Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a communications relay station, comprising the steps of:
- moving the relay station into a preselected geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere, the moving step including the step of elevating the relay station into the portion of the stratosphere; and
if the relay station moves from the preselected geographic location, actively changing a lateral position of the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere to return the relay station to the preselected geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sub-orbital, high altitude communications system that has at least two ground stations and at least one high altitude relay station. Each of the ground stations includes apparatus for sending and receiving telecommunications signals. The relay stations include apparatus for receiving and sending telecommunications signals from and to the ground stations and from and to other relay stations. Apparatus is provided for controlling the lateral and vertical movement of the relay stations so that a predetermined altitude and location of each of the relay stations can be achieved and maintained. Apparatus is provided for retrieving relay stations so that they can be serviced for reuse.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a communications relay station, comprising the steps of:
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moving the relay station into a preselected geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere, the moving step including the step of elevating the relay station into the portion of the stratosphere; and
if the relay station moves from the preselected geographic location, actively changing a lateral position of the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere to return the relay station to the preselected geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a long-duration, free-flying balloon capable of transmitting signals to a point on the earth directly below the balloon in less than about 140 μ
- sec., comprising the steps of;
directing the balloon into a predetermined geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere; and
if the balloon drifts from the predetermined geographic location, moving the balloon within the portion of the stratosphere back to the predetermined geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere, the movement having a horizontal component. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
- sec., comprising the steps of;
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19. A telecommunications apparatus comprising:
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at least two ground stations, each of the ground stations including means for transmitting and receiving telecommunications signals; and
at least one relay station, the relay station including means for transmitting and receiving telecommunications signals from and to the ground stations and from and to other relay stations, the relay station being disposed at a predetermined altitude within a portion of the stratosphere, the relay station being at a fixed predetermined location over the earth for transmitting and receiving telecommunications signals from and to the ground stations and from and to the other relay stations, the relay station further including means for controlling the vertical and lateral movement of the relay station so that, if the relay station moves from the predetermined altitude and fixed predetermined location, the relay station is moved back to the predetermined altitude and fixed predetermined location within the portion of the stratosphere. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A stratospheric relay station comprising:
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a navigation system for directing the relay station into a predetermined geographic location above the earth within a portion of the stratosphere and, if the relay station leaves the predetermined geographic location, for moving the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere back toward the predetermined geographic location within the portion of the stratosphere, the movement having a horizontal component; and
a communication system for transmitting signals between the relay station within the portion of the stratosphere and a base station, the communication system being adapted to transmit signals to a point on the earth directly below the balloon with a time for transmission of between about 80 μ
sec. and about 140 μ
sec.
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Specification