Communication system as a secondary platform with frequency reuse

• US 7,200,360 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2000
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chang, Donald C. D., Chang, Ming U., Feria, Ying, Lim, Wah, Wang, Weizheng
• Primary Examiner(s): BEAMER, TEMICA M
• Application Number:
  US09/594,374
• Time in Patent Office: 2,483 Days
• Field of Search: 455/7, 455/11.1, 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455/13.2, 455/13.3, 455/448, 455/446, 455/447, 455/431, 455/427, 455/429
• US Class Current: 455/13.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/19 Earth-synchronous stations

Abstract

A communications system (10) and method of operating the communications system includes a first stratospheric platform generating a second beam having a frequency the same as a satellite beam to the same service area. User terminals are configured to receive the first beam or the second beam.

Claims

1. A communication system for use with geosynchronous satellite systems broadcasting a first beam at a first frequency comprising:

a first stratospheric platform generating a second beam having the first frequency;

a second stratospheric platform generating a third beam having the first frequency; and

user terminals configured to receive the first beam, the second beam and the third beam.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein user terminals comprise directional antennas.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second beam is generated from a secondary payload.

10. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a gateway station generating a feeder link using the first frequency.

4. A communication system for use with geosynchronous satellite systems broadcasting a first beam at a first frequency comprising:

a first stratospheric platform having a primary payload and a secondary payload, said secondary payload generating communication signals having the first frequency.

5. A system as recited in claim 4 further comprising a second stratospheric platform generating a third beam having the first frequency.

6. A method for operating a communications system comprising the steps of:

generating a first beam using a first frequency directed at a service area with a satellite;

generating a second beam using the first frequency directed at the service area from a first stratospheric platform; and

generating a third beam using the first frequency directed at the service area from a second stratospheric platform.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said step of generating a second beam comprises the step of generating a second beam from a secondary payload.

8. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said satellite comprises a geostationary satellite.

9. A method as recited in claim 6 further comprising the step of generating a feeder link with the first frequency.

11. A communication system for use with geosynchronous satellite systems broadcasting a first beam at a first frequency range comprising:

a first stratospheric platform generating a second beam, a plurality of third beams and a plurality of fourth beams each within the first frequency range within a service area, said plurality of third beams and said plurality of fourth beams alternately arranged around the second beam in a center position to provide a three color rouse scheme;

user terminals configured to receive beams in the first frequency range.

12. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein user terminals comprise directional antennas.

13. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the second beam is generated from a secondary payload.

14. A communication system for use with geosynchronous satellite systems broadcasting a first beam at a first frequency range comprising:

a first stratospheric platform generating a plurality second beams and a plurality of third beams each within the first frequency range and a service area, said plurality of second beams and said plurality of third beams alternately arranged around a central hole;

a gateway station positioned within the hole in the service area;

user terminals configured to receive beams in the first frequency range.

15. A system as recited in claim 14 wherein user terminals comprise directional antennas.

16. A system as recited in claim 14 wherein the plurality of second beams are generated from a secondary payload.