METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SATELLITE INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20130018529A1
• Filed: 07/12/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Riverside Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Riverside Research Institute
• Inventors: PLOSCHNITZNIG, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,751,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18517 Transmission equipment in earth stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00

Abstract

Systems and methods for integrate satellite communications. A network of upward facing antennas placed on top of cell phone towers is established. Each upward facing antenna has a footprint at the altitude of a particular satellite orbit. Upward facing antennas are placed on cell towers so as to establish a continuous coverage over the orbit of a satellite (s) thereby allowing continuous communication using cellular technology with the satellite(s) on orbit.

Claims

1. A satellite communication system comprising:

a plurality of first antennas each configured to communicate with a non-geostationary satellite traveling along an orbital path, the plurality of first antennas each configured to transmit a signal upwardly, the signal forming an orbital intercept area along the orbital path, the non-geostationary satellite being adapted to receive the signal when traversing the orbital intercept area, the plurality of first antennas forming a series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas, the series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas covering a continuous extent of a substantial portion of the orbital path.

2. The satellite communication system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of communication stations, each of the plurality of first antennas being secured to respective ones of the plurality of communication stations, the plurality of communication stations operatively connected to a communication network.

3. The satellite communication system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of communication stations are adapted to receive satellite data transmitted from the non-geostationary satellite.

4. The satellite communication system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication stations is at least one of a building, tower and special purpose structure.

5. The satellite communication system of claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of second antennas each secured to respective ones of the plurality of communication stations, the plurality of second antennas each aimed at a horizon and configured to communicate with at least one other of the plurality of communication stations.

6. The satellite communication system of claim 5, wherein the second antenna is a cellular antenna.

7. The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein a beam width of the signal is defined by a diameter of the orbital intercept area through which the non-geostationary satellite is configured to pass, the beam width being narrower than a satellite antenna beam width configured to surround an individual one of the first antennas.

8. The satellite communication system of claim 7, wherein the diameter of the beam width is substantially the same for the plurality of first antennas.

9. The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein the signal is directed toward a region of the sky substantially above a visible horizon.

10. The satellite communication system of claim 2, further comprising:

a user device having processing capability and adapted to store a satellite tasking application, the user device adapted to communicate with the non-geostationary satellite, using the satellite tasking application and the communication network.

11. The satellite communication system of claim 10, wherein the satellite tasking application is adapted to prompt as user of the user device with one or more menus configured to assist the user in developing a task to be communicated to the non-geostationary satellite.

12. The satellite communication system of claim 10, wherein input provided by a user of the user device running the satellite tasking application is communicated to the non-geostationary satellite.

13. The satellite communication system of claim 10, wherein the user device is adapted to receive satellite data, reformat the satellite data into a format chosen by the user and display the reformatted satellite data on the user device.

14. The satellite communication system of claim 10, wherein the user device is a mobile device using wireless communications.

15. The satellite communication system of claim 2, further comprising:

a satellite tasking server being operatively connected to the communication network, the satellite tasking server storing a first set of tasking commands used in tasking the non-geostationary satellite, the satellite tasking server adapted to be accessed by the user device by way of the communication network for communicating with the non-geostationary satellite using the first set of tasking commands.

16. The satellite communication system of claim 15, wherein the satellite tasking server maintains at least one second set of tasking commands uniquely suited for tasking another non-geostationary satellite.

17. The satellite communication system of claim 10, wherein the satellite tasking server maintains a list of satellites, the non-geostationary satellite being selected by a processor based at least in-part on an ability of the non-geostationary satellite to obtain requested data.

18. A satellite communication system comprising:

a plurality of communication stations forming at least part of a communication network, each of the plurality of communication stations including a first and second antenna, the first antennas of the plurality of communication stations together forming a plurality of first antennas, the first antennas each configured to transmit a signal upwardly, the signal forming an orbital intercept area along the orbital path, the non-geostationary satellite being adapted to receive the signal when traversing the orbital intercept area, the plurality of first antennas forming a series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas, the series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas covering a continuous extent of a substantial portion of the orbital path, each of the second antennas aimed at a horizon and configured to communicate with at least one other of the plurality of communication stations; and

a user device having a processor and a data store operatively connected thereto, the data store storing a satellite tasking application, the satellite tasking application when executed by the processor communicates instructions from the user device to the non-geostationary satellite using the communication network.

19. The satellite communication system of claim 18, further comprising:

a satellite tasking server operatively connected to the communication network, the satellite tasking server storing tasking commands for tasking the non-geostationary satellite, the satellite tasking server adapted to be accessed by the user device by way of the communication network for communicating with the non-geostationary satellite using the tasking commands.

20. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein the user device is adapted to reformat data received from the non-geostationary satellite into a format selected by the user.

21. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of communication stations are adapted to receive satellite data transmitted from the non-geostationary satellite.

22. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication stations is at least one of a building, tower and special purpose structure.

23. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the second antennas is a cellular antenna.

24. The satellite communication system or claim 18, wherein each of the first antennas transmits a signal upwardly, a beam width of the signal is defined by it diameter of the orbital intercept area through which the non-geostationary satellite is configured to pass, the beam width being narrower than a satellite antenna beam width configured to surround an individual one of the first antennas.

25. The satellite communication system of claim 24, wherein the diameter of the beam width is substantially the same for the plurality of first antennas.

26. The satellite communication system of claim 24, wherein the signal is directed toward a region of the sky substantially above a visible horizon.

27. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein the satellite tasking application is adapted to prompt a user of the user device with one or more menus configured to assist the user in developing a task to be communicated to the non-geostationary satellite.

28. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein input provided by a user of the user device running the satellite tasking application is communicated to the non-geostationary satellite.

29. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein the user device includes a processor and data store operatively connected thereto, the data store storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the user device to receive satellite data, reformat the satellite data into a format chosen by the user and display the reformatted satellite data on the user device.

30. The satellite communication system of claim 18, wherein the user device is a mobile device using wireless communications.

31. The satellite communication system or claim 19, further comprising:

a satellite tasking server being operatively connected to the communication network, the satellite tasking server storing a first set of tasking commands used in tasking the non-geostationary satellite, the satellite tasking server adapted to be accessed by the user device by way of the communication network for communicating with the non-geostationary satellite using the first set of tasking commands.

32. The satellite communication system of claim 31, wherein the satellite tasking server maintains at least one second set of tasking commands uniquely suited for tasking another non-geostationary satellite.

33. The satellite communication system of claim 31, wherein the satellite tasking server maintains a list of satellites, the non-geostationary satellite being selected by a processor based at least in-part on an ability of the non-geostationary satellite to obtain requested data.

34. A method of communicating satellite data comprising:

receiving a request from a user device to obtain data from a non-geostationary satellite, the request being received by a processing device operatively connected to a communication network;

initiating a downlink of the data from the non-geostationary satellite through at least one of a plurality of first antennas, the processing device executing instructions in response to receiving the request, the instructions when executed by the processing device initiating the downlink, the plurality of first antennas each configured to transmit a signal upwardly, the signal forming an orbital intercept area along the orbital path, the non-geostationary satellite being adapted to receive the signal when traversing the orbital intercept area, the plurality of first antennas forming a series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas the series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas covering a continuous extent of a substantial portion of the orbital path; and

transmitting the data to the user device by way of the first antenna on at least one the plurality of communication stations.

35. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, wherein the data is transmitted from the non-geostationary satellite to at least one of the plurality of the first antennas.

36. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, wherein the data is transmitted to the user device by way of an intermediate communication network.

37. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, further comprising:

selecting the non-geostationary satellite from a list of satellites, the non-geostationary satellite being selected by a processor based at least in-part on an ability of the non-geostationary satellite to obtain requested data.

38. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, further comprising:

retrieving instructions from a template library, the instructions including tasking commands used for initiating the downlink.

39. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, wherein the downlink of the data is accomplished using a successive series of the plurality of communication stations.

40. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, wherein the downlink of the data is initiated using one of the first antennas transmitting a signal directly to the non-geostationary satellite.

41. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 40, wherein a beam width of the signal is defined by a diameter of the orbital intercept area through which the non-geostationary satellite is configured to pass, the beam width being narrower than a satellite antenna beam width configured to surround an individual one of the first antennas.

42. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 40, wherein the signal is directed toward a region of the sky substantially above a visible horizon.

43. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, further comprising:

presenting on the user device one or more menus configured to assist the user in developing a task to be communicated to the non-geostationary satellite.

44. The method of communicating satellite data of claim 34, further comprising:

Transmitting an inquiry to a satellite tasking server, the satellite tasking server storing a first set of tasking commands used in tasking the non-geostationary satellite.

45. A method of obtaining satellite data comprising:

transmitting a request to obtain data from a non-geostationary satellite, the request initiating a downlink of the data from the non-geostationary satellite through at least one of a plurality of communication stations, the processing device executing instructions in response to receiving the request, the instructions when executed by the processing device initiating the downlink, each of the plurality of communication stations including a first and second antenna, the first antennas of the plurality of communication stations together forming a plurality of first antennas, the first antennas each configured to transmit a signal upwardly, the signal forming orbital intercept area along the orbital path, the non-geostationary satellite being adapted to receive the signal when traversing the orbital intercept area, the plurality of first antennas forming a series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas, the series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas covering as continuous extent of a substantial portion of the orbital path, the second antenna aimed at a horizon and configured to communicate with at least one of another of the plurality of communication stations and the user device; and

receiving the data by way of the first antenna on at least one of the plurality of communication stations.

46. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, wherein the request is transmitted using a satellite tasking application configured to run from a user device.

47. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, wherein the request is transmitted to a satellite tasking server adapted to select the non-geostationary satellite from a list of satellites.

48. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving an inquiry from the satellite tasking server associated with additional information used for accessing the data from the non-geostationary satellite, the inquiry received in response to non-geostationary satellite being selected from the list of satellites; and

transmitting the additional information in response to the inquiry.

49. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, wherein the data is received by the user device by way of an intermediate communication network.

50. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, further comprising:

reformatting the data received from the non-geostationary satellite into a format selected by a user of a user device from which the request was transmitted; and

displaying the data on the user device.

51. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, further comprising:

retrieving instructions from a template library the instructions including tasking commands used for initiating the downlink.

52. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, wherein the downlink of the data is accomplished using more than one of the plurality of communication stations.

53. The method of obtaining satellite data of claim 45, wherein the data is received by way of an intermediate communication network.

54. A computing device for obtaining. satellite data comprising:

means for receiving a request from a user device to obtain data from a non-geostationary satellite through a communication network;

means for initiating a downlink of the data from the non-geostationary satellite;

means for transmitting a signal upwardly, the signal forming an orbital intercept area along the orbital path, the non-geostationary satellite being adapted to receive the signal when traversing the orbital intercept area, the means for transmitting a signal upwardly forming a series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas, the series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas covering a continuous extent of a substantial portion of the orbital path; and

means for transmitting the data to the user device.

55. The computing device of claim 54, wherein the data is transmitted from the non-geostationary satellite to at least one of a plurality of first antennas.

56. The computing device of claim 54, wherein the data is transmitted to the user device by way of an intermediate communication network.

57. The computing device of claim 54, further comprising:

means for selecting the non-geostationary satellite from a list of satellites based at least in-part on an ability of the non-geostationary satellite to obtain requested data.

58. The computing device of claim 54, further comprising:

means for retrieving instructions from a template library, the instructions including tasking commands used for initiating the downlink.

59. The computing device of claim 54, wherein the downlink of the data is accomplished using a successive series of the means for transmitting a signal upwardly.

60. The computing device of claim 54, wherein the downlink of the data is initiated directly using one of the means for transmitting a signal upwardly.

61. The computing device of claim 60, wherein a beam width of the signal is defined by as diameter of the orbital intercept area through which the non-geostationary satellite is configured to pass, the beam width being narrower than a satellite antenna beam width configured to surround an individual one of the means for transmitting a signal upwardly.

62. The computing device of claim 60, wherein the signal is directed toward a region of the sky substantially above a visible horizon.

63. The computing device of claim 54, further comprising:

means for presenting on the user device one or more menus configured to assist the user in developing a task to be communicated to the non-geostationary satellite.

64. The computing device of claim 54, further comprising:

means for transmitting an inquiry to a satellite tasking server, the satellite tasking server storing a first set of tasking commands used in tasking the non-geostationary satellite.

66. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the request is transmitted using a satellite tasking application configured to run from a user device.

67. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the request is transmitted to a satellite tasking server adapted to select the non-geostationary satellite from a list of satellites.

68. The computing device of claim 66, wherein the processing device is configured with processor-executable instructions to further perform operations including:

receiving an inquiry from the satellite tasking server associated with additional information used for accessing the data from the non-geostationary satellite, the inquiry received in response to non-geostationary satellite being selected from the list of satellites; and

transmitting the additional information in response to the inquiry.

69. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the data is received by the user device by way of an intermediate communication network.

70. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the processing device is configured with processor-executable instructions to further perform operations including:

reformatting the data received from the non-geostationary satellite into a format selected by a user of a user device from which the request was transmitted; and

displaying the data on the user device.

71. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the processing device is configured with processor-executable instructions to further perform operations including:

retrieving instructions from a template library, the instructions including tasking commands used for initiating the downlink.

72. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the downlink of the data is accomplished using more than one of the plurality of communication stations.

73. The computing device of claim 64, wherein the data is received by way of an intermediate communication network.

65. A computing device for obtaining satellite data comprising:

a memory;

a data store; and

as processing device coupled to the memory, the processing device being, configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations including;

transmitting a request to obtain data from a non-geostationary satellite, the request initiating a downlink of the data from the non-geostationary satellite through at least one of a plurality of communication stations, the processing device executing instructions in response to receiving the request, the instructions when executed by the processing device initiating the downlink, each of the plurality of communication stations including a first and second antenna, the first antennas of the plurality of communication stations together forming a plurality of first antennas, the first antennas each configured to transmit a signal upwardly, the signal forming an orbital intercept area along the orbital path, the non-geostationary satellite being adapted to receive the signal when traversing the orbital intercept area, the plurality of first antennas forming a series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas, the series of partially overlapping orbital intercept areas covering a continuous extent of a substantial portion of the orbital path, the second antenna aimed at a horizon and configured to communicate with at least one of another of the plurality of communication stations and the user device; and

receiving the data by way of the first antenna on at least one of the plurality of communication stations.