Ground Access Node Beamforming for Lightweight Satellites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face challenges in increasing data capacity while managing complexity, weight, and power consumption, as they often require complex beamforming systems that increase satellite size, weight, and power consumption, limiting the number of beams that can be formed.
Innovation Solution
End-to-end beamforming systems compute beam weights at a central processing system and apply them within a ground network, using an array of access nodes to form end-to-end beams, reducing satellite complexity and enabling efficient beam formation across user and feeder links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex beamforming systems are used to increase data capacity, then data capacity is improved, but satellite weight, size, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex beamforming computation and control functions from the satellite and relocates them to ground-based systems. The satellite retains only simple signal relay functions, while ground stations perform end-to-end beamforming calculations, weight computations, and coordination. This extraction eliminates the need for complex onboard processing hardware, reducing satellite weight while maintaining high data capacity through coordinated ground-based beam management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground-based access nodes and central coordination systems as intermediaries between data sources and the satellite. These ground-based intermediaries handle the complex beamforming computations and coordinate multiple beams, acting as mediators that enable high-capacity communication without requiring the satellite itself to contain complex processing systems. The ground-based intermediaries compute beam weights and manage resource allocation, thereby increasing data capacity while keeping the satellite lightweight.
2Productivity
If complex beamforming systems are used to increase data capacity, then data capacity is improved, but satellite size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex beamforming processing equipment from the satellite volume and places it on the ground. By removing transponders, signal processors, and control systems needed for complex beamforming from the satellite, the satellite's physical size is reduced. The ground-based systems assume these functions, enabling high data capacity through end-to-end beamforming without increasing satellite volume.
3Productivity
If complex beamforming systems are used to increase data capacity, then data capacity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts power-intensive beamforming computation and control functions from the satellite and relocates them to ground-based systems with unlimited power supply. The satellite performs only simple signal amplification and frequency conversion, dramatically reducing its power consumption. Ground-based central systems handle all complex computations, weight adjustments, and coordination, enabling high data capacity without increasing satellite power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based systems serve themselves by performing all complex beamforming computations and adaptations locally, eliminating the need for the satellite to consume power for these functions. The ground infrastructure uses its own computing resources to calculate beam weights, manage interference, and optimize data transmission, thereby enabling high data capacity while keeping satellite power consumption minimal.
4Productivity
If narrow beams are used to focus energy to increase data capacity, then data capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of narrow beam formation and control from individual satellite components and relocates it to ground-based central systems. The satellite simply transmits and receives signals, while ground-based access nodes compute the precise beam weights and phase adjustments needed for narrow beam formation. This extraction maintains high data capacity through focused energy transmission while centralizing complexity on the ground, reducing overall system complexity.
5Productivity
If multiple beams are formed to increase data capacity, then data capacity is improved, but the number of transponders and signal processors must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the functions of multiple transponders and signal processors from the satellite and consolidates them into ground-based access nodes. A single satellite transponder can serve multiple ground-based access nodes, each of which independently computes and applies beamforming weights to create multiple virtual beams. This extraction enables high data capacity through multiple simultaneous beams without increasing the number of physical transponders on the satellite, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the satellite transponder universal by enabling it to serve multiple ground-based access nodes simultaneously. Each ground node uses the same physical transponder but applies different beamforming weights and frequencies to create multiple independent beams. This multi-functionality allows a single transponder to perform the work of multiple transponders, increasing data capacity while reducing the number of required signal processors and transponders on the satellite.
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
This approach allows for increased data capacity and reduced satellite complexity by forming end-to-end beams efficiently, optimizing weight, size, and power consumption, while enabling versatile beam steering and frequency reuse.
Implementation Method 1
a beam may be formed electronically by adjusting the gain and phase (or time delay) of signals that are transmitted, received, or both from several elements of a phased array antenna
Implementation Method 2
Such antennas typically have a paraboloid shaped reflector to focus the beam
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.