Satellite Terminal Power Control via Beam Shape Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite communication systems face inefficiencies in low data volume communications due to high overhead in establishing and terminating connections, and existing power control methods are not well-suited for sporadic transmissions with small data quantities.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where satellite terminals receive beam shape information from the network infrastructure to calculate initial transmit power and determine data rates, allowing for scheduled burst transmissions that eliminate the need for terminal identity information in messages and improve power control accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection establishment and termination procedures are used in satellite communication systems, then communication reliability is maintained through proper handshaking and acknowledgements, but overhead significantly increases for low data volume transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-scheduling transmission bursts at specific time slots and frequencies before actual data transmission. The network infrastructure pre-allocates resources and provides burst parameters to terminals in advance, eliminating the need for real-time connection establishment handshaking during actual data transmission, thus reducing overhead while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes traditional connection establishment and termination procedures from the communication process. By using pre-scheduled bursts with embedded identification information, the system eliminates the need for separate RACH, AGCH, and connection termination message exchanges, significantly reducing overhead for low data volume transmissions
2Power
If traditional power control methods are used in satellite communication systems, then power adjustment can be performed during continuous transmissions, but power control accuracy deteriorates for sporadic transmissions with small data quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining initial transmit power before sporadic transmissions occur. The network infrastructure provides burst parameters including power settings in advance, allowing terminals to transmit at optimal power levels without requiring multiple power adjustment exchanges during the actual transmission, thus improving power control accuracy for short-duration transmissions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the network infrastructure monitors transmission quality and provides updated burst parameters including power adjustments to terminals between scheduled transmissions. This feedback loop enables continuous optimization of power control accuracy even for sporadic transmission patterns
3Reliability
If terminal identity information is included in each message for low data volume communications, then message authentication and routing are ensured, but message overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts terminal identity information from the message payload and places it in the burst timing and frequency parameters. The network infrastructure determines terminal identity by comparing the time of received bursts with scheduled transmission information, eliminating the need to include terminal identity within the message content itself, thus reducing overhead while maintaining authentication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses burst timing and frequency parameters as intermediaries to convey terminal identity information. Instead of directly embedding identity in messages, the system uses the scheduled transmission characteristics as a mediator that allows the network to identify terminals indirectly through their transmission patterns, reducing message overhead
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are disclosed for a communication system optimized for low data volume communications. In embodiments of the invention, a terminal in the communication system is configured to receive beam shape information from a satellite and use the beam shape information for calculating the terminal's initial transmit power based on the beam shape information. The terminal can also determine the terminal's location and calculate an achievable information data rate of transmitted bursts based on the beam shape information. The terminal can also determine an estimated terminal position based on correlating signal-to-noise ratio measurements on the camped beam and at least one neighbor beam neighboring the camped beam.