Multi-Beam Satellite Power Amplifier Without High-Power Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multibeam data broadcasting satellite payloads face challenges in efficiently allocating power due to the high cost, limited lifespan, and reliability issues of high-power switches, which also induce parasitic phenomena and reduce dynamic performance.

Innovation Solution

A power amplification device with a switch configuration that allows immediate power amplification at a signal level not requiring special switches, using addition networks where identical data signals are supplied to input branches, enabling flexible power distribution among antennas without high-power switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If high-power switches are used to allocate power to different antennas, then power distribution flexibility is improved, but device cost increases, reliability decreases, and lifespan is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution flexibilityVSAvoidswitch reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the power amplification function into multiple independent power amplification circuits, each handling a portion of the total power. This segmentation eliminates the need for high-power switches by allowing independent control of each circuit's output to different antennas, thereby improving reliability while maintaining power distribution flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces addition networks as intermediary components that combine the outputs of multiple power amplification circuits. These addition networks serve as mediators that enable power allocation to different antennas without requiring high-power switches, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If high-power switches are used for signal routing, then power allocation capability is improved, but parasitic phenomena increase and dynamic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower allocation capabilityVSAvoidparasitic phenomena
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the power amplification into multiple lower-power circuits, the invention avoids the parasitic phenomena associated with high-power switching. Each circuit operates at a manageable power level, eliminating arcs, breakdowns, and other parasitic effects while maintaining full power allocation capability through the addition networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If standard power amplification circuits are used without segmentation, then device complexity is reduced, but power distribution flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplification circuit complexityVSAvoidpower distribution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the power amplification system into multiple standard circuits connected through addition networks. This segmentation enables flexible power distribution to different antennas while using only standard, off-the-shelf components, thus achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The addition networks serve multiple functions: they combine signals from different power amplification circuits, enable flexible power allocation to various antennas, and provide a standardized interface that simplifies system configuration. This multi-functionality achieves power distribution flexibility without requiring complex custom-designed circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2333951B1Payload power amplifier for a multi-beam data-broadcasting satellite
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 CENT NAT DETUD SPATIALES (CNES)
  • EP2333951B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2333951B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2333951B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device has a set of power amplification circuits comprising inputs to receive data signals to be broadcasted. A set of switches comprises input terminals connected to output terminals of the power amplification circuits. A set of addition networks connects the output terminals of the switches to broadcasting antennas (40, 41). A set of switch controlling units operates the switches such that two input branches of nodes of the addition networks are simultaneously supplied with an identical signal having same power. An independent claim is also included for a multibeam satellite for broadcasting data.