Satellite communication system with gateway switch networks
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising:
- one or more gateways coupled to a terrestrial network;
one or more subscriber terminals that are to be coupled to the terrestrial network;
a communication satellite providing forward and return communication links between the one or more gateways and the one or more subscriber terminals that each comprise a switching network that selectively couples signals between selected gateways and selected subscriber terminals using predetermined beams wherein the forward communication link implemented in the communication satellite comprises;
a plurality of first switches that receives data transmitted from a respective plurality of gateways;
one or more forward channel gateway multiplexers selectively coupled to one of the plurality of first switches;
a plurality of second switches selectively coupled to outputs of the plurality of first switches and selectively coupled to outputs of the one or more forward channel gateway multiplexers; and
one or more regional multiplexers selectively coupled to the plurality of second switches that output data to a plurality of regions servicing the one or more subscriber terminals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the subscriber terminals. The filter and switching networks selectively couples signals between selected gateways and selected subscriber terminals using predetermined beams.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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one or more gateways coupled to a terrestrial network;
one or more subscriber terminals that are to be coupled to the terrestrial network;
a communication satellite providing forward and return communication links between the one or more gateways and the one or more subscriber terminals that each comprise a switching network that selectively couples signals between selected gateways and selected subscriber terminals using predetermined beams wherein the forward communication link implemented in the communication satellite comprises;
a plurality of first switches that receives data transmitted from a respective plurality of gateways;
one or more forward channel gateway multiplexers selectively coupled to one of the plurality of first switches;
a plurality of second switches selectively coupled to outputs of the plurality of first switches and selectively coupled to outputs of the one or more forward channel gateway multiplexers; and
one or more regional multiplexers selectively coupled to the plurality of second switches that output data to a plurality of regions servicing the one or more subscriber terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification