UE Antenna Alignment via Non-Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning user equipment (UE) antennas with satellite antennas often require visual feedback, which is impractical in scenarios where a display screen is not available or power is conserved, especially in off-grid situations or when ambient conditions prevent screen visibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine a target orientation for UE antennas to achieve line-of-sight alignment with satellite antennas, providing non-visual user feedback such as haptic or audio cues separate from the display screen, allowing for antenna alignment without visual interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual feedback through display screen is used for antenna alignment, then alignment guidance is provided to user, but power consumption increases and usability is reduced in off-grid or dark conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display feedback with alternative feedback mechanisms including haptic feedback (vibrations), audio feedback (beeps), and LED indicators. This substitution allows the system to provide alignment guidance without relying on the power-intensive display screen, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary feedback components (haptic actuators, audio speakers, LED indicators) that mediate between the alignment status and the user. These intermediaries provide tactile, auditory, or visual cues through channels other than the main display screen, enabling power-efficient operation while preserving alignment guidance functionality.
2Ease of operation
If display screen is used for alignment feedback, then user guidance is available, but usability is impaired when screen is unavailable or ambient conditions prevent visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple feedback modalities (haptic, audio, LED visual) in addition to or instead of display screen feedback. This multi-functionality ensures that alignment guidance remains accessible across diverse operational environments including off-grid situations, dark conditions, or when the display screen is unavailable, thereby enhancing adaptability without compromising ease of operation.
3Reliability
If continuous visual display is used for alignment status, then real-time feedback is provided, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or event-triggered feedback mechanisms where haptic, audio, or LED feedback is provided at specific moments (e.g., when alignment is achieved or significantly changes) rather than continuously updating the display screen. This periodic action maintains reliable alignment status indication while minimizing power consumption by activating feedback components only when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) determines a target orientation associated with the UE for a two-way satellite communication session that provides a line of sight (LOS) alignment between an antenna of the UE with a satellite antenna, determines a current orientation associated with the UE, determines difference information associated with a difference between the current orientation of the UE and the target orientation of the UE; and transmits, to a user feedback component, an instruction to provide user feedback that is based on the difference information and that comprises non-visual user feedback or visual feedback that is separate from a display screen of the UE.