Phased Array Antenna Beam Steering for LEO Satellite Loss Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Providing broadband connectivity to users through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations poses challenges in achieving high antenna performance and minimizing losses due to rapid satellite movement and antenna squint, particularly in millimeter wave frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A phased array antenna system with multiple antenna panels in a dome configuration, allowing dynamic loss compensation and beam steering, which optimizes antenna performance by using multiple panels to reduce beam steering loss and enhance signal-to-noise ratio through phase-alignment and power-combination of signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single antenna is used to track LEO satellites, then the system is simpler, but beam steering loss and propagation loss increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna system complexityVSAvoidbeam steering loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into multiple antenna panels (e.g., four panels) that can be independently controlled. Each panel can be steered to different angles to track the LEO satellite, allowing the system to maintain optimal beam alignment without excessive steering loss while keeping each individual panel relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna panels are made dynamically adjustable through electronic phase shifting and mechanical steering capabilities. This allows real-time adaptation of beam directions to track rapidly moving LEO satellites while minimizing propagation loss by maintaining optimal antenna-satellite alignment throughout the satellite's pass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple antenna panels are used to reduce beam steering loss, then antenna performance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidantenna system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple antenna panels are combined into a unified phased array system with centralized control. The panels work together as an integrated system, sharing common signal processing and control architecture, which reduces overall complexity compared to having fully independent antenna systems while maintaining the performance benefits of multiple panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses electronic phase shifting to change the effective direction of each antenna panel without mechanical movement. By adjusting phase parameters electronically, the system achieves beam steering and loss compensation while avoiding the mechanical complexity of physically moving multiple large antenna structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If antenna beams are steered to track rapidly moving LEO satellites, then connectivity is maintained, but antenna squint and propagation losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite tracking capabilityVSAvoidpropagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary beam alignment and phase calibration before the satellite reaches optimal viewing angles. By pre-positioning the antenna beams and adjusting phases in advance, the system minimizes propagation loss during the critical tracking period while maintaining continuous connectivity with rapidly moving satellites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system uses feedback from satellite signal strength and position data to continuously adjust beam directions and phase shifts. This real-time feedback control optimizes the balance between tracking capability and propagation loss by dynamically adjusting antenna parameters based on actual satellite position and signal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The phased array antenna system achieves improved accuracy in tracking and communication with LEO satellites by compensating for propagation and cosine losses, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining high antenna performance and minimizing unnecessary performance margins.

Implementation Method 1

The phased array antenna is an array of antennas providing RF beams in different directions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhased array beam steering:

Implementation Method 2

dynamic loss compensation and beam steering, which optimizes antenna performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

enhance signal-to-noise ratio through phase-alignment and power-combination of signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase alignment and power combination:

Data Source

PatentUS11700056B2Phased array antenna for use with low earth orbit satellite constellations

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 TRANSACTIONSIP LLC

AI summary

Examples disclosed herein relate to a phased array antenna system for use with a Low Earth Orbit (“LEO”) satellite constellation. The phased array antenna system has a plurality of antenna panels positioned in a dome and an antenna controller to control the plurality of antenna panels, the controller directing a first antenna panel to transmit a first signal and a second antenna panel to transmit a second signal to a LEO satellite, the first signal having a first phase and the second signal having a second phase different from the first phase.