Phased Array Antenna Performance Mapping for Beam Orientation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems using phased array antennas face challenges in maintaining effective communication due to environmental obstructions and signal attenuation, as they do not adequately consider the directional characteristics of the antennas, leading to suboptimal performance and inefficient resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that generates a performance map to evaluate and characterize the local environment based on directional characteristics of phased array antennas, allowing for optimal orientation and positioning of the antennas to improve signal quality and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phased array antennas are used for wireless communication with satellites, then communication capability is provided, but environmental obstructions and signal attenuation degrade communication performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning of the environment to identify obstructions and generate a performance map before actual communication operations. This advance characterization of the communication environment allows the system to proactively select optimal beam orientations and anticipate signal degradation from known obstructions, rather than reacting to poor performance after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The performance map is dynamically updated based on changing environmental conditions and satellite positions. The system continuously adapts beamforming parameters and handoff decisions based on real-time satellite location and the stored performance characteristics, allowing the communication system to remain optimized as both the environment and satellite geometry change over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If directional characteristics of phased array antennas are not considered, then system operation is simplified, but communication performance deteriorates due to suboptimal positioning and orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning of the environment to identify obstructions and generate a performance map before actual communication operations. This advance characterization of the communication environment allows the system to proactively select optimal beam orientations and anticipate signal degradation from known obstructions, rather than reacting to poor performance after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The performance map serves as a self-contained database that enables the phased array system to autonomously make intelligent decisions about beam orientation and handoff timing without requiring complex real-time calculations or external assistance. The system uses its own stored performance characteristics to guide operational decisions, reducing the need for external control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If performance mapping is implemented to evaluate local environment, then optimal positioning and handoff can be determined, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning of the environment to identify obstructions and generate a performance map before actual communication operations. This advance characterization of the communication environment allows the system to proactively select optimal beam orientations and anticipate signal degradation from known obstructions, rather than reacting to poor performance after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a simplified representational copy of the physical environment in the form of a performance map with grid-based signal quality data. This abstracted model captures the essential characteristics of the communication environment without requiring the system to process complex real-time physical measurements, enabling efficient decision-making based on the simplified map representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20240291145A1Communication performance mapping for phased array antennas

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 VIASAT INC

AI summary

A communications system may be configured to consider directional beam characteristics in the operation of a phased array antenna, such as during installation of, positioning or orienting of, or communications using a phased array antenna. In some examples, a communication system may be configured to generate a communications performance map for evaluating or characterizing a local communications environment relative to directional characteristics of a phased array antenna, and such a performance map may be used to establish various boundaries or directional thresholds for performing communications operations. In some examples, directional characteristics of a phased array antenna, or a communications performance map thereof, may be used for evaluating when to reposition or reorient the phased array antenna, such as when the phased array antenna is provided with a generally fixed orientation by an installer, or when the phased array antenna leverages a combination of physical positioning and electronic beamforming.