Multi-Beam Satellite Beam Formation Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-beam satellite telecommunications systems face limitations in calculating phase and amplitude weighting coefficients due to processor constraints on board, leading to inefficient beam formation and increased bandwidth requirements, especially when dynamic and complex beams are needed to manage interferences.
Innovation Solution
A system that divides beam formation between on-board and ground-based processing, using a module on the satellite to form static or semi-static beams and a ground station to form dynamic beams, with a management center coordinating the coexistence of both, allowing for advanced signal processing and reduced bandwidth demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ground-based beam forming is used to form dynamic and complex beams, then beam formation flexibility and signal processing capability are improved, but the required bandwidth for the connection link increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam formation process into two parts: on-board beam forming for static/semi-static beams and ground-based processing for dynamic beams. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility through ground-based processing while limiting bandwidth requirements by handling only dynamic portions ground-based, rather than transmitting all beam formation data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the division of beam formation tasks between on-board and ground-based processing. The management center determines which beams are formed on-board and which are ground-formed based on real-time requirements, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while optimizing bandwidth usage.
2Extent of automation
If on-board processors calculate weighting coefficients, then beam formation can be performed autonomously on the satellite, but the calculation capability is limited by mass, power consumption and thermal dissipation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the computational workload for beam forming into on-board and ground-based segments. On-board processors handle only the essential static/semi-static beam formation, while ground-based processors handle the more computationally intensive dynamic beam formation. This segmentation reduces the power consumption and computational burden on on-board processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a management center as an intermediary that coordinates between on-board and ground-based processing. The management center receives information from the satellite, determines the optimal division of beam formation tasks, and sends control signals back to the satellite, enabling efficient distribution of computational load without requiring full on-board processing capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If all beams are formed ground-based, then advanced signal processing algorithms can be implemented, but the bandwidth requirement for the connection link becomes much higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing tasks by beam type: static and semi-static beams are formed on-board with simpler processing, while only dynamic beams require ground-based advanced signal processing. This segmentation maintains signal processing precision where needed while significantly reducing the bandwidth requirement compared to processing all beams ground-based.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying advanced ground-based signal processing to all beams (excessive action), the patent applies it only to the necessary dynamic beams (partial action). This partial application of advanced processing maintains the required signal quality for complex scenarios while avoiding the excessive bandwidth consumption that would result from processing all beams ground-based.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-beam telecommunications satellite, intended to be placed in orbit around the earth, and adapted to relay data between terrestrial terminals and at least one ground station and to form beams on a user link between the satellite and terrestrial terminals, includes a module for forming beams on board in the satellite, a module for processing beams in the ground station, and a module for routing signals received from the ground station and/or from terrestrial terminals, signals of beams formed on board being routed towards the on-board beam forming module, and signals of ground-formed beams being routed towards the ground-formed beam processing module. A telecommunications system including the multi-beam satellite, a ground station and a beam management center adapted to divide the beams into one group of ground-formed beams and one group of beams formed on board, as well as a method for forming beams are disclosed.