INTER-SATELLITE CROSSLINK COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

• US 20120178363A1
• Filed: 08/01/2011
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roscoe M. Moore III
• Original Assignee: Roscoe M. Moore III
• Inventors: Moore, Roscoe M. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,639,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/13.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18521 Systems of inter linked satellites, i.e. inter satellite service for optical links between satellites H04B10/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00

Abstract

A communications system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for inter-satellite and inter-spacecraft crosslinks (ISL) with non-ISL optimized antennas where at least one component of the communications system has the potential energy to go into space. The system includes a mobile communications platform that includes an ISL antenna configured to transmit information through a non-ISL antenna of another communications platform. The non-ISL antenna does not track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform. The mobile communications platform includes a controller configured to determine a location of the mobile platform; determine whether the non-ISL antenna is within communications range; and prepare a signal for relayed transmissions through a non-ISL antenna to another communications platform in a signal format that is decipherable by this other communications platform.

Claims

1. A communications system having at least one component with the potential energy to go into space, comprising:

A mobile communications platform communicating with another communications platform through a non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform that is not configured to track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform; and

a controller that adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the mobile communications platform and the another communications platform,

wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within communications range, and to transmit or receive through the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform compatible transmission or reception at the another communications platform or the mobile communications platform.

2. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the controller adapts the communications system to lower interference with other platforms.

3. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the controller adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform.

4. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the controller uses beamforming to create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform.

5. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft.

6. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

7. The communications system of claim 1, wherein:

the mobile communications platform includes an inter-satellite link (ISL) antenna configured to transmit information through a non-tracking non-ISL antenna that is not configured to track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform, wherein

the controller is configured to

determine a location of the mobile communications platform,

determine whether the non-tracking non-ISL antenna is within communications range, and

prepare a signal for transmission through the non-ISL antenna, and

said mobile communications platform is configured to send transmissions or receive transmissions through the non-ISL antenna to another communications platform.

8. A method for using a software defined radio for a communications system between a mobile communications platform and a non-tracking antenna of another communications platform in which at least one component of the communications system is in space or has the potential energy to go into space, comprising steps of:

operating, with a controller, the software defined radio;

looking up signal formatted parameters for use in radio communications with the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform before or as the mobile communications platform enters a communications area or zone of the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform;

adapting the signal formatted parameters of the software defined radio so the mobile communications platform can communicate with the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform;

communicating using signal formatted parameters for communication between the mobile communication platform and the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the controller adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

12. A method of using an agile radio hosted in a communications system between a mobile communications platform and a non-tracking antenna of another communications platform in which at least one component of the communications system is in space or has the potential energy to go into space, comprising steps of:

monitoring frequencies in use for radio communications with the non-tracking antenna of another communications platform or the mobile communications platform while or before the mobile communications platform enters a communication area or particular zone of the non-tracking antenna;

comparing frequencies identified in said monitoring step with a table of available frequencies stored in memory;

forming a signal to communicate with the non-tracking antenna formatted to be compatible with a signaling format used by the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform; and

communicating the signal in frequency spectrum identified in said monitoring step or in said table of available frequencies in stored memory so as to transmit or receive information through the non-tracking antenna before the mobile communications platform is no longer within the communication area or particular zone of the non-tracking antenna.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the agile radio adapts the communications system to lower interference with other platforms.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the agile radio adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the agile radio uses beamforming to create a communications area, particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the table of available frequencies stored in memory or the frequencies identified in the monitoring step are obtained from a database or computer program product.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the database or computer program product obtains said frequencies to lower communications system interference with other platforms.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile communications platform, another communications platform, or non-tracking antenna are stationary or on a moving ground vehicle, aircraft, rocket, or other platform within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.