Methods and apparatus for using ground based processing resources to support orbiting satellites
First Claim
1. A satellite communications system, comprising:
- a plurality of earth-orbiting satellites, each having an onboard computer, wherein each said onboard computer includes a first processor, a first memory, and a first data transceiver;
a plurality of ground-based computers, each having a second processor, a second memory, and second data transceiver;
wherein each said first data transceiver is configured to communicate with at least one said second data transceiver to thereby form a high data rate, low latency data link;
wherein each said first processor is configured to automatically generate a remote procedure call (RPC), and each said first data transceiver is configured to automatically transmit an RPC to one said second data transceiver, whereupon one said second processor processes said RPC and generates a response to said RPC; and
wherein one said second transceiver is configured to upload said response to one of said onboard computer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of orbiting satellites (102-112), each comprised of an onboard computer (142). Each of the orbiting satellites and a plurality of ground-based computers (114-124) are utilized to perform delay-insensitive functions associated with the orbiting satellites. An ubiquitous data link (128-138) is maintained between each satellite and one or more of the ground-based computers. The integrated system is configured to allow a satellite to generate a remote procedure call (RPC), transmit the RPC to a ground-based computer, whereupon the ground-based computer processes the RPC and transmits a response back to the satellite. Delay-sensitive tasks and functions are performed by the computer onboard the satellite; delay-insensitive tasks are advantageously performed by the ground-based computer assets.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A satellite communications system, comprising:
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a plurality of earth-orbiting satellites, each having an onboard computer, wherein each said onboard computer includes a first processor, a first memory, and a first data transceiver;
a plurality of ground-based computers, each having a second processor, a second memory, and second data transceiver;
wherein each said first data transceiver is configured to communicate with at least one said second data transceiver to thereby form a high data rate, low latency data link;
wherein each said first processor is configured to automatically generate a remote procedure call (RPC), and each said first data transceiver is configured to automatically transmit an RPC to one said second data transceiver, whereupon one said second processor processes said RPC and generates a response to said RPC; and
wherein one said second transceiver is configured to upload said response to one of said onboard computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification