Satellite communications systems and methods using radiotelephone location-based beamforming
First Claim
1. A processor for use in a satellite communications system, the processor comprising:
- a selector that is configured to select a subset of a plurality of satellite signals based upon a location of a radioterminal; and
a signal processor that is configured to detect a return-link transmission from the radioterminal responsive to the selected subset of satellite signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A processor for use in a satellite communications system includes a selector that is configured to select a subset of a plurality of spatially diverse satellite signals based upon a location of a radioterminal. The processor further includes a signal processor that is configured to detect a return-link transmission from the radioterminal responsive to the selected subset of the spatially diverse satellite signals. The respective spatially diverse satellite signals may include respective signals corresponding to respective antenna elements of a satellite. The selector and the signal processor may be ground based.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A processor for use in a satellite communications system, the processor comprising:
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a selector that is configured to select a subset of a plurality of satellite signals based upon a location of a radioterminal; and
a signal processor that is configured to detect a return-link transmission from the radioterminal responsive to the selected subset of satellite signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A satellite communications system comprising:
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a satellite configured to receive a radio signal from a radioterminal that is in a service region of the satellite;
means for generating a plurality of spatially diverse signals from the received radio signal; and
a return-link processor configured to select a subset of the plurality of spatially diverse signals based upon a location of the radioterminal and to detect a return-link transmission from the radioterminal responsive to the selected subset of the spatially diverse signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A satellite communications system comprising:
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a satellite-based return-link processor configured to receive first spatially diverse signals from a satellite antenna and to responsively generate a feeder link signal, wherein the satellite-based return-link processor spectrally distributes second spatially diverse signals corresponding to selected frequency components of the first spatially diverse signals in the feeder link signal; and
a ground-based return-link processor configured to select a subset of the second spatially diverse signals based upon a location of a radioterminal and to detect a return-link transmission from the radioterminal responsive to the selected subset of the second spatially diverse signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A satellite communications method comprising:
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generating a plurality of spatially diverse signals from radio transmissions from a service area served by a satellite;
selecting a subset of the plurality of spatially diverse signals based upon a location of a radioterminal; and
detecting a return-link transmission from the radioterminal responsive to the selected subset of the spatially diverse signals. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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- 31. A beam former for use in a wireless communications system in conjunction with an antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements, the beam former configured to form an antenna pattern responsive to a set of antenna element signals provided to the beam former from a set of antenna elements, and wherein the beam former maintains the antenna pattern substantially invariant to any relative phase change between any two or more antenna element signals of the set of antenna element signals during transport of the any two or more antenna element signals from the antenna to the beam former.
- 35. A beam former for use in a wireless communications system in conjunction with an antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements, the antenna configured to form an antenna pattern responsive to a set of antenna element signals transported from the beam former to a set of the antenna elements and wherein the beam former maintains the antenna pattern substantially invariant to any relative phase change introduced between any two or more antenna element signals of the set of antenna element signals during transport of the any two or more antenna element signals from the beam former to the antenna.
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39. A beam forming method comprising:
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transporting a set of antenna element signals from a set of antenna elements to a beam former; and
forming an antenna pattern responsive to the set of antenna element signals, including maintaining the antenna pattern substantially invariant to any relative phase change between any two or more antenna element signals of the set of antenna element signals during transport of the two or more antenna element signals to the beam former. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A beam forming method comprising:
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transporting a set of antenna element signals from a beam former to a set of antenna elements of an antenna; and
forming an antenna pattern responsive to the set of antenna element signals, including maintaining the antenna pattern substantially invariant to any relative phase change introduced between any two or more antenna element signals of the set of antenna element signals during transporting of the any two or more antenna element signals from the beam former to the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46)
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Specification