Repeater Path Performance Prediction Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

In repeater systems, the cumulative effects of component gains and losses lead to variability in performance, causing some repeaters to fall outside established operating specifications, necessitating costly and time-consuming iterative testing and replacement of components to achieve desired signal quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for evaluating repeater performance by identifying parameters of earth stations and repeater components, predicting performance based on these parameters, and adjusting component settings to ensure the repeater operates within a predetermined range of desired performance, using a system manager, performance calculator, and graphical user interface to manage gain, loss, and noise figure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If iterative testing and component replacement is performed to achieve desired signal quality, then repeater performance reliability is improved, but development time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeater performance reliabilityVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing virtual testing and performance prediction before physical prototype construction. The system calculates and predicts repeater performance using component parameters (gain, loss, noise figure) in a virtual environment, allowing developers to identify and correct performance issues before building physical models, thereby reducing iterative testing cycles and development time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a virtual model of the repeater system that replicates the functionality and performance characteristics of the physical system. This virtual copy allows for repeated testing and evaluation without consuming physical components or requiring physical prototype construction, enabling performance optimization while minimizing material usage and time investment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If iterative testing and component replacement is performed to achieve desired signal quality, then repeater performance reliability is improved, but development cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeater performance reliabilityVSAvoiddevelopment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a virtual model of the repeater system that replicates the functionality and performance characteristics of the physical system. This virtual copy allows for repeated testing and evaluation without consuming physical components or requiring physical prototype construction, enabling performance optimization while minimizing material usage and time investment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the physical mechanical testing process with computational analysis. Instead of physically assembling and disassembling components to test performance, the system uses computer-based calculations to predict repeater performance based on component parameters, eliminating the need for repeated physical prototyping and reducing development costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple repeater components with varying performance characteristics are used, then system adaptability is improved, but performance consistency deteriorates due to cumulative gains and losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem adaptabilityVSAvoidperformance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using the predicted performance results to guide component selection and configuration decisions. The system calculates the cumulative effect of component gains and losses, compares the predicted performance against desired specifications, and provides feedback to adjust component parameters or configuration to achieve consistent performance while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by systematically evaluating different combinations of component parameters (gain, loss, noise figure) to identify configurations that achieve desired performance consistency. The system allows for virtual adjustment of component parameters to optimize performance before finalizing the physical implementation, ensuring consistent results while accommodating necessary variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If physical model testing is performed to validate repeater performance, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance measurement precisionVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing virtual testing and performance prediction before physical prototype construction. The system calculates and predicts repeater performance using component parameters (gain, loss, noise figure) in a virtual environment, allowing developers to identify and correct performance issues before building physical models, thereby reducing iterative testing cycles and development time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a virtual model of the repeater system that replicates the functionality and performance characteristics of the physical system. This virtual copy allows for repeated testing and evaluation without consuming physical components or requiring physical prototype construction, enabling performance optimization while minimizing material usage and time investment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2456095B1Repeater design and verification tool
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 THE BOEING CO
  • EP2456095B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2456095B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2456095B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The performance of a repeater path may be predicted by identifying the parameters of a transmitting earth, a receiving earth station, and the component performance parameters of at least one of the gain, loss and noise figure of at least one of repeater components in the repeater path. The component performance parameters, the transmitting and receiving earth station parameters, and the predicted repeater performance may be communicated and/or displayed via a graphical user interface.