Multi-Band Satellite Array Architecture for Dynamic Capacity Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite-based communications systems face inefficiencies in deployment, leading to elevated costs and suboptimal ground coverage, as they often struggle to dynamically adjust capacity in response to varying demand levels, resulting in idle resources during periods of lower demand.
Innovation Solution
A satellite system design featuring a satellite bus with customizable antenna arrays, including space fed arrays and direct radiating arrays that operate in different frequency bands, coupled with upconversion and downconversion circuitry, and beam forming/signal routing circuitry, allowing for flexible configuration and efficient signal handling across multiple bands, enabling dynamic capacity adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellites are deployed to serve periods or regions of highest demand, then coverage and service quality during peak demand is improved, but resources remain idle during periods of lower demand leading to inefficiency and elevated costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling satellites to dynamically adjust their operational characteristics - specifically, the ability to change frequency bands and antenna beam configurations in real-time based on varying demand conditions. This allows the satellite system to transition from static, demand-specific deployments to dynamic, adaptive resource allocation, eliminating idle resources during low-demand periods while maintaining service quality during peak periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing satellites to operate across multiple frequency bands (e.g., C-band, Ku-band, Ka-band) and adjust antenna beam parameters dynamically. By changing operational parameters such as frequency, bandwidth, and beam direction based on real-time demand assessment, the system can optimize resource utilization without sacrificing service quality during high-demand periods.
2Ease of manufacture
If a satellite-based communications system is designed for a particular demand level, then cost control is improved, but the system cannot dynamically increase capacity in response to higher demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing satellites with multi-functional capabilities - each satellite is equipped with multiple antenna arrays that can operate across different frequency bands and provide various service types. This universal design allows a single satellite to serve multiple demand levels and service requirements, eliminating the need for separate satellite systems for different capacity needs while maintaining cost control through shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic capacity adjustment by allowing satellites to flexibly reconfigure their antenna beams and frequency allocations in response to changing demand conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to scale capacity up or down without requiring physical satellite deployment changes, providing adaptability while maintaining cost efficiency through existing resource utilization.
3Device complexity
If conventional satellite systems use fixed antenna arrays, then device complexity is reduced, but the systems cannot adapt to varying demand levels or provide optimized ground coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the antenna system into multiple independent antenna arrays, each capable of operating in different frequency bands and providing different service functions. This segmentation allows independent control and configuration of each array, enabling adaptive beam forming and frequency allocation without requiring complex monolithic antenna designs, thus maintaining manageable system complexity while achieving high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite system can include one or more satellites that orbit the Earth. The one or more satellites may have satellite buses that support antenna arrays. The antenna arrays may include space fed arrays. Each space fed array may have an antenna feed array and an inner array that is coupled to a direct radiating array. The direct radiating array may operate in the same satellite band as the space fed array, or upconversion and downconversion circuitry may be used to communicatively couple a direct radiating array that operates in a different satellite band to the space fed array. The satellites may have peripheral walls with corner fittings that can be selected to provide the satellite bus with particular leg strengths. This can reduce overall mass of the satellites in a payload fairing while accommodating different types of antenna arrays.