System and method for efficient frequency use in a hybrid multi-spot satellite broadcasting system

• US 20050130591A1
• Filed: 02/01/2002
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Courseille, Olivier, Francon, Michel-Guy, Nussli, Christophe, Combe, Christian, Bouchired, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,953,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/13.300
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18534 for enhancing link reliablility, e.g. satellites diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18536 Shadowing compensation therefor, e.g. by using an additional terrestrial relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/423 Transmitter side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/74 of satellite networks

Abstract

System and method for use in a hybrid multispot satellite broadcasting system comprising at least one satellite (S; S1; S2) for multibeam broadcasting of beams in respective frequency bandwidths (F1; F2; F3), the system further comprising a plurality of terrestrial repeater (R1; R2; R3) for receiving, processing and re-transmitting said beams in a frequency bandwidth which is different from that of the bandwidth of the beam received. Each terrestrial repeater (R1; R2; R3) re-uses for terrestrial re-transmission a combination of bandwidths corresponding to different beams broadcast from said satellite to different beams.

Claims

1. A hybrid multispot satellite broadcasting system comprising at least one satellite (S;

S1;

S2) capable of multibeam broadcasting of beams in respective frequency bandwidths (F1;

F2;

F3), each one of said beams adapted to be broadcast towards a terrestrial repeater (R1;

R2;

R3) which is capable of receiving, processing and re-transmitting said beam in a frequency bandwidth which is different from that of the bandwidth of the beam received, characterized in that a bandwidth of a signal re-transmitted from a first terrestrial repeater contains a frequency range substantially equal to a bandwidth used for a beam broadcast from said satellite to at least a second terrestrial repeater.

2. A satellite system, according to claim 1, wherein said frequency range within the bandwidth of said retransmitted signal contains at least two bandwidths, one being different from the other, said bandwidths being substantially equal to bandwidths used for respective beams broadcast from said satellite to at least a respective second and a respective third terrestrial repeaters.

3. A satellite system according to claim 1, wherein said satellite broadcasts at least a first, a second and a third beam, each beam directed to a respective first, second and third terrestrial repeater, wherein, said first terrestrial repeater re-transmits said first beam using a bandwidth which is a combination of the respective bandwidths of said second and said third beams.

4. A method for a hybrid multispot broadcasting through a satellite system, said system comprising at least one satellite (S;

S1;

S2) for multibeam broadcasting of beams in respective frequency bandwidths (F1;

F2;

F3), each one of said beams being broadcast towards a terrestrial repeater (R1;

R2;

R3) which is capable of receiving, processing and re-transmitting said beam in a frequency bandwidth which is different from that of the bandwidth of the beam received, characterized in that said first terrestrial repeater re-transmits said signal in a bandwidth containing a frequency range substantially equal to a bandwidth used for a beam broadcast from said satellite to at least a second terrestrial repeater.

5. Method of claim 4 wherein said frequency range within the bandwidth of said retransmitted signal contains at least two bandwidths, one being different from the other, said bandwidths being substantially equal to bandwidths used for respective beams broadcast from said satellite to at least a respective second and a respective third terrestrial repeaters.

6. Method, according to any one of claims 4, wherein said satellite broadcasts at least a first, a second and a third beam, each beam directed to a respective first, second and third terrestrial repeater, wherein, said first terrestrial repeater re-transmits said first beam using a bandwidth which is a combination of the respective bandwidths of said second and said third beams.