Robotic Lensed Antenna Layout for Multi-Satellite Hemisphere Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite tracking systems, such as high gain gimballed reflector antennas and phased array antennas, are expensive, require large areas, and struggle to simultaneously track multiple satellites efficiently, especially in low and medium orbits, with limitations in frequency bandwidth and independent tracking capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A spherical, multi-beam lensed antenna system using low-noise block downconverters (LNBFs) with robotic arms, movable platforms, or radio-controlled robotic modules, allowing independent control of narrow beams for simultaneous tracking of multiple satellites across a hemisphere, minimizing blockage effects and reducing physical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional high gain gimballed reflector antennas are used to track multiple satellites, then tracking capability is improved, but the area required and system cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large antenna system into multiple smaller antenna elements arranged in an array. Each antenna element can independently track satellites, allowing the system to monitor multiple satellites simultaneously without requiring multiple separate large antennas, thereby reducing the total area required while maintaining or enhancing tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple antenna elements into a unified phased array system that shares common support structures, control systems, and processing electronics. This integration allows the system to achieve multiple satellite tracking capability while using less space than would be required for multiple independent traditional antennas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional gimballed reflector antennas are used for multiple satellite tracking, then tracking capability is improved, but system cost increases due to requiring multiple antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple antenna elements into a single phased array system that shares common infrastructure including support structures, control systems, and signal processing electronics. This consolidation achieves multiple satellite tracking capability while reducing the total system cost compared to deploying multiple independent traditional gimballed reflector antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array system provides universal functionality for tracking multiple satellites across different orbits and frequency bands using a single integrated platform. The system can dynamically reconfigure its beam patterns to track various satellites simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple specialized antennas and reducing overall system cost.
3Productivity
If phased array antennas are used for multiple satellite tracking, then simultaneous tracking capability is improved, but operational frequency bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements frequency-selective surface elements and multi-band LNBFs at each antenna element position, allowing different portions of the array to operate at different frequency bands simultaneously. This local differentiation enables the system to maintain broad frequency coverage while achieving simultaneous multi-satellite tracking capability across multiple bands and orbits.
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple low noise block down converter feeds (LNBFs) independently move close to the surface of the lower half of a spherical lens to create N beams for simultaneous tracking of N satellites, preferably containing a visible hemisphere. A spiderlike robot with non-metal arms positions the LNBFs. Each LNBF can have several feeds for different satellite frequency bands. LNBFs can be carried by one or two circular rails, movable arc rails orthogonal to a circular rail, or magnetic coupling to the lens. RC platforms can be autonomous, with connections using Bluetooth™ or other radio links. be Single feeds can be arranged in a chess board arrangement, where each piece of the chess board is responsible for a small three-dimensional angle of the sky. In any of these embodiments, LNBFs can be positioned closer or farther from the lens to create a relative phase shift.