Satellite Antenna Pattern Adjustment for Flexible Spot Beam Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication architectures face limitations in flexibility, as they often require fixed spot beams and predetermined capacity allocation, which restricts adaptability to changes in service coverage areas, user terminal locations, and orbital positions, leading to inflexibility in accommodating varying user demands and deployment conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hub-spoke, bent-pipe satellite communications system with a phased array of antenna feed elements and a controller that specifies data for capacity allocation between forward and return traffic, using low noise amplifiers and high power amplifiers to dynamically adjust beamforming and antenna patterns, allowing for flexible configuration of pathways and adaptive beamforming to support changing service coverage areas and user terminal locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed spot beams and predetermined capacity allocation are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming configuration where the controller can adjust spot beam coverage areas and capacity allocation in real-time based on changing service conditions, user terminal locations, and orbital positions, transforming the static fixed spot beam architecture into a dynamic adaptive system
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including beamforming weights, capacity allocation ratios, and spot beam coverage area dimensions to adapt to varying service demands, allowing the satellite communication system to optimize performance under different operating conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic beamforming adjustment is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions including capacity allocation between forward and return traffic, spot beam formation, beamforming weight calculation, and dynamic reconfiguration of pathways, allowing a single device to handle diverse adaptation requirements without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite communication system is divided into functional segments including the controller, low noise amplifiers for signal reception, high power amplifiers for signal transmission, and phased array antenna elements, allowing independent optimization and management of each component's complexity
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 enhances the flexibility of satellite communications by enabling dynamic adjustment of spot beam coverage areas and capacity allocation, accommodating changes in user demands and orbital positions, thereby improving the adaptability and efficiency of satellite communications systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one low noise amplifier (LNA), wherein an output of the at least one LNA is configured to be coupled to a pathway of the multiple pathways and to amplify uplink beam signals
Implementation Method 2
at least one high power amplifier (HPA), wherein an input of the at least one HPA is configured to be coupled to a pathway of the multiple pathways and to amplify downlink beam signals
Implementation Method 3
using low noise amplifiers and high power amplifiers to dynamically adjust beamforming and antenna patterns
Data Source
AI summary
The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.