Automatic detection of communications satellite

摘要

A fast and efficient automated satellite constellation detection process can be implemented at least in part independent of in-band data in the satellite signal. The automated detection process iterates through a set of various predefined transponder settings to detect one or more accessible satellite constellations through each satellite dish connected directly or through a switch to a satellite receiver. The process determines whether the satellite receiver is able to lock onto a satellite signal at each transponder setting. Based on the combinations of which satellite constellations are available at each transponder setting, the process allocates a specific satellite constellation to each satellite dish. In one implementation, channel information can be used to further refine the detection and identification of accessible satellite constellations for each satellite dish.

主权项

1. A method for identifying a satellite constellation, the method comprising:
configuring a satellite receiver to use at least a first modulation parameter set from among a plurality of modulation parameter sets associated with a plurality of known satellite constellations available for communication with the satellite receiver via a satellite dish, wherein each of the plurality of modulation parameter sets comprises a plurality of parameters; setting a predefined threshold number as a criterion to evaluate attempts to lock on to a communications signal transmitted by an unidentified satellite constellation and received in the satellite receiver; identifying the unidentified satellite constellation by using an automated identification procedure, the automated identification procedure comprising at least one of: a) detecting a number of successful locks reaching the predefined threshold number or b) the number of successful locks being reached using a specified percentage of a total number of unique modulation parameter sets associated with a first satellite constellation; and upon identifying the unidentified satellite constellation, presenting a mapping result between at least the identified satellite constellation and the satellite dish, through an output interface.