Global communication system

• US 8,339,309 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Mccandliss
• Original Assignee: Brian Mccandliss
• Inventors: McCandliss, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Dao
• Application Number:
  US12/889,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20110068972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 342/352, 342/354, 342/356, 455/12.1, 455/13.3
• US Class Current: 342/354
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/19 Earth-synchronous stations

Abstract

A global communication satellite system includes at least three communication satellites. Each communication satellite is disposed in a geostationary orbit about the Earth. Each communication satellite also includes a feed horn array having at least 4,000 feed horns with each feed horn capable of transmitting at least one radio frequency (RF) signal. The feed horn array produces a plurality of spot beams with each spot beam corresponding to a spot beam area on the surface of the Earth. Each spot beam area has a generally circular shape with a diameter less than 150 miles. Furthermore, each spot beam area overlaps with a plurality of other spot beams areas such that plurality of spot beams provide saturation coverage of all populated land areas of the Earth.

Claims

1. A global communication satellite system comprising:

at least three communication satellites wherein each communication satellite is disposed in a geostationary orbit about the Earth;

each communication satellite including a feed horn array having at least 4,000 feed horns with each feed horn capable of transmitting at least one radio frequency (RF) signal;

said feed horn array producing a plurality of spot beams with each spot beam corresponding to a spot beam area on the surface of the Earth and with each spot beam area having a generally circular shape with a diameter less than 150 miles;

each spot beam area overlapping with a plurality of other spot beams areas; and

the plurality of spot beams providing saturation coverage of all populated land areas of the Earth.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least three communication satellites is further defined as three communication satellites.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said three communication satellites are spaced in geostationary orbits that are about 120 degrees from one another.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least three communication satellites is further defined as seven communication satellites.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said seven communication satellites are generally evenly spaced from one another in geostationary orbits.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feed horn array includes 4,310 feed horns.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the diameter of each spot beam area is further defined as about 111 miles.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the plurality of spot beams areas completely cover the surface of the Earth.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said satellites is in communication with each of the other of said satellites.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each feed horn is capable of receiving at least one RF signal.

11. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of the spot beam areass overlaps with six other spot beam areas.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the RF signal of the one of the spot beam areas operates at a different frequency and/or polarization than the RF signal of the six other spot beam areas.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each communication satellite further includes a modified-spheroid parabolic reflector 18 disposed adjacent said plurality of feed horns for reflecting the RF signals between the feed horns and the Earth.

14. A global communication satellite system comprising:

at least three communication satellites wherein each communication satellite is disposed in a geostationary orbit about the Earth;

each communication satellite including a feed horn array having a plurality of feed horns with each feed horn capable of transmitting at least one radio frequency (RF) signal;

said feed horn array producing a plurality of spot beams with each spot beam corresponding to a spot beam area on the surface of the Earth;

each spot beam area overlapping with a plurality of other spot beams areas;

the plurality of spot beams providing saturation coverage of all populated land areas of the Earth;

wherein each of said satellites is in communication with each of the other of said satellites;

wherein said plurality of feed horns is further defined as at least 4,000 feed horns.

15. A system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said at least three communication satellites is further defined as seven communication satellites.

16. A system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said seven communication satellites are generally evenly spaced from one another in geostationary orbits.