Satellite Communications Network With On-Board Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current satellite communication systems face challenges in providing high bandwidth data transmission for mobile platforms due to technical, economic, and organizational factors, with existing systems requiring significant lead time and using large, expensive antennas that are prone to interference and limited by the need for precise pointing systems.

Innovation Solution

A satellite communications network with a regenerative payload and on-board processing capabilities, allowing for smaller antennas and reduced transmission delay, along with coordinated satellite interference reduction, enables high bandwidth data throughput and flexible, modular satellite constellations for real-time mobile communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional GEO satellite systems with bent-pipe method are used, then signal relay capability is provided, but antenna size must be large and transmission delay is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal relay capabilityVSAvoidantenna size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate ground hub as a mediator between the satellite and terrestrial terminals. The hub performs signal processing, routing, and switching functions that were previously required on the satellite, enabling the use of smaller antennas while maintaining reliable signal relay capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex signal processing and routing functions from the satellite platform and relocates them to ground-based hubs. This extraction allows the satellite to function more simply as a relay, reducing the need for large antennas while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If high bandwidth data transmission is implemented, then data throughput increases, but lead time requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidlead time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring routing paths and resource allocations through the ground hub before high bandwidth transmission begins. This advance preparation eliminates the need for lengthy real-time negotiations, enabling high data throughput without significant lead time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ground hub provides continuous feedback about network conditions, resource availability, and routing efficiency. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic optimization of high bandwidth transmissions in real-time, maintaining high throughput without requiring extended lead times for setup and coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If multiple satellites are deployed for coverage, then coverage area increases, but interference between satellites increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ground hub acts as an intermediary that coordinates communications between multiple satellites and terrestrial terminals. It manages frequency allocation, timing synchronization, and interference mitigation, enabling expanded coverage area while controlling satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-terminal interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If smaller antennas are used, then mobility and concealability improve, but signal reception capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidsignal reception capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ground hub serves as a powerful intermediary that compensates for the reduced signal collection capability of smaller antennas. It performs signal enhancement, noise filtering, and adaptive processing that makes up for the smaller antenna aperture, maintaining reliable signal reception while enabling mobility and concealability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8326217B2Systems and methods for satellite communications with mobile terrestrial terminals

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 OVZON SWEDEN AB

AI summary

A system of satellite communications provides high throughput data transmission rates for mobile terrestrial terminals. The system may allow point to point communication between two terrestrial terminals. Further, the system may allow point to multipoint communication from an initiating terrestrial terminal to a plurality of target terrestrial terminals. Still further, the system may allow multipoint to multipoint communication from a plurality of initiating terrestrial terminals to a plurality of target terrestrial terminals. The satellites in the system may utilizes on-board functionality such as routing, network management and other data handling functionality. Further, the satellites in the system may communicate amongst each other and route signals through in-box and inter-box communication.