Satellite Digital Processor Beam Hopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite telecommunication systems with multi-spot coverage face challenges in the return path, including reduced peak throughput, increased cost, and mass due to the need for beam hopping mechanisms, which are not necessary on the outward path, leading to an uneven communication capacity ratio between the two channels.
Innovation Solution
A satellite multibeam telecommunications system that digitizes and aggregates the return path beams proportionally to the time distribution on the forward path beams, eliminating the need for beam hopping on the return path and using high-power amplifiers like traveling wave tubes or solid-state power amplifiers, along with digital processors and frequency converters to maintain sufficient signal levels and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beam hopping is implemented on the return path, then flexibility in capacity distribution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional equipment like ferrite switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam hopping functionality from the return path, eliminating the need for ferrite switches and other complex beam switching equipment. The return path uses a static allocation while the outward path maintains dynamic beam hopping, thus removing the harmful complexity without sacrificing overall system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital processor on the satellite performs multiple functions: it digitizes return path signals, aggregates them according to outward path time distribution, and manages the asymmetric resource allocation. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate beam hopping mechanisms in the return path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If beam hopping is implemented on the return path, then communication capacity flexibility is improved, but mass increases due to additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes beam hopping equipment from the return path, eliminating the mass of ferrite switches and associated hardware. The return path uses a simplified static allocation scheme that maintains necessary communication capacity without the additional weight.
3Device complexity
If beam hopping is not used on the return path, then device complexity is reduced, but communication capacity ratio becomes unbalanced between outward and return channels
Solution Approach 1:
The digital processor uses feedback from the outward path time distribution to dynamically allocate return path bandwidth. By digitizing and aggregating return path beams according to the outward path's time distribution, the system automatically balances the communication capacity ratio between channels without requiring manual intervention or complex return path switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bandwidth parameter of return path beams dynamically based on the outward path time distribution. This parameter adjustment ensures that the communication capacity ratio remains balanced even though the return path itself does not use beam hopping, achieving productivity balance through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.
4Productivity
If return path is oversized to maintain capacity ratio, then communication capacity balance is improved, but loss of energy increases due to unused capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the return path bandwidth dynamic rather than static and oversized. By adjusting the return path beam bandwidth proportionally to the outward path time distribution in real-time, the system maintains capacity balance only when needed, avoiding the continuous energy waste associated with permanently oversized return path allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the bandwidth parameter of return path beams based on actual outward path usage patterns. This parameter adaptation ensures that the return path capacity matches the actual communication needs, preventing energy waste from maintaining fixed oversized capacity while still achieving the required capacity ratio balance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multi-beam (F1, F2, F3, F4) satellite telecommunications system comprising at least one satellite equipped with at least one high-power amplifier (2), a digital processor (PN), and means for implementing beam hopping in the forward path, without beam hopping in the return path, the digital processor (PN) being configured to digitize the return path beams and aggregate them, the bandwidth of the (F1, F2, F3, F4) return path beams being proportional to the time distribution over the (F1, F2, F3, F4) forward path beams.