Multibeam Satellite Payload Signal Rerouting for Earth Station Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multibeam telecommunications satellite networks face challenges in maintaining continuous radio frequency links due to the unavailability or failure of main earth stations, which can lead to service disruptions, especially during bad weather or maintenance, and existing redundancy solutions are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
The network includes a multibeam satellite with a payload that allows for the rerouting of signals to additional non-active earth stations, enabling seamless switching in case of faulty or unavailable main earth stations, using redundant amplification lines and selective connection means to maintain service continuity without power switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant earth stations are deployed to ensure service continuity, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple earth stations with identical payload capabilities and establishes predetermined rerouting paths before failures occur. When a primary earth station fails, the system activates a pre-prepared backup station and follows pre-established signal rerouting procedures, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making and reducing operational complexity while ensuring service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates identical copies of earth station payloads and their associated signal processing capabilities. Instead of managing complex heterogeneous backup systems, the invention deploys replicated earth stations that can seamlessly take over primary station functions, simplifying the backup architecture while maintaining full service redundancy.
2Reliability
If signal rerouting is implemented during earth station failures, then service disruption is reduced, but switching complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching and rerouting functions from the complex domain-specific control systems and implements them through standardized, pre-configured signal paths. By separating the rerouting logic from primary signal processing and using dedicated rerouting interfaces, the system reduces switching complexity while maintaining service availability during failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes rerouting paths and configures backup signal channels before failures occur. When an earth station fails, signals are automatically directed along pre-configured alternative paths without requiring complex real-time routing decisions, thereby reducing switching complexity while ensuring continuous service.
3Reliability
If multiple amplification lines are maintained for backup, then service continuity is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation of amplification lines based on actual service needs and failure conditions. Instead of continuously operating all backup amplification lines, the system maintains them in low-power standby states and only activates them when primary lines fail, thereby ensuring service continuity while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different operational states to different amplification lines based on their roles. Primary amplification lines operate at full power, while backup lines are maintained in lower-power standby modes with selective activation capabilities. This localized quality approach ensures service continuity through available backup capacity while reducing overall energy consumption compared to running all lines at full power.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4(b)
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AI summary
The payload (400) has rerouting units (401, 402) e.g. switches, to reroute a signal from a set of signals emitted by cells of a service zone towards active main ground stations e.g. gateway, where the rerouted signal destined to the main ground stations becomes unavailable. A power amplifier (416) amplifies the rerouted signal from the rerouting units, where a rerouting operation is performed before an amplifying operation. The power amplifier comprises a channel Amplifier (417) and a traveling wave tube amplifier (418). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for reconfiguring a network in case of unavailability of active main ground stations (2) a satellite comprising a forward link payload with a low noise amplifier for amplifying signals from the ground station.