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Satellite communications system and handover processing method

  • US 6,512,920 B1
  • Filed: 05/04/2000
  • Issued: 01/28/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1999
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A satellite communications system using a plurality of satellites which are arranged on at least one non-stationary orbit, wherein a plurality of satellites on a non-stationary orbit emit beams to form a plurality of coverage areas covering a circumference of the earth and a station located in a coverage area formed by a satellite communicates with the satellite using an established communication link,each of the satellites comprising:

  • a ground communication section for communicating with stations located in the coverage areas on the earth;

    an intersatellite communication section for communicating with other satellites through intersatellite communications links; and

    a controller controlling the ground and intersatellite communication sections to perform a handover process, wherein in a first satellite forming a coverage area in which the station is located, a first controller calculates a handover start time at which the handover process should be started for the station, and controls the intersatellite communication section so as to transmit a control signal having a handover completion time added thereto to an adjacent satellite that is to be a handover destination satellite, wherein the handover completion time is calculated from the handover start time, and in a second satellite receiving the control signal having the handover completion time added thereto from the first satellite, a second controller performs the handover process by establishing a new communication link to the station before the handover completion time.

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