System for managing space segment usage among broadcast service providers
First Claim
1. A system for managing a satellite and a number of broadcast stations for generating programs for transmission to remote radio receivers on broadcast channels via the satellite, the system comprising:
- a satellite control system configured to generate control signals for controlling the attitude and orbit of said satellite, and data processing control signals for controlling on-board processing of said programs uplinked to said satellite via said broadcast stations and routing to downlink time division multiplexed carriers;
at least one telemetry, range and control system connected to said satellite control system and configured to communicate with said satellite to provide said control signals and said data processing signals from said satellite control system to said satellite; and
a mission control system connected to said satellite control system and to said broadcast stations, said mission control system being operable to assign selected ones of said broadcast channels to service providers desiring to transmit at least one of said programs via said satellite, to store channel data relating to said assignments of said broadcast channels and provide said channel data to said satellite control system, and to bill said service providers according to the number of said broadcast channels assigned thereto, said mission control system providing said service providers with a plurality of options comprising number of said broadcast channels to be reserved for uplink transmission, dates and times of day for using said reserved broadcast channels, and which of a number of time division multiplexed signals in a number of beams associated with said satellite are to be used for downlink transmission, said mission control system being operable to indicate to said satellite control system which of time division multiplexed signals in said beams are to be used and said satellite control system generating corresponding said data processing signals for routing of said program to selected ones of said beams.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing a satellite and a number of broadcast stations, which generate programs for transmission to remote radio receivers on broadcast channels via the satellite, comprises a satellite control system for controlling the attitude and orbit of the satellite and on-board processing of the programs uplinked to the satellite. A broadcast control system is connected to the satellite control center and to the broadcast stations. The broadcast control system assigns selected ones of the broadcast channels to service providers desiring to uplink at least one of the programs to the satellite, to store channel data relating to the assignments of the broadcast channels and provide the channel data to the satellite control system, and to bill the service providers according to the number of the broadcast channels assigned thereto. The broadcast control system provides the service providers with a plurality of options comprising the number of said broadcast channels to be reserved for uplink transmission, dates and times of day for using the reserved broadcast channels, and which of a number beams associated with the satellite are to be used for downlink transmission. The broadcast control system notifies the satellite control system as to which of the beams are to be used and when, and the satellite control system generates corresponding data processing signals for routing the program to selected ones of the beams.
51 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for managing a satellite and a number of broadcast stations for generating programs for transmission to remote radio receivers on broadcast channels via the satellite, the system comprising:
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a satellite control system configured to generate control signals for controlling the attitude and orbit of said satellite, and data processing control signals for controlling on-board processing of said programs uplinked to said satellite via said broadcast stations and routing to downlink time division multiplexed carriers; at least one telemetry, range and control system connected to said satellite control system and configured to communicate with said satellite to provide said control signals and said data processing signals from said satellite control system to said satellite; and a mission control system connected to said satellite control system and to said broadcast stations, said mission control system being operable to assign selected ones of said broadcast channels to service providers desiring to transmit at least one of said programs via said satellite, to store channel data relating to said assignments of said broadcast channels and provide said channel data to said satellite control system, and to bill said service providers according to the number of said broadcast channels assigned thereto, said mission control system providing said service providers with a plurality of options comprising number of said broadcast channels to be reserved for uplink transmission, dates and times of day for using said reserved broadcast channels, and which of a number of time division multiplexed signals in a number of beams associated with said satellite are to be used for downlink transmission, said mission control system being operable to indicate to said satellite control system which of time division multiplexed signals in said beams are to be used and said satellite control system generating corresponding said data processing signals for routing of said program to selected ones of said beams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for managing a satellite and a number of broadcast stations for generating programs for transmission to remote radio receivers via the satellite, the system comprising:
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a satellite control system configured to generate control signals for controlling the operation of said satellite, said satellite being configured to receive an uplink comprising frequency division multiple access channels and to generate at least two time division multiplexed downlink signals, each of said signals comprising a plurality of time slots, said broadcast stations being operable to modulate said programs into prime rate increments for transmission on selected ones of said frequency division multiple access channels, said satellite being further configured to route said prime rate increments to selected ones of said time slots in accordance with said control signals; a mission control system connected to said satellite control system and to said broadcast stations, said mission control system being operable to assign selected ones of said frequency division multiple access channels to service providers desiring to transmit said prime rate increments via said satellite, to assign at least one of said time division multiplexed signals for downlink transmission of said prime rate increments, to store channel data relating to said assignments of said frequency division multiple access channels and said time division multiplexed signals and to provide said channel data to said satellite control system for generating said control signals; and at least one telemetry, range and control system connected to said satellite control system and configured to communicate with said satellite to provide said control signals from said satellite control system to said satellite. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification