Satellite coverage region detection

• US 20050171653A1
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Taylor, Scott P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,606,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/13
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service

Abstract

A system and method for determining when a moving mobile platform will enter or exit a satellite coverage region. In a preferred form the method involves determining a plurality of boundary coordinates that define a satellite coverage region perimeter. A position of the mobile platform is monitored as the mobile platform moves along a travel path. The proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter is determined by periodically comparing the position of the mobile platform to the boundary coordinates.

Claims

1. A method for determining when a moving mobile platform will enter or exit at least one satellite coverage region, said method comprising:

determining a plurality of boundary coordinates that define a satellite coverage region perimeter;

monitoring a position of the mobile platform as the mobile platform moves along a travel path; and

determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining boundary coordinates comprises determining at least two of a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of a plurality of points that define the satellite coverage region perimeter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises storing the boundary coordinates in a database accessible by a server system on board the mobile platform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the coordinates comprises at least one of:

storing the coordinates in a look up table; and

storing the coordinates in a link list.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring a position of the mobile platform comprises periodically determining at least two of a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of the mobile platform as the mobile platform moves along the travel path.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter comprises periodically comparing the position of the mobile platform to the boundary coordinates.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining a time-to-perimeter measurement of the mobile platform to indicated an approximate time that the mobile platform will remain within the satellite coverage region.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining a time-to-perimeter measurement of the mobile platform to indicated an approximate time before the mobile platform will enter the satellite coverage region.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises mapping a plurality of signal strength data for the satellite coverage region.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

identifying signal fade areas within the satellite coverage region utilizing the signal strength data; and

determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the fade area.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprise:

identifying an edge effect area within the satellite coverage region utilizing the signal strength data; and

determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the edge effect area.

12. A system for determining when a moving mobile platform will enter or exit at least one satellite coverage region, said system comprising:

a database adapted to store boundary coordinates that define a satellite coverage region perimeter;

a navigational system on board the mobile platform adapted to monitor a position of the mobile platform as the mobile platform moves along a travel path; and

an on board server system adapted to;

communicate with the database and the navigational system; and

to determine the proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the database includes at least one of a look up table and a link list.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein to determine the proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter, the on board server is further adapted to periodically compare the position of the mobile platform to the boundary coordinates.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the on board server is further 20 adapted to determine a time-to-perimeter measurement of the mobile platform to indicated an approximate time that the mobile platform will remain within the satellite coverage region.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the on board server is further adapted to determine a time-to-perimeter measurement of the mobile platform to indicated an approximate time before the mobile platform will enter the satellite coverage region.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the on board server is further adapted to:

map a plurality of signal strength data throughout the satellite coverage region;

identify a fade area within the satellite coverage region where the signal strength is significantly weaker than an average signal strength throughout the satellite coverage region; and

determine the proximity of the mobile platform to the fade area.

18. A method for determining an approximate time of arrival of a mobile platform at one or more satellite coverage area boundaries, said method comprising:

determining a plurality of boundary coordinates that define a satellite coverage region perimeter;

storing the boundary coordinates in a database accessible by a server system on board the mobile platform;

monitoring a position of the mobile platform as the mobile platform moves along a travel path;

determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter; and

determining a time-to-boundary measurement of the mobile platform to indicated an approximate time until the mobile platform will arrive at the satellite coverage area boundary.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining boundary coordinates comprises determining at least two of a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of a plurality of points that define the satellite coverage region perimeter.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein storing the coordinates in a database comprises at least one of:

storing the coordinates in a look up table; and

storing the coordinates in a link list.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein monitoring a position of the mobile platform comprises periodically determining at least two of a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of the mobile platform as the mobile platform moves along the travel path.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the satellite coverage region perimeter comprises periodically comparing the position of the mobile platform to the boundary coordinates.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises mapping a plurality of signal strength data for the satellite coverage region.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the method further comprises:

identifying signal fade areas within the satellite coverage region utilizing the signal strength data; and

determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the fade area.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the method further comprise:

identifying an edge effect area within the satellite coverage region utilizing the signal strength data; and

determining the proximity of the mobile platform to the edge effect area.