Satellite Antenna Interference Mitigation via Auxiliary Reflector

Solution Overview

Problem

Communications signals transmitted via satellites often experience interference due to unintentional or intentional manmade radio frequency signals, leading to reduced quality and increased bit error rates, which existing technologies struggle to effectively mitigate without restricting the design of the main antenna.

Innovation Solution

A satellite antenna system comprising a main reflector antenna and an auxiliary reflector antenna, along with a signal processor, where the auxiliary antenna receives interference signals from a specific area and uses them to reduce interference in the communications signals received by the main antenna, employing techniques like beam forming and spatial filtering to minimize distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single main reflector antenna is used to receive communications signals, then the antenna design can be simplified, but interference from manmade radio frequency signals cannot be effectively mitigated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna design complexityVSAvoidinterference from manmade radio frequency signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into two separate reflector antennas: a main reflector antenna for receiving communications signals and an auxiliary reflector antenna for receiving interference signals. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for its specific function while working together to resolve the interference problem without constraining the main antenna design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary reflector antenna acts as an intermediary device that captures interference signals separately. The signal processor then uses these interference signals to cancel out the harmful effects in the main antenna's received signals, effectively mediating between the main antenna and the interference without requiring the main antenna to be modified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an auxiliary reflector antenna is added to receive interference signals, then interference mitigation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference mitigation capabilityVSAvoidantenna system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into two separate reflector antennas: a main reflector antenna for receiving communications signals and an auxiliary reflector antenna for receiving interference signals. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for its specific function while working together to resolve the interference problem without constraining the main antenna design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary reflector antenna acts as an intermediary device that captures interference signals separately. The signal processor then uses these interference signals to cancel out the harmful effects in the main antenna's received signals, effectively mediating between the main antenna and the interference without requiring the main antenna to be modified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary and main antennas are physically separated, then each antenna can be independently designed and positioned, but the system requires more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna design flexibilityVSAvoidsystem space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is divided into two separate reflector antennas: a main reflector antenna for receiving communications signals and an auxiliary reflector antenna for receiving interference signals. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for its specific function while working together to resolve the interference problem without constraining the main antenna design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces interference in communications signals, allowing for improved quality and lower bit error rates without constraining the design of the main reflector antenna, even when the auxiliary and main antennas are physically separated.

Implementation Method 1

employing techniques like beam forming and spatial filtering to minimize distortion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam forming:

Implementation Method 2

employing techniques like beam forming and spatial filtering to minimize distortion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpatial filtering: Spatial Filter

Data Source

PatentUS9219508B1Interference mitigation for a communications system

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method for processing communications signals. The communications signals are received from an area. The communications signals are received from a portion of the area in which interference is present. The interference is reduced from the communications signals received from the area using the communications signals received from the portion of the area.