Ground Network Beamforming via End-to-End Relay Multipath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face challenges in increasing data transmission capacity while minimizing satellite complexity, weight, and power consumption, as focusing beams into smaller areas increases system complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
End-to-end beamforming systems compute beam weights at a central processing system and apply them within a ground network, forming end-to-end beams through an end-to-end relay, which includes multiple transponders and antenna elements to create multipath channels for signal superposition, reducing the need for on-board or ground-based beamforming complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beams are focused into smaller areas to increase data transmission capacity, then data capacity is improved, but satellite complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beamforming functionality from the satellite and relocates it to the ground network. The central processing system on the ground computes beam weights and controls the phased array antennas, removing the need for complex on-board beamforming equipment while maintaining focused beam capabilities for increased data capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central processing system as an intermediary between the ground stations and the satellite. This system computes the beam weights and coordinates the phased array antennas to form focused beams, enabling complex beamforming operations without adding complexity to the satellite itself
2Productivity
If beams are focused into smaller areas to increase data transmission capacity, then data capacity is improved, but satellite weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the weight of on-board beamforming equipment from the satellite by relocating the beamforming computation and control functions to the ground network. The satellite only needs to provide basic signal relay functionality, significantly reducing its weight
3Productivity
If beams are focused into smaller areas to increase data transmission capacity, then data capacity is improved, but satellite power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-intensive beamforming computation and control functions from the satellite and places them in the ground-based central processing system. The satellite only performs simple signal amplification and retransmission, dramatically reducing its power consumption requirements
4Productivity
If ground-based beamforming is implemented to form end-to-end beams, then beam formation efficiency is improved, but ground network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beamforming functionality into the existing ground network infrastructure. The central processing system that already coordinates satellite communications now also computes beam weights and controls phased array antennas, consolidating functions rather than adding separate complex systems
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 efficient beam formation without increasing satellite complexity, weight, or power consumption, enabling broader geographic coverage with reduced costs and improved signal interference management.
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
Implementation Method 3
which includes multiple transponders and antenna elements to create multipath channels for signal superposition
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.