Satellite Frequency Hopping Signal Processing via Ground Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication systems face challenges in reducing interference and complexity, as onboard signal processing for frequency hopping and dehopping requires additional equipment, increasing satellite size, weight, and cost, and is difficult to upgrade or maintain.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves processing wideband frequency hopping signals at terrestrial gateways rather than on the satellite, using agile transparent digital processors to manage signal routing and optimize connectivity by decoupling the spreading band from the instantaneous useful band, allowing for individualized management of signal gain and reducing the need for complex onboard processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If onboard signal processing for frequency hopping and dehopping is implemented, then anti-jam protection and communication security are improved, but satellite size, weight, and cost increase due to additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex signal processing functions (frequency hopping and dehopping) from the satellite platform and relocates them to ground-based processing systems. This separation allows the satellite to maintain lightweight hardware while ground systems handle the computationally intensive anti-jam processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground-based processing systems as intermediary components that perform frequency hopping and dehopping operations. These ground systems act as mediators between the satellite transmitter and receiver, providing anti-jam protection without requiring heavy onboard equipment, thus resolving the weight-reliability tradeoff.
2Reliability
If onboard signal processing equipment is added for frequency hopping, then communication security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex signal processing functions from the satellite and relocates them to ground-based systems. This extraction eliminates the need for complicated onboard equipment while maintaining communication security through ground-based frequency hopping and dehopping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements frequency hopping and dehopping as coordinated operations between ground-based transmitters and receivers. The ground systems create and process frequency hop patterns, effectively copying the security functionality from what would otherwise require onboard processing, thereby reducing satellite complexity while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If complex onboard signal processing is implemented, then anti-jam protection is improved, but ease of maintenance and upgrading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts signal processing functions from the satellite to ground-based systems, which are far easier to maintain and upgrade. This relocation allows standard ground equipment to handle complex anti-jam operations, making the system much more maintainable while preserving satellite simplicity and longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication system into satellite transmission components and ground-based processing components. This segmentation isolates the complex, upgradeable signal processing functions to ground systems while keeping the satellite platform simple and stable, thereby improving overall system maintainability without sacrificing anti-jam protection.
4Reliability
If frequency hopping signal processing is performed onboard, then signal security is improved, but satellite size increases due to additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts frequency hopping and dehopping processing from the satellite volume and relocates it to ground-based facilities. This extraction maintains signal security through coordinated ground-based processing while eliminating the need for bulky onboard equipment, thereby resolving the contradiction between security and satellite volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ground-based processing systems as intermediaries that perform frequency hopping operations. These ground intermediaries provide the necessary signal security processing without occupying satellite volume, allowing the satellite to remain compact while maintaining robust security through ground-based frequency management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for processing a signal. The signal is received in a receiver system in a satellite. The signal has a range of frequencies in which information is carried in a number of channels having a number of frequencies within the range of frequencies. The number of frequencies for a channel in the number of channels changes within the range of frequencies over time. The signal is transmitted using a transmitter system in the satellite.