EP1473799A1 - Beam steered multizone satellite - Google Patents

Beam steered multizone satellite Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1473799A1
EP1473799A1 EP04291108A EP04291108A EP1473799A1 EP 1473799 A1 EP1473799 A1 EP 1473799A1 EP 04291108 A EP04291108 A EP 04291108A EP 04291108 A EP04291108 A EP 04291108A EP 1473799 A1 EP1473799 A1 EP 1473799A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reception
amplitude
chosen
coupler
mti
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EP04291108A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1473799B1 (en
EP1473799B8 (en
Inventor
Freddy Maquet
Olivier Maillet
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Thales SA
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Alcatel CIT SA
Alcatel SA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
    • H01Q1/288—Satellite antennas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/26—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture
    • H01Q3/28—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elements; varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the amplitude

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of satellite communications, and more particularly that of the area coverage control multiple geographic (or "spots") by communications satellites.
  • multi-zone satellite coverage consists schematically to achieve continuous multi-zone coverage (in emission and / or in reception) with passive antennas, the zones being grouped together in cells within each of which only one area, called active, is covered at all times, and the different areas of the cells being active the one after the other, periodically.
  • This type of cover allows in particular to allocate all the available frequency band on a part (active) of all zones during a given period.
  • a first arrangement consists in using first, second, third and fourth transmit / receive antennas (dual-bands) containing sources defining first, second, third and fourth zones respectively, each cell then being made up of a first, a second, a third and a fourth zone.
  • the mesh available at the sources is large enough to allow the use of sources with large apertures (typically 4 to 6 ⁇ ) and therefore very directive. This makes it possible to obtain very high illumination yields, typically from 75% to 80%.
  • the antennas are dual-band, the gain at the edge of the coverage (G EOC ) cannot be optimized simultaneously in transmission and in reception.
  • the zone hopping (or “beam hopping”) being effected by antenna switching, the losses generated at the level of the connection guides, between each source and the switch, are significant.
  • a second arrangement consists of repeating the previous arrangement by doubling the number of antennas so as to have four transmit antennas and four receive antennas.
  • the mesh being substantially identical to that of the previous arrangement, it is therefore also possible to obtain very high illumination yields, typically from 75% to 80%.
  • the antennas are here optimized in each frequency band, it is therefore possible to optimize the gain at the edge of the coverage (G EOC ) simultaneously in transmission and in reception.
  • G EOC edge of the coverage
  • the use of eight antennas imposes significant planning constraints.
  • beam hopping is also carried out by antenna switching, the losses generated at the level of the connection guides, between each source and the switch, are significant.
  • a third arrangement consists of starting from the first arrangement in reducing the number of antennas to three.
  • the available mesh is here slightly smaller than in the two previous arrangements, so that the sources have an opening of the order of 3 to 5 ⁇ and are therefore somewhat less directives.
  • the lighting yield is always very acceptable and the planning constraint is greatly relaxed.
  • the beam hopping always carried out by antenna switching, the losses generated at the level of the connection guides, between each source and the switch, are important.
  • the mesh being tighter, the performance of C / l (ratio between the useful signal (C for "Carrier") and the interfering signals (I) generated by other sources working in the same band of frequency and in the same polarization as the useful area) are degraded.
  • a fourth arrangement consists in using only a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna.
  • the beam hopping is now carried out by switching within the same antenna, the losses generated at the level of the link guides, between each source and the switch, are not significant.
  • the definition of all the zones with a single antenna imposes a very tight mesh, so that the sources have an opening of the order of 1.2 to 1.5 ⁇ and are therefore not very directive.
  • the illumination efficiency is then very poor (typically 35% to 40%), which requires oversizing of the antenna reflectors and antennas which can cause technology problems, in particular when the satellite operates in the frequency band. "Ka".
  • the gain at the edge of the coverage (G EOC ) is therefore reduced by 3 to 4 dB compared to the previous arrangements, and the "roll-off" (variation in gain over the whole of the multi-zone coverage, and more precisely the difference between the maximum gain on each zone and the EOC gain) is very high, typically of the order of 8 to 12 dB compared to the 4 to 6 dB presented by the previous arrangements.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to improve the situation as regards multi-zone coverage.
  • a telecommunications satellite to multi-zone coverage comprising at least one transmitting and / or transmitting antenna reception comprising at least one emission and / or reception source capable of delivering and / or receiving a beam in a chosen direction defined by a chosen value phase and a chosen value amplitude.
  • This satellite is characterized by the fact that at least one of its sources transmission and / or reception is coupled to processing means loaded to divert its beam or its direction of reception according to at least one other direction chosen by variation of at least the amplitude value.
  • the processing means are responsible for deflecting the beam in several directions chosen in function of a law of variation of the value of the amplitude.
  • the processing means preferably comprise a first coupler installed on the main line and coupled to a first end of an auxiliary line comprising means of variation amplitude, and a second coupler installed on the main line between the first coupler and the transmitting or receiving module and connected to a second end of the auxiliary line.
  • the second coupler can be arranged in the form of a deviation meter, such as for example a mode extractor (s) comprising a circular waveguide coupled to at least a rectangular waveguide via a row of slots.
  • the processing means may include a single coupler installed on the main line and coupled to at least one cavity resonant defining the amplitude.
  • the means of treatment can include at least two controlled resonant cavities each by a PIN diode and having couplings between them electromagnetic elements which define the amplitude.
  • the means of treatment can be arranged to deflect the beam or direction reception in at least one of the directions chosen by variation of the value of the amplitude and the value of the phase.
  • the deviation is then preferably carried out in function of a law of variation of the value of the amplitude and a law of variation of the phase value.
  • the auxiliary line embodiment presented above, then includes means for phase variation located on said auxiliary line.
  • the single coupler is coupled to at least three cavities resonants each controlled by a PIN diode and presenting between electromagnetic couplings chosen defining the amplitude and whose the respective positions, relative to the coupler, define the phase.
  • the transmitting and / or transmitting antenna reception includes a multiplicity of emission and / or reception sources, each delivering a beam in a chosen direction, and first control means responsible for controlling the processing means (which are coupled to the sources of emission and / or reception) according to a diagram spatio-temporal chosen.
  • the first ones control means can then be arranged so as to order the processing means to operate simultaneously and in cycles of equal durations so that the satellite provides multi-zone hopping coverage beam hopping.
  • the invention finds a particularly interesting application, although only in a nonlimiting manner, in the case of a transmission and / or a reception of beams in the “Ku” and / or “Ka” type frequency bands.
  • the invention relates to telecommunications satellites for multi-zone coverage in transmission and / or reception, and more precisely on such satellites comprising at least one passive transmitting antenna and / or at least one passive receiving antenna.
  • Such a source of emission and / or reception If comprises a transmission and / or reception module Ri, such as for example a transponder (such as an HPA for "High Power Amplifier” in transmission or such as an LNA for “Low noise amplifier” on reception), and a transmitter and / or receiver Ci, such as for example a horn, coupled to the emission and / or reception module Ri by a main line LPi, as for example a waveguide, equipped with an MTi processing module.
  • Ri such as for example a transponder (such as an HPA for "High Power Amplifier” in transmission or such as an LNA for “Low noise amplifier” on reception)
  • a transmitter and / or receiver Ci such as for example a horn
  • This MTi processing module is responsible for deflecting the beam (or the direction of reception), which must send (and / or receive) the horn Ci which is his associated, according to at least one chosen direction which differs from the direction associated with the standard propagation mode of the transmission channel and / or reception i (or source Si), which is defined by an amplitude A and by a phase ⁇ .
  • the deviation is obtained at least by a variation ⁇ of the value of the amplitude A of the beam emitted or received by a transmitting module and / or reception R. But, as illustrated in figure 2, the deviation can be both obtained by a variation ⁇ of the value of the amplitude A and by a variation of the value of phase ⁇ .
  • the dotted circle Z, of center Cnd materializes the coverage of an area by a beam emitted or received, without processing (or deviation), by a horn Ci of a transmitting antenna and / or reception with an angular "dispersion" ⁇ , while the circle in solid lines Z ', from center Cd materializes the coverage of an area by a deflected beam emitted or received by the same horn Ci with the same angular dispersion ⁇ .
  • the maximum deviation is limited to the value of ⁇ , which corresponds to the lobe width at 3 dB.
  • the TMi processing module can be arranged in different ways.
  • a first way can for example consist in setting up on the line main LP of a transmission and / or reception channel one or more cavities resonant arranged so as to vary the amplitude of the signals, thus that eventually their phase.
  • the processing module TM includes a CP coupler installed on the main LP line and coupled to a single resonant cavity CR. Electromagnetic coupling between the coupler CP and CR cavity allows to excite one or two higher order modes than that the telecommunication signal to be sent or received, delivered by the module emission and / or reception R, which induces a deviation of the main lobe transmission and / or reception of horn C, and consequently of the beam to transmit or receive direction of the beam to be received, which beam contains said telecommunication signal.
  • This embodiment which allows only one deviation is particularly well suited to situations in which the deviation of the beam is static.
  • the invention makes it possible to replace one or more spots by also offering more directive sources, as illustrated in Figure 4. More precisely, in the example of FIG.
  • the dotted circles Z1 to Z4 materialize four contiguous sources, while the circles in solid line Z'1 to Z'4 materialize the final positions of the areas (or spots) covered by said sources after treatment (the spots corresponding to the sources without treatment are circles concentric to the dotted circles Z1 to Z4 and diameters equivalent to those of the solid lines Z'1 to Z'4, and the arrows materialize the displacements d2 to d4 of the centers of zones Z2 to Z4).
  • This example corresponds in particular to the case of satellites using four sources of 1.74 ° in S-band (2500 MHz).
  • the invention makes it possible to replace either a 9-meter antenna equipped from at least twelve sources and a BFN (for "Beam Forming Network” (or beam forming network) - device for enforcing laws amplitude and phase on all sources to generate four spots; we therefore uses three to four sources to generate each spot and some sources can be used several times), i.e. three 5-meter antennas equipped with four sources, by a five-meter antenna equipped with four highly directive sources. This results in an improvement in gain, a optimization of the roll-off and a significant reduction in overall dimensions.
  • BFN for "Beam Forming Network” (or beam forming network) - device for enforcing laws amplitude and phase on all sources to generate four spots; we therefore uses three to four sources to generate each spot and some sources can be used several times), i.e. three 5-meter antennas equipped with four sources, by a five-meter antenna equipped with four highly directive sources.
  • This embodiment also corresponds to situations requiring covering adjacent areas with overlap. Such a situation corresponds in particular to satellites using four antennas, one of which provides coverage using Ku and Ka type spots.
  • Such satellites generally cover nine areas in Ka band and four zones in Ku band.
  • the Ku band corresponds, in reception, substantially at the interval [13.7 GHz, 15.6 GHz] and, in transmission, substantially at the interval [10.7 GHz, 12.8 GHz].
  • the Ka band corresponds, in reception, substantially at the interval [27.5 GHz, 30 GHz] and, in transmission, substantially at the interval [18.2 GHz, 20.2 GHz].
  • the invention allows the use of highly directive Ka and Ku sources, and therefore significantly improve the gain and the C / I ratio, greatly optimize the roll-off and significantly reduce power consumption.
  • This embodiment also corresponds to the situations requiring a dynamic deflection of a beam (also called “Theater trip").
  • This situation can arise when using a beam having an angular dispersion of between approximately 1.6 ° and 3.2 ° to cover an area of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers. It is especially the case during certain events such as the Games Olympic.
  • the invention here makes it possible to reposition at will a bundle of electronically and quickly, without having to mechanically move the satellite, as is currently the case, which reduces consumption energy and significantly improves positioning accuracy and speed.
  • a variant of this embodiment using a single cavity resonant, permanently active can consist, as illustrated on the figure 5, to be used on each transmission and / or reception channel i (or source Si) a MV processing module including a CP coupler installed on the line main LP and coupled to at least two resonant cavities CR1, CR2 each controlled by a PIN diode DP1, DP2 and presenting between them electromagnetic couplings chosen so as to vary the amplitude as well as possibly the phase.
  • the electromagnetic coupling between the CR1 and CR2 cavities, via the CP coupler, allows to activate one or two modes of a higher order than the fundamental mode of the telecommunication signal to send, delivered by the send and / or receive module R, which induces a deviation from the main emission lobe of horn C, and therefore from the beam to be transmitted or direction of reception. More precisely, the amplitude ⁇ of the deviation is fixed by the coupling between the cavities resonant, while the variation of the value of phase ⁇ is fixed by the position of the resonant cavities.
  • the number of possible deviations is fixed here by the number of possible activation combinations of the different CR resonant cavities, via the associated DP control PIN diodes, which depends well obviously the number of resonant cavities used (for example four or eight).
  • the MT processing module can be implemented in a second way, as illustrated in Figure 6. This second way is to set up on the main line LP of a transmission and / or reception channel (or source S), on the one hand, a first coupler CP1, coupled to a first end of a auxiliary line LA comprising an amplitude attenuator AA and a phase shifter DP, and secondly, a second coupler CP2 (downstream of the first coupler CP1), coupled to a second end of the auxiliary line LA.
  • the first coupler CP1 is arranged to take from the main line LP part of the telecommunication signal to be transmitted in the form of a beam, so as to inject it into the auxiliary line LA where it is the subject of a amplitude variation at the level of the amplitude attenuator AA, as well as possibly a phase variation at the DP phase shifter, before being reinjected into the main LP line thanks to the second coupler CP2.
  • the second coupler CP2 is arranged so as to generate at the input horn C one or two modes (for example TM01 and TE21 which allow generate asymmetric radiation patterns with an absence signal in the axis) of higher order than the fundamental mode of the signal telecommunication to be transmitted, issued by the transmission module R, which induces the beam deflection.
  • the injection of one or two modes higher order at the entrance of the horn C causes a deviation of its lobe main issue. This also applies to reception under the reciprocity theorem which applies when the elements are of type passive.
  • the AA amplitude attenuator and / or the DP phase shifter can be variable type, when necessary.
  • the TM processing module is therefore configured to vary the amplitude according to a chosen amplitude law and / or the phase according to a chosen phase.
  • the DP phase shifter is omitted.
  • the deviation results exclusively from a amplitude variation.
  • multi-zone coverage (or multi-spots) by beam hopping consists of forming a “cluster” or “Mosaic” G of adjacent coverage areas (or spots) Z, which, preferably, partially overlap.
  • Each G cluster is subdivided into Cel cells with the same number j of zones Zj.
  • the beam hopping consists in making only one area active at any time Zj of each Cel cell in a G cluster. Therefore, the Zj areas of a same Cel cells are active (or covered) one after the other, from periodically and preferably for identical durations equal to the jth part ⁇ T of the period, under the control of the control module MC.
  • the active zones ZA of a cluster G are shown in black, while the ZI inactive zones are shown in white.
  • the same source Si now makes it possible to cover the four (or N) zones Zj of the same Cel cell using the principle of beam deflection described above.
  • the horn Ci of the source If (or transmission and / or reception channel i) is arranged to deliver a untreated (or not deflected) beam whose center is materialized by the small black circle Fnd, and the processing module MTi, associated with this source Si, is arranged to deflect the beam in four different directions which define (here) the four zones Z1 to Z4 of a Cel cell.
  • the first zone (or spot) Z1 corresponds to a beam deflected in a first direction defined by an amplitude A0 and a phase ⁇ 0
  • the second zone Z2 corresponds to a beam deflected according to a second direction defined by an amplitude A0 / 3 and a phase ⁇ 0 + 90 °
  • the third zone Z3 corresponds to a beam deflected according to a third direction defined by an amplitude A0 and a phase ⁇ 0 + 180 °
  • the fourth zone Z4 corresponds to a beam deflected according to a fourth direction defined by an amplitude A0 / ⁇ 3 and a phase ⁇ 0 + 270 °.
  • the amplitude of deviation ⁇ 1 from the center of the beam corresponding to the first zone Z1 with respect to the direction of reference defined by the center of the non-deflected beam Fnd is substantially equal to 3 ⁇ / 4
  • the amplitude of deviation ⁇ 2 from the center of the beam corresponding to the second zone Z2 with respect to the reference direction is substantially equal to ⁇ 3 / 4.
  • the processing module MTi of a transmission and / or reception channel i (or source Si) is therefore arranged to “switch” the beam delivered by (or the direction of reception of the beam received by) its horn Ci from an area to the other.
  • the beam is deflected in the first direction, so that only the first zone Z1 of cell Ci is covered (or active). This situation corresponds to the upper right of Figure 7 (T0).
  • the beam is deflected in the second direction, so that only the second area Z2 of cell Ci is covered (or active).
  • This situation corresponds to the lower right of Figure 7 (T0 + ⁇ T).
  • the control module MC of the transmitting antenna A is arranged so as to make function according to a spatio-temporal law the modules of MTi processing of each emission channel i (or source Si). More preferentially, the control module MC controls the processing modules MTi so that they operate synchronously, simultaneously and periodically, and that during each fraction of period ⁇ T the same zone Zj of each Cel cell is activated (or covered).
  • these sources can be very directive, which makes it possible to obtain a highly optimized lighting yield.
  • this optimizes the G EOC gain at the edge of the cover (or EOC for “Edge Of Coverage”).
  • beam hopping type switching takes place within the same antenna, the losses due to the link guides are greatly reduced.
  • FIGS. 9A to 9C describe an example for producing and operating a second CP2 coupler which can be used on a transmission and / or reception channel of the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 6.
  • the second coupler CP2 is preferably a coupler called "deviation measurement” (or “extractor of mode (s) "), arranged to take samples from the main LP line, at the outlet of the horn reception mode C, the mode (s) which is (are) pursued to inject it into the first auxiliary line LA.
  • the CP2 deviation coupler is designed way to define a short circuit plan for the tracking mode (s) that will force them to join the first auxiliary line LA (the mode of standard (or fundamental) propagation, of lowest order, as well as the others discontinued modes therefore continue their journey within the main line LP).
  • the CP2 deviation coupler is arranged so as to extract and / or generate modes TM01 and TE21 from the main LP line for inject them into the first auxiliary line LA.
  • the transmitting and / or receiving element is here of the monobloc type. he includes an upstream part defining a horn C and a downstream part extending the upstream part and defining a deviation coupler CP2.
  • the downstream part CP2 here consists, firstly, of a guide central wave LP, of circular section, defining the main line in which are extracted and / or generated the modes pursued, secondly, four rectangular waveguides LAa to LAd, of rectangular section, defining four portions of the first auxiliary line, and a third part, four rows of FEa to FEd coupling slots, preferably shaped rectangular, ensuring coupling between the central waveguide LP and the four peripheral waveguides LAa to LAd.
  • coupling slots can be used, such as for example circular or elliptical slots, or still on the cross, and the like.
  • the higher order modes pursued are therefore extracted and / or generated from the main waveguide LP by the slots FEa to FEd coupling then injected into the peripheral waveguides LAa to LAd.
  • the number of rows of slots, and therefore the number of peripheral waveguides, of the embodiment illustrated on the Figures 9A to 9C are not limited to 4. This number can take any which value greater than or equal to one (1). It is important to note that the number of rows does not correspond to the number of extracted modes and / or generated. We can indeed use four rows of slots to extract and / or generate a single superior mode. In addition, the number of rows is used also to distribute the extraction and / or the generation of higher modes without disrupt the main telecommunications route. That's why we use generally rows of rotationally symmetrical coupling slots, for example example four rows at 90 ° or eight rows at 45 °, etc ... In addition, we have describes a slot coupling, but we can also consider a coupling by probe when the first auxiliary line is of the coaxial type.
  • TM01 only one higher order mode is used (generally TM01) when the polarization of the incident or transmitted wave is circular. Knowing the values of the amplitude and of the phase, a single mode is then sufficient to determine each time the parameters ⁇ and ⁇ described previously with reference to FIG. 2. In other words, in the case of a circular polarization , by using only one mode one can divert the beam in emission (or the direction of reception) in any direction of space within the limits of width of the main lobe to 3 dB ( ⁇ 3dB ).
  • two higher order modes are used (generally the pairs (TM01 and TE21) or (TE21 and TE21 orthogonal)) when the polarization of the incident or transmitted wave is linear. Knowing the values of the amplitude and of the phase of these two modes, it is in fact possible to determine each time the parameters ⁇ and ⁇ described previously with reference to FIG. 2. In other words, in the case of a polarization linear, by using two orthogonal modes, one can deflect the beam in emission (or the direction of reception) in any direction of space within the limits of width of the principal lobe with 3 dB ( ⁇ 3dB ).
  • the invention is not limited to the satellite embodiments of telecommunications described above, only by way of example, but it includes all the variants that a person skilled in the art will be able to envisage in the The scope of the claims below.

Abstract

The satellite has a transmitting and/or receiving antenna with a transmission and/or reception source. A transmission and/or reception module (R) of the source delivers and/or receives a beam as per a direction defined by selected phase and amplitude values. A processing module (MT) coupled to the module (R) deviates the beam or receiving direction according to another direction selected by variation of the amplitude value. An independent claim is also included for a usage of satellite in Ku and/or Ka frequency bands.

Description

L'invention concerne le domaine des communications par satellite, et plus particulièrement celui du contrôle de la couverture de zones géographiques (ou « spots ») multiples par des satellites de communications.The invention relates to the field of satellite communications, and more particularly that of the area coverage control multiple geographic (or "spots") by communications satellites.

En matière de communication, notamment satellitaire, il est souhaitable que la qualité de réception soit la meilleure possible. Pour ce faire, il faut non seulement que la zone de réception soit couverte, mais également que la puissance des signaux reçus soit suffisante.In terms of communication, especially satellite, it is desirable that the quality of reception is the best possible. To do this, not only must the reception area be covered, but also that the strength of the signals received is sufficient.

Parmi les nombreux types de couverture satellite multi-zones on peut notamment citer celle que l'homme de l'art appelle le « saut de zone » (ou « beam hopping ») multi-faisceaux. Cette couverture consiste schématiquement à réaliser une couverture multi-zones continue (en émission et/ou en réception) avec des antennes passives, les zones étant regroupées en cellules au sein de chacune desquelles une seule zone, dite active, est couverte à chaque instant, et les différentes zones des cellules étant actives les unes après les autres, de façon périodique. Ce type de couverture permet notamment d'allouer toute la bande de fréquence disponible sur une partie (active) de l'ensemble des zones pendant une période donnée.Among the many types of multi-zone satellite coverage we can in particular quote that which the man of the art calls the “jump of zone” (or "Beam hopping") multi-beam. This coverage consists schematically to achieve continuous multi-zone coverage (in emission and / or in reception) with passive antennas, the zones being grouped together in cells within each of which only one area, called active, is covered at all times, and the different areas of the cells being active the one after the other, periodically. This type of cover allows in particular to allocate all the available frequency band on a part (active) of all zones during a given period.

Plusieurs agencements permettent d'obtenir ce type de couverture. Ils reposent tous sur une même technologie consistant à associer chaque zone de couverture à une source d'émission.Several arrangements make it possible to obtain this type of cover. They are all based on the same technology consisting in associating each zone of coverage of an emission source.

Un premier agencement consiste à utiliser des première, seconde, troisième et quatrième antennes d'émission/réception (bi-bandes) contenant des sources définissant respectivement des premières, secondes, troisièmes et quatrièmes zones, chaque cellule étant alors constituée d'une première, d'une seconde, d'une troisième et d'une quatrième zones. Dans ce type d'agencement la maille disponible au niveau des sources est suffisamment grande pour permettre l'utilisation de sources de grande ouverture (typiquement 4 à 6 λ) et donc très directives. Cela permet d'obtenir des rendements d'illumination très importants, typiquement de 75% à 80%. Cependant, les antennes étant bi-bandes, le gain en bord de couverture (GEOC) ne peut pas être optimisé simultanément en émission et en réception. De plus, le saut de zone (ou « beam hopping ») s'effectuant par commutation d'antenne, les pertes générées au niveau des guides de liaison, entre chaque source et le commutateur, sont importantes.A first arrangement consists in using first, second, third and fourth transmit / receive antennas (dual-bands) containing sources defining first, second, third and fourth zones respectively, each cell then being made up of a first, a second, a third and a fourth zone. In this type of arrangement, the mesh available at the sources is large enough to allow the use of sources with large apertures (typically 4 to 6 λ) and therefore very directive. This makes it possible to obtain very high illumination yields, typically from 75% to 80%. However, since the antennas are dual-band, the gain at the edge of the coverage (G EOC ) cannot be optimized simultaneously in transmission and in reception. In addition, the zone hopping (or “beam hopping”) being effected by antenna switching, the losses generated at the level of the connection guides, between each source and the switch, are significant.

Un deuxième agencement consiste à reprendre l'agencement précédent en doublant le nombre d'antennes de manière à avoir quatre antennes d'émission et quatre antennes de réception. Dans ce type d'agencement la maille étant sensiblement identique à celle de l'agencement précédent, on peut donc également obtenir des rendements d'illumination très importants, typiquement de 75% à 80%. Les antennes étant ici optimisées dans chaque bande de fréquence, il est donc possible d'optimiser le gain en bord de couverture (GEOC) simultanément en émission et en réception. Cependant, l'utilisation de huit antennes impose des contraintes d'aménagement importantes. De plus, le beam hopping s'effectuant également par commutation d'antenne, les pertes générées au niveau des guides de liaison, entre chaque source et le commutateur, sont importantes.A second arrangement consists of repeating the previous arrangement by doubling the number of antennas so as to have four transmit antennas and four receive antennas. In this type of arrangement, the mesh being substantially identical to that of the previous arrangement, it is therefore also possible to obtain very high illumination yields, typically from 75% to 80%. As the antennas are here optimized in each frequency band, it is therefore possible to optimize the gain at the edge of the coverage (G EOC ) simultaneously in transmission and in reception. However, the use of eight antennas imposes significant planning constraints. In addition, since beam hopping is also carried out by antenna switching, the losses generated at the level of the connection guides, between each source and the switch, are significant.

Un troisième agencement consiste à partir du premier agencement en réduisant le nombre d'antennes à trois. La maille disponible est ici légèrement plus petite que dans les deux agencements précédents, de sorte que les sources présentent une ouverture de l'ordre de 3 à 5 λ et sont donc un peu moins directives. Le rendement d'illumination demeure toujours très acceptable et la contrainte d'aménagement est fortement relâchée. Mais, le beam hopping s'effectuant toujours par commutation d'antenne, les pertes générées au niveau des guides de liaison, entre chaque source et le commutateur, sont importantes. De plus, la maille étant plus serrée, les performances de C/l (rapport entre le signal utile (C pour « Carrier ») et les signaux interférents (I) générés par les autres sources qui travaillent dans la même bande de fréquence et dans la même polarisation que la zone utile) sont dégradées.A third arrangement consists of starting from the first arrangement in reducing the number of antennas to three. The available mesh is here slightly smaller than in the two previous arrangements, so that the sources have an opening of the order of 3 to 5 λ and are therefore somewhat less directives. The lighting yield is always very acceptable and the planning constraint is greatly relaxed. But, the beam hopping always carried out by antenna switching, the losses generated at the level of the connection guides, between each source and the switch, are important. In addition, the mesh being tighter, the performance of C / l (ratio between the useful signal (C for "Carrier") and the interfering signals (I) generated by other sources working in the same band of frequency and in the same polarization as the useful area) are degraded.

Un quatrième agencement consiste à n'utiliser qu'une antenne d'émission et une antenne de réception. Le beam hopping s'effectuant désormais par commutation au sein d'une même antenne, les pertes générées au niveau des guides de liaison, entre chaque source et le commutateur, sont peu importantes. Mais, la définition de l'ensemble des zones avec une unique antenne impose une maille très serrée, si bien que les sources présentent une ouverture de l'ordre de 1,2 à 1,5 λ et sont donc très peu directives. Le rendement d'illumination est alors très médiocre (typiquement de 35% à 40%), ce qui impose un surdimensionnement des réflecteurs d'antenne et des antennes pouvant entraíner des problèmes de technologie, en particulier lorsque le satellite fonctionne dans la bande de fréquence « Ka ». Le gain en bord de couverture (GEOC) est donc réduit de 3 à 4 dB par rapport aux agencements précédents, et le « roll-Off » (variation de gain sur l'ensemble de la couverture multi-zones, et plus précisément la différence entre le gain maximal sur chaque zone et le gain EOC) est très élevé, typiquement de l'ordre de 8 à 12 dB comparé aux 4 à 6 dB que présentent les agencements précédents.A fourth arrangement consists in using only a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The beam hopping is now carried out by switching within the same antenna, the losses generated at the level of the link guides, between each source and the switch, are not significant. However, the definition of all the zones with a single antenna imposes a very tight mesh, so that the sources have an opening of the order of 1.2 to 1.5 λ and are therefore not very directive. The illumination efficiency is then very poor (typically 35% to 40%), which requires oversizing of the antenna reflectors and antennas which can cause technology problems, in particular when the satellite operates in the frequency band. "Ka". The gain at the edge of the coverage (G EOC ) is therefore reduced by 3 to 4 dB compared to the previous arrangements, and the "roll-off" (variation in gain over the whole of the multi-zone coverage, and more precisely the difference between the maximum gain on each zone and the EOC gain) is very high, typically of the order of 8 to 12 dB compared to the 4 to 6 dB presented by the previous arrangements.

Aucun agencement connu n'apporte donc une entière satisfaction en matière de couverture multi-zones par « sauts de zone ».No known arrangement therefore brings complete satisfaction in multi-zone coverage by "zone jumps".

La situation est sensiblement identique pour ce qui concerne les autres types de couverture muti-zones et en particulier dans le cas de la couverture multi-zones par déviation statique de faisceaux et de la couverture multi-zones par déviation dynamique d'un faisceau.The situation is almost identical with regard to the others types of multi-zone coverage and in particular in the case of coverage multi-zone by static deflection of beams and multi-zone coverage by dynamic deflection of a beam.

L'invention a donc pour but d'améliorer la situation en matière de couverture multi-zones.The object of the invention is therefore to improve the situation as regards multi-zone coverage.

Elle propose à cet effet un satellite de télécommunications à couverture multi-zones, comportant au moins une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception comprenant au moins une source d'émission et/ou de réception capable de délivrer et/ou de recevoir un faisceau selon une direction choisie définie par une phase de valeur choisie et une amplitude de valeur choisie.To this end, it offers a telecommunications satellite to multi-zone coverage, comprising at least one transmitting and / or transmitting antenna reception comprising at least one emission and / or reception source capable of delivering and / or receiving a beam in a chosen direction defined by a chosen value phase and a chosen value amplitude.

Ce satellite se caractérise par le fait que l'une au moins de ses sources d'émission et/ou de réception est couplée à des moyens de traitement chargés de dévier son faisceau ou sa direction de réception selon au moins une autre direction choisie par variation d'au moins la valeur de l'amplitude. This satellite is characterized by the fact that at least one of its sources transmission and / or reception is coupled to processing means loaded to divert its beam or its direction of reception according to at least one other direction chosen by variation of at least the amplitude value.

Lorsqu'une déviation multiple est requise, les moyens de traitement sont chargés de dévier le faisceau selon plusieurs directions choisies en fonction d'une loi de variation de la valeur de l'amplitude.When multiple diversion is required, the processing means are responsible for deflecting the beam in several directions chosen in function of a law of variation of the value of the amplitude.

Le fait d'utiliser un nombre réduit de sources d'émission et/ou de réception permet de simplifier notablement l'architecture des antennes et des satellites qui les portent, d'en améliorer la directivité et le rapport C/I, et d'en maítriser le roll-off.The fact of using a reduced number of emission sources and / or reception significantly simplifies the architecture of antennas and satellites that carry them, improve their directivity and the C / I ratio, and master the roll-off.

Dans un mode de réalisation adapté aux agencements dans lesquels la source d'émission et/ou de réception comprend une ligne principale raccordant un module d'alimentation à un module d'émission et/ou de réception, les moyens de traitement comprennent préférentiellement un premier coupleur implanté sur la ligne principale et couplé à une première extrémité d'une ligne auxiliaire comprenant des moyens de variation d'amplitude, et un second coupleur implanté sur la ligne principale entre le premier coupleur et le module d'émission ou de réception et raccordé à une seconde extrémité de la ligne auxiliaire. Dans ce cas, le second coupleur peut être agencé sous la forme d'un coupleur d'écartométrie, tel que par exemple un extracteur de mode(s) comportant un guide d'onde circulaire couplé à au moins un guide d'onde rectangulaire via une rangée de fentes.In an embodiment suitable for arrangements in which the source of emission and / or reception comprises a main line connecting a power supply module to a transmission and / or transmission module reception, the processing means preferably comprise a first coupler installed on the main line and coupled to a first end of an auxiliary line comprising means of variation amplitude, and a second coupler installed on the main line between the first coupler and the transmitting or receiving module and connected to a second end of the auxiliary line. In this case, the second coupler can be arranged in the form of a deviation meter, such as for example a mode extractor (s) comprising a circular waveguide coupled to at least a rectangular waveguide via a row of slots.

En variante, les moyens de traitement peuvent comprendre un unique coupleur implanté sur la ligne principale et couplé à au moins une cavité résonnante définissant l'amplitude. Dans ce cas les moyens de traitement peuvent comprendre au moins deux cavités résonnantes commandées chacune par une diode PIN et présentant entre elles des couplages électromagnétiques choisis qui définissent l'amplitude.Alternatively, the processing means may include a single coupler installed on the main line and coupled to at least one cavity resonant defining the amplitude. In this case the means of treatment can include at least two controlled resonant cavities each by a PIN diode and having couplings between them electromagnetic elements which define the amplitude.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, les moyens de traitement peuvent être agencés de manière à dévier le faisceau ou la direction de réception selon l'une au moins des directions choisies par variation de la valeur de l'amplitude et de la valeur de la phase. Lorsqu'une déviation multiple est requise, la déviation s'effectue alors préférentiellement en fonction d'une loi de variation de la valeur de l'amplitude et d'une loi de variation de la valeur de la phase. Le mode de réalisation à ligne auxiliaire, présenté ci-avant, comprend alors des moyens de variation de phase implantés sur ladite ligne auxiliaire. De même, dans la variante de réalisation à cavité(s) résonnante(s), l'unique coupleur est couplé à au moins trois cavités résonnantes commandées chacune par une diode PIN et présentant entre elles des couplages électromagnétiques choisis définissant l'amplitude et dont les positions respectives, par rapport au coupleur, définissent la phase.According to another characteristic of the invention, the means of treatment can be arranged to deflect the beam or direction reception in at least one of the directions chosen by variation of the value of the amplitude and the value of the phase. When a deviation multiple is required, the deviation is then preferably carried out in function of a law of variation of the value of the amplitude and a law of variation of the phase value. The auxiliary line embodiment, presented above, then includes means for phase variation located on said auxiliary line. Similarly, in the alternative embodiment to resonant cavity (ies), the single coupler is coupled to at least three cavities resonants each controlled by a PIN diode and presenting between electromagnetic couplings chosen defining the amplitude and whose the respective positions, relative to the coupler, define the phase.

Lorsque cela s'avère nécessaire, l'antenne d'émission et/ou de réception comprend une multiplicité de sources d'émission et/ou de réception, délivrant chacune un faisceau selon une direction choisie, et des premiers moyens de contrôle chargés de contrôler les moyens de traitement (qui sont couplés aux sources d'émission et/ou de réception) en fonction d'un schéma spatio-temporel choisi.When necessary, the transmitting and / or transmitting antenna reception includes a multiplicity of emission and / or reception sources, each delivering a beam in a chosen direction, and first control means responsible for controlling the processing means (which are coupled to the sources of emission and / or reception) according to a diagram spatio-temporal chosen.

Dans ce cas, les moyens de traitement de chaque source d'émission et/ou de réception peuvent être agencés de manière à dévier leur faisceau (ou leur direction de réception) de façon cyclique selon N (par exemple N=4) directions différentes associées à N zones de couvertures, chaque faisceau (ou direction de réception) étant alors dévié(e) suivant l'une des N directions pendant une durée choisie égale au Nième de la durée du cycle. Les premiers moyens de contrôle peuvent alors être agencés de manière à ordonner aux moyens de traitement de fonctionner simultanément et selon des cycles de durées égales afin que le satellite assure une couverture multi-zones par sauts de zone (ou beam hopping).In this case, the processing means of each emission source and / or reception can be arranged so as to deflect their beam (or their direction of reception) cyclically along N (for example N = 4) different directions associated with N coverage areas, each beam (or receiving direction) then being deflected in one of the N directions for a chosen duration equal to the Nth of the cycle duration. The first ones control means can then be arranged so as to order the processing means to operate simultaneously and in cycles of equal durations so that the satellite provides multi-zone hopping coverage beam hopping.

L'invention trouve une application particulièrement intéressante, bien que de façon non limitative, dans le cas d'une émission et/ou d'une réception de faisceaux dans les bandes de fréquence de type « Ku » et/ou « Ka ».The invention finds a particularly interesting application, although only in a nonlimiting manner, in the case of a transmission and / or a reception of beams in the “Ku” and / or “Ka” type frequency bands.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaítront à l'examen de la description détaillée ci-après, et des dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est un diagramme bloc fonctionnel illustrant schématiquement une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception multi-voies d'un satellite selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 illustre de façon schématique le mécanisme de déviation de faisceau en émission ou de déviation de direction de réception,
  • la figure 3 illustre schématiquement un premier mode de réalisation d'une voie d'émission et/ou de réception d'une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception d'un satellite selon l'invention,
  • la figure 4 illustre schématiquement un exemple de couverture multi-zones adaptée à la déviation statique d'un faisceau,
  • la figure 5 illustre schématiquement un second mode de réalisation d'une voie d'émission et/ou de réception d'une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception d'un satellite selon l'invention,
  • la figure 6 illustre schématiquement un troisième mode de réalisation d'une voie d'émission et/ou de réception d'une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception d'un satellite selon l'invention,
  • la figure 7 illustre schématiquement un exemple de couverture multi-zones dans le cas d'une application de type beam hopping,
  • la figure 8 illustre schématiquement le mécanisme de déviation (ou commutation) de faisceau au sein d'une cellule, dans une application de type beam hopping, et
  • les figures 9A à 9C illustrent schématiquement, respectivement dans des vues en coupe longitudinale, en perspective partielle (CP2), et en coupe transversale au niveau de CP2, un exemple de réalisation d'un coupleur d'écartométrie utilisé dans une voie d'émission et/ou de réception d'une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception du type de celle illustrée sur la figure 6.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating a multi-channel transmit and / or receive antenna of a satellite according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the mechanism for deflecting a beam in transmission or for deviating in the direction of reception,
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a transmission and / or reception channel of a transmission and / or reception antenna of a satellite according to the invention,
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example of multi-zone coverage adapted to the static deflection of a beam,
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of a transmission and / or reception channel of a transmission and / or reception antenna of a satellite according to the invention,
  • FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of a transmission and / or reception channel of a transmission and / or reception antenna of a satellite according to the invention,
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of multi-zone coverage in the case of an application of the beam hopping type,
  • FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the beam deflection (or switching) mechanism within a cell, in an application of the beam hopping type, and
  • FIGS. 9A to 9C schematically illustrate, respectively in views in longitudinal section, in partial perspective (CP2), and in cross section at CP2, an exemplary embodiment of a deviation meter used in an emission channel and / or reception of a transmitting and / or receiving antenna of the type of that illustrated in FIG. 6.

Les dessins annexés pourront non seulement servir à compléter l'invention, mais aussi contribuer à sa définition, le cas échéant.The attached drawings may not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

L'invention porte sur les satellites de télécommunications destinés à la couverture multi-zones en émission et/ou en réception, et plus précisément sur de tels satellites comprenant au moins une antenne d'émission passive et/ou au moins une antenne de réception passive.The invention relates to telecommunications satellites for multi-zone coverage in transmission and / or reception, and more precisely on such satellites comprising at least one passive transmitting antenna and / or at least one passive receiving antenna.

On se réfère tout d'abord aux figures 1 à 5 pour décrire l'invention dans sa mise en oeuvre au sein d'une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception A de satellite ST. Sur ces figures, le satellite ST n'est pas représenté afin de ne pas surcharger les dessins. We first refer to Figures 1 to 5 to describe the invention in its implementation within a transmitting and / or receiving antenna A of satellite ST. In these figures, the ST satellite is not shown so as not to not overload the drawings.

Comme illustré sur la figure 1, une antenne de satellite selon l'invention comprend une ou plusieurs voies d'émission et/ou de réception i (ici i=1 à n) constituant chacune une source d'émission et/ou de réception Si capable de délivrer un faisceau, ou de réceptionner des faisceaux, selon au moins deux directions choisies, définies chacune par une phase de valeur choisie et une amplitude de valeur choisie. Une telle source d'émission et/ou de réception Si comprend un module d'émission et/ou de réception Ri, comme par exemple un transpondeur (tel qu'un HPA pour « Amplificateur à forte puissance » en émission ou tel qu'un LNA pour « Amplificateur à faible bruit » en réception), et un émetteur et/ou récepteur Ci, comme par exemple un cornet, couplé au module d'émission et/ou de réception Ri par une ligne principale LPi, comme par exemple un guide d'ondes, équipée d'un module de traitement MTi.As illustrated in FIG. 1, a satellite antenna according to the invention includes one or more transmission and / or reception channels i (here i = 1 to n) each constituting a source of emission and / or reception If capable of deliver a beam, or receive beams, according to at least two chosen directions, each defined by a chosen value phase and a selected value range. Such a source of emission and / or reception If comprises a transmission and / or reception module Ri, such as for example a transponder (such as an HPA for "High Power Amplifier" in transmission or such as an LNA for “Low noise amplifier” on reception), and a transmitter and / or receiver Ci, such as for example a horn, coupled to the emission and / or reception module Ri by a main line LPi, as for example a waveguide, equipped with an MTi processing module.

Ce module de traitement MTi est chargé de dévier le faisceau (ou la direction de réception), que doit émettre (et/ou recevoir) le cornet Ci qui lui est associé, selon au moins une direction choisie qui diffère de la direction associée au mode de propagation standard de la voie d'émission et/ou de réception i (ou source Si), laquelle est définie par une amplitude A et par une phase Φ.This MTi processing module is responsible for deflecting the beam (or the direction of reception), which must send (and / or receive) the horn Ci which is his associated, according to at least one chosen direction which differs from the direction associated with the standard propagation mode of the transmission channel and / or reception i (or source Si), which is defined by an amplitude A and by a phase Φ.

La déviation est obtenue au moins par une variation ρ de la valeur de l'amplitude A du faisceau émis ou reçu par un module d'émission et/ou de réception R. Mais, comme illustré sur la figure 2, la déviation peut être à la fois obtenue par une variation ρ de la valeur de l'amplitude A et par une variation de la valeur de la phase Φ. Sur cette figure 2, le cercle en pointillé Z, de centre Cnd matérialise la couverture d'une zone par un faisceau émis ou reçu, sans traitement (ou déviation), par un cornet Ci d'une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception avec une « dispersion » angulaire , tandis que le cercle en trait plein Z', de centre Cd matérialise la couverture d'une zone par un faisceau dévié émis ou reçu par le même cornet Ci avec la même dispersion angulaire .The deviation is obtained at least by a variation ρ of the value of the amplitude A of the beam emitted or received by a transmitting module and / or reception R. But, as illustrated in figure 2, the deviation can be both obtained by a variation ρ of the value of the amplitude A and by a variation of the value of phase Φ. In this figure 2, the dotted circle Z, of center Cnd materializes the coverage of an area by a beam emitted or received, without processing (or deviation), by a horn Ci of a transmitting antenna and / or reception with an angular "dispersion" , while the circle in solid lines Z ', from center Cd materializes the coverage of an area by a deflected beam emitted or received by the same horn Ci with the same angular dispersion .

Comme on peut le constater, en faisant varier l'amplitude, ainsi qu'éventuellement la phase, d'un faisceau à émettre ou à recevoir, il est possible de choisir le plan dans lequel ledit faisceau doit être dévié. As you can see, by varying the amplitude, so that possibly the phase, of a beam to be transmitted or received, it is possible to choose the plane in which said beam must be deflected.

La déviation maximale est limitée à la valeur de , qui correspond à la largeur du lobe à 3 dB.The maximum deviation is limited to the value of , which corresponds to the lobe width at 3 dB.

Pour réaliser cette déviation, le module de traitement TMi peut être agencé de différentes façons.To achieve this deviation, the TMi processing module can be arranged in different ways.

Une première façon peut par exemple consister à implanter sur la ligne principale LP d'une voie d'émission et/ou de réception une ou plusieurs cavités résonnantes agencées de manière à faire varier l'amplitude des signaux, ainsi qu'éventuellement leur phase.A first way can for example consist in setting up on the line main LP of a transmission and / or reception channel one or more cavities resonant arranged so as to vary the amplitude of the signals, thus that eventually their phase.

Dans l'exemple illustré sur la figure 3, le module de traitement TM comprend un coupleur CP implanté sur la ligne principale LP et couplé à une unique cavité résonnante CR. Le couplage électromagnétique entre le coupleur CP et la cavité CR permet d'exciter un ou deux modes d'ordre supérieur à celui du signal de télécommunication à émettre ou à recevoir, délivré par le module d'émission et/ou de réception R, ce qui induit une déviation du lobe principal d'émission et/ou de réception du cornet C, et par conséquent du faisceau à émettre ou de la direction de réception du faisceau à recevoir, lequel faisceau contient ledit signal de télécommunication.In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the processing module TM includes a CP coupler installed on the main LP line and coupled to a single resonant cavity CR. Electromagnetic coupling between the coupler CP and CR cavity allows to excite one or two higher order modes than that the telecommunication signal to be sent or received, delivered by the module emission and / or reception R, which induces a deviation of the main lobe transmission and / or reception of horn C, and consequently of the beam to transmit or receive direction of the beam to be received, which beam contains said telecommunication signal.

Ce mode de réalisation qui ne permet qu'une seule déviation est particulièrement bien adapté aux situations dans lesquelles la déviation du faisceau est statique.This embodiment which allows only one deviation is particularly well suited to situations in which the deviation of the beam is static.

C'est par exemple le cas lorsque l'on veut utiliser des grosses sources pour générer des zones (ou spots) qui se recouvrent (les sources sont prépositionnées car on connaít à l'avance les positions respectives des spots à générer). Dans ce cas, l'invention permet de replacer un ou plusieurs spots en offrant de surcroít des sources plus directives, comme illustré sur la figure 4. Plus précisément, dans l'exemple de la figure 4, les cercles en pointillés Z1 à Z4 matérialisent quatre sources jointives, tandis que les cercles en trait plein Z'1 à Z'4 matérialisent les positions finales des zones (ou spots) couvertes par lesdites sources après traitement (les spots correspondant aux sources sans traitement sont des cercles concentriques aux cercles en pointillés Z1 à Z4 et de diamètres équivalant à ceux des cercles en trait plein Z'1 à Z'4, et les flèches matérialisent les déplacements d2 à d4 des centres des zones Z2 à Z4). Cet exemple correspond notamment au cas des satellites qui utilisent quatre sources de 1,74° en bande S (2500 MHz). Dans ce cas, l'invention permet de remplacer soit une antenne de 9 mètres équipée d'au moins douze sources et d'un BFN (pour « Beam Forming Network » (ou réseau de formation de faisceau) - dispositif permettant d'appliquer des lois d'amplitude et de phase sur toutes les sources pour générer quatre spots ; on se sert donc de trois à quatre sources pour générer chaque spot et certaines sources peuvent être utilisées plusieurs fois), soit trois antennes de 5 mètres équipées de quatre sources, par une antenne de cinq mètres équipée de quatre sources très directives. Il en résulte une amélioration du gain, une optimisation du roll-off et une réduction notable de l'encombrement.This is for example the case when we want to use large sources to generate overlapping areas (or spots) (the sources are pre-positioned because we know in advance the respective positions of the spots to generate). In this case, the invention makes it possible to replace one or more spots by also offering more directive sources, as illustrated in Figure 4. More precisely, in the example of FIG. 4, the dotted circles Z1 to Z4 materialize four contiguous sources, while the circles in solid line Z'1 to Z'4 materialize the final positions of the areas (or spots) covered by said sources after treatment (the spots corresponding to the sources without treatment are circles concentric to the dotted circles Z1 to Z4 and diameters equivalent to those of the solid lines Z'1 to Z'4, and the arrows materialize the displacements d2 to d4 of the centers of zones Z2 to Z4). This example corresponds in particular to the case of satellites using four sources of 1.74 ° in S-band (2500 MHz). In this case, the invention makes it possible to replace either a 9-meter antenna equipped from at least twelve sources and a BFN (for "Beam Forming Network" (or beam forming network) - device for enforcing laws amplitude and phase on all sources to generate four spots; we therefore uses three to four sources to generate each spot and some sources can be used several times), i.e. three 5-meter antennas equipped with four sources, by a five-meter antenna equipped with four highly directive sources. This results in an improvement in gain, a optimization of the roll-off and a significant reduction in overall dimensions.

Ce mode de réalisation correspond également aux situations requérant la couverture de zones adjacentes avec recouvrement. Une telle situation correspond notamment aux satellites utilisant quatre antennes dont l'une assure une couverture à l'aide de spots de types Ku et Ka.This embodiment also corresponds to situations requiring covering adjacent areas with overlap. Such a situation corresponds in particular to satellites using four antennas, one of which provides coverage using Ku and Ka type spots.

De tels satellites assurent généralement la couverture de neuf zones en bande Ka et de quatre zones en bande Ku. La bande Ku correspond, en réception, sensiblement à l'intervalle [13,7 GHz, 15,6 GHz] et, en émission, sensiblement à l'intervalle [10,7 GHz, 12,8 GHz]. La bande Ka correspond, en réception, sensiblement à l'intervalle [27,5 GHz, 30 GHz] et, en émission, sensiblement à l'intervalle [18,2 GHz, 20,2 GHz]. Dans ce cas, l'invention permet d'utiliser des sources Ka et Ku très directives, et par conséquent d'améliorer notablement le gain et le rapport C/I, d'optimiser fortement le roll-off et de diminuer notablement la consommation de puissance.Such satellites generally cover nine areas in Ka band and four zones in Ku band. The Ku band corresponds, in reception, substantially at the interval [13.7 GHz, 15.6 GHz] and, in transmission, substantially at the interval [10.7 GHz, 12.8 GHz]. The Ka band corresponds, in reception, substantially at the interval [27.5 GHz, 30 GHz] and, in transmission, substantially at the interval [18.2 GHz, 20.2 GHz]. In this case, the invention allows the use of highly directive Ka and Ku sources, and therefore significantly improve the gain and the C / I ratio, greatly optimize the roll-off and significantly reduce power consumption.

Ce mode de réalisation correspond également aux situations requérant une déviation dynamique d'un faisceau (également appelée « déplacement de théâtre »). Cette situation peut survenir lorsque l'on utilise un faisceau présentant une dispersion angulaire comprise entre environ 1,6° et 3,2° permettant de couvrir une zone de 1000 à 2000 kilomètres. C'est notamment le cas pendant certains événements tels que les Jeux Olympiques. L'invention permet ici de repositionner à volonté un faisceau de façon électronique et rapidement, sans avoir à déplacer mécaniquement le satellite, comme c'est le cas actuellement, ce qui réduit la consommation d'énergie et améliore notablement la précision du positionnement et sa vitesse.This embodiment also corresponds to the situations requiring a dynamic deflection of a beam (also called "Theater trip"). This situation can arise when using a beam having an angular dispersion of between approximately 1.6 ° and 3.2 ° to cover an area of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers. It is especially the case during certain events such as the Games Olympic. The invention here makes it possible to reposition at will a bundle of electronically and quickly, without having to mechanically move the satellite, as is currently the case, which reduces consumption energy and significantly improves positioning accuracy and speed.

Une variante de ce mode de réalisation utilisant une unique cavité résonnante, en permanence active, peut consister, comme illustré sur la figure 5, à utiliser sur chaque voie d'émission et/ou de réception i (ou source Si) un module de traitement MT comprenant un coupleur CP implanté sur la ligne principale LP et couplé à au moins deux cavités résonnantes CR1, CR2 commandées chacune par une diode PIN DP1, DP2 et présentant entre elles des couplages électromagnétiques choisis de manière à faire varier l'amplitude ainsi qu'éventuellement la phase. Le couplage électromagnétique entre les cavités CR1 et CR2, via le coupleur CP, permet d'exciter un ou deux modes d'ordre supérieur au mode fondamental du signal de télécommunication à émettre, délivré par le module d'émission et/ou de réception R, ce qui induit une déviation du lobe principal d'émission du cornet C, et par conséquent du faisceau à émettre ou de la direction de réception. Plus précisément, l'amplitude ρ de la déviation est fixée par le couplage entre les cavités résonnantes, tandis que la variation de la valeur de la phase Φ est fixée par la position des cavités résonnantes.A variant of this embodiment using a single cavity resonant, permanently active, can consist, as illustrated on the figure 5, to be used on each transmission and / or reception channel i (or source Si) a MV processing module including a CP coupler installed on the line main LP and coupled to at least two resonant cavities CR1, CR2 each controlled by a PIN diode DP1, DP2 and presenting between them electromagnetic couplings chosen so as to vary the amplitude as well as possibly the phase. The electromagnetic coupling between the CR1 and CR2 cavities, via the CP coupler, allows to activate one or two modes of a higher order than the fundamental mode of the telecommunication signal to send, delivered by the send and / or receive module R, which induces a deviation from the main emission lobe of horn C, and therefore from the beam to be transmitted or direction of reception. More precisely, the amplitude ρ of the deviation is fixed by the coupling between the cavities resonant, while the variation of the value of phase Φ is fixed by the position of the resonant cavities.

Le nombre de déviations possibles est ici fixé par le nombre de combinaisons d'activation possibles des différentes cavités résonnantes CR, via les diodes PIN de commande DP associées, lequel dépend bien évidemment du nombre de cavités résonnantes utilisées (par exemple quatre ou huit). Le module de traitement MT peut être réalisé d'une seconde façon, comme illustré sur la figure 6. Cette seconde façon consiste à implanter sur la ligne principale LP d'une voie d'émission et/ou de réception (ou source S), d'une part, un premier coupleur CP1, couplé à une première extrémité d'une ligne auxiliaire LA comprenant un atténuateur d'amplitude AA et un déphaseur DP, et d'autre part, un second coupleur CP2 (en aval du premier coupleur CP1), couplé à une seconde extrémité de la ligne auxiliaire LA.The number of possible deviations is fixed here by the number of possible activation combinations of the different CR resonant cavities, via the associated DP control PIN diodes, which depends well obviously the number of resonant cavities used (for example four or eight). The MT processing module can be implemented in a second way, as illustrated in Figure 6. This second way is to set up on the main line LP of a transmission and / or reception channel (or source S), on the one hand, a first coupler CP1, coupled to a first end of a auxiliary line LA comprising an amplitude attenuator AA and a phase shifter DP, and secondly, a second coupler CP2 (downstream of the first coupler CP1), coupled to a second end of the auxiliary line LA.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, et dans le cas non limitatif de l'émission, le premier coupleur CP1 est agencé pour prélever sur la ligne principale LP une partie du signal de télécommunication à émettre sous forme de faisceau, de manière à l'injecter dans la ligne auxiliaire LA où elle fait l'objet d'une variation d'amplitude au niveau de l'atténuateur d'amplitude AA, ainsi qu'éventuellement d'une variation de phase au niveau du déphaseur DP, avant d'être réinjectée dans la ligne principale LP grâce au second coupleur CP2.In this embodiment, and in the non-limiting case of the emission, the first coupler CP1 is arranged to take from the main line LP part of the telecommunication signal to be transmitted in the form of a beam, so as to inject it into the auxiliary line LA where it is the subject of a amplitude variation at the level of the amplitude attenuator AA, as well as possibly a phase variation at the DP phase shifter, before being reinjected into the main LP line thanks to the second coupler CP2.

Le second coupleur CP2 est agencé de manière à générer à l'entrée du cornet C un ou deux modes (par exemple TM01 et TE21 qui permettent de générer des diagrammes de rayonnement antisymétriques avec une absence de signal dans l'axe) d'ordre supérieur au mode fondamental du signal de télécommunication à émettre, délivré par le module d'émission R, qui induit la déviation du faisceau. En d'autres termes, l'injection d'un ou deux modes d'ordre supérieur à l'entrée du cornet C entraíne une déviation de son lobe principal d'émission. Cela s'applique également à la réception en vertu du théorème de réciprocité qui s'applique lorsque les éléments sont de type passif.The second coupler CP2 is arranged so as to generate at the input horn C one or two modes (for example TM01 and TE21 which allow generate asymmetric radiation patterns with an absence signal in the axis) of higher order than the fundamental mode of the signal telecommunication to be transmitted, issued by the transmission module R, which induces the beam deflection. In other words, the injection of one or two modes higher order at the entrance of the horn C causes a deviation of its lobe main issue. This also applies to reception under the reciprocity theorem which applies when the elements are of type passive.

L'atténuateur d'amplitude AA et/ou le déphaseur DP peuvent être de type variable, lorsque cela s'avère nécessaire.The AA amplitude attenuator and / or the DP phase shifter can be variable type, when necessary.

Par exemple, en faisant varier l'amplitude d'une valeur fixe, au niveau de l'atténuateur AA, et la phase par pas ΔΦ de 90°, au niveau du déphaseur DP, on peut dévier un faisceau suivant quatre directions. D'une manière générale, en faisant varier l'amplitude d'une valeur fixe et la phase par pas ΔΦ de 360°/N, on peut dévier un faisceau suivant N directions. Dans ces situations, le module de traitement TM est donc configuré pour faire varier l'amplitude selon une loi d'amplitude choisie et/ou la phase selon une loi de phase choisie.For example, by varying the amplitude of a fixed value, at the level of the attenuator AA, and the phase in steps ΔΦ of 90 °, at the phase shifter DP, you can deflect a beam in four directions. In a way general, by varying the amplitude of a fixed value and the phase in steps ΔΦ 360 ° / N, we can deflect a beam in N directions. In these situations, the TM processing module is therefore configured to vary the amplitude according to a chosen amplitude law and / or the phase according to a chosen phase.

Bien entendu, on peut envisager un mode de réalisation dans lequel le déphaseur DP est omis. Dans ce cas, la déviation résulte exclusivement d'une variation d'amplitude.Of course, one can envisage an embodiment in which the DP phase shifter is omitted. In this case, the deviation results exclusively from a amplitude variation.

Ce mode de réalisation, tout comme celui présenté précédemment en référence à la figure 5, est particulièrement bien adapté, bien que de façon non limitative, à la couverture multi-zones par saut de zone (ou beam hopping) qui est illustrée sur les figures 7 et 8.This embodiment, like that presented previously in reference to Figure 5, is particularly well suited, although not restrictive, to multi-zone coverage by zone hopping (or beam hopping) which is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

Comme indiqué dans l'introduction une couverture multi-zones (ou multi-spots) par beam hopping consiste à former une « grappe » ou « mosaïque » G de zones de couverture (ou spots) Z adjacentes, qui, préférentiellement, se recouvrent partiellement.As indicated in the introduction, multi-zone coverage (or multi-spots) by beam hopping consists of forming a “cluster” or “Mosaic” G of adjacent coverage areas (or spots) Z, which, preferably, partially overlap.

Chaque grappe G est subdivisée en cellules Cel comportant un même nombre j de zones Zj. Dans l'exemple illustré sur les figures 7 et 8, chaque cellule Cel est constituée, à titre illustratif, de quatre (j = 1 à 4) zones Zj. Le beam hopping consiste à ne rendre active, à chaque instant, qu'une seule zone Zj de chaque cellule Cel d'une grappe G. Par conséquent, les zones Zj d'une même cellule Cel sont actives (ou couvertes) les unes après les autres, de façon périodique et préférentiellement pendant des durées identiques égales à la jième partie δT de la période, sous le contrôle du module de contrôle MC. Sur la figure 7, les zones actives ZA d'une grappe G sont matérialisées en noir, tandis que les zones inactives ZI sont matérialisées en blanc.Each G cluster is subdivided into Cel cells with the same number j of zones Zj. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, each Cel cell consists, by way of illustration, of four (j = 1 to 4) zones Zj. The beam hopping consists in making only one area active at any time Zj of each Cel cell in a G cluster. Therefore, the Zj areas of a same Cel cells are active (or covered) one after the other, from periodically and preferably for identical durations equal to the jth part δT of the period, under the control of the control module MC. In FIG. 7, the active zones ZA of a cluster G are shown in black, while the ZI inactive zones are shown in white.

Ainsi, on peut allouer toute la bande de fréquence disponible sur une partie (active) de l'ensemble des zones pendant une période donnée. Cette situation correspond, notamment, aux satellites qui définissent à chaque instant une centaine de zones actives ZA dans la bande Ka et de dispersion (ou extension) angulaire d'environ 0,36°.Thus, we can allocate all the available frequency band on a (active) part of all zones during a given period. This situation corresponds, in particular, to the satellites which define at every moment a hundred active zones ZA in the Ka band and of dispersion (or extension) angular of about 0.36 °.

Grâce à l'invention, une même source Si permet désormais de couvrir les quatre (ou N) zones Zj d'une même cellule Cel en utilisant le principe de déviation de faisceau décrit précédemment.Thanks to the invention, the same source Si now makes it possible to cover the four (or N) zones Zj of the same Cel cell using the principle of beam deflection described above.

Par exemple, dans le cas illustré sur la figure 8, le cornet Ci de la source Si (ou voie d'émission et/ou de réception i) est agencé pour délivrer un faisceau non traité (ou non dévié) dont le centre est matérialisé par le petit cercle noir Fnd, et le module de traitement MTi, associé à cette source Si, est agencé de manière à dévier le faisceau selon quatre directions différentes qui définissent (ici) les quatre zones Z1 à Z4 d'une cellule Cel.For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 8, the horn Ci of the source If (or transmission and / or reception channel i) is arranged to deliver a untreated (or not deflected) beam whose center is materialized by the small black circle Fnd, and the processing module MTi, associated with this source Si, is arranged to deflect the beam in four different directions which define (here) the four zones Z1 to Z4 of a Cel cell.

Dans cet exemple, la première zone (ou spot) Z1 correspond à un faisceau dévié selon une première direction définie par une amplitude A0 et une phase Φ0, la deuxième zone Z2 correspond à un faisceau dévié selon une deuxième direction définie par une amplitude A0/3 et une phase Φ0 + 90°, la troisième zone Z3 correspond à un faisceau dévié selon une troisième direction définie par une amplitude A0 et une phase Φ0 + 180°, et la quatrième zone Z4 correspond à un faisceau dévié selon une quatrième direction définie par une amplitude A0/√3 et une phase 0 + 270°. Par ailleurs, si l'on assimile l'extension angulaire  du faisceau émis (ou reçu) par le cornet C au diamètre d'une zone Zj, alors l'amplitude de déviation ρ1 du centre du faisceau correspondant à la première zone Z1 par rapport à la direction de référence définie par le centre du faisceau non dévié Fnd, est sensiblement égale à 3/4, et l'amplitude de déviation ρ2 du centre du faisceau correspondant à la deuxième zone Z2 par rapport à la direction de référence, est sensiblement égale à √3/4.In this example, the first zone (or spot) Z1 corresponds to a beam deflected in a first direction defined by an amplitude A0 and a phase Φ0, the second zone Z2 corresponds to a beam deflected according to a second direction defined by an amplitude A0 / 3 and a phase Φ0 + 90 °, the third zone Z3 corresponds to a beam deflected according to a third direction defined by an amplitude A0 and a phase Φ0 + 180 °, and the fourth zone Z4 corresponds to a beam deflected according to a fourth direction defined by an amplitude A0 / √3 and a phase 0 + 270 °. Otherwise, if we assimilate the angular extension  of the beam emitted (or received) by the horn C to the diameter of an area Zj, then the amplitude of deviation ρ1 from the center of the beam corresponding to the first zone Z1 with respect to the direction of reference defined by the center of the non-deflected beam Fnd, is substantially equal to 3 / 4, and the amplitude of deviation ρ2 from the center of the beam corresponding to the second zone Z2 with respect to the reference direction, is substantially equal to √3 / 4.

Le module de traitement MTi d'une voie d'émission et/ou de réception i (ou source Si) est donc agencé pour « commuter » le faisceau délivré par (ou la direction de réception du faisceau reçu par) son cornet Ci d'une zone à l'autre. Par exemple dans le cas d'une émission, pendant le premier quart de la période le faisceau est dévié selon la première direction, de sorte que seule la première zone Z1 de la cellule Ci est couverte (ou active). Cette situation correspond à la partie supérieure droite de la figure 7 (T0). Pendant le deuxième quart de la période le faisceau est dévié selon la deuxième direction, de sorte que seule la deuxième zone Z2 de la cellule Ci est couverte (ou active). Cette situation correspond à la partie inférieure droite de la figure 7 (T0 + δT). Pendant le troisième quart de la période le faisceau est dévié selon la troisième direction, de sorte que seule la troisième zone Z3 de la cellule Ci est couverte (ou active). Cette situation correspond à la partie inférieure gauche de la figure 7 (T0 + 2δT). Enfin, pendant le quatrième quart de la période le faisceau est dévié selon la quatrième direction, de sorte que seule la quatrième zone Z4 de la cellule Ci est couverte (ou active). Cette situation correspond à la partie supérieure gauche de la figure 7 (T0 + 3δT). Une fois la période écoulée, le cycle reprend au niveau de la première zone Z1 et ainsi de suite.The processing module MTi of a transmission and / or reception channel i (or source Si) is therefore arranged to “switch” the beam delivered by (or the direction of reception of the beam received by) its horn Ci from an area to the other. For example in the case of a broadcast, during the first quarter of the period the beam is deflected in the first direction, so that only the first zone Z1 of cell Ci is covered (or active). This situation corresponds to the upper right of Figure 7 (T0). During the second quarter of the period the beam is deflected in the second direction, so that only the second area Z2 of cell Ci is covered (or active). This situation corresponds to the lower right of Figure 7 (T0 + δT). During the third quarter of the period the beam is deflected according to the third direction, so that only the third zone Z3 of cell Ci is covered (or active). This situation corresponds to the lower left of Figure 7 (T0 + 2δT). Finally, during the fourth quarter of the period the beam is deflected in the fourth direction, so that only the fourth zone Z4 of cell Ci is covered (or active). This situation corresponds to the upper left of Figure 7 (T0 + 3δT). Once the period has passed, the cycle resumes at the level of the first zone Z1 and so on.

Le module de contrôle MC de l'antenne d'émission A est agencé de manière à faire fonctionner selon une loi spatio-temporelle les modules de traitement MTi de chaque voie d'émission i (ou source Si). Plus préférentiellement, le module de contrôle MC pilote les modules de traitement MTi de sorte qu'ils fonctionnent de façon synchrone, simultanée et périodique, et que pendant chaque fraction de période δT une même zone Zj de chaque cellule Cel soit activée (ou couverte).The control module MC of the transmitting antenna A is arranged so as to make function according to a spatio-temporal law the modules of MTi processing of each emission channel i (or source Si). More preferentially, the control module MC controls the processing modules MTi so that they operate synchronously, simultaneously and periodically, and that during each fraction of period δT the same zone Zj of each Cel cell is activated (or covered).

L'invention permet donc d'utiliser j fois moins (j = 2, 3, 4,...) de sources Ka que dans l'art antérieur, ce qui permet de réduire notablement l'encombrement du satellite (par exemple une seule antenne d'émission au lieu de quatre). De plus, ces sources peuvent être très directives ce qui permet d'obtenir un rendement d'illumination très optimisé. En outre, cela permet d'optimiser au mieux le gain GEOC en bord de couverture (ou EOC pour « Edge Of Coverage »). Enfin, la commutation de type beam hopping s'effectuant au sein d'une même antenne, les pertes dues aux guides de liaison sont fortement réduites.The invention therefore makes it possible to use j times less (j = 2, 3, 4, ...) of Ka sources than in the prior art, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of the satellite (for example a single transmitting antenna instead of four). In addition, these sources can be very directive, which makes it possible to obtain a highly optimized lighting yield. In addition, this optimizes the G EOC gain at the edge of the cover (or EOC for “Edge Of Coverage”). Finally, since beam hopping type switching takes place within the same antenna, the losses due to the link guides are greatly reduced.

Cela s'applique également à la réception en vertu du théorème de réciprocité qui s'applique lorsque les éléments sont de type passif.This also applies to reception under the theorem of reciprocity which applies when the elements are of passive type.

On se réfère maintenant aux figures 9A à 9C pour décrire un exemple de réalisation et de fonctionnement d'un second coupleur CP2 pouvant être utilisé sur une voie d'émission et/ou de réception du type de celles illustrées sur les figures 1 et 6.We now refer to FIGS. 9A to 9C to describe an example for producing and operating a second CP2 coupler which can be used on a transmission and / or reception channel of the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 6.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, le second coupleur CP2 est préférentiellement un coupleur dit « d'écartométrie » (ou « extracteur de mode(s) »), agencé pour prélever sur la ligne principale LP, en sortie du cornet de réception C, le(s) mode(s) qui est (sont) poursuivi(s) pour l'injecter dans la première ligne auxiliaire LA. Le coupleur d'écartométrie CP2 est conçu de manière à définir un plan de court-circuit pour le(s) mode(s) de poursuite qui va le(s) contraindre à rejoindre la première ligne auxiliaire LA (le mode de propagation standard (ou fondamental), d'ordre le plus bas, ainsi que les autres modes non poursuivis poursuivent donc leur trajet au sein de la ligne principale LP).In this embodiment, the second coupler CP2 is preferably a coupler called "deviation measurement" (or "extractor of mode (s) "), arranged to take samples from the main LP line, at the outlet of the horn reception mode C, the mode (s) which is (are) pursued to inject it into the first auxiliary line LA. The CP2 deviation coupler is designed way to define a short circuit plan for the tracking mode (s) that will force them to join the first auxiliary line LA (the mode of standard (or fundamental) propagation, of lowest order, as well as the others discontinued modes therefore continue their journey within the main line LP).

Par exemple, le coupleur d'écartométrie CP2 est agencé de manière à extraire et/ou à générer les modes TM01 et TE21 de la ligne principale LP pour les injecter dans la première ligne auxiliaire LA.For example, the CP2 deviation coupler is arranged so as to extract and / or generate modes TM01 and TE21 from the main LP line for inject them into the first auxiliary line LA.

Cette extraction et/ou cette génération de mode(s) peut s'effectuer de différentes façons. Cependant, il est avantageux qu'elle se fasse par l'intermédiaire d'une ou plusieurs rangées de fentes de couplages, comme illustré sur les figures 9A à 9C. This extraction and / or this generation of mode (s) can be carried out from different ways. However, it is advantageous that it is done by through one or more rows of coupling slots, such as illustrated in Figures 9A to 9C.

L'élément d'émission et/ou de réception est ici de type monobloc. Il comprend une partie amont définissant un cornet C et une partie aval prolongeant la partie amont et définissant un coupleur d'écartométrie CP2. En fait, la partie aval CP2 est ici constituée, d'une première part, d'un guide d'ondes central LP, de section circulaire, définissant la ligne principale dans laquelle sont extraits et/ou générés les modes poursuivis, d'une deuxième part, de quatre guides d'ondes périphériques LAa à LAd, de section rectangulaire, définissant quatre portions de la première ligne auxiliaire, et d'une troisième part, quatre rangées de fentes de couplage FEa à FEd, de préférence de forme rectangulaire, assurant le couplage entre le guide d'ondes central LP et les quatre guides d'ondes périphériques LAa à LAd.The transmitting and / or receiving element is here of the monobloc type. he includes an upstream part defining a horn C and a downstream part extending the upstream part and defining a deviation coupler CP2. In done, the downstream part CP2 here consists, firstly, of a guide central wave LP, of circular section, defining the main line in which are extracted and / or generated the modes pursued, secondly, four rectangular waveguides LAa to LAd, of rectangular section, defining four portions of the first auxiliary line, and a third part, four rows of FEa to FEd coupling slots, preferably shaped rectangular, ensuring coupling between the central waveguide LP and the four peripheral waveguides LAa to LAd.

Bien entendu, d'autres types de fentes de couplage peuvent être utilisés, comme par exemple des fentes de forme circulaire, ou elliptique, ou encore en croix, et analogues.Of course, other types of coupling slots can be used, such as for example circular or elliptical slots, or still on the cross, and the like.

Dans ce mode de réalisation, les modes d'ordres supérieurs poursuivis sont donc extraits et/ou générés du guide d'ondes principal LP par les fentes de couplage FEa à FEd puis injectés dans les guides d'ondes périphériques LAa à LAd.In this embodiment, the higher order modes pursued are therefore extracted and / or generated from the main waveguide LP by the slots FEa to FEd coupling then injected into the peripheral waveguides LAa to LAd.

Bien entendu, le nombre de rangées de fentes, et par conséquent le nombre de guides d'ondes périphériques, du mode de réalisation illustré sur les figures 9A à 9C, ne sont pas limités à 4. Ce nombre peut prendre n'importe quelle valeur supérieure ou égale à un (1). Il est important de noter que le nombre de rangées ne correspond pas au nombre de modes extraits et/ou générés. On peut en effet utiliser quatre rangées de fentes pour extraire et/ou générer un unique mode supérieur. Par ailleurs, le nombre de rangées sert également à répartir l'extraction et/ou la génération des modes supérieurs sans perturber la voie principale de télécommunication. C'est pourquoi on utilise généralement des rangées de fentes de couplage à symétrie de révolution, par exemple quatre rangées à 90° ou huit rangées à 45°, etc... En outre, on a décrit un couplage par fente, mais on peut également envisager un couplage par sonde lorsque la première ligne auxiliaire est de type coaxial.Of course, the number of rows of slots, and therefore the number of peripheral waveguides, of the embodiment illustrated on the Figures 9A to 9C, are not limited to 4. This number can take any which value greater than or equal to one (1). It is important to note that the number of rows does not correspond to the number of extracted modes and / or generated. We can indeed use four rows of slots to extract and / or generate a single superior mode. In addition, the number of rows is used also to distribute the extraction and / or the generation of higher modes without disrupt the main telecommunications route. That's why we use generally rows of rotationally symmetrical coupling slots, for example example four rows at 90 ° or eight rows at 45 °, etc ... In addition, we have describes a slot coupling, but we can also consider a coupling by probe when the first auxiliary line is of the coaxial type.

D'une manière générale, il est préférable d'extraire au plus deux modes d'ordres supérieurs. Generally, it is better to extract at most two higher order modes.

On n'utilise qu'un seul mode d'ordre supérieur (généralement TM01) lorsque la polarisation de l'onde incidente, ou transmise, est circulaire. Connaissant les valeurs de l'amplitude et de la phase, un seul mode suffit alors pour déterminer à chaque fois les paramètres ρ et  décrits précédemment en référence à la figure 2. En d'autres termes, dans le cas d'une polarisation circulaire, en n'utilisant qu'un seul mode on peut dévier le faisceau en émission (ou la direction de réception) dans n'importe quelle direction de l'espace dans les limites de largeur du lobe principal à 3 dB (3dB).Only one higher order mode is used (generally TM01) when the polarization of the incident or transmitted wave is circular. Knowing the values of the amplitude and of the phase, a single mode is then sufficient to determine each time the parameters ρ and  described previously with reference to FIG. 2. In other words, in the case of a circular polarization , by using only one mode one can divert the beam in emission (or the direction of reception) in any direction of space within the limits of width of the main lobe to 3 dB ( 3dB ).

En revanche, on utilise deux modes d'ordres supérieurs (généralement les couples (TM01 et TE21) ou (TE21 et TE21 orthogonaux)) lorsque la polarisation de l'onde incidente ou transmise est linéaire. Connaissant les valeurs de l'amplitude et de la phase de ces deux modes on peut en effet déterminer à chaque fois les paramètres ρ et  décrits précédemment en référence à la figure 2. En d'autres termes, dans le cas d'une polarisation linéaire, en utilisant deux modes orthogonaux, on peut dévier le faisceau en émission (ou la direction de réception) dans n'importe quelle direction de l'espace dans les limites de largeur du lobe principal à 3 dB (3dB).On the other hand, two higher order modes are used (generally the pairs (TM01 and TE21) or (TE21 and TE21 orthogonal)) when the polarization of the incident or transmitted wave is linear. Knowing the values of the amplitude and of the phase of these two modes, it is in fact possible to determine each time the parameters ρ and  described previously with reference to FIG. 2. In other words, in the case of a polarization linear, by using two orthogonal modes, one can deflect the beam in emission (or the direction of reception) in any direction of space within the limits of width of the principal lobe with 3 dB ( 3dB ).

Il est également important de noter que dans ce dernier mode de réalisation le couplage ne peut pas être modifié de façon dynamique du fait qu'un extracteur de modes est une pièce mécanique taillée dans la masse. Par conséquent, une fois que l'on a choisi la polarisation de l'onde, il ne reste plus qu'à déterminer si l'on va extraire un ou deux modes d'ordres supérieurs, puis on conçoit en conséquence l'extracteur de mode(s).It is also important to note that in this latter mode of realization the coupling cannot be changed dynamically because that a mode extractor is a mechanical part cut in the mass. Through Consequently, once the polarization of the wave has been chosen, there is no longer any that to determine if we are going to extract one or two higher order modes, then the fashion extractor (s) is designed accordingly.

L'invention ne se limite pas aux modes de réalisation de satellite de télécommunications décrits ci-avant, seulement à titre d'exemple, mais elle englobe toutes les variantes que pourra envisager l'homme de l'art dans le cadre des revendications ci-après.The invention is not limited to the satellite embodiments of telecommunications described above, only by way of example, but it includes all the variants that a person skilled in the art will be able to envisage in the The scope of the claims below.

Claims (17)

Satellite de télécommunications à couverture multi-zones, comportant au moins une antenne d'émission et/ou de réception (A) comprenant au moins une source d'émission et/ou de réception (Si) propre à délivrer et/ou recevoir un faisceau selon une direction choisie définie par une phase de valeur choisie et une amplitude de valeur choisie, caractérisé en ce que l'une au moins des sources d'émission et/ou de réception (Si) est couplée à des moyens de traitement (MTi) agencés pour dévier son faisceau ou sa direction de réception selon au moins une autre direction choisie par variation d'au moins la valeur de ladite amplitude.Telecommunication satellite with multi-zone coverage, comprising at least one transmitting and / or receiving antenna (A) comprising at least one transmitting and / or receiving source (Si) suitable for delivering and / or receiving a beam in a chosen direction defined by a chosen value phase and a chosen value amplitude, characterized in that at least one of the emission and / or reception sources (Si) is coupled to processing means (MTi) arranged to deflect its beam or its direction of reception in at least one other direction chosen by variation of at least the value of said amplitude. Satellite selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) sont agencés pour dévier ledit faisceau ou ladite direction de réception selon plusieurs autres directions choisies en fonction d'une loi de variation de la valeur de ladite amplitude.Satellite according to claim 1, characterized in that said processing means (MTi) are arranged to deflect said beam or said reception direction in several other directions chosen according to a law of variation of the value of said amplitude. Satellite selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que, ladite source d'émission et/ou de réception (Si) comprenant une ligne principale (LPi) raccordant un module d'alimentation (Ri) à un module d'émission et/ou de réception (Ci), lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) comprennent un premier coupleur (CP1i) implanté sur ladite ligne principale (LPi) et couplé à une première extrémité d'une ligne auxiliaire (LAi) comprenant des moyens de variation d'amplitude (AAi), et un second coupleur (CP2i) implanté sur ladite ligne principale (LPi) entre ledit premier coupleur (CP1i) et ledit module d'émission et/ou de réception (Ci) et raccordé à une seconde extrémité de ladite ligne auxiliaire (LAi).Satellite according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said source of transmission and / or reception (Si) comprising a main line (LPi) connecting a power supply module (Ri) to a power module transmission and / or reception (Ci), said processing means (MTi) comprise a first coupler (CP1i) installed on said main line (LPi) and coupled to a first end of an auxiliary line (LAi) comprising means for amplitude variation (AAi), and a second coupler (CP2i) installed on said main line (LPi) between said first coupler (CP1i) and said transmit and / or receive module (Ci) and connected to a second end of said auxiliary line (LAi). Satellite selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit second coupleur (CP2) est agencé sous la forme d'un coupleur d'écartométrie.Satellite according to claim 3, characterized in that said second coupler (CP2) is arranged in the form of a deviation coupler. Satellite selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit coupleur d'écartométrie (CP2) est un extracteur de mode(s).Satellite according to claim 4, characterized in that said deviation coupler (CP2) is a mode extractor (s). Satellite selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit extracteur de mode(s) (CP2) comprend un guide d'onde circulaire couplé à au moins un guide d'ondes rectangulaire via une rangée de fentes.Satellite according to claim 5, characterized in that said mode extractor (s) (CP2) comprises a circular waveguide coupled to at least one rectangular waveguide via a row of slots. Satellite selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdites fentes présentent une forme choisie dans un groupe comprenant au moins les rectangles, les ellipses et les croix.Satellite according to claim 6, characterized in that the said slots have a shape chosen from a group comprising at least the rectangles, the ellipses and the crosses. Satellite selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que, ladite source d'émission et/ou de réception (Si) comprenant une ligne principale (LPi) raccordant un module d'alimentation (Ri) à un module d'émission et/ou de réception (Ci), lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) comprennent un coupleur (CPi) implanté sur ladite ligne d'émission et/ou de réception (LPi) et couplé à au moins une cavité résonnante (CRi) définissant ladite amplitude.Satellite according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said source of transmission and / or reception (Si) comprising a main line (LPi) connecting a power supply module (Ri) to a power module transmission and / or reception (Ci), said processing means (MTi) comprise a coupler (CPi) installed on said transmission and / or reception line (LPi) and coupled to at least one resonant cavity (CRi) defining said amplitude. Satellite selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) comprennent au moins deux cavités résonnantes (CR1, CR2) commandées chacune par une diode PIN (DP1, DP2) et présentant entre elles des couplages électromagnétiques choisis définissant ladite amplitude.Satellite according to claim 8, characterized in that said processing means (MTi) comprise at least two resonant cavities (CR1, CR2) each controlled by a PIN diode (DP1, DP2) and having between them selected electromagnetic couplings defining said amplitude . Satellite selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) sont agencés pour dévier ledit faisceau ou ladite direction de réception selon l'une au moins desdites autres directions choisies par variation de la valeur de ladite amplitude et de la valeur de ladite phase.Satellite according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said processing means (MTi) are arranged to deflect said beam or said reception direction in at least one of said other directions chosen by variation of the value of said amplitude and value of said phase. Satellite selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) sont agencés pour dévier ledit faisceau ou ladite direction de réception selon lesdites autres directions choisies en fonction d'une loi de variation de la valeur de ladite amplitude et d'une loi de variation de la valeur de ladite phase.Satellite according to claim 10, characterized in that said processing means (MTi) are arranged to deflect said beam or said reception direction according to said other directions chosen according to a law of variation of the value of said amplitude and of a law of variation of the value of said phase. Satellite selon l'une des revendications 3 à 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite ligne auxiliaire (LAi) comprend des moyens de variation de phase (DPi).Satellite according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that said auxiliary line (LAi) comprises means for phase variation (DPi). Satellite selon l'une des revendications 11 et 12 en combinaison avec la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que ledit coupleur (CPi) est couplé à au moins trois cavités résonnantes (CR) commandées chacune par une diode PIN (DP) et présentant entre elles des couplages électromagnétiques choisis définissant ladite amplitude et dont les positions respectives par rapport audit coupleur (CPi) définissent ladite phase.Satellite according to one of claims 11 and 12 in combination with claim 8, characterized in that said coupler (CPi) is coupled to at least three resonant cavities (CR) each controlled by a PIN diode (DP) and having between them electromagnetic couplings chosen defining said amplitude and whose respective positions relative to said coupler (CPi) define said phase. Satellite selon l'une des revendications 1 à 13, caractérisé en ce que ladite antenne d'émission et/ou de réception (A) comprend une multiplicité de sources d'émission et/ou de réception (Si) propres à délivrer et/ou recevoir chacune un faisceau selon une direction choisie, et des premiers moyens de contrôle (MC) agencés pour contrôler les premiers moyens de traitement (MTi), couplés auxdites sources d'émission et/ou de réception (Si), en fonction d'un schéma spatio-temporel choisi.Satellite according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said transmit and / or receive antenna (A) comprises a multiplicity of transmit and / or receive sources (Si) suitable for delivering and / or each receive a beam in a chosen direction, and first control means (MC) arranged to control the first processing means (MTi), coupled to said transmission and / or reception sources (Si), according to a spatio-temporal scheme chosen. Satellite selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de traitement (MTi) de chaque source d'émission et/ou de réception (Si) sont agencés pour dévier un faisceau ou ladite direction de réception de façon cyclique selon N directions différentes correspondant à N zones de couverture (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4), chaque faisceau étant dévié suivant l'une desdites N directions pendant une durée choisie égale au Nième de la durée du cycle.Satellite according to Claim 14, characterized in that the said processing means (MTi) of each emission and / or reception source (Si) are arranged to deflect a beam or the said reception direction cyclically in N corresponding different directions with N coverage areas (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4), each beam being deflected in one of said N directions for a chosen duration equal to the Nth of the cycle duration. Satellite selon la revendication 15, caractérisé en ce que lesdits premiers moyens de contrôle (MTi) sont agencés pour ordonner auxdits moyens de traitement (MTi) de fonctionner simultanément et selon des cycles de durées égales, de manière à assurer une couverture multi-zones par sauts de zone.Satellite according to claim 15, characterized in that said first control means (MTi) are arranged to order said processing means (MTi) to operate simultaneously and according to cycles of equal durations, so as to provide multi-zone coverage by zone jumps. Utilisation du satellite selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans les bandes de fréquence de type Ku et/ou Ka.Use of the satellite according to one of the preceding claims in the Ku and / or Ka type frequency bands.
EP04291108.1A 2003-04-30 2004-04-29 Beam steered multizone satellite Active EP1473799B8 (en)

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FR0305300A FR2854503B1 (en) 2003-04-30 2003-04-30 SATELLITE WITH MULTI-ZONES COVERAGE PROVIDED BY BEAM DEVIATION

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US8665036B1 (en) 2011-06-30 2014-03-04 L-3 Communications Compact tracking coupler
EP2962357A4 (en) * 2013-02-28 2016-11-30 Mobile Sat Ltd Antenna for receiving and/or transmitting polarized communication signals

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CA2523843C (en) 2012-03-27
EP1473799B1 (en) 2021-03-24
CN1781215A (en) 2006-05-31
WO2004100306A3 (en) 2005-01-13
EP1473799B8 (en) 2021-04-28
CA2523843A1 (en) 2004-11-18
FR2854503A1 (en) 2004-11-05
JP4638865B2 (en) 2011-02-23
WO2004100306A2 (en) 2004-11-18
US7545315B2 (en) 2009-06-09
JP2006525709A (en) 2006-11-09
FR2854503B1 (en) 2006-12-15
CN1781215B (en) 2011-06-29
US20060119504A1 (en) 2006-06-08

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