Optical ISL Beam Generation from RF Feeder Uplink
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need for high bandwidth communication between ground-based gateways and space-based satellites, as well as between satellites, which existing technologies struggle to efficiently address due to limitations in frequency band utilization and satellite payload design.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical components and analog-over-free-space optical signals allows for the aggregation of multiple user links without onboard demodulation and remodulation, reducing satellite mass, power, and cost, and eliminates the need for RF frequency conversion in the forward link, enabling the use of Ka band frequencies for high-throughput satellite systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF frequency conversion and onboard demodulation/remodulation are used, then communication functionality is achieved, but satellite mass, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the RF frequency conversion, demodulation, and remodulation functions from the satellite payload. By using optical components to directly receive optical feeder uplink beams and generate RF service downlink beams without onboard RF processing, the satellite payload is simplified, reducing mass, power consumption, and cost while maintaining communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional RF-based electronic processing system with an optical-based system. Optical components receive optical feeder uplink beams and generate RF service downlink beams directly, substituting the mechanical/electronic RF frequency conversion and demodulation/remodulation processes with optical signal processing, thereby reducing payload complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple user links are aggregated, then bandwidth capacity increases, but onboard processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the demodulation and remodulation functions from the satellite, eliminating the need for complex onboard processing of multiple user links. Optical components directly aggregate multiple optical feeder uplink beams and generate the corresponding RF service downlink beams without onboard demodulation/remodulation, reducing power consumption while maintaining high bandwidth capacity.
3Ease of operation
If RF frequency conversion is performed onboard, then service downlink beams can be generated, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the RF frequency conversion system with an optical-based system. Optical components receive optical feeder uplink beams and directly generate RF service downlink beams without onboard RF frequency conversion, simplifying payload design while maintaining communication efficiency. This substitution eliminates the need for RF frequency converters and associated control systems.
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 increases bandwidth capacity, reduces satellite complexity and cost, and simplifies payload design by allowing optical feeder links without onboard processing, enabling efficient communication with reduced mass and power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical receiver is configured to receive the optical feeder uplink beam and produce an electrical signal in dependence on the optical feeder uplink beam
Implementation Method 2
a first converter is configured to convert the electrical signal to a first RF electrical signal in a first RF frequency range
Implementation Method 3
a second converter is configured to convert the first RF electrical signal to an optical signal in dependence on the first RF electrical signal
Implementation Method 4
an optical transmitter is configured to produce an optical inter-satellite link (ISL) beam for transmission to another satellite in dependence on the optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a space based subsystem of a satellite, and methods for use therewith, for receiving an RF uplink feeder beam and in dependence thereon producing one or more optical ISL beams for transmission to one or more other satellites. The subsystem can include an antenna to receive an RF feeder uplink beam and produce an RF signal therefrom. The subsystem can also include, inter alia, RF components, local oscillator(s), lasers, EOMs, a WDM multiplexer, an optical amplifier and transmitter optics. Such components can be used to convert the RF signal to one or more ISL beams for transmission to one or more other satellites. Where RF frequencies of optical data signals output by the EOMs are within the same RF frequency range within which the other satellite(s) transmit RF service downlink beams, there is an elimination of any need for the other satellite(s) to perform frequency conversions.