Ghost Beams in Satellite Communication Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

High Resource Usage Common Air Interfaces, such as NB-IoT, are inefficient in satellite communication systems due to limited power and bandwidth, leading to challenges in establishing full connections and maintaining communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing 'Ghost Beams' that remain inactive until requested and using Low Resource Usage CAI as a 'pilot light' to activate High Resource Usage CAI channels, reducing power consumption and optimizing resource usage by leveraging Low Resource Usage CAI for foundational channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If High Resource Usage CAI channels are made always active to ensure connectivity, then connection establishment and communication reliability are improved, but power consumption and bandwidth resource usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning CAI channels from a static always-active state to a dynamic state where channels are activated only when needed. The system dynamically switches between Low Resource Usage CAI for idle periods and High Resource Usage CAI when data transmission is required, optimizing the trade-off between connection reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic action by alternating between different CAI modes based on transmission requirements. The gateway periodically monitors traffic conditions and switches between Low Resource Usage and High Resource Usage CAI channels accordingly, ensuring reliable connectivity when needed while conserving power during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If High Resource Usage CAI channels are activated to provide full connectivity, then communication capability is improved, but power levels and link margins are increased unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidpower levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using Low Resource Usage CAI channels for basic communication needs and only activating High Resource Usage CAI channels when additional communication capability is required. This prevents excessive power consumption by avoiding the activation of high-power channels when they are not actually needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of CAI channels by switching between different resource usage modes. The gateway adjusts the active CAI channel type based on traffic conditions, changing the power level and bandwidth parameters dynamically to match actual communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If Low Resource Usage CAI is used to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but connection establishment and communication reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as an intermediary that manages the transition between Low Resource Usage and High Resource Usage CAI channels. It mediates the switch between modes based on monitored traffic conditions, ensuring that reliability is maintained when needed while optimizing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the gateway continuously monitors traffic conditions and adjusts CAI channel selection accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that Low Resource Usage CAI is used efficiently while switching to High Resource Usage CAI when communication reliability becomes critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Area of stationary object

If High Resource Usage CAI channels are always active to ensure coverage, then connectivity coverage is improved, but bandwidth resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbandwidth resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making CAI channel activation dynamic rather than static. The system dynamically allocates bandwidth resources by activating High Resource Usage CAI channels only in areas or during periods where additional coverage and capacity are actually required, rather than maintaining them active everywhere continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240235666A1Ghost beams in a satellite communication system

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 ESAT GLOBAL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling activation of communications systems for operation within a beam of a satellite or other system. Activation of communications capability for one Air Interface can be based on exchanges of information via another Air Interface. In this way, the activation capability can enable a High Resource Usage Common Air Interface to remain dormant in a beam (as Ghost Beams) until services requiring the High Resource Usage Common Air Interface are requested thus reducing the usage of system resources such as power and bandwidth.