Weather detection using satellite communication signals
First Claim
1. A method of detecting atmospheric precipitation density using signal-to-noise ratio data relating to the signal-to-noise ratio of subscriber received signals transmitted from a satellite to subscribers at subscriber locations comprising:
- receiving said subscriber received signals at said subscriber locations;
generating said signal-to-noise ratio data relating to said signal-to-noise ratio of said subscriber received signals;
transmitting said signal-to-noise ratio data from said subscribers to a central office;
normalizing, by a processor, said signal-to-noise ratio data by averaging said signal-to-noise ratio data over a plurality of time periods to produce averaged signal-to-noise ratio data;
comparing, by a processor, said signal-to-noise ratio data for a current time period with said averaged signal-to-noise ratio data to generate differential signal-to-noise ratio data that is representative of atmospheric precipitation density.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a satellite weather detection system that uses atmospheric precipitation density data. Subscribers detect the signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio of signals that are transmitted from the satellite. Upstream transmit power data is also collected, which is needed to achieve a given SNR at a gateway. The values of the downstream signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio data as well as the upstream transmit power data are normalized and compared with current atmospheric data. The data can be color coded and graphically displayed to show weather patterns. Location and velocity of high precipitation density cells can be tracked to predict movement of storms.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of detecting atmospheric precipitation density using signal-to-noise ratio data relating to the signal-to-noise ratio of subscriber received signals transmitted from a satellite to subscribers at subscriber locations comprising:
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receiving said subscriber received signals at said subscriber locations; generating said signal-to-noise ratio data relating to said signal-to-noise ratio of said subscriber received signals; transmitting said signal-to-noise ratio data from said subscribers to a central office; normalizing, by a processor, said signal-to-noise ratio data by averaging said signal-to-noise ratio data over a plurality of time periods to produce averaged signal-to-noise ratio data; comparing, by a processor, said signal-to-noise ratio data for a current time period with said averaged signal-to-noise ratio data to generate differential signal-to-noise ratio data that is representative of atmospheric precipitation density. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of detecting atmospheric precipitation density using signal strength data relating to the signal strength of subscriber received signals transmitted from a satellite to subscribers at subscriber locations comprising:
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receiving said subscriber received signals at said subscriber locations; generating said signal strength data relating to said signal strength of said subscriber received signals; transmitting said signal strength data from said subscribers to a central office; normalizing, by a processor, said signal strength data by averaging said signal strength data over a plurality of time periods to produce averaged signal strength data; comparing, by a processor, said signal strength data for a current time period with said averaged signal strength data to generate differential signal strength ratio data that is representative of atmospheric precipitation density. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for detecting atmospheric precipitation density using signal-to-noise ratio data relating to the signal-to-noise ratio of downstream signals transmitted from a satellite to subscribers at known subscriber locations comprising:
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a subscriber transceiver configured to receive said downstream signal and transmit an upstream signal; a subscriber modem configured to receive said downstream signals from said transceiver, determine said signal-to-noise ratio data of said downstream signal and encode said upstream signal with said signal-to-noise ratio data; and a control system configured to receive said upstream signal, extract said signal-to-noise ratio data from said upstream signal, normalize said signal-to-noise ratio data by averaging said signal-to-noise ratio data over a plurality of time periods to produce averaged signal-to-noise ratio data, and compare said signal-to-noise ratio data for a current time period with said averaged signal-to-noise ratio data to generate differential signal-to-noise ratio data that is representative of atmospheric precipitation density. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for detecting atmospheric precipitation density using signal strength data relating to the signal strength of downstream signals transmitted from a satellite to subscribers at known subscriber locations comprising:
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a subscriber transceiver configured to receive said downstream signal and transmit an upstream signal; a subscriber modem configured to receive said downstream signals from said transceiver, determine said signal strength data of said downstream signal and encode said upstream signal with said signal strength data; and a control system configured to receive said upstream signal, extract said signal strength data from said upstream signal, normalize said signal strength data by averaging said signal strength data over a plurality of time periods to produce averaged signal strength data, and compare said signal strength data for a current time period with said averaged signal strength data to generate differential signal strength data that is representative of atmospheric precipitation density. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification