Optical Gateway Satellite Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication systems face challenges in efficiently routing large amounts of bandwidth between ground-based gateways and satellites, particularly due to the need for extensive digital processing and high power consumption in digital channelizers, which complicates the payload design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical feeder links using analog-over-free-space signals eliminates the need for high-speed Analog-to-Digital Converters and Digital to Analog Converters on satellites, allowing for simpler repeater designs and reducing mass and power consumption by using optical gateways that perform flexible bandwidth allocation without onboard channelizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital channelizers are used for bandwidth routing between gateway and satellite, then bandwidth routing capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the digital channelizer function from the satellite payload and relocates it to the ground-based optical gateway. This removes the complex digital processing equipment from space, simplifying the satellite payload while maintaining full bandwidth routing capability through the ground station's resource allocator and optical switching fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical gateway as an intermediary between the ground network and the satellite. This intermediary performs all digital signal processing, frequency conversion, and bandwidth allocation functions on the ground, allowing the satellite to operate as a simple optical-broadcast transponder without complex onboard processing equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high-speed Analog-to-Digital Converters and Digital to Analog Converters are installed on satellites for bandwidth conversion, then frequency band flexibility is improved, but mass and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all high-speed ADC and DAC equipment from the satellite by performing frequency conversion and signal processing entirely on the ground. The satellite only needs to transmit and receive optical signals, eliminating the mass of space-grade converters while maintaining full frequency band flexibility through ground-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical/electrical frequency conversion equipment on the satellite with an optical communication system. By using optical feeder links for frequency conversion and signal processing on the ground, the system eliminates the need for heavy onboard converters while achieving superior frequency flexibility through optical-wavelength multiplexing.
3Productivity
If extensive digital processing equipment is deployed on satellites for bandwidth routing, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all power-intensive digital processing functions from the satellite and relocates them to the ground-based optical gateway. The satellite's role is reduced to simple optical signal transmission and broadcast, eliminating the need for high-power onboard processors, memory, and cooling systems while maintaining high bandwidth capacity through ground-based resource allocation.
4Quantity of substance
If optical gateways are used instead of RF gateways for feeder links, then the number of gateway sites required is reduced, but optical transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical gateway a universal platform that handles multiple functions: optical signal generation, wavelength-division multiplexing, resource allocation, frequency conversion, and beam forming. By consolidating all these functions into a single ground-based optical node, the system reduces the number of gateway sites needed while the complexity is managed through integrated ground-based equipment.
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 approach enables significant cost savings and reduced complexity by eliminating the need for digital channelizers and extensive ground command equipment, while maintaining high throughput capabilities, allowing for the launch of satellites with increased bandwidth capacity.
Implementation Method 1
transmit an optical feeder uplink beam to a satellite that is configured to receive the optical feeder uplink beam
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are ground based subsystems, and related methods, for use in transmitting an optical feeder uplink beam to a satellite that is configured to receive the optical feeder uplink beam and in dependence thereon produce and transmit a plurality of RF service downlink beams within a specified RF frequency range to service terminals. Certain embodiments are related to a resource allocator for inclusion in a ground based subsystem, and methods for use therewith. Beneficially, the resource allocator, and methods for use therewith, eliminate any need for a satellite to perform any bandwidth allocation for the plurality of service downlink beams produced and transmitted by the satellite, thereby eliminating any need for the satellite to include an on-board channelizer. Such a recourse allocator can include a plurality of channels each of which can include an encoder and modulator, a channel filter, and a frequency up-converter.