Dynamic Channel Resource Allocation for Satellite Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation broadband satellites face inefficiencies due to mismatched available and demanded capacity in their beams, leading to unused and unmet capacity, which results in revenue loss and resource waste, despite initiatives like adaptive antenna systems that fail to reduce the gap between requested and offered capacity effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically redistribute channel resources among beams based on capacity demands, combined with co-channel interference mitigation techniques like precoding or Multi User Detection, to adjust channel allocation and reduce intra-system interference, ensuring flexible resource allocation that matches capacity demands without degrading signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If channel resources are statically allocated to beams, then system complexity is reduced, but capacity demand mismatch increases leading to unused and unmet capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel resource allocation where the satellite payload controller continuously monitors capacity demands in different beams and reallocates channel resources accordingly. This allows the system to adapt to changing traffic patterns and geographic demand variations, reducing both unused capacity in low-demand beams and unmet capacity in high-demand beams, thereby resolving the contradiction between static allocation simplicity and dynamic allocation efficiency.
2Reliability
If co-channel interference mitigation techniques are applied, then signal quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the satellite payload controller receives signal quality measurements from user terminals and uses this information to adjust channel resource allocation and apply appropriate co-channel interference mitigation techniques. The system monitors interference levels and dynamically applies precoding or other mitigation methods only when and where needed, balancing signal quality improvement with system complexity management through intelligent, measurement-driven control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible resource allocation is implemented, then capacity demand matching is improved, but interference management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality principles by implementing beam-specific channel resource allocation where each beam receives channel resources tailored to its specific capacity demand and interference characteristics. The satellite payload controller independently manages resource allocation and interference mitigation for each beam based on local conditions, allowing flexible adaptation to diverse beam requirements while managing cross-beam interference through localized control strategies rather than uniform system-wide approaches.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to a method of controlling transmission of signals in a group of beams emitted by a satellite, wherein each beam has an associated area of coverage. The method comprises adjusting an allocation of a channel resource by re-distributing portions of the channel resource among the beams in the group of beams in accordance with respective capacity demands for the areas of coverage of the beams in the group, obtaining, for each of the areas of coverage, an indication of a signal quality from a terminal in the respective area of coverage for the adjusted allocation of the channel resource, and applying a co-channel interference mitigating technique to the group of beams in accordance with the obtained indications of the signal quality. The application further relates to an apparatus for performing such method.