Switched Satellite Antenna Array for V/W-Band Beam Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face challenges in providing high-data-rate communication, especially in densely populated regions, due to congestion and atmospheric losses, particularly in higher frequency bands like the V and W bands, where traditional antennas are costly, bulky, and inefficient, and beam-tracking systems are not feasible or are extremely expensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of dynamically selected switched antenna elements with predefined fields of view, integrated circuits that select the appropriate antenna elements based on location and motion of both the satellite receiver and satellite, and the integration with terrestrial wireless communication networks to optimize data rate and power efficiency, allowing for high-data-rate communication in the V and W bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If an omni-directional antenna is used for mobile satellite communication, then the antenna is compact and lightweight, but the gain is low (0-4 dBi) and receiving capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into multiple antenna elements, each with a specific beam width and directionality. Instead of using a single omni-directional element, the patent segments the antenna into multiple directional elements that can be selectively activated based on satellite position, thereby maintaining compactness while improving gain and receiving capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system dynamically switches between different antenna elements based on the satellite's position and movement. This dynamic selection allows the system to maintain optimal beam tracking without mechanical movement, preserving compactness while ensuring sufficient receiving capability through appropriate element selection.
2Reliability
If a beam-tracking phased array antenna is used to improve receiving capability, then the directional beam can track satellite movements, but the antenna structure becomes bulky and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functionality needed for beam tracking by using a limited set of antenna elements with predefined beam directions. Instead of implementing a full phased array with complex beam steering capabilities, the system extracts and uses only the necessary directional elements, reducing weight and complexity while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple simple, fixed-direction antenna elements rather than a single complex, mechanically steerable element. Each element is simple and lightweight, and the system switches between them as needed, avoiding the need for heavy mechanical structures while achieving beam tracking functionality.
3Device complexity
If a planar phased array antenna with electronic beam steering is used, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but the cost increases due to phase shifters and complicated electrical circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive phase shifter circuits from the antenna system. Instead of using electronic beam steering with complex phase control, the system uses a simpler switching mechanism that selects from pre-configured antenna elements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reduced mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of simple antenna elements with fixed beam patterns rather than a single complex electronically steerable element. This approach replicates the necessary directional coverage using simple, inexpensive elements connected through switching circuits, avoiding the need for expensive phase shifter hardware.
4Productivity
If beam-tracking antenna systems are implemented at very high frequency bands (V band or W band), then high data rate communication is achieved, but the systems become extremely expensive or infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple simple, inexpensive antenna elements instead of a single complex beam-tracking antenna at V/W bands. By using fixed-direction elements with switching control, the system achieves high data rate communication through appropriate element selection while avoiding the extremely high costs associated with conventional beam-tracking systems at these frequency bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic beam steering systems with a simpler switching-based selection mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive mechanical actuators or complex phase shifter circuits, making high-frequency satellite communication feasible and cost-effective while maintaining the ability to track satellite movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite receiver with a switchable array of antenna elements for receiving wireless signals from at least a satellite is described. The antenna elements may be dynamically selected based at least in part on a location and motion of the satellite receiver, and a location and a motion of at least the satellite that provides wireless signals. Moreover, the antenna elements may also be dynamically selected based at least in part on utilization and/or availability of a terrestrial wireless communication network that communicates with the satellite receiver. The satellite receiver may predict availability of communication with at least the satellite. Furthermore, the array of antenna elements may provide improved power efficiency, pointing accuracy and/or isotropic gain relative to an array of antenna elements without switched antenna elements, such as for carrier frequencies in the V or the W band of frequencies.