Telemetry, tracking and control for satellite cellular communication systems
First Claim
1. A control system for a satellite communication system having at least one satellite with transmitters and receivers providing a plurality of user communication channels for establishing communication among a plurality of users, the control system comprising:
- satellite control subsystem means on board the satellite for controlling the functions of the satellite;
ground station control means;
first means for coupling said ground station control means to one of the user communication channels for establishing communication with said satellite control subsystem, said ground station control means thereby utilizing said one of the user communication channels for transmitting commands to said satellite control subsystem means;
said satellite including;
a plurality of transmitter and receiver means for projecting a plurality of adjacent moving cells onto the earth;
each of said cells including means for transmitting and receiving said one of the user communication channels; and
hand-off means for switching said ground station control means between each of said moving cells so that said commands can continuously be provided to the satellite at least during a predetermined time period when the satellite is in the line of sight of said ground station control means; and
said satellite control subsystem means being responsive to said commands from said ground station control means to enable said commands to control a selected function of the satellite.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) system for a satellite cellular communication system utilizing one of the user voice/data communication channels to communicate TT&C data with a satellite and through one satellite to other satellites. A Global Positioning Receiver (GPS) on board each satellite provides position control signals to the on board satellite control subsystem and the GPS receiver communicates ephemeris information to a ground station through the cellular user data channel. The system allows for constant TT&C communication to and from a mobile ground station and to and from any satellite.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A control system for a satellite communication system having at least one satellite with transmitters and receivers providing a plurality of user communication channels for establishing communication among a plurality of users, the control system comprising:
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satellite control subsystem means on board the satellite for controlling the functions of the satellite; ground station control means; first means for coupling said ground station control means to one of the user communication channels for establishing communication with said satellite control subsystem, said ground station control means thereby utilizing said one of the user communication channels for transmitting commands to said satellite control subsystem means; said satellite including; a plurality of transmitter and receiver means for projecting a plurality of adjacent moving cells onto the earth; each of said cells including means for transmitting and receiving said one of the user communication channels; and hand-off means for switching said ground station control means between each of said moving cells so that said commands can continuously be provided to the satellite at least during a predetermined time period when the satellite is in the line of sight of said ground station control means; and said satellite control subsystem means being responsive to said commands from said ground station control means to enable said commands to control a selected function of the satellite. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A telemetry, tracking and control system for a satellite cellular communication system having a plurality of satellites each having transmitters and receivers providing a plurality of user communication channels for establishing communication among a plurality of users, the control system comprising:
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control subsystem means on board each satellite for controlling the functions of the satellite; position receiving means on board the satellite for determining the position of the satellite; said satellite including; a plurality of transmitter and receiver means for projecting a plurality of adjacent moving cells onto the earth; each of said cells including means for transmitting and receiving said one of the user communication channels; and hand-off means for switching said ground station control means between each of said moving cells so that said commands can continuously be provided to the satellite at least during a predetermined time period when the satellite is in the line of sight of said ground station control means;
ground station means; andfirst means for coupling said ground station means to one of the user communication channels for establishing communication with said control subsystem means and said position receiving means, said ground station means thereby utilizing said one of the user communication channels for transmitting commands to said control subsystem means and for receiving data from said position receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification