Satellite Antenna Feed Positioning for Adaptive Spot Beam Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current satellite communication architectures face limitations in flexibility, particularly in adjusting service coverage areas and spot beam arrangements to accommodate changes in user demands, orbital positions, and deployment conditions, leading to inflexibility in capacity allocation and coverage area management.

Innovation Solution

A hub-spoke, bent-pipe satellite communications system with a phased array of antenna feed elements, low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, and beamforming networks that allow for dynamic adjustment of antenna patterns by changing the relative position between the feed array assembly and the reflector, enabling flexible allocation of capacity and adaptation of spot beam coverage areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If satellite communication systems use fixed service coverage areas and spot beam arrangements, then system stability and reliability are maintained, but flexibility in adjusting coverage areas and capacity allocation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in adjusting coverage areasVSAvoidcomplexity of antenna assembly adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the antenna assembly's focal point position relative to the reflector, allowing the service coverage area and spot beam arrangements to be changed in real-time. This enables the satellite to adapt to varying user demands, orbital positions, and deployment conditions while maintaining system reliability through controlled adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the antenna assembly, specifically the relative position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting these parameters, the satellite can dynamically modify its coverage area and beam characteristics without requiring complete system redesign, thus achieving flexibility while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If satellite systems use narrow spot beams for frequency reuse, then system capacity and bandwidth utilization are improved, but coverage area and service flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidservice coverage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of spot beam arrangements by adjusting the antenna assembly's focal point. This allows narrow spot beams to be moved, resized, or repositioned to serve different geographic areas as user demands change, thereby maintaining high system capacity while improving service coverage flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If satellite communication systems use fixed frequency allocations for uplink and downlink, then interference management is simplified, but adaptability to changing traffic patterns and orbital positions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to traffic patternsVSAvoidcomplexity of frequency management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts physical parameters of the antenna assembly to adapt to changing traffic patterns and orbital positions. This physical adaptability complements frequency management strategies, allowing the satellite to maintain reliable communications while adapting to varying conditions without requiring overly complex frequency reconfiguration schemes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances the versatility of satellite communications by allowing dynamic adjustment of coverage areas, user beam characteristics, and orbital positions, supporting flexible capacity allocation and improved service coverage while maintaining high signal quality.

Implementation Method 1

beamforming networks that allow for dynamic adjustment of antenna patterns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeamforming:

Implementation Method 2

phased array of antenna feed elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhased array:

Implementation Method 3

low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Implementation Method 4

changing the relative position between the feed array assembly and the reflector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20240413891A1Coverage area adjustment to adapt satellite communications

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 VIASAT INC

AI summary

The described features generally relate to adjusting a native antenna pattern of a satellite to adapt communications via the satellite. For example, a communications satellite may include an antenna having a feed array assembly, a reflector, and a linear actuator coupled between the feed array assembly and the reflector. The feed array assembly may have a plurality of feeds for communicating signals associated with a communications service, and the reflector may be configured to reflect the signals transmitted between the feed array assembly and one or more target devices. The linear actuator may have an adjustable length, or otherwise provide an adjustable position between the feed array assembly and the reflector. By adjusting the position of the feed array assembly relative to the reflector, the communications satellite may provide a communications service according to a plurality of native antenna patterns.