RU222368U1 - Basic VSAT satellite communication platform, designed, among other things, to provide autonomous navigation - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to an antenna satellite tracking device used on mobile sea vessels. The technical result is to increase the reliability of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform under harsh operating conditions. The technical result is achieved by the fact that the satellite communication platform contains in the internal space of the radio-transparent shelter a control unit and an antenna, including a reflector with a feed source, and signal power amplifiers. The antenna is installed on a three-axis gyro-stabilized platform containing a reflector suspension system, three electric motors and a control driver, and is capable of pointing at a working satellite based on a signal from the control unit. The basic platform contains a fan heater installed in the internal space, which is turned on by a signal from the control unit based on the temperature sensor readings, as well as a memory module containing data on the location of satellites available for communication. To redirect the antenna to another satellite, the control unit is configured to supply control signals to the electric motors through the control driver, based on the data stored in the memory module. 3 salary f-ly, 3 ill.

Description

The utility model relates to a satellite tracking antenna device and, in particular, to a marine satellite tracking antenna system for providing communication via satellite and can be used as an antenna for radio communication equipment on mobile marine objects for civil and military purposes. The basic VSAT satellite communication platform is intended for use as part of marine satellite communication complexes such as VSAT Ku-band frequencies, ensuring stable communication with the satellite with availability of at least 99.9% on vessels of various types, including autonomous ones.

State of the art

From the technical level, the principle of organizing a reliable system of guaranteed satellite communication is known, which is a well-proven on-shore small satellite station VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) with antennas of small diameter, less than 2.5 m. (article “What is VSAT”, published in July 2015 in the Tele-Sputnik magazine, https://old.telesputnik.ru/archive/pdf/237/6.pdf#:~:text=VSAT% 20(Very%20Small%20Aperture%20Terminal), regions%20with%20poor%20developed%20infrastructure). The operating principle of this station is based on the creation of a broadband satellite communication channel in the K _u -band frequency range 11/14 GHz through a communications satellite located in geostationary orbit.

The advantages of this principle are:

ensuring high speed information transfer;

providing the opportunity to integrate communication services;

ensuring continuous, reliable and high-quality communication with ships;

the ability to unite the company’s vessels into a single private corporate network with the ability to quickly exchange information between the head office, control panels and the vessels themselves.

The disadvantage of the known station is the difficulty of maintaining marine VSAT installations, characterized by a significant and long-term distance from the coast.

The closest in technical essence is the SAILOR 900 VSAT KU/7090B antenna module with three-axis stabilization (https://www.nav-tech.ru/index.php?productID=2560, published 2020), containing located in the internal space a control unit and an antenna, including a reflector with a feed source and signal power amplifiers, and installed on a three-axis gyro-stabilized platform, while the internal space is formed by a radio-transparent shelter fixed to the base.

The disadvantage of this device is its low resistance to mechanical and climatic influences under harsh operating conditions, in particular at low temperatures, and also the fact that the reflector and antenna are tuned to only one satellite, and if this satellite fails, signal transmission in autonomous mode will be disrupted. Disadvantages also include the lack of an uninterruptible power supply that provides communication in the event of loss of main power, as well as its high cost and low maintainability due to the use of foreign-made components.

Disclosure of utility model

When creating a utility model, the problem of increasing the safety of navigation, including autonomous navigation, in difficult meteorological and climatic weather conditions was solved by increasing the stability of satellite communications.

The technical result achieved when using the utility model is to increase the reliability of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform in harsh operating conditions by increasing the degree of operability of electronic equipment and mechanical components of the drive mechanism of the gyro-stabilized platform.

To understand the essence of the utility model, the term used in the description of the utility model and characterizing the proposed utility model is explained below:

“Basic platform” is a general set of units, design and technological solutions, made in the form of a unified functionally complete unit, designed structurally as an independent product, on the basis of which, based on the Customer’s requirements, the technical system required by the Customer is designed and manufactured.

The specificity of the operation of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform lies in the places where it is used, namely on sea vessels making long journeys over long distances on the high seas. This specificity involves the use of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform in open parts of the vessel in often difficult meteorological and climatic weather conditions, with rolling and long-term inclinations of the vessel, as well as under the influence of frost, dew, icing and salt (sea) fog. Therefore, in these conditions, well-functioning satellite communications are of particular importance, which guarantees the safety of navigation and allows for the management of sea vessels, including autonomous ones, from stationary coastal bases hundreds of miles away, as well as maintaining guaranteed information support for the vessel itself.

This technical result is achieved by the fact that the basic VSAT satellite communication platform contains a control unit and an antenna located in the internal space, including a reflector with a feed source and signal power amplifiers, installed on a three-axis gyro-stabilized platform containing a reflector suspension system, three electric motors and a control driver and made with the ability to point the antenna at a working satellite based on a signal from the control unit to the electric motors through the control driver, while the internal space is formed by a radio-transparent shelter fixed to the base. Moreover, according to the utility model, the base platform contains a fan heater installed in the internal space, configured to be turned on by a signal from the control unit based on the temperature sensor readings, and a non-volatile memory module containing data on the location of satellites available for communication, while the control unit is designed with the ability to supply control signals to electric motors through a control driver to redirect the antenna in case of signal loss to another satellite, based on the data stored in the memory module.

To ensure constant stable communication with the satellite, it is necessary to maintain reliable operation of all components and parts of the device. The use of a fan heater in the device ensures the optimal temperature for the operation of electronic equipment, eliminates changes in the accuracy of the reflector surface and a decrease in the characteristics of the gyro-stabilized platform due to temperature deformation of materials and hardening of lubricants in the rotating elements. Thus, the use of a fan heater has a positive effect on the resistance of the device to climatic influences, eliminates the influence on the performance of the adverse effects of atmospheric (icing, intense precipitation, hail, salt fog, increased wind loads, dust) and climatic (sub-zero temperature) factors, which significantly affects its reliable operation as a whole.

Also, to ensure the reliability of the satellite channel, the proposed solution implements the function of promptly redirecting the signal in the event of loss of communication with the satellite to another working satellite. When the ship moves and changes course, under the influence of roll, a gyro-stabilized platform is used, capable of controlling the position of the antenna in space using a control unit and a non-volatile memory module and maintaining the direction to the relay satellite. If communication with the satellite is lost, the control unit redirects the signal to another satellite according to the coordinates stored in the non-volatile memory module.

In addition, according to the utility model, the basic VSAT satellite communication platform contains an uninterruptible power supply, configured to switch to backup power for the device in the event of loss of the main one based on a signal from the control unit.

The use of an uninterruptible power supply allows you to constantly provide power to the electronic equipment of the device in the event of loss of main power. However, at -6°C, the power supply does not charge fully due to the increase in resistance, and its power is 50%, and if the power supply is constantly used at low temperatures, its service life is significantly reduced. Using a fan heater reduces the risk of failure of the uninterruptible power supply, which also affects the trouble-free operation of the device as a whole.

In addition, according to the utility model, the radiotransparent shelter (RPC) has a streamlined shape and is made of a composite material. The choice of RPU material is due to its resistance to atmospheric and climatic influences. The streamlined shape of the control unit minimizes the impact of atmospheric and climatic factors. The reflector is made of a parabolic shape with a diameter of 60 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm or 130 cm. This design of the reflector allows you to increase rigidity and strength under the influence of climatic factors. It is much lighter than the monolithic design and allows you to avoid stiffening ribs, thereby simplifying production.

Thus, the utility model ensures reliable operation of the base platform in harsh operating conditions by maintaining the required climatic conditions in the internal space of the base platform and ensuring the availability of satellite communications in autonomous navigation conditions.

Brief description of drawings

The utility model is illustrated by a description of an example of its implementation, where in FIG. 1 shows a general view of the basic VSAT satellite communications platform without radio-transparent cover; fig. Figure 2 shows the basic VSAT satellite communication platform with an installed radio-transparent cover; fig. 3 - functional diagram of the base platform.

Implementation of a utility model

The basic VSAT satellite communications platform contains an antenna [1] with a reflector and feed, mounted on a gyro-stabilized platform [5] mounted on a support [2]. The antenna [1] is designed to convert electromagnetic waves into a useful signal for reception using a low-noise power amplifier [3] and reverse conversion for transmission using a signal power amplifier [4] (Fig. 1).

The reflector used is of a parabolic aperture type and has a unified range of diameters of 60 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm or 130 cm. It is preferable to make the reflector from a composite material. The reflector has a three-layer design, consisting of two skins and a filler in the form of a fine mesh located between them.

A low-noise signal power amplifier [3] with a downconverter ensures the reception and selection of a useful signal against a background of interference (noise), amplification and transfer of its spectrum from one frequency region (K _u -band) to another (to an intermediate frequency). A signal power amplifier [4] with an upconverter transfers the signal spectrum from the frequency domain of the intermediate frequency to the frequency domain of the emitted signal, and amplify this signal to the required power.

The gyro-stabilized platform [5] contains a reflector suspension system consisting of a bracket [6] mounted on a support [2], three electric motors [11] rotating the antenna around the three main axes of three-dimensional space: azimuth, elevation and polarization axis, and a control driver [8]. The gyro-stabilized platform [5] ensures that the radiation signal is directed to the relay satellites when the position of the support [2] deviates due to changes in the position of the vessel during roll, pitching, turns, etc., thereby ensuring uninterrupted communication of the vessel in rolling conditions.

A base [7] for attaching a radio-transparent shelter (RPC) [13] is attached to the gyro-stabilized platform [5] from below.

Stabilization of pointing to the relay satellite is ensured by mechanical adjustment of the antenna reflector [1] using electric motors that receive control signals from the control unit [9] through the control driver [8]. Thus, the control unit [9] of the base platform is configured to change the position of the antenna reflector [1] to point it at the relay satellite by means of a control driver [8], which controls the electric motors of the gyro-stabilized platform [5].

To protect the equipment of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform from the negative impact of external climatic factors, the elements of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform are covered with a radio-transparent shelter (RPC) [13] (Fig. 2, 3), made in the form of an ellipsoidal fairing fixed to the base [7] at using threaded connections to form an internal space [14]. A weatherproof seal can be used to seal the connection between the RPU [13] and the base [7]. The fairing can be made of fiberglass based on fabrics for structural purposes in accordance with GOST 19170-2001, the outer surface of the RPU [13] is coated with white EP-140 enamel. The streamlined shape of the RPU [13] and the materials used increase resistance to wind and snow, solar and ultraviolet radiation, which also increases the reliability of the device in difficult climatic conditions.

Maintaining the required climatic conditions in the internal space [14] (Fig. 2) of the basic VSAT satellite communication platform is ensured by a fan heater [15] (Fig. 1), installed in the internal space [14], for example, fixed to the base [7], controlled by a unit control 9 based on temperature sensor readings [12].

To ensure autonomy of operation, the basic VSAT satellite communication platform is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply [16], made in the form of DC power supplies and a power amplifier power injector, which provides backup power to the device in case of loss of the main one, as well as a non-volatile memory module [17] for data storage about the location of satellites available for communication.

All mentioned elements of the device are interconnected by mechanical connections (based on detachable threaded connections and permanent soldered or welded connections).

The basic VSAT satellite communications platform is installed outside the vessel in an open area. The device is connected by a radio frequency cable [18] for data exchange with the on-board network and an electrical cable [19] for network power supply.

The basic VSAT satellite communications platform works as follows.

The device interacts with the carrier ship by receiving power via the ship's network via a cable [19] and exchanging data with the ship's Ethernet network via a cable [18].

Based on the operating algorithm programmed into a non-volatile memory module [17] to ensure communication on the route, the control unit [9] by issuing control signals to the electric motors [11] through the control driver [8] ensures that the antenna [1] is pointed at the operating satellite at a specific point along the route to ensure reliable, uninterrupted satellite communications. The quality of communication with the satellite is analyzed by a tuner (not shown), which is part of the control unit [9], based on the signal coming from the antenna [1] through a low-noise power amplifier [3]. If the quality of communication with the satellite deteriorates, the control unit [9] in autonomous mode provides, by issuing control signals to electric motors [11] through the control driver [8], redirection of the antenna [1] to another satellite based on the database stored in the memory module [17] about the location (coordinates) of satellites available for communication.

At the same time, the control unit [9] constantly, in autonomous mode, analyzes information about the air temperature of the internal space [14], under the control panel [13], coming from the temperature sensor [12]. Depending on the microclimate control algorithm embedded in the non-volatile memory module [17], it controls the fan heater [15].

When the temperature in the internal space [14] of the base platform drops below the set temperature, the fan heater [15] is turned on by a signal from the control unit [9] based on the readings of the temperature sensor [12].

The control unit [9] constantly, in autonomous mode, analyzes using a power analyzer the quality indicators of the network power supply received from the carrier ship’s network via cable [19]. When the power supply quality indicators decrease, the control unit [9] automatically switches the internal power supply of the device to power from an uninterruptible power supply [16].

This ensures uninterrupted operation of the device under harsh operating conditions in order to provide guaranteed stable satellite communications to the vessel. The basic VSAT satellite communications platform is based on the use of mass-produced components and can be used to build satellite communications systems on all types of surface vessels, including autonomous ones.

Claims (4)

1. A basic VSAT satellite communication platform containing an internal space formed by a base and a radio-transparent cover fixed on it, while in the internal space a control unit and an antenna are placed, including a reflector with a feed and signal power amplifiers, and the antenna is installed on a three-axis gyro-stabilized platform containing a reflector suspension system, three electric motors and a control driver and configured to point the antenna at a working satellite based on a signal from the control unit to the electric motors through the control driver, characterized in that the base platform additionally contains a fan heater installed on the base in the internal space, configured to be turned on by a signal from the control unit based on the temperature sensor readings, and a non-volatile memory module with embedded data on the location of satellites available for communication, wherein the control unit is configured to supply control signals to the electric motors through the control driver to redirect the antenna in case of signal loss to another satellite , based on the data stored in the non-volatile memory module. 2. The base platform according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an uninterruptible power supply, configured to switch to backup power for the device in the event of loss of the main one based on a signal from the control unit. 3. The base platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflector is made of a composite material and consists of two skins and a filler in the form of a fine mesh located between the skins. 4. The base platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflector is made of a parabolic shape with a diameter of 60 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm or 130 cm.