Multiple satellite repeater management system using frame error rate for diversity selection
First Claim
1. A method for operating a mobile satellite telecommunications system, comprising steps of:
- providing a user terminal that is operable to simultaneously receive a communication signal from a ground station via a plurality of satellites; and
at the ground station, selectively transmitting the communication signal to one satellite or a plurality of satellites each having a coverage area that includes a current location of the user terminal;
wherein said step of selectively transmitting comprises a step of considering a plurality of factors, comprising a current reception state of the user terminal, a current state of satellite power of at least one of the plurality of satellites, and a predicted required state of satellite power of the at least one satellite.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a mobile satellite telecommunications system has steps of (a) providing a user terminal that is operable to simultaneously receive a communication signal from a gateway via a plurality of satellites; and, (b) at the gateway, selectively transmitting the communication to one satellite or a plurality of satellites each having a coverage area that includes a current location of the user terminal. The step of selectively transmitting includes a step of considering a plurality of factors, including a current reception state of the user terminal, a current state of satellite power of at least one of the plurality of satellites, and a predicted required state of satellite power of the at least one satellite. The current reception state of the user terminal is indicated by a received signal quality indicator, which in the preferred embodiment is expressed as the Frame Error Rate (FER). If the value of the FER increases above a threshold level the number of selected satellites is increased, thereby increasing satellite diversity, and if the FER decreases below the threshold level the number of selected satellites is decreased, thereby decreasing satellite diversity. In addition, when a plurality of satellites are selected, the power through each selected satellite is controlled proportionally. The overall effect is conserve satellite power and optimize satellite power consumption, so as to satisfy future demand for the satellite'"'"'s circuits.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for operating a mobile satellite telecommunications system, comprising steps of:
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providing a user terminal that is operable to simultaneously receive a communication signal from a ground station via a plurality of satellites; and
at the ground station, selectively transmitting the communication signal to one satellite or a plurality of satellites each having a coverage area that includes a current location of the user terminal;
whereinsaid step of selectively transmitting comprises a step of considering a plurality of factors, comprising a current reception state of the user terminal, a current state of satellite power of at least one of the plurality of satellites, and a predicted required state of satellite power of the at least one satellite. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A mobile satellite telecommunications system, comprising:
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a constellation of non-geosynchronous orbit satellites;
at least one gateway comprising a plurality of transmitters and receivers; and
at least one user terminal comprising a transmitter and a receiver comprising circuitry operable for simultaneously receiving a communication signal from said gateway via a plurality of said satellites;
wherein said gateway comprises a controller for selectively transmitting the communication signal to one of said satellites or to a plurality of said satellites, each having a coverage area that includes a current location of said user terminal; and
whereinsaid gateway controller considers a plurality of factors for selecting which satellite or satellites to transmit the communication signal to, comprising a current reception state of said user terminal, a current state of satellite power of at least one of said plurality of satellites, and a predicted required state of satellite power of said at least one satellite. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification