Multi-beam satellite collocation and channel power allocation

• US 20040192376A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Space Systems/Loral Incorporated (Loral Space and Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Space Systems/Loral Incorporated (Loral Space and Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grybos, David P.
• Application Number:
  US10/094,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20040192376A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18519 Operations control, administration or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2041 Spot beam multiple access

Abstract

Satellite-based communication systems and methods that substantially collocate multibeam satellites and allow for incremental addition of network capacity by launching additional substantially collocated satellites. Exemplary systems and methods comprise a plurality of substantially collocated multi-beam satellites that are launched and that are configured to provide beam coverage using substantially the same multibeam pattern of beams so that the beam coverage of both satellites is available for simultaneous use. A processor onboard each of the satellites configures the multibeam pattern of beams. The processor assigns a frequency and polarization to each beam based upon frequency re-use, system performance and capacity requirements, assigns overlapping bandwidth allocations within a beam, assigns bandwidth and power per bandwidth, and selectively adjusts beam capacity and power based on network traffic requirements.

Claims

1. A satellite-based communication system comprising:

a plurality of substantially collocated multi-beam satellites that provide beam coverage using substantially the same multibeam pattern of beams so that the beam coverage of both satellites is available for simultaneous use;

a processor disposed onboard each of the satellites that assigns overlapping bandwidth allocations within a beam, assigns bandwidth and power per bandwidth, and selectively adjust beam capacity and power based on network traffic and satellite failure. redundancy requirements.

2. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting switched filters disposed onboard the respective satellites.

3. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting digital channelizers disposed onboard the respective satellites.

4. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting the gain of each satellite channel by adjusting channel power amplifiers disposed onboard the respective satellites.

5. The system recited in claim 1 wherein the processor disposed onboard each of the satellites that configures the multibeam pattern of beams, which processor is configured to assign a frequency and polarization to each beam based upon frequency re-use, system performance and capacity requirements, assign overlapping bandwidth allocations within a beam, assign bandwidth and power per bandwidth, and selectively adjust beam coverage and capacity and power based on network traffic and satellite failure. redundancy requirements.

6. The system recited in claim 5 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting switched filters disposed onboard the respective satellites.

7. The system recited in claim 5 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting digital channelizers disposed onboard the respective satellites.

8. The system recited in claim 5 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting the gain of each satellite channel by adjusting channel power amplifiers disposed onboard the respective satellites.

9. The system recited in claim 5 wherein the processor assigns the bandwidth and power per bandwidth by adjusting satellite active antenna power allocation per beam using a phased array antenna disposed onboard the respective satellites.

10. A communications method comprising the steps of:

launching a plurality of substantially collocated satellites into orbit;

configuring the plurality of substantially collocated satellites to provide coverage using substantially the same multibeam pattern of beams;

assigning a frequency and polarization based upon frequency re-use, system performance and capacity requirements;

assigning the substantially collocated multi-beam satellites variable and overlapping bandwidth allocations;

assigning variable power within a beam; and

selectively changing beam capacity and power based on network traffic requirements.

11. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the step of assigning variable and overlapping bandwidth allocations comprises the step of adjusting switched filters disposed on the satellites.

12. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the step of assigning variable and overlapping bandwidth allocations comprises the step of adjusting digital channelizers disposed on the satellites.

13. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the step of assigning variable power allocations comprises the step of adjusting 34b the gain of each satellite channel.

14. The method recited in claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting the gain of each satellite channel comprises the step of adjusting the gain of discrete power amplifiers on each satellite.

15. The method recited in claim 13 wherein the step of adjusting the gain of each satellite channel comprises the step of adjusting the gain of traveling wave tube amplifiers on each satellite.

16. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the step of assigning variable power allocations comprises the step of adjusting satellite active antenna power allocation per beam.

17. The method recited in claim 16 wherein the step of adjusting satellite active antenna power allocation per beam comprises the step of adjusting a phased array antenna.

18. A communications method comprising the steps of:

pre-configuring the plurality of substantially collocated satellites to provide coverage using substantially the same multibeam pattern of beams;

pre-assigning a frequency and polarization based upon frequency re-use, system performance and capacity requirements;

launching a plurality of substantially collocated satellites into orbit;

assigning the substantially collocated multi-beam satellites variable and overlapping bandwidth allocations;

assigning variable power within a beam; and

selectively changing beam capacity and power based on network traffic requirements.

19. The method recited in claim 18 wherein the step of assigning variable and overlapping bandwidth allocations comprises the step of adjusting switched filters disposed on the satellites.

20. The method recited in claim 18 wherein the step of assigning variable and overlapping bandwidth allocations comprises the step of adjusting digital channelizers disposed on the satellites.

21. The method recited in claim 18 wherein the step of assigning variable power allocations comprises the step of adjusting the gain of each satellite channel.

22. The method recited in claim 21 wherein the step of adjusting the gain of each satellite channel comprises the step of adjusting the gain of discrete power amplifiers on each satellite.

23. The method recited in claim 21 wherein the step of adjusting the gain of each satellite channel comprises the step of adjusting the gain of traveling wave tube amplifiers on each satellite.

24. The method recited in claim 18 wherein the step of assigning variable power allocations comprises the step of adjusting satellite active antenna power allocation per beam.

25. The method recited in claim 24 wherein the step of adjusting satellite active antenna power allocation per beam comprises the step of adjusting a phased array antenna.