Optical Gateway Satellite System with Onboard Processing
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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 with the need for multiple RF frequency sites, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing optical feeder links between ground-based gateways and satellites, utilizing a large number of lasers and electro-optical modulators to transmit data modulated RF carriers, which eliminates the need for RF frequency conversions upstream of the satellite's onboard channelizer, simplifying the space segment equipment and reducing the number of ground sites required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF frequency conversion equipment is used in satellite systems, then bandwidth routing capability is improved, but device complexity and ground site quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF frequency conversion equipment with optical processing equipment on the satellite. Optical feeder links carry multiple RF channels simultaneously without requiring frequency converters, substituting mechanical/electrical RF conversion systems with optical systems that achieve the same bandwidth routing function with simpler architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical feeder link system provides multi-functionality by simultaneously carrying multiple RF channels and services through a single link. The optical processing equipment on the satellite can handle multiple frequency channels, polarizations, and service types without requiring separate frequency conversion equipment for each, achieving universal bandwidth routing.
2Productivity
If multiple ground sites are deployed for RF frequency conversion, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RF channel transmissions into a single optical feeder link using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Multiple wavelength channels are combined and transmitted through one optical link to the satellite, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate ground sites into a single site with optical capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from the RF frequency dimension to the optical wavelength dimension for bandwidth expansion. Instead of using multiple RF frequency converters at multiple ground sites, the patent uses optical wavelengths as the new dimension for multiplexing multiple channels, achieving higher bandwidth capacity with fewer ground sites.
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 significantly reduces the number of ground sites needed, lowers costs, and simplifies satellite equipment by eliminating the need for RF frequency converters, while maintaining high spectral efficiency and bandwidth capacity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the electro-optical modulators receives an optical signal from a respective one of the plurality of lasers, receives a different data modulated RF carrier signal that has been modulated to carry data for at least one of the plurality of RF service downlink beams
Implementation Method 2
The optical amplifier is configured to amplify the wavelength division multiplexed optical signal to thereby produce an optically amplified wavelength division multiplexed optical signal
Implementation Method 3
The transmitter optics is configured to receive the optically amplified wavelength division multiplexed optical signal and transmit an optical feeder uplink beam to the satellite in dependence thereon
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. Also described herein are space based subsystems of a satellite, and related methods, for use in transmitting a plurality of RF service downlink beams within a specified RF frequency range to service terminals. Beneficially certain embodiments eliminate the satellite to perform any RF frequency conversions upstream of a channelizer of the space based forward link subsystem on the satellite. Also described herein is space segment return link equipment, and related methods, for use in transmitting an optical feeder downlink beam to a ground based subsystem, as well as ground based return link equipment thereof.