
2Speed
If mechanical antenna movement is used for satellite tracking, then tracking capability is improved, but device complexity and mechanical wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by using electronic beam forming to achieve satellite tracking. The beam forming circuitry controls the phase and amplitude of signals at each antenna element to electronically steer beams toward different satellites, providing fast tracking response without mechanical complexity, wear, or limited range of motion.
3Device complexity
If a fixed antenna configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different satellite positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamically controllable antenna system where beam directions and patterns can be changed in real-time through electronic control. The beam forming circuitry adjusts the excitation of different antenna elements based on satellite positions, allowing the fixed physical structure to adapt its radiation pattern dynamically to track multiple satellites at various elevations and azimuths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters (phase, amplitude, frequency) of signals fed to different antenna elements to alter beam characteristics. By modifying these parameters, the system can form beams in different directions and with different shapes, providing adaptability to various satellite positions while maintaining a simple fixed antenna structure.
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
The apparatus enables efficient communication with multiple satellites by forming appropriate beams for different satellites, adapting to their positions and speeds, and simultaneously supporting communication with geostationary and low Earth orbit satellites without mechanical antenna adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
beam forming circuitry that controls, based on position information of a target satellite to communicate with, a beam formation of the first antenna element and the one or more second antenna elements
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes: an antenna including a base having a dome shape, a first antenna element disposed in a first region including a zenith of the base, and one or more second antenna elements disposed in a second region surrounding the first region; and beam forming circuitry that controls, based on position information of a target satellite to communicate with, a beam formation of the first antenna element and the one or more second antenna elements.