Satellite beam pattern for non-uniform population distribution

• US 6,813,492 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2000
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Hammill, Chet W., Dishaw, Karl O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US09/525,881
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 455/429, 455/427, 455/428, 455/12.1, 455/446, 455/449, 455/3.1, 455/3.02, 455/444, 455/443, 455/13.3, 455/517, 455/422.1, 455/426.1, 342/354, 342/352, 342/356
• US Class Current: 455/429
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2041 Spot beam multiple access

Abstract

A method of generating a beam pattern (202) covering a region of interest (100) is disclosed. The method includes generating a first set of beams having a first size (204). Each beam occupies a portion of the frequency spectrum which need not be unique among the first set of beams. A second set of beams is also generated. Each of the second set of beams has a second size (206) and each of said second set of beams also occupies a portion of the frequency spectrum which need not be unique among the first or second set of beams. The first set of beams and said second set of beams are projected onto a region of interest to create a beam pattern (202). The projected beams need not fall on a regular grid or adhere to any other regular pattern. Each of the projected beams in the beam pattern is substantially non-interfering with any adjacent projected beam.

Claims

1. A method of generating a beam pattern covering a region of interest, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a first set of a plurality of polarized beams, each beam in the first set having a common first size, each beam in said first set of polarized beams occupying a portion of the frequency spectrum;

b) generating a second set of a plurality of polarized beams, each beam in the second set having a common second size different from said first size, each beam in said second set of polarized beams occupying a portion of the frequency spectrum; and

c) simultaneously projecting said first set of polarized beams and said second set of polarized beams onto a region of interest to create a beam pattern of projected beams, each of said projected beams being substantially non-interfering with any adjacent projected beam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first size is smaller than said second size and said projecting step projects at least one beam in said first set of polarized beams onto an area of interest having a bandwidth density approximately above a predetermined threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said projecting step projects at least one beam in said second set of polarized beams onto an area of said region of interest having a bandwidth density below a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said projected beams occupies a portion of the Ka frequency band.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating at least one additional set of polarized beams, each beam in the additional set having a common additional size, each beam in said at least one additional set of polarized beams occupying a portion of the frequency spectrum;

and wherein said projecting step projects said at least one additional set of polarized beams onto said region of interest such that said projected beams include said at least one additional set of polarized beams.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of said projected beams occupies a portion of the Ka frequency band.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said projecting step uses a Multiple Beam Array antenna on said satellite.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said projecting step uses a phased array antenna on said satellite.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of said projected beams overlap.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said projected beams lie in an irregular pattern over said area of interest.

11. A method for providing satellite communications service to a region of interest, said method including:

generating a first set of a plurality of constant-size beams having a first beamwidth at a satellite;

generating a second set of a plurality of constant-size beams having a second beamwidth at said satellite where said second beamwidth is different from said first beamwidth; and

simultaneously projecting said first set of beams and said second set of beams onto said region of interest to provide communication service to said region of interest.