NETWORK-ACCESS SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20080056176A1
• Filed: 08/29/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ViaSat Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Hudson, Erwin C., Martin, Remberto L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,149,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays

Abstract

In one embodiment, a satellite communications system includes first and second receivers, splitters, and combiners. The first receiver is configured to receive a first microwave communications signal; and the first splitter is coupled to the first receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels. The second receiver is configured to receive a second microwave communications signal; and the second splitter is coupled to the second receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels. The first combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and the second combiner is coupled to the first and second splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.

Claims

1. A satellite communications system, comprising:

a first microwave receiver configured to receive a first microwave communications signal;

a first signal splitter coupled to the first microwave receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels;

a second microwave receiver configured to receive a second microwave communications signal;

a second signal splitter coupled to the second microwave receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels;

a first combiner coupled to the first and second signal splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal; and

a second combiner coupled to the first and second signal splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first signal splitter and the second signal splitter comprise a multiplexer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first combiner and the second combiner comprise a frequency selective power combiner

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first microwave receiver is configured to receive the first microwave communications signal from a first gateway antenna system;

and the second microwave receiver is configured to receive the second microwave communications signal from a second gateway antenna system.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first microwave radiator configured to direct the third microwave communications signal to a first geographic region; and

a second microwave radiator configured to direct the fourth microwave communications signal to a second geographic region;

wherein the first geographic region is distinct from the second geographic region.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first microwave radiator and the second microwave radiator comprise a feed horn.

7. A satellite communications system, comprising:

a first microwave receiver configured to receive a first microwave communications signal from a first gateway antenna system;

a first signal splitter coupled to the first microwave receiver and configured to split the first microwave communications signal into at least first and second channels;

a second microwave receiver configured to receive a second microwave communications signal from a second gateway antenna system;

a second signal splitter coupled to the second microwave receiver and configured to split the second microwave communications signal into at least third and fourth channels;

a first frequency selective power combiner coupled to the first and second signal splitters and configured to combine the first and third channels to form a third microwave communications signal;

a second frequency selective power combiner coupled to the first and second signal splitters and configured to combine the second and fourth channels to form a fourth microwave communications signal;

a first microwave radiator configured to direct the third microwave communications signal to a first geographic region; and

a second microwave radiator configured to direct the fourth microwave communications signal to a second geographic region.

8. A method for providing network access, comprising:

receiving, at a satellite, a first microwave communication signal comprising a first channel from a first gateway antenna system and a second microwave communication signal comprising a second channel from a second gateway antenna system; and

transmitting, from the satellite, a third microwave communication signal comprising the first and second channels to at least one receiver.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one receiver comprises an earth-based user terminal.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising combining the first and second channels using a frequency selective power combiner.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the third microwave communications signal is transmitted through a first spot-beam to the at least one receiver.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the correlation between the first and second channels and the third communications signal is established by analog devices configured to guide and manipulate microwave signals.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the correlation between the first and second channels and the third communications signal is established by at least one digital signal processor.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the satellite is substantially geostationary.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the first channel comprises a first frequency band and the second channel comprises a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band.

16. A method for providing network access, comprising:

receiving, at a substantially geostationary satellite, a first microwave communication signal comprising a first channel from a first gateway antenna system and a second microwave communication signal comprising a second channel from a second gateway antenna system;

combining the first and second channels using a frequency selective power combiner; and

transmitting, from the substantially geostationary satellite, a third microwave communication signal comprising the first and second channels to at least one receiver;

wherein the first channel comprises a first frequency band and the second channel comprises a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band.