Satellite ground terminal incorporating a smart antenna that rejects interference
OwnerDonald C. D. Changinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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 reception of desired satellite signals performed either mechanically or electronically and also included is an optimization technique when data stream reception is ≦1 Gbps. The transmission apparatus uses many of the same components as the receiver antenna and additionally uses in-beam nulling to fine tune transmission.
Claims40
A transmission system for transmitting signals to geo-satellites, the transmission system comprising:
- a plurality of directional transmitter elements for aiming in the general direction of a target satellite;
- a controller module communicatively connected with the directional transmitter elements, the controller module including an optimization module configured to transmit a satellite signal to the geo-satellites through the transmitter elements, and based on signal parameters of a received satellite signal, estimated transmitted radiation patterns, and on user input criteria, causing an adjustment of the signal parameters to meet the user input criteria, resulting in improved transmission to the target satellite;
- wherein the user input criteria is set to form a radiation pattern from a reflector-element array comprising a plurality of reflectors (multiple reflector array), with a high gain beam peak toward the target satellite direction, and nulls toward extraneous satellite directions, and wherein the user input criteria comprises:
- a user inputting the high gain beam peak at an angle A aimed at the target satellite, wherein with respect to the transmission system the target satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle A;
- the user inputting a first null gain at an angle B;
- and the user inputting a second null gain at an angle C, wherein the angles A, B, and C are different from one another, whereby, with respect to the transmission system, a first extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle B and a second extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle C, without the extraneous satellites receiving interference from the satellite signal transmitted from the transmission system to the target satellite.
A receiver system for receiving signals from geo-satellites, the receiver system comprising:
- a plurality of directional receiver elements for aiming in the general direction of a target satellite;
- a controller module communicatively connected with the directional receiver elements, the controller module including an optimization module configured to receive a satellite signal from the geo-satellites through the receiver elements, and based on signal parameters of the received satellite signal and on user input criteria, causing an adjustment of the signal parameters to meet the user input criteria, resulting in improved reception of a target satellite signal and reduced reception of undesired signals from extraneous satellites, wherein the user input criteria comprises:
- a user inputting a high gain beam peak at an angle A aimed from the target satellite, wherein with respect to the receiver system the target satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle A;
- the user inputting a first null gain at an angle B;
- and the user inputting a second null gain at an angle C, wherein the angles A, B, and C are different from one another, whereby, with respect to the receiver system, a first extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle B and a second extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle C, without the undesired signals transmitted from the extraneous satellites causing interference with the satellite signal transmitted from the target satellite to the receiver system.
A receiver optimization apparatus for receiving signals from geo-satellites, the apparatus comprising a controller module for receiving a satellite signal, having signal parameters, from a set of directional receiver elements, the controller system including an optimization module configured to receive the satellite signal, and based on signal parameters of the received satellite signal and on user input criteria, causing an adjustment of the signal parameters to meet the user input criteria, resulting in improved reception of a target satellite signal and reduced reception of undesired signals from extraneous satellites, wherein the user input criteria comprises:
- a user inputting a high gain beam peak at an angle A aimed from the target satellite, wherein with respect to the receiver optimization apparatus the target satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle A;
- the user inputting a first null gain at an angle B;
- and the user inputting a second null gain at an angle C, wherein the angles A, B, and C are different from one another, whereby, with respect to the receiver optimization apparatus, a first extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle B and a second extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle C, without the undesired signals transmitted from the extraneous satellites causing interference with the satellite signal transmitted from the target satellite to the receiver optimization apparatus.
A method for optimizing reception of signals from geo-satellites, the method comprising acts of:
- receiving a satellite signal, having signal parameters, from a set of directional receiver elements;
- based on signal parameters of the received satellite signal and on user input criteria, adjusting the signal parameters to meet the user input criteria, resulting in improved reception of a target satellite signal and reduced reception of undesired signals from extraneous satellites, wherein the user input criteria comprises:
- a user inputting a high gain beam peak at an angle A aimed from the target satellite, wherein with respect to the directional receiver elements the target satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle A;
- the user inputting a first null gain at an angle B;
- and the user inputting a second null gain at an angle C, wherein the angles A, B, and C are different from one another, whereby, with respect to the directional receiver elements, a first extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle B and a second extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle C, without the undesired signals transmitted from the extraneous satellites causing interference with the satellite signal transmitted from the target satellite to the directional receiver elements.
A computer program product for optimizing reception of signals from geo-satellites, the computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable media for causing a signal processing system to perform acts comprising:
- receiving a satellite signal, having signal parameters, from a set of directional receiver elements;
- based on signal parameters of the received satellite signal and on user input criteria, adjusting the signal parameters to meet the user input criteria, resulting in improved reception of a target satellite signal and reduced reception of undesired signals from extraneous satellites, wherein the user input criteria comprises:
- a user inputting a high gain beam peak at an angle A aimed from the target satellite, wherein with respect to the directional receiver elements the target satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle A;
- the user inputting a first null gain at an angle B;
- and the user inputting a second null gain at an angle C, wherein the angles A, B, and C are different from one another, whereby, with respect to the directional receiver elements, a first extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle B and a second extraneous satellite is positioned at an orientation corresponding to the angle C, without the undesired signals transmitted from the extraneous satellites causing interference with the satellite signal transmitted from the target satellite to the directional receiver elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.