Satellite Spectrum Routing for Beam Hopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a satellite communication system that can provide high data rate services to underserved areas while meeting regulatory requirements for signal power spectral density and frequency allocation is challenging, especially for non-geostationary satellite constellations that need to maintain continuous coverage and adapt to changing demand and coverage areas.
Innovation Solution
A non-geostationary satellite communication system comprising a constellation of satellites with time domain beam hopping and steerable spot beams, utilizing a spectrum routing network for dynamic frequency planning and beam management, allowing for efficient allocation of bandwidth and seamless handovers between spot beams and satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If time domain beam hopping is implemented with non-geostationary satellites, then continuous global coverage and adaptability to changing demand are improved, but system complexity and difficulty of beam management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam hopping where satellites continuously switch between multiple spot beams in time domains, allowing the system to adapt to changing coverage requirements and traffic demand. The beam hopping pattern and duration are dynamically adjusted based on satellite position and service requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through controlled dynamic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic beam hopping cycles where satellites systematically switch between predetermined spot beams in repeating time patterns. This periodic structure provides regular coverage updates and maintains continuous global connectivity while managing system complexity through predictable, cyclical operation rather than completely adaptive real-time switching.
2Productivity
If spectrum routing network is used for dynamic frequency planning, then bandwidth allocation efficiency is improved, but signal interference and frequency management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrum routing network incorporates feedback mechanisms where satellite terminals report channel quality, interference levels, and bandwidth utilization to the network controller. This feedback enables dynamic frequency planning that optimizes bandwidth allocation while automatically adjusting to interference conditions, resolving the contradiction between allocation efficiency and management difficulty through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary frequency planning by pre-allocating frequency bands and time slots to specific spot beams and satellites before actual communication occurs. This advance planning reduces real-time frequency management complexity while maintaining high bandwidth utilization efficiency through predetermined resource assignment patterns.
3Reliability
If steerable spot beams are used for continuous coverage, then service continuity is improved, but handover complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous coverage area into multiple discrete spot beams that are sequentially activated through time domain hopping. Instead of using a single large steerable beam that requires complex continuous steering, the system segments coverage into smaller fixed spot beams, reducing handover complexity while maintaining service continuity through rapid switching between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous service by implementing overlapping spot beam coverage and seamless time-domain hopping between beams. The beam switching is designed to maintain uninterrupted connectivity through coordinated handovers and overlapping coverage zones, ensuring service continuity while managing complexity through structured transition protocols.
4Area of stationary object
If non-geostationary satellite constellation is deployed, then coverage area and adaptability are improved, but signal power spectral density control and regulatory compliance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local frequency allocation where different spot beams and geographic regions are assigned specific frequency bands and power spectral density limits according to local regulatory requirements. This localized approach allows the satellite constellation to provide global coverage while complying with diverse regional regulations through area-specific frequency planning and power control.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite communication system includes a satellite configured to provide a first plurality of spot beams adapted for communication with subscriber terminals using time domain beam hopping and a second plurality of spot beams adapted for communication with gateways. The satellite includes a spectrum routing network that is configured to time multiplex spot beams of the second plurality of spot beams with spot beams of the first plurality of spot beams so that a spot beam that is implementing beam hopping for communication to subscriber terminals communicates with different feeder beams (and, therefore, different gateways) at different times during a hopping period.