Sparse Antenna Array Beamforming for Smaller Satellite Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beamforming techniques in satellite communications are limited by the resolution of antenna arrays, resulting in large coverage areas and challenges in frequency reuse, particularly in satellite systems, which restrict the number of users that can be supported within a geographic area.
Innovation Solution
The use of a large, sparse antenna array with unevenly distributed antennas and varying inter-element spacing, combined with beam coefficients, to form discovery and communication beams with smaller coverage areas, enabling precise beamforming and increased frequency reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional antenna arrays are used in satellite communications, then the system structure is simple, but the beamforming resolution is low resulting in large coverage areas that limit frequency reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna array is divided into multiple sparse subarrays with different inter-element spacings. Each subarray can be independently controlled to form beams, allowing the system to achieve high resolution through coordinated operation of multiple segmented units rather than requiring a single dense array.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna array have different inter-element spacings tailored to specific directional requirements. The spacing between adjacent antennas varies locally to optimize beamforming performance for different spatial zones, enabling precise control of beam characteristics in specific directions.
2Measurement precision
If antenna elements are placed closer together to increase array density, then the beamforming resolution improves, but the physical size of the array increases and becomes impractical for satellite deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beamforming weights and combines signals from antenna elements with varying spacings to achieve high resolution without requiring uniform dense packing. The effective aperture is dynamically optimized through signal processing rather than static physical density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar array to a three-dimensional sparse configuration where antennas are distributed in volume with varying spacings. This adds a vertical dimension to the array geometry, enabling high resolution beamforming with reduced planar footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna array may be associated with forming discovery beams within a geographic area, where each discovery beam may be formed by a corresponding set of antennas of the antenna array and cover a discovery area within the geographic area. Preambles transmitted from terminals within a discovery area of a discovery beam may be detected using the antenna array. Based on detecting a preamble using a discovery beam, a presence of a terminal in a corresponding discovery area may be determined. Based on determining the presence of the terminal, signals detected at a second set of antennas of the antenna array may be processed according to beam coefficients to obtain a beam signal of a communication beam that includes a beam coverage area encompassing a position of the terminal. Each detected signal may comprise a respective component of a signal transmitted by the terminal.