Satellite Interference Suppression via Onboard Beamforming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication systems face challenges in interference suppression, particularly when using onboard beamformers due to size and power constraints, and ground-based beamformers require high feeder-link bandwidth, making them impractical in some situations, especially with non-ideal reflector surfaces and thermal effects.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that combines onboard beamforming with ground-based processing, where the satellite produces separate spot beams for communication and interference regions, and the ground base station processes these signals to suppress interference, reducing feeder-link bandwidth requirements and compensating for reflector distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground-based beamforming is used for interference suppression, then interference cancellation performance is improved, but feeder-link bandwidth requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming function is segmented between the satellite (onboard beamformer for spatial isolation) and the ground base station (ground-based processing for interference cancellation). This division allows each component to perform a specific part of the beamforming task, reducing the overall feeder-link bandwidth requirement while maintaining interference cancellation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard beamformer acts as an intermediary that performs preliminary spatial isolation and preprocessing of signals before transmission to the ground. This intermediary processing reduces the complexity and bandwidth requirements for the ground-based interference cancellation system.
2Device complexity
If onboard beamforming is used for interference suppression, then size and power constraints are satisfied, but sophisticated beamforming algorithms cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The beamforming algorithm sophistication is segmented between the onboard beamformer (simpler algorithms suitable for satellite constraints) and the ground-based processing system (sophisticated adaptive interference cancellation algorithms). This segmentation allows the satellite to meet size and power constraints while the ground system provides advanced algorithmic capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard beamformer serves as an intermediary that performs initial spatial isolation using simpler algorithms, preparing signals for more sophisticated ground-based processing. This intermediary role allows the satellite to operate within its constraints while still enabling advanced beamforming capabilities at the ground station.
3Area of stationary object
If reflector surface is made larger to improve coverage, then coverage area is improved, but surface distortion increases resulting in performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based processing system uses feedback from received signals to adaptively compensate for reflector surface distortions. By analyzing the actual signal characteristics and adjusting the beamforming weights accordingly, the system can correct for surface inaccuracies and maintain performance despite larger reflector sizes with inherent distortions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the beamforming parameters (weights, phases, amplitudes) adaptively based on the actual reflector surface characteristics and thermal effects. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize performance for the actual reflector condition rather than relying on ideal surface assumptions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A satellite is configured to communicate with a ground base station to provide coverage for communication in a first geographic region, and suppress from the communication, interference from a second geographic region. The satellite includes an onboard beamformer (OBBF), feed array and feeder-link antenna. The OBBF is configured to produce first and second spot beams for respective ones of the first and second geographic regions. The feed array is configured to receive first and second signals in respective ones of the first and second spot beams for respective geographic regions. At least portions of the first and second signals carry respective ones of the communication and the interference. The feeder-link antenna, then, is configured to transmit the first signals and second signals to the ground base station that is configured to suppress any of the interference from at least the portion of the first signals carrying the communication.