Satellite Orientation Assistance Data for Mobile Phone Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite-based communication for non-specialized mobile devices, such as standard mobile phones, is impractical due to the challenge of orienting the device so that communication satellites fall within the main lobe of the mobile phone antenna, and accurately predicting satellite locations is difficult without frequent updates of orbital parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses historical orbital data to estimate orbital parameter values for a set of satellites, providing assistance data to mobile devices to accurately predict satellite locations within a control box region, enabling long-term orientation for satellite communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard mobile phones are used for satellite communication, then device accessibility is improved, but the ability to accurately orient the device toward satellites deteriorates due to lack of specialized antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of assistance data servers and orbital models that mediate between the mobile device and satellites. The server provides pre-calculated orbital parameter data and control box information to the mobile device, enabling the device to determine satellite positions and orientation requirements without needing specialized hardware. This intermediary data service bridges the capability gap between standard mobile phones and satellite communication requirements.
2Measurement precision
If orbital parameters are updated frequently to maintain accurate satellite location prediction, then prediction accuracy is improved, but data transmission frequency and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating orbital parameters and control box data for satellites over extended periods (e.g., one year or more) and storing this assistance data on servers. Mobile devices can download this pre-computed data without needing to frequently request updates. The data includes orbital element sets and control box region information that remain valid for long periods, eliminating the need for frequent real-time orbital parameter updates while maintaining prediction accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If assistance data including orbital parameters is transmitted to mobile devices, then satellite orientation capability is improved, but data transmission requirements and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms detailed, frequently-changing orbital parameter data into simplified control box region definitions with boundary coordinates. Instead of transmitting complete orbital element sets that require frequent updates, the system converts this data into static geographic boundary descriptions (control boxes) that define satellite service regions. This parameter transformation reduces the quantity and complexity of data that needs to be transmitted to mobile devices while preserving the essential information needed for satellite orientation and handoff decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a device may obtain historical orbital data indicative of orbital movement of a set of satellites over a period of time, the set of satellites comprising at least a subset of satellites of the satellite constellation. The device may, for each satellite in the set of satellites, estimate a set of orbital parameter values by fitting an orbital model to the historical data of the respective satellite, wherein at least one orbital parameter value of the set of orbital values is common across a group of satellites within the set of satellites. The device may send assistance data to at least one mobile device, the assistance data indicative of the respective set of orbital parameter values for all satellites of the set of satellites.