Satellite Direction of Arrival Estimation Using Reference Signal Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite systems face challenges in estimating the direction of arrival of interference signals due to the need for high-gain, bulky measurement antennas with limited geographical coverage, which can only detect strong signals, leading to missed detections of weaker interference signals.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines measurement signals with a reference signal from a reception antenna of higher gain to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for more accurate and broader coverage of signal detection, including intermittent or variable frequency signals, using a network of non-directional and compact measurement antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-gain measurement antennas are used to detect weak interference signals, then detection sensitivity is improved, but antenna size and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurement signals from multiple measurement antennas with a reference signal from a reception antenna to perform coherent integration. This signal processing approach effectively increases the detection sensitivity without requiring individual measurement antennas to have high gain, thereby avoiding the need for large and bulky antenna structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference signal from a reception antenna as an intermediary to facilitate the detection of weak interference signals. By correlating measurement signals with this reference signal, the system can detect weak signals without requiring the measurement antennas themselves to have high gain, thus avoiding large antenna dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If high-gain measurement antennas are used to detect weak interference signals, then detection sensitivity is improved, but geographical coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurement signals from multiple measurement antennas with a reference signal from a reception antenna to perform coherent integration. This signal processing approach effectively increases the detection sensitivity without requiring individual measurement antennas to have high gain, thereby avoiding the need for large antenna structures that would limit geographical coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the signal detection function into multiple components: multiple measurement antennas for spatial sampling and a separate reception antenna for providing a high-quality reference signal. This segmentation allows each antenna to be smaller and have broader coverage, while the combined signal processing achieves high detection sensitivity.
3Measurement precision
If measurement antennas with large dimensions are used, then detection sensitivity is improved, but field of view is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurement signals from multiple measurement antennas with a reference signal from a reception antenna to perform coherent integration. This signal processing approach effectively increases the detection sensitivity without requiring individual measurement antennas to have high gain, thereby avoiding the need for large antenna structures that would limit field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the signal detection function into multiple components: multiple measurement antennas for spatial sampling and a separate reception antenna for providing a high-quality reference signal. This segmentation allows each antenna to be smaller and have broader coverage, while the combined signal processing achieves high detection sensitivity.
4Measurement precision
If only strong interference signals can be detected, then measurement precision is improved, but detection capability for weak signals is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines measurement signals from multiple measurement antennas with a reference signal from a reception antenna to perform coherent integration. This signal processing approach effectively increases the detection sensitivity without requiring individual measurement antennas to have high gain, thereby avoiding the need for large antenna structures that would limit field of view.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a method (50) for estimating a direction of arrival of a target signal relative to a measuring antenna array (20) of an earth-orbiting satellite (20), said direction of arrival of the target signal being estimated on the basis of signals, referred to as "measurement signals", corresponding to the target signal received respectively by at least a first measuring antenna (22a) and a second measuring antenna (22b) of said measuring antenna array (22). Said method (50) comprises a step (51) of combining each of the measurement signals with a signal, referred to as a "reference signal", corresponding to the target signal received by a receiving antenna (21) of the satellite (20), said receiving antenna having a maximum gain greater than the respective maximum gains of the first measuring antenna (22a) and of the second measuring antenna (22b). Said method (50) further comprises a step (52) of estimating the direction of arrival of the target signal from the signals obtained by combining each of said measurement signals with the reference signal. The present invention also concerns a system for estimating the direction of arrival.