Sub-orbital, high altitude communications system
First Claim
66. A telecommunications method comprising the steps of providing at least two ground stations and at least one relay station, positioning said relay station at a fixed predetermined location over the earth and at a predetermined altitude for receiving and transmitting telecommunications signals to and from said ground stations and other relay stations, said predetermined altitude being between about 12 and 35 miles, transmitting a telecommunications signal from a first one of said ground stations to said relay station, receiving said telecommunications signal at said relay station and transmitting said signal to a second ground station, and maintaining said relay station at said fixed predetermined altitude and location for sending and receiving said telecommunications signals to and from said ground stations and said other relay stations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sub-orbital, high altitude communications system comprising at least two ground stations and at least one high altitude relay station. Each of the ground stations including means for sending and receiving telecommunications signals. The relay stations include means for receiving and sending telecommunications signals from and to said ground stations and from and to other relay stations. Means are provided for controlling the lateral and vertical movement of the relay stations so that a predetermined altitude and location of each of said relay stations can be achieved and maintained Means are provided for receiving the relay stations so that they can be serviced for reuse.
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Citations
175 Claims
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66. A telecommunications method comprising the steps of
providing at least two ground stations and at least one relay station, positioning said relay station at a fixed predetermined location over the earth and at a predetermined altitude for receiving and transmitting telecommunications signals to and from said ground stations and other relay stations, said predetermined altitude being between about 12 and 35 miles, transmitting a telecommunications signal from a first one of said ground stations to said relay station, receiving said telecommunications signal at said relay station and transmitting said signal to a second ground station, and maintaining said relay station at said fixed predetermined altitude and location for sending and receiving said telecommunications signals to and from said ground stations and said other relay stations.
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100-1. A method as defined in claim 98 wherein
said digital multiple access technology includes CDMA.
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111. A telecommunications apparatus comprising
at least two ground stations, each of said ground stations including means for sending and receiving telecommunications signals, at least one relay station, said relay station including means for receiving and sending telecommunications signals from and to said ground stations and from and to others of said relay stations, first means for identifying the current altitude and location of said relay station, second means for identifying a predetermined altitude and a fixed predetermined location over the earth for said relay station, said predetermined altitude being between about 12 to 35 miles, and and means on said relay station for moving said relay station from said current altitude and location to said predetermined altitude and fixed predetermined location over the earth for sending and receiving signals to and from said ground stations and said other relay stations.
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113. A telecommunications apparatus comprising
at least two ground stations, each of said ground stations including means for sending and receiving telecommunications signals, at least one relay station, said relay station including means for receiving and sending telecommunications signals from and to said ground stations and from and to others of said relay stations, first means for identifying the current altitude or location of said relay station, second means for identifying a predetermined altitude or a fixed predetermined location over the earth for said relay station, said predetermined altitude being between about 12 to 35 miles, and and means on said relay station for moving said relay station from said current altitude and location to said predetermined altitude or fixed predetermined location over the earth for sending and receiving signals to and from said ground stations and said other relay stations.
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140. A relay station for a high altitude sub-orbital telecommunications system which is to be disposed at a predetermined altitude of between about 12 to 35 miles and at a fixed predetermined location over the earth comprising
means for receiving and sending telecommunications signals from and to ground stations and from and to other relay stations, and means for controlling the vertical and lateral movement of said relay station so that said predetermined altitude and said fixed predetermined location of said relay station is achieved and maintained for sending and receiving said telecommunications signals to and from said ground stations and said other relay stations.
Specification