Satellite Bus Array Layout for Multi-Band Capacity Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite-based communications systems face inefficiencies in deployment, leading to elevated costs and suboptimal ground coverage, as they often struggle to dynamically adjust capacity in response to varying demand levels, resulting in idle resources during periods of lower demand.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a satellite system with a satellite bus that incorporates a space fed array and a direct radiating array, where the direct radiating array can operate in a different satellite band than the space fed array, utilizing upconversion and downconversion circuitry, and customizable satellite bus legs for efficient stacking and payload accommodation, allowing for flexible and dynamic capacity adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellites are deployed to serve periods or regions of highest demand, then ground coverage and service quality are improved, but resources remain idle during periods of lower demand leading to inefficiency and elevated costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam forming and signal routing circuitry that can adjust satellite capacity and beam directions in real-time based on varying demand patterns. This allows the satellite system to concentrate resources on high-demand regions during peak periods while redirecting capacity to low-demand regions during off-peak periods, eliminating idle resources and improving overall productivity while maintaining reliable ground coverage where needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If a satellite-based communication system is designed for a particular demand level, then cost control is improved, but the system cannot dynamically increase capacity in response to higher demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs satellite buses with universal, customizable leg lengths and modular antenna array configurations that can accommodate different capacity requirements. The satellite system can be manufactured with standardized components at controlled costs, yet remains adaptable to increase or decrease capacity dynamically through reconfigurable beam forming circuitry and adjustable signal routing, allowing the same hardware platform to serve multiple demand levels without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic capacity adjustment through reconfigurable beam forming and signal routing circuitry that can modify satellite output capacity in real-time based on demand fluctuations. This allows the system to operate cost-effectively at baseline capacity while dynamically scaling up to meet peak demand without requiring separate satellite infrastructures for different demand scenarios.
3Ease of manufacture
If satellites use fixed antenna arrays, then manufacturing and deployment are simplified, but the system cannot optimize ground coverage for varying demand patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed antenna arrays with dynamic beam forming and signal routing circuitry that can electronically steer and reshape satellite beams to optimize ground coverage patterns. This allows the system to maintain simple satellite manufacturing and deployment while achieving adaptive ground coverage optimization by dynamically adjusting beam directions and shapes in response to varying demand patterns without requiring physical antenna reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite system can include one or more satellites that orbit the Earth. The one or more satellites may have satellite buses that support antenna arrays. The antenna arrays may include space fed arrays. Each space fed array may have an antenna feed array and an inner array that is coupled to a direct radiating array. The direct radiating array may operate in the same satellite band as the space fed array, or upconversion and downconversion circuitry may be used to communicatively couple a direct radiating array that operates in a different satellite band to the space fed array. The satellites may have peripheral walls with corner fittings that can be selected to provide the satellite bus with particular leg strengths. This can reduce overall mass of the satellites in a payload fairing while accommodating different types of antenna arrays.