Satellite Navigation Signal Constant Envelope Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite navigation systems face challenges in multiplexing multiple signals on the same frequency band, leading to increased complexity and power efficiency issues, as well as distortion due to non-linear amplification, which affects signal quality and performance.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating and receiving satellite navigation signals using constant envelope multiplexing of four signal components on two frequencies, allowing for flexible power allocation and distortion-free transmission by modulating in-phase and quadrature-phase baseband signals with orthogonal carrier phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple signals are multiplexed on the same frequency band, then the frequency band utilization is improved, but the satellite payload complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band utilizationVSAvoidsatellite payload complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple DSSS signals into a single constant envelope signal through constant envelope multiplexing. Multiple signal components are processed and merged into one composite signal that maintains constant envelope properties, allowing them to share a common high-power amplifier without requiring separate amplifiers for each signal, thus improving frequency band utilization while controlling payload complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal multiplexing framework that can handle multiple different DSSS signals with different power allocations using a common processing architecture. The constant envelope multiplexing technique provides a multi-functional solution that works for various signal types and power requirements, making the satellite payload more versatile rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the HPA works in the non-linear saturated region to improve power efficiency, then the power efficiency is improved, but the signal distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the envelope parameter of the multiplexed signal to maintain constant envelope. By ensuring the combined signal has constant amplitude (constant envelope), the signal can pass through the non-linear saturated HPA without suffering from amplitude distortion, phase distortion, or spectral regrowth. This parameter change allows the HPA to operate at maximum efficiency while preserving signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If separate transmitting antenna and amplifier are used for different service signals, then the signal quality is maintained, but the total power, cost, volume and quality of the satellite payload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidtotal power
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple service signals into a single constant envelope multiplexed signal that can be transmitted through a common high-power amplifier. This combining approach allows multiple signals to share one amplifier instead of requiring separate amplifiers for each signal, significantly reducing the total power consumption, cost, volume, and complexity of the satellite payload while maintaining signal quality through the constant envelope property.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If AltBOC modulation technique is used for CEM, then the constant envelope is achieved, but the application flexibility is reduced due to equal power requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant envelopeVSAvoidapplication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic power allocation capability into the constant envelope multiplexing system. Unlike fixed equal-power schemes, this invention allows the power distribution among multiple DSSS signals to be dynamically adjusted according to different service requirements. The system can allocate different power levels to different signals while still maintaining the constant envelope property of the combined signal, thereby achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2866400B1Satellite navigation signal and generation method, generation device, receiving method and receiving device therefor
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
  • EP2866400B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2866400B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2866400B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The application relates to the satellite navigation signal, generating method, generating device, receiving method and receiving device. The navigation satellite signal generating device includes a baseband signal generator, a multiplexed signal generator and a modulator. The baseband signal generator is provided to generate a first baseband signal S1, a second baseband signal S2, a third baseband signal S3, and a forth baseband signal S4. The multiplexed signal generator is provided to set an amplitude and a phase of an in-phase baseband component and an amplitude and a phase of a quadrature-phase baseband component of a signal into which the first baseband signal S1, the second baseband signal S2, the third baseband signal S3 and the forth baseband signal S4 are multiplexed, so as to generate a multiplexed signal with constant envelope. The modulator is provided to modulate the multiplexed signal with constant envelope to a radio frequency, so as to generate the navigation satellite signal. The first baseband signal S1 and the second baseband signal S2 are modulated to a first carrier frequency f1 with carrier phases orthogonal to each other, and the third baseband signal S3 and the forth baseband signal S4 are modulated to a second carrier frequency f2 with carrier phases orthogonal to each other.