Non-Geostationary Satellite Beacon Signal Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for data transmission between resource-constrained devices and non-geostationary satellites, such as LEO satellites, face challenges including the need for GPS positioning, frequent ephemeris updates, varying frequency requirements, signal collisions, and energy consumption, especially in mobile and remote applications.
Innovation Solution
A method where a non-geostationary satellite broadcasts a beacon signal containing region-specific information and elevation criteria, allowing ground-based devices to adjust their transmission frequency and timing without relying on GPS or frequent ephemeris updates, and incorporating Doppler shift estimations to determine position and optimize transmission windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS positioning system is added to mobile transmitter objects, then position prediction accuracy is improved, but device cost and battery consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground-based station as an intermediary that performs the expensive GPS positioning and ephemeris calculation tasks. The mobile object only needs to measure simple signal parameters (Doppler shift, signal strength) from the satellite, while the ground station computes the complex orbital mechanics and provides position predictions, thereby eliminating the need for GPS in the mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic GPS positioning system with a signal-based measurement approach. Instead of using GPS receivers to determine position, the system uses radio signal characteristics (Doppler shift, signal strength) measured by the mobile object, processed through orbital mechanics models at the ground station, to achieve position prediction without GPS hardware.
2Measurement precision
If ephemeris is transmitted frequently to ensure prediction reliability, then position prediction accuracy is improved, but satellite transmission bandwidth and object power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground station performs preliminary calculations of ephemeris and position predictions using pre-stored orbital parameters and current time information. This preliminary action eliminates the need for frequent real-time ephemeris transmissions from the satellite, as the mobile object can compute predictions locally using the ground station's pre-computed data and current signal measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile object performs self-service by measuring its own signal parameters (Doppler shift, signal strength) and using these measurements combined with ground station data to compute its own position predictions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the satellite to continuously transmit updated ephemeris data, reducing satellite transmission burden.
3Productivity
If multiple ground-based objects transmit simultaneously in satellite visibility, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but signal collisions occur reducing Quality of Service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission timing where each mobile object adjusts its transmission moment based on real-time measurement of satellite signal characteristics (Doppler shift, signal strength). This dynamic adaptation allows objects to stagger transmissions and avoid collisions, improving reliability while maintaining efficient use of satellite visibility windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from signal strength and Doppler measurements to adjust transmission timing. Each object continuously monitors the satellite signal and uses this feedback to determine optimal transmission moments, avoiding simultaneous transmissions and reducing collisions while maximizing data transmission efficiency during satellite visibility.
4Productivity
If object transmits at all times in satellite visibility, then data transmission opportunity is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system implements periodic transmission where mobile objects wake up at predicted satellite passage times, transmit data briefly during the visibility window, and then enter low-power sleep mode. The periodic action is triggered by the ground station's ephemeris data and confirmed by actual signal measurements, optimizing the balance between transmission opportunities and energy conservation.
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 enables low-cost, low-power data transmission from resource-constrained devices to non-geostationary satellites with improved accuracy and reduced energy consumption, even in mobile and remote scenarios, while minimizing signal collisions and maintaining Quality of Service.
Implementation Method 1
a non-geostationary satellite broadcasts a beacon signal containing region-specific information
Implementation Method 2
incorporating Doppler shift estimations to determine position and optimize transmission windows
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the transmission of a region-specific piece of information from at least one non-geostationary satellite to at least one ground-based device, the method being carried out by the non-geostationary satellite and including emitting at least one signal periodically towards the Earth, the signal including the region-specific piece of information and an elevation criterion, the region-specific piece of information being specific to a region around the nadir of the non-geostationary satellite, the elevation criterion being relative to the region around the nadir of the non-geostationary satellite.