Flat Panel Antenna Predistortion for Scan-Angle Signal Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems using flat panel antennas face distortion issues due to the transfer function of the antennas, which degrade signal quality and limit bandwidth performance, particularly in analog beamforming systems.
Innovation Solution
Applying predistortion techniques to signals transmitted from satellites to counteract the distortion caused by the antenna transfer function, tailored to the specific scan angle and type of the flat panel antenna, to improve signal quality and increase bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat panel antennas are used in satellite communication systems, then the hardware platform becomes lightweight, low-cost, and planar, but signal distortion occurs due to the antenna transfer function which degrades signal quality and limits bandwidth performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies predistortion to the transmitted signal in advance to counteract the distortion that will be introduced by the flat panel antenna transfer function. By pre-applying the inverse of the anticipated distortion, the signal quality is maintained despite the antenna's inherent distorting effects, thus resolving the contradiction between using cost-effective flat panel antennas and maintaining reliable signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the signal parameters by applying predistortion based on the antenna type and scan angle. This parameter change compensates for the frequency-selective fading and distortion characteristics of the flat panel antenna, allowing the system to maintain signal quality while using lightweight, low-cost antenna hardware
2Speed
If flat panel antennas with analog beamforming are used, then the system achieves directional communication capability, but distortion issues limit the instantaneous bandwidth performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies predistortion to counteract the distortion introduced by the flat panel antenna transfer function before transmission. This preliminary anti-action removes the limiting effect of antenna distortion on bandwidth performance, enabling the system to achieve both high data transmission speed and high instantaneous bandwidth by preventing distortion from constraining the available bandwidth
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for performing predistortion on transmissions to antennas are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes obtaining a type and scan angle of a flat panel antenna of a satellite terminal; selecting, based on the type and the scan angle, predistortion to apply to a signal to be transmitted to the flat panel antenna; applying the predistortion to the signal; and transmitting the signal to the flat panel antenna of the satellite terminal.