Elevation Angle Estimating Device for Satellite Terminal Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of non-geostationary satellite communications systems face challenges in accurately positioning user terminals to maintain an unobstructed view of the sky in all azimuthal directions, especially due to the need for an elevation angle of up to 45 degrees, which is difficult without professional assistance and often results in errors and dropout periods.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a light-collecting lens arrangement, an eyepiece lens arrangement, and an elevation limit marking to accurately estimate the elevation angle of surrounding objects, ensuring the user terminal has an unobstructed view of the sky by superimposing an elevation limit marking over sky scene light and using an image-reflecting surface to reflect light onto the lenses, allowing users to position the terminal correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users visually estimate the elevation angle without assistance, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates with errors of up to 10 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device consisting of a sight tool with a horizon line indicator and elevation reference markings that mediates between the user's visual estimation and the actual elevation angle measurement, providing a reference framework that improves accuracy without requiring complex electronic sensors or surveying equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified optical copy of the sky view through the sight tool's lens system, superimposing reference markings (horizon line, elevation angles) onto the actual view, allowing users to compare and estimate elevation angles with improved precision without directly measuring the physical angle
2Measurement precision
If professional surveying equipment is used to position the user terminal, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to specialized skill requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sight tool is designed to be self-explanatory and self-operating, with intuitive reference markings that allow users to independently perform elevation angle estimation without requiring professional surveying training or assistance from technicians
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex surveying equipment with a simple, inexpensive sight tool that can be easily manufactured and distributed, sacrificing the advanced capabilities of professional equipment for the benefit of accessibility and ease of use by ordinary users
3Reliability
If the user terminal requires an unobstructed view down to 45 degrees elevation angle, then the reliability of satellite communication improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to positioning difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The sight tool provides pre-calculated elevation reference markings that indicate the minimum required elevation angle (e.g., 45 degrees) in advance, allowing users to proactively position the terminal correctly during installation rather than needing to make adjustments later to ensure communication reliability
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 solution allows users to accurately estimate the elevation angle with an accuracy of about 1 to 2 degrees, significantly improving the positioning of user terminals and reducing dropout periods by providing a cost-effective and easy-to-use method for ensuring an unobstructed view of the sky in all azimuthal directions.
Implementation Method 1
a light-collecting lens arrangement for collecting sky scene light from a wide angle
Implementation Method 2
an eyepiece lens arrangement for collimating the sky scene light collected by the light-collecting lens arrangement
Implementation Method 3
an image-reflecting surface for reflecting the sky scene light onto the light-collecting lens arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for estimating the elevation angle of one or more objects surrounding a user terminal, include a light-collecting lens arrangement that collects sky scene light from a wide angle, an eyepiece lens arrangement that collimates the sky scene light collected by the light-collecting lens arrangement, and an elevation limit marking that is superimposed over the sky scene light. The elevation limit marking defines an elevation angle above a horizon of the earth that all the one or more objects in a field of view of the device must remain below so that the user terminal has an unobstructed view of the sky in all azimuthal directions.