Multi-User Optical Terminal for Simultaneous Satellite and Drone Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical link communication systems are limited to single-user point-to-point communications and struggle to establish connections between multiple user terminals in the same area of interest, due to high initial uncertainty and limited beam divergence, making it difficult to initiate and maintain communication across large distances.
Innovation Solution
A multi-user terminal equipped with acquisition means to detect communication requests from multiple terminals, allowing for the assignment of additional communication channels, angular difference estimation, and the use of beam splitters and fine pointing mechanisms to compensate for angular differences and track terminal movements, enabling simultaneous communication with multiple terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-user point-to-point optical link is used, then communication between two terminals is established, but the system cannot communicate with multiple user terminals simultaneously in the same area of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The optical receiver is segmented into multiple independent detection channels (first communication channel, second communication channel, etc.), each capable of detecting signals from different user terminals. This segmentation allows the single terminal to simultaneously communicate with multiple user terminals by processing signals through separate channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical communication terminal is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both single-user point-to-point communication and multi-user simultaneous communication. The acquisition means and communication unit are configured to handle multiple user terminals universally, making the terminal adaptable to different communication scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If the optical beam divergence is kept small for precise communication, then the communication beam remains focused, but the zone illuminated is very limited and cannot cover the entire cone of uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic acquisition means that can track and follow the movement of user terminals within the cone of uncertainty. Instead of using a static wide beam, the system dynamically adjusts the detection direction to follow the terminal movement, maintaining precise pointing while covering the uncertainty cone over time through sequential detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The acquisition means continuously scans or tracks the cone of uncertainty to detect user terminals. By maintaining continuous detection action across the uncertainty cone, the system ensures that terminals moving within the cone can be detected and communicated with, effectively covering the entire area through continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If the geostationary satellite scans the cone of uncertainty with a steerable beacon beam, then the initial uncertainty is reduced, but the system only allows single-user point-to-point communications
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition means is segmented into multiple independent detection channels, each capable of detecting beacon beams from different user terminals simultaneously or sequentially. This segmentation allows the system to reduce uncertainty for multiple terminals and establish communications with multiple users, transforming the single-user capability into multi-user capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acquisition and uncertainty reduction for multiple user terminals before establishing formal communication. The acquisition means detects beacon beams and reduces uncertainty for multiple terminals in advance, preparing the system for subsequent multi-user communication establishment.
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
This solution allows for flexible and efficient communication with multiple user terminals, expanding data transmission capabilities and enabling communication with satellites in low orbit or drones, by allowing user terminals to initiate communication and reducing the uncertainty cone, thus improving pointing precision and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
transmit and receive a beam of light radiation, for example infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter suitable for splitting a beam received as a function of each of the wavelengths corresponding to each channel and transmitting it on each of the channels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The terminal has a communication unit (8) performing a communication between the terminal and a user terminal over a transmission channel (81). An acquisition unit (7) is adapted to detect a communication request from another user terminal while the multi-user terminal is in course of communication with the former user terminal. Terminals assigning units assign another communication with the latter user terminal over transmission channels (82, 83). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a satellite (2) an airborne platform (3) a communication method between a multi-user terminal (4) a communication system comprising user terminals in a zone of interest.