Ris boosts satellite to vsat communication by up to 14 db gain
Investigation of RIS Integration in Satellite Systems Guided by ITU-R VSAT Radiation Diagram
Information Theory
Summary
Satellite signals can be weak when reaching small ground antennas called VSATs. The paper studies how placing special reflective surfaces, called RIS, can improve these signals without adding power, by carefully positioning and orienting them. The authors show that this method can increase signal strength by up to 9 decibels at 2 GHz and 14 decibels at 4 GHz. They also improve the mathematical model for this setup by including effects like weather and signal orientation.
What this means in practice
- •For satellite network engineers: Design RIS placement and orientation to boost satellite downlink signals to VSATs, improving coverage and data rates without active amplifiers.
- •For wireless system integrators: Incorporate RIS reflections in terrestrial-satellite communication setups to mitigate signal fading and enhance link reliability at S and C bands.
Authors
Symeon Vaidanis, Athanasios D. Panagopoulos
Abstract
The introduction of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) technology marks a transformative era in modern communication systems, enhancing coverage and facilitating higher data transmission rates. While recent research has delved into the integration of RIS into satellite networks, a critical and practical gap persists concerning its implementation in the satellite-Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) downlink, specifically amplifying contributions from the VSAT side. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a simple and engineering methodology to optimize RIS position and orientation, incorporating considerations for the antennas' radiation patterns and the system's topology to streamline optimization variables. The primary objective of this paper is to alleviate the double fading constraint in the reflect link without the need for active elements, achieved by leveraging the Fresnel zone of the RIS. The improvement power ratio depends on the frequency and the VSAT 's diameter. The results show that for a VSAT with diameter 1m the gain is up to 9dB at 2 GHz (S band) and up to 14dB at 4 GHz (C band). Additionally, the RIS channel equation is refined, encompassing the tropospheric attenuation and accounting for electromagnetic wave polarization.