Multi-beam Reflector Antenna Feed Array for LEO Satellite Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground segment antennas are unsuitable for tracking Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites due to their limited pointing performance and high installation and maintenance costs, requiring a significant number of hub stations and large infrastructure, which is impractical for LEO satellite constellations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-beam reflector antenna system with a feed array that includes digital beam forming capabilities, allowing for high pointing performance and error correction, enabling the reuse of existing ground antenna infrastructures for LEO, Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, with electronic and mechanical steering mechanisms for efficient tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ground segment antennas are used for LEO satellite tracking, then installation and maintenance costs are high and infrastructure requirements are large, but pointing performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple independent feed elements arranged in an array, each capable of generating separate beams. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high pointing performance through electronic beam steering without requiring complex mechanical infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical steering mechanisms with electronic beam forming and digital signal processing. The feed array with digital beam forming capabilities enables electronic pointing and tracking of LEO satellites, eliminating the need for complex mechanical infrastructure while maintaining high pointing performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single feed is used in reflector antennas, then device complexity is low, but the ability to track multiple satellites and provide multi-beam coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single feed is segmented into multiple feed elements arranged in an array configuration. Each feed element can generate independent beams, enabling multi-satellite tracking and multi-beam coverage. The segmentation transforms a simple single-feed system into a versatile multi-beam system while keeping individual elements relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed array is designed to perform multiple functions: tracking multiple LEO satellites simultaneously, providing multi-beam coverage, and maintaining compatibility with existing reflector antenna structures. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Speed
If electronic scanning is used in PAFR antennas, then pointing speed is improved, but electronic scan range is limited to approximately +/â5 to +/â10 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electronic beam steering in the azimuth dimension with mechanical slewing in the elevation dimension. This dimensional separation allows the electronic scanning to operate at high speed within its limited angular range while the mechanical system provides the broader scan coverage, achieving both fast pointing speed and extensive scan range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges electronic scanning capabilities with mechanical slewing mechanisms to create a hybrid pointing system. The electronic feed array provides rapid beam steering for fine adjustments, while the mechanical system handles coarse positioning, combining the advantages of both approaches to overcome the limited electronic scan range.
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 solution provides low-cost, high-pointing performance antennas for LEO satellite constellations, enabling efficient tracking of multiple satellites with reduced infrastructure needs, and can be adapted for non-LEO satellites and on-board satellite applications, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a radiating array arranged in a focal region of a single or dual reflector optics of a reflector antenna and operable to transmit and receive radiofrequency (RF) signals
Implementation Method 2
The digital beam forming means are configured to: process the incoming digital signals by using a reception matrix defined based on a first matrix for beam pointing in reception and a second matrix for compensating for errors in reception due to the single/dual reflector optics
Implementation Method 3
a radiating array arranged in a focal region of a single or dual reflector optics of a reflector antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A feed array is provided that may be installed in a reflector antenna provided with a single or dual reflector optics. The feed array includes a radiating array for transmitting/receiving radiofrequency signals, a digital beam forming network, a reception conversion unit for applying a frequency down-conversion and an analog-to-digital conversion to incoming radiofrequency signals to obtain incoming digital signals. The feed array includes a transmission conversion unit for applying a digital-to-analog conversion and a frequency up-conversion to outgoing digital signals generated by the digital beam forming network to obtain outgoing radiofrequency signals. The digital beam forming network processes the incoming digital signals by using a reception matrix, and generates the outgoing digital signals by using a transmission matrix, with the matrices computed based on electric field values measured by the radiating array in the focal region.