Multi-node wireless communication system with multiple transponding platforms

• US 7,089,000 B1
• Filed: 05/30/2000
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chang, Donald C. D., Chang, Ming U., Yung, Kar W., Hagen, Frank A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEST, LEWIS G
• Application Number:
  US09/584,012
• Time in Patent Office: 2,261 Days
• Field of Search: 455427-430, 455/431, 455/443, 455/445, 455/448, 455/456.1, 455/10, 455/502, 455/60, 455/67.16, 455/503, 455/13.1, 455/13.2, 455/13.3
• US Class Current: 455/430
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18534 for enhancing link reliablility, e.g. satellites diversity

Abstract

A mobile wireless communications system including a plurality of individual transponding platforms all in communication with a central processing hub. A signal processed by the central processing hub is radiated simultaneously through multiple paths to a plurality of the individual transponding platforms. The signal transmitted to each transponding platform by the hub is appropriately delayed by the hub so as to equalize the differential delay of all such signals from a given receiver location. The radiated signal is then re-radiated by each of the plurality of individual transponding platforms to a mobile satellite terminal that receives the re-radiated signal from the plurality of individual transponding platforms. The signals from the plurality of transponding platforms are all received coherently by the intended user, and incoherently by all other users.

Claims

1. A mobile wireless communication system, comprising:

a plurality of individual transponding nodes;

a central processing hub in communication with each of the plurality of individual transponding nodes, such that a downlink signal processed by said central processing hub is preprocessed so that the signal is radiated using a plurality of radiated signals with compensating time delays to the plurality of said individual transponding nodes; and

a plurality of mobile terminals associated with respective remote users for receiving said radiated signals from each of said plurality of individual transponding nodes simultaneously so that the radiated signals are added together coherently and thereafter simultaneously generating a return signal and directing the return signal through the plurality of individual transponding nodes;

said central processing hub processing the return signal to compensate for path differentials.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of individual transponding nodes is an individual satellite.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of individual transponding nodes is a high altitude platform.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of individual transponding nodes is a transmitter tower.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of individual transponding nodes is a balloon.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein said central processing hub processes said signal such that all intended signals will arrive in-of-phase for an intended remote user, and out-of-phase for all other remote users.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein in a reverse link mode, said plurality of mobile terminals transmit signals to said plurality of individual transponding nodes, which then radiate said signals to said central processing hub for processing.

8. A method for communicating with a mobile hand-held terminal, comprising:

processing a local user signal for both forward and return links at a central processing hub;

radiating said signal through multiple paths or transponder nodes;

receiving said signals at a plurality of transponding nodes;

re-radiating said signals from said plurality of transponding nodes to the mobile hand-held terminal;

receiving said forward link signals from said plurality of transponding nodes at the mobile hand-held terminal whereby said re-radiated signal will be received coherently only for an intended remote user associated with the mobile hand-held terminal;

transmitting a plurality of return signals from the mobile hand-held terminal to the central processing hub through the paths or transponder node; and

post-processing the plurality of return time signals to compensate for path differentials by the hub processor.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

transmitting said return link signals to said plurality of transponding nodes from mobile hand-held terminals whereby signals are processed coherently by the hub processor.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said signals are received by a high altitude platform system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said signals are received by a plurality of manned or unmanned airships.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said signals are received by a plurality of balloons.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said signals are received by a plurality of manned or unmanned airplanes.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said signals are received by a tower based cellular network.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein said signals are received by a space based system.

16. A mobile wireless communication system for mobile users, comprising:

a plurality of individual transponder nodes selected from one or more of the following node types;

a tower based cellular network, a high altitude platform system or a space-based satellite system;

a central processing hub in communication with each of said plurality of individual transponder nodes, whereby a signal processed by said central processing hub is radiated with compensating time delays to said plurality of individual transponders; and

a mobile terminal associated with an intended user for receiving said radiated signals from each of said plurality of individual transponder nodes coherently thereafter simultaneously generating a return signal and directing the return signal through the plurality of individual transponding nodes;

whereby said radiated signals, if received by a non-intended user, are received incoherently;

said central processing hub processing the return signal to compensate for path differentials.

17. The mobile wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein said plurality of individual transponder nodes that radiate said signals to said intended user are all of the same type.

18. The mobile wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein said plurality of individual transponder nodes that radiate said signals to said intended user are selected from at least two or said platforms.