Method and system for satellite using multifunctional motherboard

A satellite configured for use in space so as to receive RF signals, convert said RF signals to a different frequency range, and re-transmit said converted RF signals, said satellite comprising:

• a payload area supporting a motherboard structure including a motherboard;
• a plurality of frequency converters each connected with an antenna system of the satellite so that each of the frequency converters receives a respective RF input signal, said frequency converters each being supported on said motherboard structure;
• a local oscillator source supported on said motherboard structure and generating a local oscillator LO signal;
• the motherboard configured to receive the local oscillator signal from the local oscillator signal source and transmit said local oscillator LO signal through the motherboard to each of the frequency converters;
• said frequency converters each configured to convert the respective RF input signal to a respective RF output signal using said local oscillator signal and to transmit the RF output signal to the antenna system so as to be transmitted wirelessly;
• and
• wherein the plurality of frequency converters comprises eight frequency converters, and the motherboard has splitter circuitry therein that includes a first splitter that splits the LO signal into two initial LO signals, and then two subsequent splitters receiving and splitting each of the two initial LO signals into two subsequent LO signals, and then four final splitters that each receives a respective subsequent LO signal and splits it into two transmitted LO signals, resulting in eight transmitted LO signals, each of said transmitted LO signals being carried by the motherboard to a respective one of the frequency converters.

A satellite configured for use in space so as to receive RF signals, convert said RF signals to a different frequency range, and re-transmit said converted RF signals, said satellite comprising:

• a payload area supporting a motherboard structure including a motherboard;
• a plurality of frequency converters each connected with an antenna system of the satellite so that each of the frequency converters receives a respective RF input signal, said frequency converters each being supported on said motherboard structure;
• a local oscillator source supported on said motherboard structure and generating a local oscillator LO signal;
• the motherboard configured to receive the local oscillator signal from the local oscillator signal source and transmit said local oscillator LO signal through the motherboard to each of the frequency converters;
• said frequency converters each configured to convert the respective RF input signal to a respective RF output signal using said local oscillator signal and to transmit the RF output signal to the antenna system so as to be transmitted wirelessly;
• and
• wherein the RF input signal has a frequency in a range from about 26.5 GHz to about 40 GHz, the LO signal has a frequency in a range from 1 GHz to 15 GHz, and the RF output signal has a frequency of about 100 MHz to 25 GHz.

A satellite configured for use in space so as to receive RF signals, convert said RF signals to a different frequency range, and re-transmit said converted RF signals, said satellite comprising:

• a payload area supporting a motherboard structure including a motherboard;
• a plurality of frequency converters each connected with an antenna system of the satellite so that each of the frequency converters receives a respective RF input signal, said frequency converters each being supported on said motherboard structure;
• a local oscillator source supported on said motherboard structure and generating a local oscillator LO signal;
• the motherboard configured to receive the local oscillator signal from the local oscillator signal source and transmit said local oscillator LO signal through the motherboard to each of the frequency converters;
• said frequency converters each configured to convert the respective RF input signal to a respective RF output signal using said local oscillator signal and to transmit the RF output signal to the antenna system so as to be transmitted wirelessly;
• and
• wherein the motherboard supports a second LO signal source wired in parallel with the first LO signal source so as to supply a second LO signal to the frequency converters via the motherboard in the event of failure of the first LO signal source.

A motherboard structure configured for use in a satellite, said motherboard structure including:

• a motherboard having a layered structure including a plurality of layers of conductive material interlying with each other and separated from each other by material having insulative or capacitave properties;
• a support structure secured to said motherboard;
• a power supply module supported on the support structure and electrically connected to the motherboard so as to supply one or more electrical currents thereto;
• a LO signal generator supported on the support structure and electrically connected to the motherboard so as to supply an LO signal having a first frequency to the motherboard;
• eight frequency converters supported on the support structure and each connected with an antenna system so as to each receive therefrom a respective incoming RF signal, each of said frequency converters being electrically connected with the motherboard;
• the motherboard having a first circuitry arrangement extending via a set of the layers thereof, said first circuitry arrangement carrying electrical current from the power supply to the LO signal generator and to the frequency converters so as to provide power for the operation thereof;
• the motherboard having a second circuitry arrangement extending via a second set of layers thereof, said second circuitry arrangement being configured as a strip line carrying the LO signal from the LO signal generator to the frequency converters, said strip line having a plurality of splitters dividing the LO signal into eight derivative LO signals, each supplied to a respective frequency converter;
• each of the frequency converters converting the respective incoming RF signal using the LO signal and producing a respective output RF signal, said frequency converters each transmitting the output RF signal to an antenna transmission system;
• wherein the support structure is a plate member having a recess receiving the motherboard therein, said plate member being affixed to a planar portion of the satellite with the motherboard secured therebetween;
• and
• the frequency converters, the power supply and the LO signal generator all being secured to an outer surface of the plate member and each being plugged into the motherboard through apertures in the plate member through which sockets on the motherboard are accessible, the sockets including a coaxial push-plug connection for each of the frequency converters and for the LO signal generator through which plugs the LO signal is transmitted.

A motherboard structure configured for use in a satellite, said motherboard structure including:

• a motherboard having a layered structure including a plurality of layers of conductive material interlying with each other and separated from each other by material having insulative or capacitave properties;
• a support structure secured to said motherboard;
• a power supply module supported on the support structure and electrically connected to the motherboard so as to supply one or more electrical currents thereto;
• a LO signal generator supported on the support structure and electrically connected to the motherboard so as to supply an LO signal having a first frequency to the motherboard;
• eight frequency converters supported on the support structure and each connected with an antenna system so as to each receive therefrom a respective incoming RF signal, each of said frequency converters being electrically connected with the motherboard;
• the motherboard having a first circuitry arrangement extending via a set of the layers thereof, said first circuitry arrangement carrying electrical current from the power supply to the LO signal generator and to the frequency converters so as to provide power for the operation thereof;
• the motherboard having a second circuitry arrangement extending via a second set of layers thereof, said second circuitry arrangement being configured as a strip line carrying the LO signal from the LO signal generator to the frequency converters, said strip line having a plurality of splitters dividing the LO signal into eight derivative LO signals, each supplied to a respective frequency converter;
• each of the frequency converters converting the respective incoming RF signal using the LO signal and producing a respective output RF signal, said frequency converters each transmitting the output RF signal to an antenna transmission system;
• wherein a further eight frequency converters and a second LO signal generator are supported on the support member, and the motherboard carries electrical power to all sixteen of the frequency converters and both of the LO signal generators from said power supply;
• and
• the motherboard receives a second LO signal from the second LO signal generator and transmits it split into eight divided LO signals to the further eight frequency converters via strip lines and splitters in the same set of layers as for transmitting the first LO signal.