Integrated Mobility Terminal Layout for Low-SWaP Satcom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite communication systems for mobile platforms, such as aeronautical, maritime, and land vehicles, are hindered by multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) that increase size, weight, and power consumption, leading to performance degradation due to aerodynamic drag and climate control requirements.

Innovation Solution

An integrated mobility terminal is developed as a single LRU that integrates satellite components like a modem, RF transceiver, antenna aperture, Beam Forming Array, terminal control manager, position sensors, and power supply, reducing size, weight, and power consumption while maintaining functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) are used for satellite communication, then functional requirements are met, but Size, Weight, and Power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite communication functionalityVSAvoidterminal weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate LRUs (modem, RF transceiver, antenna control, position sensors, attitude sensors, power supply conditioning) into a single integrated LRU. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate enclosures and interface components, directly reducing the overall weight while maintaining all required satellite communication functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) are used for satellite communication, then functional requirements are met, but Size, Weight, and Power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite communication functionalityVSAvoidterminal length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate LRUs (modem, RF transceiver, antenna control, position sensors, attitude sensors, power supply conditioning) into a single integrated LRU. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate enclosures and interface components, directly reducing the overall length while maintaining all required satellite communication functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) are used for satellite communication, then functional requirements are met, but Power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite communication functionalityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate LRUs into a single integrated LRU, eliminating redundant interface components and reducing the number of connections required. This integration reduces power consumption by removing the power needed for multiple separate enclosures, interface circuits, and climate control systems that would be required for multiple discrete units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) are used for satellite communication, then functional requirements are met, but aerodynamic drag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite communication functionalityVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates all satellite communication components into a single compact LRU, dramatically reducing the physical footprint compared to multiple separate units. This consolidation minimizes the surface area exposed to airflow, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag on the mobile platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Reliability

If multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) are used for satellite communication, then functional requirements are met, but Device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite communication functionalityVSAvoidterminal complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate LRUs into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for complex interconnections and interface components between separate units. This integration simplifies the overall device architecture, reducing installation complexity and the number of components that require maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12621046B2Integrated mobility terminal for satellite communications

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 HUGHES NETWORK SYST

AI summary

An integrated mobility terminal may include a modem to modulate/demodulate digital data to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal; an RF Conversion Module (RCM) to communicate between the IF signal a Radio Frequency (RF) signal for satellite communications; a Beam Forming Array (BFA) to transceive the RF signal and a Common Control Module (CCM) to manage the modem, the RCM and the BFA. The integrated mobility terminal may include a chassis to house the modem, the RCM, the BFA and the CCM, wherein the chassis is of an integrated-unitary construction.