Multi frequency band/multi air interface/multi spectrum reuse cluster size/multi cell size satellite radioterminal communicaitons systems and methods

• US 20060094420A1
• Filed: 11/02/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Application Number:
  US10/979,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20060094420A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1853 Satellite systems for providing telephony service to a mobile station, i.e. mobile satellite service for selecting H04W

Abstract

Satellite radioterminal communications systems, methods and components thereof, can use multiple frequency segments of at least one satellite frequency band, multiple air interfaces, multiple spectrum reuse cluster sizes and/or multiple geographic cell sizes. For example, a space-based component is configured to communicate with first radioterminals in first satellite cells over a first frequency segment of a satellite frequency band, such as a first frequency segment of a satellite L-band, and to communicate with second radioterminals in second satellite cells over a second frequency segment of the same or different satellite frequency band. The space-based component also may be configured to communicate with a first radioterminal over a first air interface and to communicate with the second radioterminals over a second air interface.

Claims

1. A satellite radioterminal communications system comprising:

a space-based component that is configured to communicate with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first satellite cells over a first band segment of a satellite frequency band and to communicate with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second satellite cells over a second band segment of the same and/or different satellite frequency band.

2. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells over a first air interface and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells over a second air interface.

3. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 2 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

4. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 2 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

5. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 3 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

6. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

7. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 6 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

8. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

9. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first band segment of the satellite frequency band.

10. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 2 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface.

11. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 3 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size.

12. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first band segment of the satellite frequency band and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second band segment of the satellite frequency band.

13. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 2 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

14. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 3 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a fourth spectrum reuse cluster size.

15. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the satellite frequency band is L-band and/or S-band.

16. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells at least partially overlap geographically.

17. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 3 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

18. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 11 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the third spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

19. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the first band segment of the satellite frequency band and the second band segment of the satellite frequency band overlap partially but not fully.

20. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

21. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 12 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a first ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first band segment of the satellite frequency band, and a second ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of a plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second band segment of a satellite frequency band.

22. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 21 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the first ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a first wireless network operator and wherein the plurality of second satellite cells and the second ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a second wireless network operator.

23. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 9 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

24. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 10 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

155. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells do not overlap geographically with the plurality of second satellite cells.

156. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 2 wherein the first air interface is the same or substantially the same as the second air interface.

157. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 3 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size is the same as the second spectrum reuse cluster size.

158. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 4 wherein the first geographic cell size is the same or substantially the same as the second geographic cell size.

159. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 11 wherein the third spectrum reuse cluster size is the same as the first spectrum reuse cluster size.

160. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 14 wherein the third spectrum reuse cluster size is the same as the fourth spectrum reuse cluster size.

25. A satellite radioterminal communications system comprising:

a space-based component that is configured to communicate with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first satellite cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second satellite cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

26. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells over a first air interface and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells over a second air interface.

27. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 26 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

28. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 wherein the space-based component is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

29. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size.

30. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 26 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface.

31. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a fourth spectrum reuse cluster size.

32. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 26 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

33. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells at least partially overlap geographically.

34. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

35. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 31 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the third spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

36. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 25 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

37. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 31 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with a first wireless network operator and wherein the plurality of second satellite cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with a second wireless network operator.

38. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 31 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

39. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 32 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

40. A satellite radioterminal communications system comprising:

a space-based component that is configured to communicate with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size over a first air interface and to communicate with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size over a second air interface.

41. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 40 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface.

42. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 40 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

43. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 40 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells at least partially overlap geographically.

44. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 40 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

45. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 42 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a first ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface, and a second ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of a plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

46. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 45 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the first ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a first wireless network operator and wherein the plurality of second satellite cells and the second ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a second wireless network operator.

47. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 40 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

48. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 41 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

49. A radioterminal communications system comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells over substantially a first band segment of a first satellite frequency band and to communicate with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells over substantially a second band segment of the first and/or a second satellite frequency band.

50. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells over a first air interface and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells over a second air interface.

51. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 50 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

52. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 50 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size.

53. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 51 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size.

54. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

55. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 54 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size.

56. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size.

57. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the first and/or second satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

58. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells at least partially overlap geographically.

59. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 51 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size and/or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

60. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the first band segment of the satellite frequency band and the second band segment of the satellite frequency band overlap partially but not fully.

61. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

62. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a first ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate-with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first band segment of the satellite frequency band, and a second ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of a plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second band segment of the satellite frequency band.

63. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 62 wherein the first ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a first wireless network operator and wherein the second ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a second wireless network operator.

64. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 49 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

65. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 50 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

66. A radioterminal communications system comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size and to communicate with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

67. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 66 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells over a first air interface and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells over a second air interface.

68. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 67 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size.

69. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 66 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to communicate with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size and to communicate with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size.

70. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 66 wherein the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells at least partially overlap geographically.

71. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 66 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

72. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 66 wherein the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

73. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 66 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

74. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 67 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

75. A radioterminal communications system comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells having a first geographic cell size over a first air interface and to communicate with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells having a second geographic cell size over a second air interface.

76. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 75 wherein the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells at least partially overlap geographically.

77. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 75 wherein the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

78. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 75 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a first ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over the first air interface, and a second ancillary terrestrial component that is configured to communicate with at least some of a plurality of second radioterminals over the second air interface.

79. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 78 wherein the first ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a first wireless network operator and wherein the second ancillary terrestrial component is associated with a second wireless network operator.

80. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 75 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

81. A radioterminal communications system according to claim 75 in combination with a terrestrial wireless network that is configured to communicate terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

161. A satellite radioterminal communications system according to claim 75 wherein the first air interface is the same or substantially the same as the second air interface.

82. A satellite radioterminal communications method comprising:

communicating between a space-based component and a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first satellite cells over a first band segment of a first satellite frequency band; and

communicating between the space-based component and a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second satellite cells over a second band segment of the first and/or a second satellite frequency band.

83. A method according to claim 82 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells over a first air interface; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells over a second air interface.

84. A method according to claim 83 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

85. A method according to claim 83 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

86. A method according to claim 84 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

87. A method according to claim 82 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

88. A method according to claim 87 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

89. A method according to claim 82 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

90. A method according to claim 82 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first band segment of the satellite frequency band.

91. A method according to claim 83 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface.

92. A method according to claim 84 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size.

93. A method according to claim 82 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first band segment of the satellite frequency band and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second band segment of the satellite frequency band.

94. A method according to claim 83 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

95. A method according to claim 84 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a fourth spectrum reuse cluster size.

96. A method according to claim 82 wherein the first and/or second satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

97. A method according to claim 82 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells at least partially overlap geographically.

98. A method according to claim 84 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

99. A method according to claim 92 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the third spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

100. A method according to claim 82 wherein the first band segment of the satellite frequency band and the second band segment of the satellite frequency band overlap partially but not fully.

101. A method according to claim 82 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

102. A method according to claim 90 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

103. A method according to claim 91 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

112. A method according to claim 93 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells at least partially overlap geographically.

113. A method according to claim 93 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

115. A method according to claim 95 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

104. A satellite radioterminal communications method comprising:

communicating between a space-based component and a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first satellite cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating between the space-based component and a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second satellite cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

105. A method according to claim 104 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells over a first air interface; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells over a second air interface.

106. A method according to claim 105 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

107. A method according to claim 104 further comprising:

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating between the space-based component and the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size.

108. A method according to claim 104 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size.

109. A method according to claim 105 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface.

110. A method according to claim 104 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells using a third spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells using a fourth spectrum reuse cluster size.

111. A method according to claim 105 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

114. A method according to claim 110 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the third spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

116. A method according to claim 110 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of first ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with a first wireless network operator and wherein the plurality of second satellite cells and the plurality of second ancillary terrestrial network cells are associated with a second wireless network operator.

117. A method according to claim 110 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

118. A method according to claim 111 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

119. A satellite radioterminal communications method comprising:

communicating between a space based component and a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first satellite cells having a first geographic cell size over a first air interface; and

communicating between the space-based component and a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second satellite cells having a second geographic cell size over a second air interface.

120. A method according to claim 119 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface.

121. A method according to claim 119 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over substantially the first air interface and with at least some of the plurality of second radioterminals over substantially the second air interface.

122. A method according to claim 119 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells at least partially overlap geographically.

123. A method according to claim 119 wherein the plurality of first satellite cells and the plurality of second satellite cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

124. A method according to claim 119 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

125. A method according to claim 120 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

126. A radioterminal communications method comprising:

communicating terrestrially with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first terrestrial cells over substantially a first band segment of a satellite frequency band; and

communicating terrestrially with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second terrestrial cells over substantially a second band segment of the same and/or different satellite frequency band.

127. A method according to claim 126 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells over a first air interface; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells over a second air interface.

128. A method according to claim 127 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

129. A method according to claim 127 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size.

130. A method according to claim 128 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size.

131. A method according to claim 126 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

132. A method according to claim 131 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size.

133. A method according to claim 126 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size.

134. A method according to claim 126 wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

135. A method according to claim 126 wherein the plurality of first terrestrial cells and the plurality of second terrestrial cells at least partially overlap geographically.

136. A method according to claim 128 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

137. A method according to claim 126 wherein the first band segment of the satellite frequency band and the second band segment of the satellite frequency band overlap partially but not fully.

138. A method according to claim 126 wherein the plurality of first terrestrial cells and the plurality of second terrestrial cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

139. A method according to claim 126 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

140. A method according to claim 127 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

141. A radioterminal communications method comprising:

communicating terrestrially with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first terrestrial cells using a first spectrum reuse cluster size; and

communicating with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second terrestrial cells using a second spectrum reuse cluster size.

142. A method to claim 141 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells over a first air interface; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells over a second air interface.

143. A method according to claim 142 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size.

144. A method according to claim 141 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of first radioterminals in the plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size; and

communicating terrestrially with the plurality of second radioterminals in the plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size.

145. A method according to claim 141 wherein the plurality of first terrestrial cells and the plurality of second terrestrial cells at least partially overlap geographically.

146. A method according to claim 141 wherein the first spectrum reuse cluster size or the second spectrum reuse cluster size is equal to one.

147. A method according to claim 141 wherein the plurality of first terrestrial cells and the plurality of second terrestrial cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

148. A method according to claim 141 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

149. A method according to claim 142 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.

150. A radioterminal communications method comprising:

communicating terrestrially with a plurality of first radioterminals in a plurality of first terrestrial cells having a first geographic cell size over a first air interface; and

communicating terrestrially with a plurality of second radioterminals in a plurality of second terrestrial cells having a second geographic cell size over a second air interface.

151. A method according to claim 150 wherein the plurality of first terrestrial cells and the plurality of second terrestrial cells at least partially overlap geographically.

152. A method according to claim 150 wherein the plurality of first terrestrial cells and the plurality of second terrestrial cells are associated with respective first and second wireless network operators.

153. A method according to claim 150 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band.

154. A method according to claim 150 further comprising:

communicating terrestrially with at least some of the plurality of first radioterminals over a terrestrial wireless network frequency band and over substantially the first air interface.