Satellite Downlink Signal Reception via Macro Diversity Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite downlink communication systems rely on single-input, single-output (SISO) methods, which require large antennas and are not effective in mitigating multi-path wave propagation/fading, especially in line-of-sight (LOS) channels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a plurality of satellite signal receivers arranged in macro diversity to digitally sample and constructively combine satellite downlink signals, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reducing antenna size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-input, single-output (SISO) communication is used, then the system structure is simple, but the antenna size must be large to achieve sufficient antenna gain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single large antenna into multiple smaller antennas arranged in a macro diversity configuration. Instead of using one large antenna, the system divides the reception function across multiple smaller antennas that can be distributed over a larger geographic area, thereby reducing the size requirement of individual antennas while maintaining or improving overall system performance through spatial diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point reception (one antenna) to a spatially distributed reception system (multiple antennas in macro diversity). By adding the spatial dimension and distributing antennas across different locations, the system achieves diversity gain and improved signal reception without requiring each individual antenna to be large.
2Device complexity
If single-input, single-output (SISO) communication is used, then the system implementation is straightforward, but the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signals received by multiple antennas through constructive combining at a central processing unit. By combining the signals from multiple spatially distributed antennas, the system achieves signal-to-noise ratio improvement through diversity gain, where the useful signal components add constructively while noise components tend to average out.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple copies of the received signal through multiple antennas and then processes these copies at the central unit. Each antenna captures a version of the transmitted signal, and these copies are combined to improve reliability and SNR, effectively using redundancy to overcome noise and fading.
3Reliability
If antenna diversity is implemented, then multi-path wave propagation/fading is mitigated, but the system complexity increases and requires dedicated channel information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where the macro diversity system automatically exploits the spatial separation of antennas to achieve diversity gain without requiring external pilot signals or preambles for channel estimation. The system uses the inherent spatial diversity to combat fading and multi-path effects, reducing the need for additional signaling overhead and simplifying the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method (1) for reception of a satellite downlink signal (31) by a signal processor (22) in communication with a plurality of satellite signal receivers (21). The plurality of satellite signal receivers (21) is arranged in accordance with a macro diversity. The method (1) comprises: digitally sampling (11) a first satellite downlink signal received by a reference receiver (21R) of the plurality of satellite signal receivers (21) and at least one further satellite downlink signal received by at least one further receiver (21F) of the plurality of satellite signal receivers (21); and constructively combining (13) the digitally sampled first satellite downlink signal (31R) and the digitally sampled at least one further satellite downlink signal (31F). A system (2) having corresponding features is also disclosed. The methods and systems especially allow for an improvement of a signal-to-noise ratio and a reduction of an antenna size.