Beam focusing in multi-beam satellite systems by combining signals from multiple satellite beams on the ground
First Claim
1. A method for enhancing communication coverage in a multi-beam satellite system in which a plurality of beams provide coverage to a geographical region using a pattern of signal beams, comprising:
- assigning, by a satellite, a respective set of signal parameters to each of the plurality of beams, including assigning a first set of signal parameters to a primary beam and assigning a second set of signal parameters to a secondary beam;
transmitting, by the satellite, to a plurality of wireless communication devices (WCDs), signals via the plurality of beams;
communicating, via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam, communication signals with at least one of the plurality of WCDs according to at least a subset of the first set of signal parameters assigned to the primary beam; and
transmitting, by the satellite, the communication signals received via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam to at least one gateway via a backhaul transmission.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite communication system designed to communicate with wireless communication devices (WCDs) by use of a mosaic pattern of signal beams uses multiple beams to augment the communication with individual WCDs. In addition to communication with a WCD through a primary beam for that WCD, adjacent beams are used, but with signals utilizing circuit parameters assigned to the primary beam. The signals from a given WCD are relayed in a backhaul, either as an aggregate signal processed by the satellite, or as backhaul communication signals to be combined or separated on the ground.
8 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing communication coverage in a multi-beam satellite system in which a plurality of beams provide coverage to a geographical region using a pattern of signal beams, comprising:
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assigning, by a satellite, a respective set of signal parameters to each of the plurality of beams, including assigning a first set of signal parameters to a primary beam and assigning a second set of signal parameters to a secondary beam; transmitting, by the satellite, to a plurality of wireless communication devices (WCDs), signals via the plurality of beams; communicating, via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam, communication signals with at least one of the plurality of WCDs according to at least a subset of the first set of signal parameters assigned to the primary beam; and transmitting, by the satellite, the communication signals received via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam to at least one gateway via a backhaul transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A satellite for enhancing communication coverage in a multi-beam satellite system in which a plurality of beams provide coverage to a geographical region using a pattern of signal beams, comprising:
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a memory configured to store instructions; a processor configured to access the memory and execute the stored instructions, causing the processor to perform a method comprising; assigning a respective set of signal parameters to each of the plurality of beams, including assigning a first set of signal parameters to a primary beam and assigning a second set of signal parameters to a secondary beam; transmitting to a plurality of wireless communication devices (WCDs), signals via the plurality of beams; communicating, via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam, communication signals with at least one of the plurality of WCDs according to at least a subset of the first set of signal parameters assigned to the primary beam; and transmitting the communication signals received via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam to at least one gateway via a backhaul transmission. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for using a wireless communication device (WCD) for communicating in a multi-beam satellite system in which a plurality of beams provides coverage to a geographical region using a signal parameter pattern in which at least two adjacent beams have different signal parameters, comprising:
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receiving, by the WCD, a first set of signal parameters assigned to a primary beam; receiving, from a satellite, communication signals via at least the primary beam and a secondary beam according to at least a subset of the first set of signal parameters assigned to the primary beam; and processing, by the WCD, composite communication signals comprising a coherent combination of the communication signals received from the satellite via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam using at least one of a maximal ratio combining (MRC) algorithm or a minimal mean squared error combining (MMSE) algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A wireless communication device (WCD) for communicating in a multi-beam satellite system in which a plurality of beams provides coverage to a geographical region using a signal parameter pattern in which at least two adjacent beams have different signal parameters, comprising:
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a memory storing instructions; and a processor configured to access the memory and execute the instructions to perform a method including; receiving a first set of signal parameters assigned to a primary beam; receiving, from a satellite, communication signals via at least the primary beam and a secondary beam according to at least a subset of the first set of signal parameters assigned to the primary beam; and processing composite communication signals comprising a coherent combination of the communication signals received from the satellite via at least the primary beam and the secondary beam using at least one of a maximal ratio combining (MRC) algorithm or a minimal mean squared error combining (MMSE) algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification