Satellite Beam Selection Using Proximity Dataset

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern satellite systems face challenges in connecting user terminals due to irregularly shaped satellite beams, which affect signal strength distribution and traffic balancing, particularly in urban areas with higher throughput demands.

Innovation Solution

A satellite communication system where user terminals store a dataset of elements associated with unique terrestrial locations, using proximity and other parameters to select the appropriate satellite beam for connection, considering signal quality and availability parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If circular beam shapes are used for satellite communication, then beam determination at the base station is simple, but the system cannot efficiently handle irregular beam shapes and urban areas with higher throughput demands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam determination simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to irregular beam shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the beam determination process into two parts: base station determines beam based on circular approximation, while user terminal performs additional processing using dataset elements and proximity calculations to handle irregular shapes. This segmentation allows each component to operate with appropriate complexity levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing dataset elements with location identifiers and beam information at the user terminal before beam selection is needed. This allows the terminal to quickly determine appropriate beams without requiring complex real-time calculations at the base station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If the base station determines beam selection, then central control is maintained, but the user terminal cannot independently optimize connection based on local signal quality and availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized beam controlVSAvoidterminal independence in beam selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user terminal performs self-service by independently determining beam selection using stored dataset elements and proximity calculations. The terminal autonomously evaluates signal quality and availability parameters without requiring continuous base station intervention, enabling localized optimization while maintaining overall system coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If simple proximity-based beam selection is used, then the selection process is fast and simple, but signal quality and availability parameters cannot be fully optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam selection timeVSAvoidsignal quality optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using proximity-based selection as a quick initial filter to narrow down beam options, then applying additional signal quality and availability parameter evaluation only to the remaining candidates. This two-stage approach balances speed with optimization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11711137B2Satellite beam determination

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 HUGHES NETWORK SYST

AI summary

A user terminal and a method of using the user terminal disclosed. The method may comprise: storing, at a user terminal (UT), a dataset that comprises a plurality of elements, wherein each of the plurality of elements is associated with a unique predetermined terrestrial location; using the dataset, determining an element (Ek) from among the plurality of elements based on a proximity of the UT to the respective unique, predetermined terrestrial location of the element (Ek); and then determining one of the plurality of satellite beams with which to utilize satellite communication.