Methods comprising satellites having a regenerative payload, onboard computer, payload interface and interference elimination system
First Claim
1. A satellite communications system for mobile terminals, the system comprising:
- a satellite configured to receive an uplink signal from one or more mobile user terminals and to transmit a downlink signal to one or more mobile target terminals in a satellite communications network, wherein;
the one or more mobile user or target terminals comprise a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than 50 cm, andwherein the satellite comprises;
a regenerative payload,a demodulator for demodulating the uplink signal received by the satellite,an onboard computer, anda payload interface,wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated, andwherein the system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of satellite communications for moving terminals, including but not limited to on-the-move and mobile terminals (e.g., on-the-pause terminals), are implemented in certain embodiments using smaller antennas (e.g., aperture area with diameter less than 50 cm), open standard waveforms to secure availability from several suppliers, payment for service only when using the terminal, interference avoidance to adjacent satellites, and low cost. Low cost is achieved in part by operating at frequency bands that are currently operated by terrestrial microwave links so that existing low cost microwave components are utilized. The system also includes an interference elimination system that continuously monitors for interference to adjacent satellites from a user terminal'"'"'s uplink signal. If interference is detected, the interference elimination system remedies the interference by performing one or more of the following: shutting down the interfering terminal(s), changing transmission parameters, changing the beam coverage on ground, changing the frequency of the affected traffic, or moving the satellite to a new orbital position. The interference elimination system may also transit the interference information to a control center.
65 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A satellite communications system for mobile terminals, the system comprising:
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a satellite configured to receive an uplink signal from one or more mobile user terminals and to transmit a downlink signal to one or more mobile target terminals in a satellite communications network, wherein; the one or more mobile user or target terminals comprise a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than 50 cm, and wherein the satellite comprises; a regenerative payload, a demodulator for demodulating the uplink signal received by the satellite, an onboard computer, and a payload interface, wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated, and wherein the system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of implementing a satellite communications system for mobile terminals, comprising the steps of:
- providing a satellite configured to receive an uplink signal from one or more mobile user terminals and to transmit a downlink signal to one or more mobile terminals in a satellite communications network, wherein the one or more mobile terminals comprises a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than about 50 cm, the satellite comprising;
a regenerative payload, a demodulator for demodulating the uplink signal received by the satellite, an onboard computer, and a payload interface, wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated; and
activating the one or more mobile user terminals to send the uplink signal to the satellite, or activating the target terminal to receive the downlink signal from the satellite;
wherein the satellite communications system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
- providing a satellite configured to receive an uplink signal from one or more mobile user terminals and to transmit a downlink signal to one or more mobile terminals in a satellite communications network, wherein the one or more mobile terminals comprises a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than about 50 cm, the satellite comprising;
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56. A method of operating a satellite communications system for mobile terminals, wherein the satellite communications system comprises:
- a mobile user terminal comprising a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than about 50 cm, and one or more satellites having a regenerative payload, a demodulator for demodulating an uplink signal sent by the mobile user terminal and received by the satellite, an onboard computer and a payload interface, wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated, and the satellite communications system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less, the method comprising the steps of;
adjusting the satellite communications system from a first frequency band to a second frequency band that is less populated than the first frequency band;
monitoring for interference towards adjacent satellites from the uplink signal; and
remedying the interference when the interference to the adjacent satellites from the uplink signal is detected. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60)
- a mobile user terminal comprising a small antenna having an aperture area with a diameter of less than about 50 cm, and one or more satellites having a regenerative payload, a demodulator for demodulating an uplink signal sent by the mobile user terminal and received by the satellite, an onboard computer and a payload interface, wherein the payload interface is coupled to the regenerative payload, the onboard computer and an onboard interference elimination system to enable an onboard interference analysis of the uplink signal after it has been demodulated, and the satellite communications system is optimized for a link margin of 5 dB or less, the method comprising the steps of;
Specification