Satellite Beam Layout for Navigation Coverage and Data Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) face challenges in providing accurate navigation parameters due to limited satellite constellations, which result in fragile signal coverage, especially in disadvantaged locations, and long delays in obtaining a navigation fix, particularly for devices without built-in GPS receivers.
Innovation Solution
A satellite communications system with a constellation of thousands of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites using phased arrays to transmit both data and navigation signals, employing directive beams for data communication and wide beams for navigation, allowing terminals to quickly gather navigation signals and compute a navigation solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a limited satellite constellation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but navigation signal coverage becomes fragile and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission function into two distinct beam types: wide beams for navigation signals and directive beams for data signals. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable navigation coverage with a limited satellite constellation while providing enhanced data communication capabilities where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using directive beams to concentrate signal energy in specific geographic regions for enhanced data communication, while maintaining wide beam coverage for navigation signals across broader areas. This allows different parts of the coverage area to receive different signal qualities appropriate to their needs.
2Ease of manufacture
If a limited satellite constellation is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but navigation parameter accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission parameters by using different beam widths for different signal types. Wide beams maintain broad coverage for navigation signals, while directive beams concentrate energy for high-rate data transmission. This parameter change allows accurate navigation parameter determination with fewer satellites.
3Area of stationary object
If wide beams are used for navigation signals, then signal coverage area is increased, but signal energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy distribution by allocating wide beams for navigation signals (prioritizing coverage area) and directive beams for data signals (prioritizing energy density). This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different energy distribution strategies to different signal types.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite system performs multiple functions using the same infrastructure: it provides both navigation signals via wide beams and high-rate data communication via directive beams. This multi-functionality allows the system to address both coverage area and energy density requirements simultaneously.
4Productivity
If directive beams are used for data signals, then data transmission rate is increased, but coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating directive beam energy in specific coverage regions to achieve high data transmission rates, while accepting that these high-rate regions are geographically limited. Wide beam coverage ensures that navigation signals remain available across broader areas.
5Reliability
If thousands of LEO satellites are deployed, then GNSS availability is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite constellation into specialized roles: satellites equipped with phased arrays for navigation signal transmission and those optimized for data communication. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high GNSS availability without requiring every satellite to possess all capabilities, thereby managing overall system 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 GNSS availability and accuracy by ensuring that terminals can quickly obtain navigation parameters, even in areas with limited satellite visibility, and supports existing legacy devices without built-in GPS receivers, improving geolocation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A satellite communications system with a constellation of thousands of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites using phased arrays to transmit both data and navigation signals
Implementation Method 2
employing directive beams for data communication and wide beams for navigation
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite communications system can comprise at least one that satellite, an antenna structure deployed on the at least one satellite, and radio hardware coupled to the antenna structure that can provide for transmitting a first channel simultaneously with a second channel, wherein the first channel is transmitted using directive beams and the second channel is transmitted using a wide beam and wherein the directive beams are for data communication signals and the wide beam is for navigation signals.