Incremental gateway deployment in a hub-spoke satellite communication system using static spot beams

• US 8,340,015 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Inventors: Pateros, Charles N., Miller, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huq, Obaidul
• Application Number:
  US13/560,788
• Time in Patent Office: 151 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/315, 370/316, 370/319, 370/321, 370/323, 370/325, 370/327, 370/328, 455/7, 455/11.1, 455/12.1, 455/13.3
• US Class Current: 370/325
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18519 Operations control, administration or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/10 characterised by the switching fabric construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/252 Store and forward routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

A method for communicating includes providing a hub-spoke satellite comprising receivers, transmitters, transmit switches, and a gateway switch structure. Prior to a time T, each of at least P receivers are used to receive one of at least P signals from P gateway terminals. During one frame, the gateway switch structure is used to switch the at least P signals to the plurality of transmit switches. Each of the at least P signals are switched into fixed location beams. After time T, each of at least Q receivers are used to receive a different one of at least Q signals from Q gateway terminals. During one frame, the gateway switch structure is used to switch the at least Q signals to the plurality of transmit switches. Each of the at least Q signals are switched into fixed location beams. Q and P are non-zero positive integers and Q>P.

Claims

1. A method for communicating using a hub-spoke satellite having a forward link capability comprising:

providing the hub-spoke satellite, the hub-spoke satellite comprising a plurality of receivers having inputs and outputs, a plurality of transmitters having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the plurality of transmitters coupled to the outputs of the plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmit switches coupled to the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and a gateway switch structure coupled to one of;

(a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters;

using each transmit switch in the plurality of transmit switches to sequentially switch a forward link signal into multiple fixed location beams according to a beam group transmit switching pattern;

prior to a time T, using each of at least P receivers in the plurality of receivers to receive a different one of at least P forward link signals from P gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the at least P forward link signals from the P gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least P forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a first gateway switching pattern, and sequentially switching each of the at least P forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a first beam group transmit switching pattern;

after time T, using each of at least Q receivers in the plurality of receivers to receive a different one of at least Q forward link signals from Q gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the at least Q forward link signals from the Q gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least Q forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a second gateway switching pattern, and sequentially switching each of the at least Q forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a second beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q>

P; and

wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least P receivers consist of exactly P receivers, and the P gateway terminals each transmit one signal on a single polarization.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least P receivers consist of exactly 2*P receivers, and the P gateway terminals each transmit two signals on two different polarizations.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway switch structure comprises a switch matrix positioned between the plurality of receivers and the plurality of transmitters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway switch structure comprises at least one receive-side outer switch positioned before the plurality of receivers.

6. The method of claim 5,

wherein the plurality of receivers comprises R receivers, R being a non-zero, positive integer, and R>

=Q>

P;

wherein the at least one receive-side outer switch comprises;

one 1;

R switch for receiving a first forward link signal, the 1;

R switch associated with a first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame; and

a plurality of 2;

1 switches, each for receiving (a) an output of the 1;

R switch and (b) one of R−

1 other forward link signals, each of the plurality of 2;

1 switches associated with a second switching speed allowing switching at time T.

7. The method of claim 5,

wherein the plurality of receivers comprises R receivers, R being a non-zero, positive integer, and R>

=Q>

P;

wherein the at least one receive-side outer switch comprises;

a first bank of switches, including 1;

R, 1;

(R−

1), . . . , 1;

2 switches, each associated with a first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame;

a second bank of switches following the first bank of switches, the second bank of switches including 2;

1, 3;

1, . . . , (R−

1);

1 switches, each associated with a second switching speed allowing switching at time T, the second bank of switches further including an R;

1 switch associated with the first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame.

8. The method of claim 5,

wherein the plurality of receivers comprises R receivers, R being a non-zero, positive integer, and R>

=Q>

P;

wherein the at least one receive-side outer switch comprises;

a first bank of switches, including a 1;

R switch and a 1;

(R/2) switch, each associated with a first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame;

a second bank of switches following the first bank of switches, each associated with a second switching speed allowing switching at time T.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of receivers comprises a low noise amplifier (LNA).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of plurality of transmitters comprises a high power amplifier (HPA).

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second beam group transmit switching patterns are different.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second beam group transmit switching patterns are the same.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the hub-spoke satellite has return link capability in addition to forward link capability and further comprises a plurality of receive switches coupled to the inputs of the plurality of receivers, the method further comprising:

wherein the gateway switch structure is coupled to one of;

(a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers and the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters;

using each receive switch in the plurality of receive switches to sequentially switch return link signals from fixed location beams into a receiver according to a beam group receive switching pattern;

prior to time T, sequentially switching the return link signals from multiple fixed location beams into the plurality of receivers according to a first beam group receive switching pattern, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the return link signals to at least P transmitters in the plurality of transmitters according to the first gateway switching pattern, and using each of the at least P transmitters to transmit a different one of the return link signals to one of the P gateway terminals; and

after time T, sequentially switching the return link signals from multiple fixed location beams into the plurality of receivers according to a second beam group receive switching pattern, and in the duration of one frame, using the gateway switch structure to sequentially switch the return link signals to at least Q transmitters in the plurality of transmitters according to the second gateway switching pattern, and using each of the at least Q transmitters to transmit a different one of the return link signals to one of the Q gateway terminals.

14. A satellite communication system having a forward link capability comprising:

a plurality of gateway terminals;

a plurality of user terminals;

a hub-spoke satellite for providing communications between the gateway terminals and the user terminals, the hub-spoke satellite comprising a plurality of receivers having inputs and outputs, a plurality of transmitters having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the plurality of transmitters coupled to the outputs of the plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmit switches coupled to the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and a gateway switch structure coupled to one of;

(a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters;

wherein each transmit switch in the plurality of transmit switches is configured to sequentially switch a forward link signal into multiple fixed location beams according to a beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein prior to a time T, at least P receivers in the plurality of receivers are each configured to receive a different one of at least P forward link signals from P gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, the gateway switch structure is configured to sequentially switch the at least P forward link signals from the P gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least P forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a first gateway switching pattern, and each of the at least P forward link signals is sequentially switched into fixed location beams according to a first beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein after time T, at least Q receivers in the plurality of receivers are each configured to receive a different one of at least Q forward link signals from Q gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, the gateway switch structure is configured to sequentially switch the at least Q forward link signals from the Q gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least Q forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a second gateway switching pattern, and each of the at least Q forward link signals is sequentially switched into fixed location beams according to a second beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q>

P; and

wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different.

15. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein the at least P receivers consist of exactly P receivers, and the P gateway terminals each transmit one signal on a single polarization.

16. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein the at least P receivers consist of exactly 2*P receivers, and the P gateway terminals each transmit two signals on two different polarizations.

17. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein the gateway switch structure comprises a switch matrix positioned between the plurality of receivers and the plurality of transmitters.

18. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein the gateway switch structure comprises at least one receive-side outer switch positioned before the plurality of receivers.

19. The satellite communication system of claim 18,

wherein the plurality of receivers comprises R receivers, R being a non-zero, positive integer, and R>

=Q>

P;

wherein the at least one receive-side outer switch comprises;

one 1;

R switch for receiving a first forward link signal, the 1;

R switch associated with a first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame; and

a plurality of 2;

1 switches, each for receiving (a) an output of the 1;

R switch and (b) one of R−

1 other forward link signals, each of the plurality of 2;

1 switches associated with a second switching speed allowing switching at time T.

20. The satellite communication system of claim 18,

wherein the plurality of receivers comprises R receivers, R being a non-zero, positive integer, and R>

=Q>

P;

wherein the at least one receive-side outer switch comprises;

a first bank of switches, including 1;

R, 1;

(R−

1), . . . , 1;

2 switches, each associated with a first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame;

a second bank of switches following the first bank of switches, the second bank of switches including 2;

1, 3;

1, . . . , (R−

1);

1 switches, each associated with a second switching speed allowing switching at time T, the second bank of switches further including an R;

1 switch associated with the first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame.

21. The satellite communication system of claim 18,

wherein the plurality of receivers comprises R receivers, R being a non-zero, positive integer, and R>

=Q>

P;

wherein the at least one receive-side outer switch comprises;

a first bank of switches, including a 1;

R switch and a 1;

(R/2) switch, each associated with a first switching speed allowing switching within the duration of one frame;

a second bank of switches following the first bank of switches, each associated with a second switching speed allowing switching at time T.

22. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of receivers comprises a low noise amplifier (LNA).

23. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein each of plurality of transmitters comprises a high power amplifier (HPA).

24. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein the first and second beam group transmit switching patterns are different.

25. The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein the first and second beam group transmit switching patterns are the same.

26. The satellite communication system of claim 14 having a return link capability in addition to forward link capability,

wherein the hub-spoke satellite further comprises a plurality of receive switches coupled to the inputs of the plurality of receivers;

wherein the gateway switch structure is coupled to one of;

(a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers and the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters;

wherein each receive switch in the plurality of receive switches is configured to sequentially switch return link signals from fixed location beams into a receiver according to a beam group receive switching pattern;

wherein prior to time T, the return link signals from multiple fixed location beams are sequentially switched into the plurality of receivers according to a first beam group receive switching pattern, and in the duration of one frame, the gateway switch structure is configured to sequentially switch the return link signals to at least P transmitters in the plurality of transmitters according to the first gateway switching pattern, and the at least P transmitters are each configured to transmit a different one of the return link signals to one of the P gateway terminals; and

wherein after time T, the return link signals from multiple fixed location beams are sequentially switched into the plurality of receivers according to a second beam group receive switching pattern, and in the duration of one frame, the gateway switch structure is configured to sequentially switch the return link signals to at least Q transmitters in the plurality of transmitters according to the second gateway switching pattern, and the at least Q transmitters are each configured to transmit a different one of the return link signals to one of the Q gateway terminals.

27. A hub-spoke satellite having a forward link capability comprising:

a plurality of receivers having inputs and outputs;

a plurality of transmitters having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the plurality of transmitters coupled to the outputs of the plurality of receivers;

a plurality of transmit switches coupled to the outputs of the plurality of transmitters;

wherein each transmit switch in the plurality of transmit switches is configured to sequentially switch a forward link signal into multiple fixed location beams according to a beam group transmit switching pattern;

a gateway switch structure coupled to one of;

(a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers, and (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters;

wherein prior to a time T, at least P receivers in the plurality of receivers are each configured to receive a different one of at least P forward link signals from P gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, the gateway switch structure is configured to sequentially switch the at least P forward link signals from the P gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least P forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a first gateway switching pattern, and each of the at least P forward link signals is sequentially switched into fixed location beams according to a first beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein after time T, at least Q receivers in the plurality of receivers are each configured to receive a different one of at least Q forward link signals from Q gateway terminals, and in the duration of one frame, the gateway switch structure is configured to sequentially switch the at least Q forward link signals from the Q gateway terminals, in order to provide the at least Q forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a second gateway switching pattern, and each of the at least Q forward link signals is sequentially switched into fixed location beams according to a second beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q>

P; and

wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different.

28. A hub-spoke satellite having a forward link capability comprising:

prior to a time T;

means for receiving at least P forward link signals from P gateway terminals;

means for sequentially switching the at least P forward link signals from the P gateway terminals in the duration of one frame, in order to provide the at least P forward link signals to a plurality of transmit switches, according to a first gateway switching pattern;

means for sequentially switching each of the at least P forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a first beam group transmit switching pattern;

after time T;

means for receiving at least Q forward link signals from Q gateway terminals;

means for sequentially switching the at least Q forward link signals from the Q gateway terminals in the duration of one frame, in order to provide the at least Q forward link signals to the plurality of transmit switches, according to a second gateway switching pattern;

means for sequentially switching each of the at least Q forward link signals into fixed location beams according to a second beam group transmit switching pattern;

wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q>

P; and

wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different.