Satellite communication system for communicating packet data messages

• US 20070155317A1
• Filed: 01/04/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gallagher, Vijaya, Monte, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,320 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/12.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18567 Arrangements for providing additional services to the basic mobile satellite telephony service

Abstract

A satellite communication system is disclosed which provides at least one satellite employing multiple beams to a plurality of user terminals. A gateway is employed to connect to either a PSTN or an Internet communicating with the user terminal over the constellation so that the users within a given frequency range are distinguished one from the other employing orthogonal codes. The user terminal has the capability of either initiating or receiving packet data messages.

Claims

1. A satellite communication system comprising:

at least one satellite which provides multiple beams;

a plurality of UTs;

at least one gateway communicating with said at least one UT over the constellation wherein each of said UTs within a given frequency band is distinguished from another of said UTs employing orthogonal codes; and

wherein said UT is equipped to initiate or receive or terminate packet data messages.

2. The satellite system of claim 1 wherein said satellite is in a LEO satellite constellation.

3. The satellite system of claim 1 wherein said satellite is in a GEO satellite constellation.

4. The satellite system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of UTs are equipped to receive (GPS) global positioning system signals.

5. The satellite system of claim 1 wherein said gateway is connected to a PSTN and/or an Internet.

6. The satellite system of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of UTs is handed off from one beam of said satellite to another beam of said satellite.

7. The satellite system of claim 1 wherein said UT is handed off from one satellite to another satellite.

8. The satellite system as defined in claim 2 wherein said hand off is predicated on signal strength determined at the UT.

9. A satellite communication system comprising:

a LEO satellite constellation wherein each satellite of said constellation provides multiple beams;

a plurality of UTs;

at least one gateway connected to an Internet and communicating with said at least one UT over the constellation wherein each of said UTs within a given frequency band is distinguished from another of said UTs employing orthogonal codes; and

wherein said user terminal can either initiate or receive packet data messages.

13. The satellite communication system as defined in claim 9 wherein said satellite constellation comprises a GEO satellite constellation.

10. A satellite communication system comprising:

a LEO satellite constellation wherein each satellite of said constellation provides multiple beams;

a plurality of UTs;

at least one gateway connected to a PSTN and an Internet communicating with said at least one UT over the constellation wherein each of said UTs within a given frequency band is distinguished from another of said UTs employing orthogonal codes; and

wherein said UT is equipped to initiate or receive packet data messages.

14. The satellite constellation as defined in claim 10 wherein said satellite constellation comprises a GEO satellite constellation.

11. A satellite communication system comprising:

a MEO satellite constellation wherein each satellite of said constellation provides multiple beams;

a plurality of UTs;

at least one gateway connected to an Internet and communicating with said at least one UT over the constellation wherein each of said UTs within a given frequency band is distinguished from another of said UTs employing orthogonal codes; and

wherein said UT can either initiate or receive packet data messages.

12. The satellite communication system as defined in claim 11 wherein said gateway is connected to a PSTN and an Internet.