Satellite Terminal Attenuation Mapping for Obstruction Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite communication systems face challenges in identifying and addressing degradation in communication links due to changes in the attenuation environment, such as obstructions or misalignment, which can be difficult to detect and costly to rectify without on-site technician intervention.

Innovation Solution

A satellite terminal determines an attenuation profile using signals from auxiliary satellites to identify diagnostic conditions like obstructions or misalignment by comparing received signal characteristics with a stored map, allowing for remote troubleshooting and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If on-site technician visits are conducted to diagnose communication issues, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but operational costs and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtechnician visit time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system consisting of signal processing circuits and communication modules that remotely analyze signal characteristics. This intermediary system processes received signals, compares them against attenuation profiles, and transmits diagnostic information back to technicians, eliminating the need for direct on-site visits while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of physical technician visits with an automated electronic diagnostic system. The system uses signal processing, data comparison algorithms, and wireless communication to perform diagnostics remotely, substituting the mechanical presence of technicians with automated electronic analysis that achieves equivalent or superior diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If on-site technician visits are conducted to diagnose communication issues, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service diagnostics where the satellite terminal automatically performs signal analysis, compares received signals against stored attenuation profiles, identifies potential issues, and communicates diagnostic results without requiring technician intervention. This self-service capability significantly reduces operational costs while maintaining or improving diagnostic accuracy through automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces costly mechanical technician visits with automated electronic diagnostic systems that use signal processing algorithms and wireless communication. This substitution eliminates travel expenses, labor costs, and time losses associated with on-site visits while providing continuous or near-continuous diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If signal characteristics are continuously monitored and compared with attenuation maps, then early detection of obstructions or misalignment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly detection capabilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing attenuation profiles corresponding to different environmental conditions and signal characteristics in the device memory. These pre-computed profiles serve as reference data that enables rapid comparison during operation, allowing early detection of obstructions or misalignment without requiring complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified digital copy of the complex physical environment through attenuation profiles that map signal characteristics to spatial locations. By comparing actual received signal characteristics against these simplified digital models, the system achieves reliable early detection without requiring complex real-time physical analysis or measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12567902B2Determining an attenuation environment of a satellite communication terminal

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 VIASAT INC

AI summary

Described techniques and apparatuses relate to determining an attenuation environment surrounding a satellite terminal in a satellite communication system. The satellite terminal may receive signals from an auxiliary satellite system, and determine aspects of an attenuation environment that may affect communications with a communications satellite system. For example, transmissions from an auxiliary satellite system may be associated with a respective location of the transmitting satellite in order to define an attenuation profile for the satellite terminal antenna assembly. Subsequent signals from the auxiliary satellite system may be compared with the attenuation map, and the comparison may be used to identify a diagnostic condition for communications with a communications satellite system. In some examples the comparison of signals to the attenuation profile may indicate an obstruction between the satellite terminal antennas and a communications satellite, or a misalignment of a satellite terminal antenna assembly.