Satellite communications system

• US 6,726,152 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Higgins, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLZEN, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US10/153,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158.R, 244/176
• US Class Current: 244/158.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1007 Communications satellites
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1085 Swarms and constellations
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/242 Orbits and trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/195 Non-synchronous stations

Abstract

Boeing achieves satellite diversity by having a large discrimination angle for a MEO constellation of communications satellites to limit interference in the Ku-band with GSO communications systems. Each satellite entering an exclusion zone over a GSO ground station terminates all transmissions to provide EPFD within acceptable limits. The Boeing MEO constellation preferably comprises 20 satellites, 5 in each orbit. The four orbits are inclined at about 57° with respect to the equator. Services include an Integrated Digital Service (IDS) and Backhaul Data Service (BDS) to accommodate the needs of different users.

Claims

1. A satellite constellation communication system, comprising:

a plurality of satellites forming a constellation orbiting the Earth in a generally circular orbit in four sets, each set defining an orbital plane, each plane inclined about 57°

relative to the equator, the satellites being at an altitude of medium earth orbit (MEO) of about 20,000 km,

the system providing truly global coverage while substantially minimizing the number of operational satellites required.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the constellation has the satellites spaced so that at least two operational satellites are in view to a user outside the Tropics at an elevation angle relative to the user at or above 30°

.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each satellite includes integrated digital services and backhaul data services,

wherein the backhaul data services include steerable transmit and receive beams.

4. A satellite constellation communication system, comprising:

a plurality of satellites forming a constellation orbiting the Earth in four sets, each set defining an orbital plane, each plane inclined about 57°

relative to the equator, the satellites being at an altitude of medium earth orbit (MEO) of about 20,000 km,

the system providing truly global coverage while substantially minimizing the number of operational satellites required,

wherein each satellite includes integrated digital services and backhaul data services, wherein the integrated digital services generates a pattern of spot beams, uses a three-cell frequency reuse pattern, and uses dual polarization within each spot beam.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the backhaul data services include steerable transmit and receive beams.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein each set of satellites in an orbital plane includes five operational satellites, the constellation thereby having 20 operational satellites to achieve truly global coverage.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein each set includes at least one spare satellite.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising one spare satellite in each set so that the system has 24 total satellites.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of gateways, each gateway being stationed at a fixed location on the Earth and functioning as a network distributor for communication signals to and from a user and the constellation, wherein the satellite spacing in the constellation and the gateway locations have each satellite having visible in a field of view for communication transmission at least two gateways at any location of the satellite in its orbit.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the constellation has the satellites spaced so that at least two operational satellites are in view to a user outside the Tropics at an elevation angle relative to the user at or above 30°

.

11. The system of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of gateways, each gateway being stationed at a fixed location on the Earth and functioning as a network distributor for communication signals to and from a user and the constellation, wherein the satellite spacing in the constellation and the gateway locations have each satellite having visible in a field of view for communication transmission at least two gateways at any location of the satellite in its orbit.