Satellites and signal distribution methods and off-set pattern for sending signals
First Claim
1. A satellite comprising an arrangement of spot-beam antennas for covering a predetermined geographic area of interest within which geographic area there are multiple separate and distinguishable sub-areas, wherein the antennas produce at least two identical and orthogonal patterns of spot-beams on opposite polarizations, and the second pattern (Pattern 2) is offset with respect to the first pattern (Pattern 1) such that the amount of straddling between sub-areas covered by adjacent spot-beams arising from the Pattern 1 and Pattern 2 is substantially avoided, and wherein the antennas are arranged to direct spot-beams so that no parts within the predetermined geographic area of interest are not covered, and wherein each spot-beam is assigned a frequency band consistent with the amount of frequency re-use desired within a sub-area to be covered by the spot-beam and subject to the amount of acceptable self interference, and wherein each spot-beam is assigned a spectrum segment and the spectrum segment may be any fraction of the total available bandwidth of the arrangement of spot-beams.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to methods, systems, and satellites that employ an off-set pattern of spot-beams to transmit signals or television signals over a desired area of the earth. In one example, a heavily populated metropolitan area in the continental United States is covered by at least two patterns of spot-beams, where the patterns are off-set to one another by a lateral or translational displacement, rotation, or both. The off-set patterns can be used in conjunction with existing satellites and systems and incorporated into new satellites and systems. The methods reduce problems associated with the straddling of subscriber areas caused by local-into-local requirements, and advantageously allow increased spot-beam capacity, and the reduction in earth uplink stations.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A satellite comprising an arrangement of spot-beam antennas for covering a predetermined geographic area of interest within which geographic area there are multiple separate and distinguishable sub-areas, wherein the antennas produce at least two identical and orthogonal patterns of spot-beams on opposite polarizations, and the second pattern (Pattern 2) is offset with respect to the first pattern (Pattern 1) such that the amount of straddling between sub-areas covered by adjacent spot-beams arising from the Pattern 1 and Pattern 2 is substantially avoided, and wherein the antennas are arranged to direct spot-beams so that no parts within the predetermined geographic area of interest are not covered, and wherein each spot-beam is assigned a frequency band consistent with the amount of frequency re-use desired within a sub-area to be covered by the spot-beam and subject to the amount of acceptable self interference, and wherein each spot-beam is assigned a spectrum segment and the spectrum segment may be any fraction of the total available bandwidth of the arrangement of spot-beams.
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15. A method for satellite TV broadcasting to cover the CONUS, wherein the method comprises
configuring one or more satellites to direct spot-beams to cover the CONUS with two identical and orthogonally polarized spot-beam Patterns, one off-set from the other, wherein the spot-beams of Pattern 1 illuminate the periphery of the spot-beams of Pattern 2 and vice versa such that the straddled geographic areas at the periphery of the spot-beams of Pattern 1 can be carried by the spot-beams of Pattern 2; -
sending TV signals to one or more satellites; and transmitting the TV signals over at least a part of the CONUS. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification