Satellite Outdoor Unit Subreflector for Dual Band Signal Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite systems that transmit multiple frequency bands often underutilize secondary frequency signals due to the design of outdoor units, which are typically aligned for a primary frequency, leading to inefficiencies in service provision as additional satellites are costly to deploy.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit is enhanced with a support structure, a primary reflector, and multiple feeds to direct and receive both primary and secondary downlink signals, utilizing a secondary reflector to capture and focus spillover signals from the secondary frequency onto additional feeds, allowing for the reception of multiple frequency bands without requiring new outdoor units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the outdoor unit is aligned for a primary frequency, then the primary frequency signal reception is optimized, but the secondary frequency signal utilization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit is divided into multiple functional segments: a primary reflector for main signal reception and a secondary reflector for capturing spillover signals. The feed is segmented into a primary feed region and a secondary feed region, allowing each segment to handle different frequency bands independently while maintaining optimized reception for both frequencies simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor unit is designed with multi-functionality to receive both primary and secondary frequency bands using the same physical structure. The reflector and feed assembly can simultaneously optimize signal reception for different frequencies by creating distinct focal regions within the feed, eliminating the need for separate outdoor units for different frequency bands
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional satellites are deployed to provide more services, then service capabilities increase, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor unit gains universal capability to receive multiple frequency bands from existing satellites, allowing service providers to extract more services from current satellite infrastructure without deploying additional satellites, thereby reducing system costs while maintaining service capability expansion
3Device complexity
If a single feed is used for primary frequency, then the outdoor unit structure is simple, but secondary frequency signals are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The feed structure is segmented into primary and secondary feed regions that can be implemented in a modular fashion. The secondary feed region can be added as an extension to the existing primary feed structure, allowing for gradual complexity increase while achieving multi-frequency reception capability
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary feed region is positioned within or adjacent to the primary feed structure, with the secondary reflector nested within the existing outdoor unit geometry. This nested arrangement minimizes additional structural complexity while enabling secondary frequency reception
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
This configuration enables the efficient utilization of secondary frequency signals, increasing service capabilities from existing satellites without the need for new outdoor units, allowing for bolt-on or factory-ready implementations to receive additional frequency bands, thereby maximizing service offerings.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector coupled to the support structure and reflecting the first downlink signal and the second downlink signal
Implementation Method 2
A second reflector reflects the second downlink signal to the second feed
Implementation Method 3
A second reflector is coupled to the support structure not along the axis and reflects spillover from the second downlink signal
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite system 10 having a first satellite 14 at a first orbital slot B has a first transponder 32 and a second generating a first downlink signal 44B at a first frequency and a second downlink signal 44C at a second frequency. An outdoor unit is directed toward the first satellite 14 and includes a support structure, a reflector 64 coupled to the support structure and reflecting the first downlink signal and the second downlink signal. A first feed 66B is coupled to the support structure and receives the first downlink signal. A second feed 70A is coupled to the support structure and receives the second downlink signal. A secondary reflector 72 reflects the second downlink signal to the second feed 70.