Shared Satellite Gateway Frequency Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite communications systems face challenges in reliably serving densely populated areas due to signal blocking by high-rise structures and poor penetration into buildings, leading to underutilization of satellite spectrum, and require enhanced capacity and economic viability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid satellite-terrestrial system that uses and reuses satellite frequencies terrestrially, with shared satellite gateways processing communications signals from multiple space-based components over different or common frequency bands, and employing common gateway antennas and electronics to manage feeder links and service links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If satellite communications systems use single antenna pattern covering entire service area, then system complexity is reduced, but capacity and link robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the service area into multiple cells, each served by a dedicated antenna pattern (beam). This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher capacity and link robustness through frequency reuse and higher gain per cell, while the overall system complexity is managed through modular cell structure similar to terrestrial cellular systems.
2Area of stationary object
If satellite spectrum is used in densely populated areas, then service coverage is improved, but signal reliability deteriorates due to blocking by high-rise structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces terrestrial repeaters or base stations as intermediary elements in densely populated areas. These intermediaries receive satellite signals and retransmit them locally, overcoming blockage by high-rise structures. This allows satellite spectrum to be effectively used in urban environments while maintaining signal reliability through the intermediary terrestrial infrastructure.
3Productivity
If multiple space-based components are deployed to increase capacity, then system capacity improves, but gateway infrastructure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the gateway infrastructure to serve multiple space-based components simultaneously using common signal processing elements. The gateway can handle feeder links from different satellites and service links to multiple cells through shared resources, achieving multi-functionality. This universality allows the system to increase capacity by adding satellites while keeping gateway complexity and cost manageable through resource sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
A shared satellite gateway can be configured to process at least first and second communications signals associated with respective at least first and second space-based components. The at least first and second communications signals are provided to/from the shared satellite gateway by respective at least first and second service links and respective at least first and second feeder links of the respective at least first and second space-based components.