Flexible VHTS Payload Architecture for Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telecommunications satellite payload architectures for VHTS and HTS applications are inflexible, leading to oversizing, high complexity, and increased mass due to static frequency allocation and limited dynamic capacity adjustment, which fails to meet the demands for dynamic bandwidth allocation, efficient frequency coordination, and mesh-type connections.

Innovation Solution

A multibeam telecommunications payload with a digital core and beam-hopping capabilities, utilizing passive antennas and a transparent digital processing processor to dynamically allocate bandwidth and connect user spots directly, reducing the number of access stations and enabling flexible frequency management and mesh connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static frequency allocation and traditional payload architecture are used, then frequency coordination is simplified, but bandwidth allocation flexibility and dynamic capacity adjustment are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth allocation flexibilityVSAvoidpayload architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation by replacing static frequency division with time-division multiplexing and dynamic resource allocation algorithms. The system can reallocate spectrum resources in real-time based on traffic demands, allowing flexible capacity adjustment while maintaining coordinated frequency usage through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of resource allocation from fixed frequency assignment to dynamic time-division allocation. By varying the temporal parameters of signal transmission and using adaptive modulation schemes, the system achieves flexible bandwidth allocation without requiring complex additional hardware infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire available band is allocated to each user spot, then frequency coordination problems are avoided, but payload architecture oversizing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band access capabilityVSAvoidpayload mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple user spot signals into shared satellite transponders through time-division multiplexing. Instead of dedicating separate frequency bands to each user spot, the system combines multiple access stations' signals in time slots, allowing the entire available band to be shared dynamically among all users, thus avoiding payload oversizing while maintaining full band access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes satellite transponders universal by enabling them to serve multiple user spots dynamically. The same transponder resources can be allocated to different user spots at different times, providing each user with access to the entire available band when needed, rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each user's full bandwidth requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple access stations are deployed to meet instantaneous transmission capacity, then traffic demand is satisfied, but the number of access stations is increased beyond useful need

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstantaneous transmission capacityVSAvoidnumber of access stations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous utilization of satellite resources by implementing dynamic resource allocation that maintains active connections throughout available time slots. The system continuously reallocates transponder capacity among access stations based on real-time traffic demands, ensuring that the full transmission capacity is productively used without requiring excess access stations to be deployed simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables the satellite system to self-adjust its resource allocation dynamically. Through automated resource management algorithms, the system autonomously optimizes the allocation of transponder capacity among access stations based on instantaneous traffic patterns, eliminating the need for over-provisioning access stations and allowing the system to serve peak demands with fewer physical infrastructure elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If frequency division of transmission resources is used, then transmission capacity is allocated to spots, but bandwidth allocation flexibility and dynamic variation capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacity allocationVSAvoiddynamic capacity adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where transmission resources are allocated in repeating time slots rather than fixed frequency divisions. The system periodically cycles through different allocation patterns, allowing dynamic adjustment of capacity to each user spot within each period while maintaining overall transmission productivity through structured resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3439199B1Flexible payload architecture for vhts and hts applications
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 THALES SA
  • EP3439199B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3439199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3439199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A VHTS or HTS multibeam telecommunications payload includes a first multibeam antenna system (204) with passive antennas, configured to receive from and transmit to GW access station spots respectively in a first satellite Rx receive band and a first satellite Tx transmit band, and a second multibeam antenna system (206) with passive antennas, configured to receive from and transmit to a user coverage area respectively in a second satellite Rx receive band and a second satellite Tx transmit band, generating multiple satellite user receive spots and multiple satellite user transmit spots.The payload is characterized in that it comprises a digital core (210), based on a DTP transparent digital processing processor (212) offering total connectivity and total flexibility in allocating frequency bands to access station and user spots, and associated with the DTP (210) an RF switching set (214), formed by one or more RF switch matrices (216, 218) on source accesses of user spots in satellite Tx transmission only or in satellite Tx transmission and satellite Rx reception to implement beam hopping operation on groups Gj / G'j of user Tx and/or Rx spots whose number of Rj / R'j spots is less than or equal to the total number P of access station spots.