Phased Array Antenna Multiplexing Across Modems and Satellites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication antennas face challenges with size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C+R) limitations, leading to reduced applicability and inefficiencies in maintaining communication links, especially when multiple satellites or modems are required, and there is a need for secure and efficient data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple electronically steerable antennas (ESAs) using variable dielectric technology and real-time multiplexing, allowing dynamic switching and combining of signals across multiple antennas and modems, along with encryption methods to enhance security and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If Electronically Steerable Arrays (ESA) are used to reduce physical size compared to Mechanically Steered Antennas, then size and reliability improve, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the antenna system into multiple independent ESA units, each capable of autonomous beam steering. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the required aperture size through spatial distribution rather than a single large power-consuming ESA, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple ESAs to function as a unified antenna system with effective aperture area equal to or exceeding that of a single large ESA. By merging multiple lower-power units, the system achieves the desired signal gain and aperture performance without the prohibitive power consumption of a single large-scale ESA.
2Area of stationary object
If the aperture size is increased to improve signal gain and spectral efficiency, then communication performance improves, but the physical footprint and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-planar aperture configuration to a three-dimensional distributed array of multiple ESAs. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve large effective aperture area by distributing antenna elements across multiple spatial locations and orientations, thereby improving signal gain without requiring a single large complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ESA unit in the patent is designed to be multi-functional, capable of independent beam steering, signal reception, and transmission. This universality allows each component to contribute to multiple system functions simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity compared to having specialized components for each function.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas and modems are deployed to communicate with multiple satellites, then communication reliability and security improve, but SWaP-C+R constraints are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic multiplexing that allows the system to adaptively allocate antenna and modem resources based on real-time communication requirements. This dynamic configuration enables the system to achieve high communication reliability through multiple satellites while minimizing the number of physical antennas and modems needed at any given time, thereby reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes variable dielectric technology to dynamically change the electrical properties of antenna elements, allowing a single physical antenna to effectively serve multiple frequency bands and modulation schemes. This parameter changing capability enables multiple satellites to be communicated with using fewer physical antennas, reducing system weight while maintaining reliability.
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
Enables secure, efficient, and reliable communication with multiple satellites by dynamically selecting the best antenna and modem combinations, improving signal strength and reducing interference, while minimizing SWaP-C+R constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The dielectric constant in a selected area under the conductive line can be varied to control the phase of the radiating element
Data Source
Figure 1~5A
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A system having a platform upon which several phased antenna arrays are mounted and which can communicate with satellites. The system includes a switch that can connect any of the phased array antennas to any of available modems. The system further includes a router that can connect any of the modems to any available computing devices. Based on parameters such as data rates, signal strength, and account information, one or more communication paths are selected for a computing device requesting to communicate with a satellite. Each communication path is established by operating the switch to connect a selected antenna to a selected modem, and operating the router to transfer data between the computing device and the selected modem.