Hybrid Satellite Coverage Optimization via Active Path Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid satellite systems for long-distance data transmission are complex and costly, making it challenging to provide high-quality services at a reduced price, especially due to the high cost of the space segment and limited coverage areas, particularly over oceans and parts of continents like Africa and Australia.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications system utilizing repeater satellites with optimized antenna directivity and beam scanning to minimize active communication length, allowing for efficient data transfer between geostationary and low-orbit satellites, which reduces complexity and costs while maintaining high performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If ground station network is deployed to provide coverage, then communication coverage area is improved, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces geostationary satellites as intermediary relay nodes between LEO satellites and ground stations. This mediator enables LEO satellites to communicate with ground stations indirectly, eliminating the need for dense ground station deployment and reducing system complexity while maintaining global coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional ground-based coverage model to a three-dimensional space-based coverage model by utilizing geostationary orbit altitude. This dimensional change allows a single ground station to communicate with multiple LEO satellites through the GEO relay, dramatically reducing the number of ground stations needed
2Loss of time
If LEO satellite constellation is used for data transmission, then latency is reduced, but coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The geostationary satellite acts as a mediator that extends the coverage area of LEO satellites without significantly increasing latency. The GEO relay enables communication in areas where LEO satellites are not directly visible, while the overall latency remains low because the data path still primarily uses the fast LEO segment
3Reliability
If hybrid satellite system with GEO and LEO is implemented, then coverage and performance are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple inexpensive LEO satellites with short operational lifecycles as the primary communication nodes. These LEO satellites provide the bulk of the communication capacity at low cost, while the GEO satellites serve as optional relays only when needed, reducing the overall system cost compared to traditional all-GEO or all-LEO systems
Solution Approach 2:
The GEO satellites in the hybrid system are designed to serve multiple functions: acting as relays for LEO satellites, providing direct coverage for ground stations, and offering backup communication paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated infrastructure and lowers overall system cost
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a telecommunication system for the intermittent transfer of data from and to at least one user on the ground, including at least one surface terminal associated with the user, at least one signal-repeating means for signals transmitted and/or received from surface terminals (REC), said repeating means moving above the surface of the celestial body, each moving repeating means comprising at least one antenna directed towards the surface of the celestial body, the path of which at the surface of the celestial body forms the ground path, and the progressive scanning of the surface by said ground path determining a so-called swath band. The system comprises a means for reducing the length of the active path such that, at each point of the swath on the ground of the moving repeating means and during each pass thereof, the total duration of coverage by at least one active antenna of the moving repeating means defines a so-called active communication length that is substantially smaller than the width of said swath.