Satellite Optical Signal Reflection Plate with Residual Reflective Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite test signal reflection devices face challenges in reducing thermal power loss and heat input associated with high power attenuation, which can damage receiving devices and require complex test systems for optical signal testing.

Innovation Solution

A satellite test signal reflection device with a partially permeable plate featuring a residual reflective coating and a light-scattering surface, designed to attenuate optical signals by 90 dB or more, reducing thermal energy input and preventing damage to receiving devices, while maintaining a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a reflective coating is used to attenuate optical signals, then the optical power is reduced to prevent damage to receiving devices, but thermal energy is fed into the reflection device causing thermal power loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical power damage to receiving deviceVSAvoidthermal power loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is divided into two surfaces with different functional properties: the first surface has a residual reflective coating for optical attenuation, while the second surface has a light-scattering coating for thermal energy distribution. This segmentation allows each surface to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light-scattering coating on the second surface acts as an intermediary that receives thermal energy from the optical signal and redistributes it across a larger area, preventing concentrated thermal power loss while maintaining the optical attenuation function of the first surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If high power attenuation is applied to optical test signals, then thermal energy input is reduced, but the signal-to-noise ratio may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal energy inputVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the plate have different optical properties: the first surface provides controlled optical attenuation through its residual reflective coating, while the second surface provides thermal energy distribution through its light-scattering coating. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of temperature control and signal quality preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a simple reflective coating is used, then the device structure is simple, but thermal energy concentration causes damage risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidthermal energy concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plate combines two different coating types on its two surfaces: a residual reflective coating on the first surface for optical signal attenuation and a light-scattering coating on the second surface for thermal energy distribution. This composite structure achieves both optical and thermal management functions without requiring a completely complex device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively attenuates optical signals by 90 dB or more, reducing thermal energy input and ensuring a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, thus preventing damage to receiving devices and allowing for efficient testing without the need for cooling or modification of existing components.

Implementation Method 1

The residual reflective coating disposed on the first surface is configured to reflect a portion of the optical power of an optical signal impinging on the residual reflective coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the plate is designed to let through or transmit only a portion of the optical power of an incoming optical signal... the non-reflected portion of the optical power of the optical signal is transmitted through the residual reflective coating and through the body of the disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2680463B1Signal reflection device for an optical feedback test
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 TESAT SPACECOM GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2680463B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2680463B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a satellite test signal reflection device (100) for testing optical signal-emitting transmitting devices (300) that emit optical signals (310), comprising a plate (105) which is at least partially transparent to optical signals. The plate has a base body (110), a first surface (120) with a residual reflective coating (121), and a second surface (130). The residual reflective coating is designed to split an optical beam (210) which penetrates the plate in a first direction (205) from the first surface to the second surface into a reflected optical beam (220) and a transmitted optical beam (230).