Smart Antenna Ground Terminal Rejecting Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing crowding of geo-stationary satellites leads to interference issues between closely spaced satellites, making it challenging to discern and separate desired satellite signals from those of neighboring satellites, particularly in C and Ku band applications, without requiring extensive and expensive large reflectors and fine-tuning.
Innovation Solution
A ground terminal system that combines multiple directional receiver elements with a controller module using optimization techniques such as receiver element spacing perturbation, RF weighting, baseband element analog weighting, and digital beamforming to adjust signal parameters and reduce interference, enabling improved reception of target satellite signals while minimizing reception of undesired signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple directional receiver elements are used to separate desired satellite signals from neighboring satellites, then signal discrimination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple directional receiver elements (first, second, third, and fourth elements) arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each element independently receives signals from different spatial directions, enabling the system to separate and discriminate between desired satellite signals and interfering signals from neighboring satellites through spatial segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple directional receiver elements into a unified antenna system with a controller that processes signals from all elements. By merging the reception capabilities of multiple elements and applying signal processing techniques (phase shifting, amplitude weighting), the system achieves enhanced signal discrimination while managing complexity through integrated control.
2Measurement precision
If large reflectors and fine-tuning are used to reduce interference from crowded satellites, then signal reception quality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large reflector with uniform properties, the patent employs multiple directional receiver elements with specific local characteristics optimized for their respective reception directions. Each element is positioned and oriented to capture signals from specific satellite directions, providing localized optimization that collectively achieves high overall reception quality without requiring a single large complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of using large physical reflectors and manual fine-tuning mechanisms with an electronic signal processing system. The controller electronically adjusts phase and amplitude of signals from multiple elements to achieve beam forming and interference cancellation, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control for more precise and adaptable signal reception.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively discriminates and separates desired satellite signals from neighboring satellites, improving signal reception quality and reducing interference, thereby addressing the challenge of satellite crowding in geo-stationary orbits without the need for extensive hardware or fine-tuning.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a satellite signal, having signal parameters, from a set of directional receiver elements
Implementation Method 2
radio-frequency element weighting, wherein the element weighting is accomplished by RF amplitude and phase adjustment of the signals, resulting in weighted received signals, that coherently sum the weighted received signals
Implementation Method 3
digital beamforming (DBF)
Implementation Method 4
interference between the signals of the satellites in close directional proximity to each other
Data Source
AI summary
This device combines multiple elements that function like a single smart antenna that performs both connectivity and spatial discrimination functions. The antenna functions in both receive and transmit modes. The apparatus utilizes commonly used components to distinguish and separate desired satellite signals from those signals of satellites in close directional proximity. Disclosed are six methods for optimizing simultaneously reception of multiple desired satellite signals performed either mechanically or electronically and also included is an optimization technique. The transmission apparatus uses many of the same components as the receiver antenna and additionally uses in-beam nulling to fine tune transmission.