Inter-satellite crosslink communications system, apparatus, method and computer program product

• US 8,639,182 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2011
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roscoe M. Moore III
• Original Assignee: Roscoe M. Moore III
• Inventors: Moore, Roscoe M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John J
• Application Number:
  US13/195,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20120178363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 455/13.2, 455/431, 455/454, 455/13.3, 455/13.1, 455/427, 455/428, 455/429, 455/430, 455/457, 455/12.1, 455/502, 455/562.1, 370/316, 370/390
• US Class Current: 455/13.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18521 Systems of inter linked satellites, i.e. inter satellite service for optical links between satellites H04B10/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00

Abstract

A communications system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for inter-satellite and inter-spacecraft crosslinks (ISL) with non-ISL optimized antennas where at least one component of the communications system has the potential energy to go into space. The system includes a mobile communications platform that includes an ISL antenna configured to transmit information through a non-ISL antenna of another communications platform. The non-ISL antenna does not track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform. The mobile communications platform includes a controller configured to determine a location of the mobile platform; determine whether the non-ISL antenna is within communications range; and prepare a signal for relayed transmissions through a non-ISL antenna to another communications platform in a signal format that is decipherable by this other communications platform.

Claims

1. A method for using a communications system having at least one component with the potential energy to go into space, comprising:

A mobile communications platform communicating with another communications platform through a non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform that is not configured to track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform,

wherein a table of available frequencies stored in memory or available frequencies identified in a monitoring step are obtained from a database or computer program product

to determine whether the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within communications range; and

to transmit or receive through the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform compatible transmission or reception at the another communications platform or the mobile communications platform; and

to adapt at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the mobile communications platform and the another communications platform.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the database or computer program product obtains said frequencies to lower communications system interference with other platforms.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the database or computer program product adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications platform, another communications platform, or non-tracking antenna are stationary or on a moving ground vehicle, aircraft, rocket, or other platform within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the database or computer program product adapts the communications system to lower interference with other platforms.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the database or computer program product uses beamforming to create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform.

10. A communications system having at least one component with the potential energy to go into space, comprising:

A mobile communications platform communicating with another communications platform through a non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform that is not configured to track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform; and

a beamformer uses a database or computer program product to create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform;

wherein

the beamformer adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the mobile communications platform and the another communications platform.

11. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the beamformer adapts the communications system to lower interference with other platforms.

12. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the beamformer adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform.

13. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft.

14. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.

15. The communications system of claim 10, wherein:

the mobile communications platform includes an inter-satellite link (ISL) antenna configured to transmit information through a non-tracking non-ISL antenna that is not configured to track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform, wherein

the controller is configured to

determine a location of the mobile communications platform,

determine whether the non-tracking non-ISL antenna is within communications range, and

prepare a signal for transmission through the non-ISL antenna, and

said mobile communications platform is configured to send transmissions or receive transmissions through the non-ISL antenna to another communications platform.

16. A method for using a software defined radio for beamforming for a communications system between a mobile communications platform and a non-tracking antenna of another communications platform in which at least one component of the communications system has the potential energy to go into space, comprising steps of:

operating, with a database or computer program product, the software defined radio for beamforming;

using a database or computer program product to have the beamformer create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform;

having the beamformer adapt at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the mobile communications platform and the another communications platform.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the beamformer adapts the communications system to lower interference with other platforms.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the beamformer adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth'"'"'s atmosphere and not intended to go into space.