Satellite telecommunication system with apparatus for protecting radio astronomy and method of using same
First Claim
1. A method of inhibiting a subscriber unit in a satellite communications system from transmitting within a protection zone, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting a beacon control signal synchronously with a satellite control signal to said subscriber unit within said protection zone, said beacon control signal comprising a transmission-prohibiting parameter;
(b) receiving at said subscriber unit said beacon control signal synchronously with said satellite control signal, said beacon control signal containing said transmission-prohibiting parameter and dominating said satellite control signal; and
(c) inhibiting said subscriber unit'"'"'s transmission capability in response to reception of said transmission-prohibiting parameter in said beacon control signal.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A constellation of satellites distributed around the earth serves as a communication network that supports global communication of subscriber units. Subscriber units may potentially transmit from any location on earth. Some locations such as radio astronomy sites may be interfered with by nearby transmissions from subscriber units. Subscriber units located within a potentially interfering proximity to radio astronomy sites are prohibited from transmitting potentially interfering signals by reception of a non-interfering beacon at radio astronomy sites. The beacon repeatedly transmits a synchronous control signal with a subscriber unit'"'"'s servicing satellite'"'"'s control signal. The beacon'"'"'s control signal is compatible with a subscriber unit'"'"'s communication receiver. Control signal information contained in a beacon control signal inhibits the subscriber unit from transmitting.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of inhibiting a subscriber unit in a satellite communications system from transmitting within a protection zone, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting a beacon control signal synchronously with a satellite control signal to said subscriber unit within said protection zone, said beacon control signal comprising a transmission-prohibiting parameter; (b) receiving at said subscriber unit said beacon control signal synchronously with said satellite control signal, said beacon control signal containing said transmission-prohibiting parameter and dominating said satellite control signal; and (c) inhibiting said subscriber unit'"'"'s transmission capability in response to reception of said transmission-prohibiting parameter in said beacon control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. In a satellite communications system comprising at least one transmitter for transmitting a communications signal including a first control signal, at least one subscriber unit, and a protection zone within the area of coverage of said at least one transmitter, wherein a beacon control signal is transmitted synchronously with said first control signal within said protection zone, a method of inhibiting said at least one subscriber unit from transmitting within said protection zone, said beacon control signal comprising a transmission-prohibiting parameter, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) said at least one subscriber unit receiving said beacon control signal synchronously with said first control signal, said beacon control signal containing said transmission-prohibiting parameter and dominating said first control signal; and (b) inhibiting said at least one subscriber unit'"'"'s transmission capability in response to reception of said transmission-prohibiting parameter in said beacon control signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A satellite communications system for inhibiting a subscriber unit from transmitting within a protection zone, said system comprising:
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(a) means for transmitting a beacon control signal synchronously with a satellite control signal to said subscriber unit within said protection zone, said beacon control signal comprising a transmission-prohibiting parameter; (b) means for receiving at said subscriber unit said beacon control signal synchronously with said satellite control signal, said beacon control signal containing said transmission-prohibiting parameter and dominating said satellite control signal; and (c) means for inhibiting said subscriber unit'"'"'s transmission capability in response to reception of said transmission-prohibiting parameter in said beacon control signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a satellite communications system comprising at least one transmitter transmitting a communications signal including a satellite control signal, at least one subscriber unit, and a protection zone within the area of coverage of said at least one transmitter, wherein a beacon control signal is transmitted synchronously with said satellite control signal within said protection zone, said satellite control signal and said beacon control signal having a similar format, circuitry for inhibiting said at least one subscriber unit from transmitting within said protection zone, said beacon control signal comprising a transmission-prohibiting parameter, said circuitry comprising:
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(a) a single means for synchronously receiving at said at least one subscriber unit both said satellite control signal and said beacon control signal within said protection zone, said beacon control signal containing said transmission-prohibiting parameter and dominating said satellite control signal; and (b) means for inhibiting said at least one subscriber unit'"'"'s transmission capability in response to reception of said transmission-prohibiting parameter in said beacon control signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification