Orbital network layering
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A satellite cluster, comprising:
- first satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration;
second satellite devices orbiting in an additional orbital layer having at least one of an orbital inclination and an orbital distance different than that of the orbital layer; and
a communication network formed among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer or the additional orbital layer.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for deploying communication networks in clusters of satellite devices. In one example, satellite devices are configured to orbit in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration. A communication network is formed among the satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to an orbital direction of the satellites in the orbital layer.
94 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A satellite cluster, comprising:
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first satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration; second satellite devices orbiting in an additional orbital layer having at least one of an orbital inclination and an orbital distance different than that of the orbital layer; and a communication network formed among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer or the additional orbital layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a satellite cluster, comprising:
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establishing first satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration; establishing second satellite devices orbiting in an additional orbital layer having at least one of an orbital inclination and an orbital distance different than that of the orbital layer; forming a communication network among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer or the additional orbital layer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A satellite system, comprising:
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a first set of satellite devices orbiting with a first orbital inclination; a second set of satellite devices orbiting with a second orbital inclination different than the first orbital inclination; and a communication network formed among selected ones of the satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the selected ones of the satellite devices. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A satellite system, comprising:
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satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration; a communication network formed among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer; a forward communication path formed in at least the orbital layer that propagates traffic of the communication network through the selected satellite devices in a forward direction with respect to the orbital direction; and a reverse communication path formed in at least the orbital layer that propagates traffic of the communication network through the selected satellite devices in a reverse direction with respect to the orbital direction.
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18. A satellite system, comprising:
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satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration; a communication network formed among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer; and during routing of traffic of the communication network, ones of the selected satellite devices configured to determine a traffic direction among the at least two oppositely circulating directions over which to route the traffic based in part on a failure status among the at least two oppositely circulating directions.
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19. A method, comprising:
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establishing satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration; forming a communication network among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer; forming a forward communication path in at least the orbital layer that propagates traffic of the communication network through the selected satellite devices in a forward direction with respect to the orbital direction; and forming a reverse communication path in at least the orbital layer that propagates traffic of the communication network through the selected satellite devices in a reverse direction with respect to the orbital direction.
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20. A method, comprising:
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establishing satellite devices orbiting in an orbital layer defined by an orbital configuration; forming a communication network among selected satellite devices and configured to exchange communications in at least two oppositely circulating directions with respect to at least an orbital direction associated with the orbital layer; during routing of traffic of the communication network, determining a traffic direction among the at least two oppositely circulating directions over which to route the traffic based in part on a failure status among the at least two oppositely circulating directions.
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Specification