Supplemental satellite communication processing
First Claim
1. In a satellite communication system, improved apparatus for enhancing the processing capabilities of said system comprising in combination:
- an uplink receiver deployable with a first satellite suitable for launching into an orbital slot and capable of receiving communication signals from a ground-based communication station;
a first processor deployable with said first satellite and capable of processing signals from said uplink receiver;
a first intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said first satellite and capable of transmitting signals to a second processor deployable with a second satellite launched after said first satellite and capable of receiving signals processed by said second processor from a second intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said second satellite;
a first switch deployable with said first satellite and enabling signals from said uplink receiver to be utilized by said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor;
a downlink transmitter deployable with said first satellite capable of transmitting said signals to a ground-based communication station; and
a second switch deployable with said first satellite and enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor to be utilized by said downlink transmitter, whereby the processing capabilities of said first satellite can be enhanced by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said first orbital slot.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for enhancing the processing capabilities of a satellite communication system including an uplink receiver 40 deployable with a first satellite 20. A first processor 50 deployable on satellite 20 is capable of processing signals from uplink receiver 40. A link terminal 60 deployable with satellite 20 is capable of receiving signals processed by a second processor from a second intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with a second satellite. A first switch 100 deployable with satellite 20 enables signals from uplink receiver 40 to be utilized by communication link terminal 60 or processor 50. A downlink transmitter 80 deployable with satellite 20 is capable of transmitting signals to a ground based communication station 90. A second switch 110 deployable with satellite 20 enables signals from communication link terminal 60 or first processor 50 to be utilized by downlink transmitter 80.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. In a satellite communication system, improved apparatus for enhancing the processing capabilities of said system comprising in combination:
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an uplink receiver deployable with a first satellite suitable for launching into an orbital slot and capable of receiving communication signals from a ground-based communication station;
a first processor deployable with said first satellite and capable of processing signals from said uplink receiver;
a first intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said first satellite and capable of transmitting signals to a second processor deployable with a second satellite launched after said first satellite and capable of receiving signals processed by said second processor from a second intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said second satellite;
a first switch deployable with said first satellite and enabling signals from said uplink receiver to be utilized by said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor;
a downlink transmitter deployable with said first satellite capable of transmitting said signals to a ground-based communication station; and
a second switch deployable with said first satellite and enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor to be utilized by said downlink transmitter, whereby the processing capabilities of said first satellite can be enhanced by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said first orbital slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a satellite communication system, improved apparatus for enhancing the processing capabilities of said system comprising in combination:
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an uplink receiver deployable with a first satellite suitable for launching into an orbital slot capable of receiving communication signals from a ground-based communication station;
a first processor deployable with said first satellite and capable of processing signals from said uplink receiver;
a first intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said first satellite and capable of transmitting signals within said orbital slot;
a second processor deployable with a second satellite launched after said first satellite into said orbital slot and capable of processing signals transmitted by said first intersatellite communication link terminal;
a second intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said second satellite and capable of transmitting signals processed by said second processor to said first intersatellite communication link terminal;
a first switch deployable with said first satellite and enabling signals from said uplink receiver to be utilized by said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor;
a downlink transmitter deployable with said first satellite and capable of transmitting signals to a ground-based communication station; and
a second switch deployable with said first satellite and enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor to be utilized by said downlink transmitter, whereby the processing capabilities of said first satellite can be enhanced by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said first orbital slot. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. In a satellite communication system, improved apparatus for enhancing the processing capabilities of said system comprising in combination:
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uplink receiver means deployable with a first satellite suitable for launching into an orbital slot, said uplink receiver means being for receiving communication signals from a ground-based communication station;
first processor means deployable with said first satellite for processing said signals from said uplink receiver means;
first intersatellite communication link terminal means deployable with said first satellite for transmitting said signals to a second processor deployable with a second satellite launched after said first satellite and for receiving said signals processed by said second processor from a second intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said second satellite;
first means deployable with said first satellite for enabling signals from said uplink receiver means to be utilized by said first intersatellite communication link terminal means or said first processor means;
downlink transmitter means deployable with said first satellite for transmitting said signals to a ground-based communication station; and
second means deployable with said first satellite for enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal means or said first processor means to be utilized by said downlink transmitter means, whereby the processing capabilities of said first satellite can be enhanced by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said orbital slot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a satellite communication system, improved apparatus for enhancing the processing capabilities of said system comprising in combination:
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uplink receiver means deployable with a first satellite suitable for launching into an orbital slot, said uplink receiver means being for receiving communication signals from a ground-based communication station;
first processor means deployable with said first satellite for processing said signals from said uplink receiver means;
first intersatellite communication link terminal means deployable with said first satellite for transmitting said signals;
second processor means deployable with a second satellite launched after said first satellite into said orbital slot for processing said signals transmitted by said first intersatellite communication link terminal means;
second intersatellite communication link terminal means deployable with said second satellite for transmitting signals processed by said second processor means to said first intersatellite communication link terminal means;
first means deployable with said first satellite for enabling signals from said uplink receiver means to be utilized by said first intersatellite communication link terminal means or said first processor means;
downlink transmitter means deployable with said first satellite for transmitting said signals to a ground-based communication station; and
second means deployable with said first satellite for enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal means or said first processor means to be utilized by said downlink transmitter means, whereby the processing capabilities of said first satellite can be enhanced by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said first orbital slot. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. In a satellite communication system comprising an uplink receiver deployable with a first satellite, a downlink transmitter deployable with said first satellite, a first processor deployable with said first satellite, and a first intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said first satellite, an improved method of enhancing the processing capability of the system comprising in combination the steps of:
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receiving communication signals at said uplink receiver;
enabling signals received at said uplink receiver to be utilized by said first processor or said first intersatellite communication link terminal;
receiving from a remote location communication signals at said first intersatellite communication link terminal;
enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal or from said first processor to be utilized by said downlink transmitter, whereby said signals may be processed by said first processor on said first satellite or transmitted to a second satellite by said first intersatellite communication link terminal for processing by a second processor deployed with said second satellite so that the processing capabilities of said first satellite may be enhanced. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
transmitting said signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal to said second intersatellite communication link terminal;
processing said communication signals in said second processor; and
transmitting said signals processed by said second processor from said second intersatellite communication link terminal to said first intersatellite communication link terminal.
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Specification