Optical ISL Beam Relay for Satellite Payload Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is an increasing need for high bandwidth routing 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 communication architectures.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical components and analog-over-free-space optical signals to transmit and receive data between ground-based gateways and satellites, allowing for the production of optical inter-satellite link beams and RF service downlink beams without the need for onboard demodulation and remodulation, simplifying satellite payload design and reducing mass, power, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical components and analog-over-free-space optical signals are used to transmit data between ground-based gateways and satellites, then bandwidth capacity and transmission efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for optical equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the demodulation and remodulation functions from the satellite payload, eliminating the need for complex onboard signal processing equipment. The satellite simply receives optical signals and retransmits them as optical or RF signals without demodulating the data, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high bandwidth capacity through optical transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite payload is designed to handle multiple signal types (optical and RF) and multiple link types (feeder links and inter-satellite links) using a unified architecture. This multi-functionality allows the same equipment to serve multiple purposes, improving bandwidth utilization across different communication channels without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency conversion is performed on the satellite to route bandwidth between feeder links and inter-satellite links, then bandwidth routing flexibility is improved, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the frequency conversion function from the satellite payload entirely. Instead of converting frequencies onboard, the system maintains optical signals in the optical domain throughout the inter-satellite link, eliminating the need for complex frequency conversion equipment while preserving bandwidth routing flexibility through optical switching and signal directing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical switching equipment as an intermediary to route signals between different links. This optical mediator enables flexible bandwidth routing by directing optical signals to appropriate destinations without requiring frequency conversion, thereby achieving adaptability while reducing equipment complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If demodulation and remodulation are performed onboard the satellite, then signal processing capability is improved, but mass, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the demodulation and remodulation functions from the satellite and relocates them to ground-based equipment. The satellite payload is simplified to only perform optical signal reception and retransmission, dramatically reducing mass, power consumption, and cost while ground stations handle the complex signal processing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that ground-based equipment performs the demanding signal processing tasks, allowing the satellite to operate with minimal onboard processing capability. This self-service approach at the ground level enables the satellite to be lighter and more efficient while maintaining full signal processing capability through the ground-satellite-ground loop
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 high-throughput satellite communication systems by eliminating the need for frequency conversion on the satellite, simplifying equipment, and reducing costs, while allowing for the aggregation of multiple user links without extra hardware, thereby enhancing bandwidth capacity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receive an optical inter-satellite link beam from another satellite and produce an optical inter-satellite link beam for transmission to a third satellite
Implementation Method 2
The use of optical components and analog-over-free-space optical signals to transmit and receive data between ground-based gateways and satellites
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a space based subsystem of a satellite, and methods for use therewith, for receiving an optical ISL beam from another satellite, and in dependence therein, producing a further optical ISL beam for transmission to a further satellite. Additionally, the subsystem can also produce RF service downlink beams for transmission to service terminals. The subsystem can include, inter alia, receiver optics, optical amplifiers, a WDM demultiplexer, beam splitters, a WDM multiplexer, and transmitter optics. In certain embodiments, because RF frequencies of a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal produced by the WDM multiplexer are within a same specified RF frequency range within which the satellite and the further satellite are configured to transmit RF service downlink beams, there is an elimination of any need for the satellite and further satellite to perform any frequency conversions when producing the RF service downlink beams in dependence on the optical ISL beams.