Multiplex communications – Communication over free space – Repeater
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-23
2003-12-02
Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Communication over free space
Repeater
C370S319000, C370S320000, C370S343000, C370S344000, C370S466000, C370S480000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06657978
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of satellite communication. More specifically the present invention is an optimized integrated high capacity digital satellite trunking network system, otherwise known as the Multipurpose Wideband Communications System (MPWCS) and method for linking multiple earth stations in the same or different antenna transponder footprints of the same satellite at the greatest efficiency in use of power and bandwidth, thereby eliminating the need to reconfigure the satellite transponder based on the desired downlink footprint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Geostationary satellites provide flexible communication relay service using earth stations and satellite transponders, with satellites supporting point-to-multi-point relay service between earth stations. Satellite operators typically lease transponder capacity based upon power, bandwidth, connectivity, and coverage desired by lessees. The leasing of power, bandwidth, connectivity and coverage of the satellite in a non-optimum manner due to the sharing between different user networks results in less than the maximum satellite power and bandwidth being utilized. Further, networks have been historically developed by separate organizations responsible for provision of space segment and earth segment leading to a complex definition of interfaces and less than the highest efficiency in the total capacity which can be derived from the satellite orbit and frequency spectrum which has been assigned. Depending on a number of satellite design parameters (e.g. uplink and downlink frequencies, antenna type, antenna boresight, antenna size, and transmitter power of the satellite) the effective “earth footprint” of a satellite transponder has geographic limits. The geographic limits of the transponder footprint constrain the type of relay service that may be provided.
For two users that are within the same satellite transponder footprint who desire to establish a communication link, a usual and simple form of simplex service requires that the transmitting user point its earth terminal antenna at the relay satellite and transmit on an uplink frequency. Using a satellite antenna whose receive footprint includes the earth station location of the transmitting user, the satellite transponder receives the uplink frequency, translates the frequency to a downlink frequency, amplifies the signal and then re-transmits the translated and amplified signal through the same satellite antenna used to receive the signal. The downlink signal can be received by any earth terminal that is within that satellite antenna footprint. Depending on the downlink frequency, and the previously mentioned physical characteristics of the satellite, the downlink footprint may be as small as a few hundred miles in diameter or up to several thousand miles in diameter. For two users who are within the same satellite antenna footprint, this form of relay service is very effective.
For two users who are not within the same satellite antenna footprint, but are within the satellite antenna footprint of another antenna on the same satellite, other techniques are used. One technique involves providing an electronic “cross-strap” between two antennas/transponders on the same satellite. In this arrangement, the uplink signal from the earth transmitting station is received by one satellite antenna and the signal is translated and amplified for re-transmission by another satellite antenna, whose footprint includes the desired receiver. Using this technique, two users who are physically distant from each other and are each within small and different satellite antenna footprints of the same satellite may use a single satellite for relay service.
The problem with cross-strapping is the tied transponders remain dedicated to each other for as long as the strap remains in place. Thus, all of the signals received by the tied receiving transponder are directed to the tied downlink transponder and to the antenna associated with that transponder. If the uplink transponder and downlink transponder are not fully utilized, strapping results in unused satellite capacity and inefficient use of resources.
Various attempts have been made to address different aspects of these problems. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,407 to Barkats, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,873 to Goodman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,639 to Esch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,703 to Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,904 to Mutzig et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,823 to Noreen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,891 to Rebec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,770 to Schmelzer et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,393 to Noreen et al.
What is needed is a satellite network that utilizes all of the available power and bandwidth of a satellite or a fleet of satellites and that permits communications to occur among users whether using the same or different communication protocols.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a satellite network optimized to use the full power and bandwidth of the constituent satellite, thereby providing highest capacity for operation of a digital trunking network based on the integration of the earth stations and satellite for maximum transmission efficiency.
It is a further objective of the present invention to create a high capacity satellite communications network where usage is measured by time (minutes-of-use) rather than by power or bandwidth leased by a party.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to create a global digital high capacity telecommunications network using the full power and bandwidth of multiple constituent satellites for any communications services within the field-of-view of the satellite network.
It is a further objective of the present invention to integrate multi-service satellite telecommunications using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide voice, data, facsimile, video and general bit stream service using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide public switched telephone network services using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide private branch exchange services to selected groups of users using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide overlay network services to selected groups of subscribers using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide domestic and international telecommunications service using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications.
It is a further objective of the present invention to link telecommunication services of the present invention with other communications service providers and carriers.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to link telecommunication services of the present invention with other terrestrial telecommunications providers and carriers.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide telecommunications services using the full power and bandwidth of constituent satellites for all communications when data being transmitted is either standard or non-standard telecommunications protocols such as but not limited to; ATM, frame relay, Internet, XDSL, IP, and/or mobile telecommunications protocols.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide protocol conversion between different standards of communications between countries and within a single country using multiple protocols.
It is still another object of the present invention to allow a user within the satellite antenna footprint of one satellite transponder to flexibly communicate with other users who are within the same or other satellite ant
Kizou Hassan
Logsdon Joe
Roberts Abokhair & Mardula LLC
Transworld Communications (USA), Inc.
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