Additional systems and methods for monitoring terrestrially reused satellite frequencies to reduce potential interference

• US 20030073436A1
• Filed: 08/22/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D., Nguyen, Serge
• Granted Patent: US 7,031,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/429
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/216 Code division or spread-spectrum multiple access [CDMA, SSMA]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A satellite radiotelephone system includes a space-based component, an ancillary terrestrial network, a monitor and a controller. The space-based component is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band. The satellite footprint is divided into satellite cells in which subsets of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused in a spatial reuse pattern. The ancillary terrestrial network is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band, to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band. The monitor is configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component that is produced by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a satellite cell and/or in the satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the satellite cell for space-based component communications. The controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones, in response to the monitor.

Claims

1. A satellite radiotelephone system comprising:

a space-based component that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which subsets of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused in a spatial reuse pattern;

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band;

a monitor that is configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of a subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications; and

a controller that is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor.

2. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

3. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 2 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

4. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 2 wherein the monitor further comprises a silencer that is configured to silence the at least part of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, and wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the silencer.

5. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, while reducing a contribution of the radiation by the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, to the wireless radiation at the space-based component that is monitored by the monitor.

6. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 5 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, based on a position of the at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

7. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

8. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 7 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

9. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 7 wherein the monitor further comprises a silencer that is configured to silence the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, and wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the silencer.

10. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that are outside the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

11. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell.

12. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 11 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine the thermal noise floor by determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

13. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 11 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine the thermal noise floor by determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications and the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell are not communicating with the space-based component using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

14. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 11 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine an equivalent thermal noise floor increase produced by ancillary terrestrial network activity, by determining an average antenna discrimination of an antenna pattern of the space-based component.

15. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 11 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine the thermal noise floor by determining a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell over a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is not assigned to the space-based component and/or the ancillary terrestrial network.

16. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the space-based component is a first space-based component, in combination with:

a second space-based component that is not configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones and the ancillary terrestrial network but that may be subject to interference by the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones;

wherein the monitor is configured to monitor the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component; and

wherein the controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones to reduce the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component.

17. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 16 wherein the controller is configured to reduce the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may interfere with the second or first space-based component and to maintain or increase the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may not interfere with the second or first space-based component.

18. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor by controlling a number, geographic distribution, frequency distribution, vocoder and/or power of the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones.

19. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the space-based component is configured to wirelessly receive communications from the radiotelephones over an uplink and wherein the monitor is configured to identify signals from the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones on the uplink.

20. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band;

wherein the monitor is configured to monitor wireless radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones at the space-based component; and

wherein the controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor.

21. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 in combination with the radiotelephones.

22. A system for reducing interference in a satellite radiotelephone system, the satellite radiotelephone system comprising a space-based component that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which subsets of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused in a spatial reuse pattern, and an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the interference reducing system comprising:

a monitor that is configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of a subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications; and

a controller that is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

24. A system according to claim 23 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

25. A system according to claim 23 wherein the monitor further comprises a silencer that is configured to silence the at least part of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, and wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the silencer.

26. A system according to claim 22 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, while reducing a contribution of the radiation by the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, to the wireless radiation at the space-based component that is monitored by the monitor.

27. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 26 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, based on a position of the at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

28. A system according to claim 22 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

30. A system according to claim 28 wherein the monitor further comprises a silencer that is configured to silence the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, and wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the silencer.

31. A system according to claim 22 wherein the monitor is further configured to monitor wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that are outside the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

32. A system according to claim 22 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell.

33. A system according to claim 32 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine the thermal noise floor by determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

34. A system according to claim 32 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine the thermal noise floor by determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications and the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell are not communicating with the space-based component using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

35. A system according to claim 32 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine an equivalent thermal noise floor increase produced by ancillary terrestrial network activity, by determining an average antenna discrimination of an antenna pattern of the space-based component.

36. A system according to claim 32 wherein the monitor is further configured to determine the thermal noise floor by determining a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell over a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is not assigned to the space-based component and/or the ancillary terrestrial network.

37. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 22 wherein the space-based component is a first space-based component, in combination with:

a second space-based component that is not configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones and the ancillary terrestrial network but that may be subject to interference by the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones;

wherein the monitor is configured to monitor the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component; and

wherein the controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones to reduce the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component.

38. A system according to claim 37 wherein the controller is configured to reduce the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may interfere with the second or first space-based component and to maintain or increase the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may not interfere with the second or first space-based component.

39. A system according to claim 22 wherein the controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor by controlling a number, geographic distribution, frequency distribution, vocoder and/or power of the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones.

40. A system according to claim 22 wherein the space-based component is configured to wirelessly receive communications from the radiotelephones over an uplink and wherein the monitor is configured to identify signals from the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones on the uplink.

41. A system according to claim 22 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band;

wherein the monitor is configured to monitor wireless radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones at the space-based component; and

wherein the controller is configured to adjust the radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor.

42. A system according to claim 22 in combination with the radiotelephones.

43. A system for reducing interference in a satellite radiotelephone system, the satellite radiotelephone system comprising a space-based component that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which subsets of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused in a spatial reuse pattern, and an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the interference reducing system comprising;

means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of a subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications; and

means for adjusting the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the means for monitoring.

44. A system according to claim 43 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

45. A system according to claim 44 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

46. A system according to claim 44 wherein the means for monitoring further comprises a silencer that is configured to silence the at least part of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, and means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the means for silencing.

47. A system according to claim 43 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for determining radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, while reducing a contribution of the radiation by the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, to the wireless radiation at the space-based component that is monitored by the means for monitoring.

48. A system according to claim 47 wherein the means for monitoring further comprises means for determining radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, based on a position of the at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

49. A system according to claim 43 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

50. A system according to claim 49 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

51. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 49 wherein the means for monitoring further comprises means for silencing the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, and means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the means for silencing.

52. A system according to claim 43 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that are outside the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

53. A system according to claim 43 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for determining a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell.

54. A system according to claim 53 wherein the means for determining the thermal noise floor comprises means for determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

55. A system according to claim 53 wherein the means for determining the thermal noise floor comprises means for determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications and the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell are not communicating with the space-based component using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

56. A system according to claim 53 wherein the means for determining the thermal noise floor comprises means for determining an average antenna discrimination of an antenna pattern of the space-based component.

57. A system according to claim 53 wherein the means for determining the thermal noise floor comprises means for determining a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell over a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is not assigned to the space-based component and/or the ancillary terrestrial network.

58. A system according to claim 43 wherein the space-based component is a first space-based component, in combination with:

a second space-based component that is not configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones and the ancillary terrestrial network but that may be subject to interference by the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones;

wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component; and

wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones to reduce the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component.

59. A system according to claim 58 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for reducing the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the means for monitoring determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may interfere with the second or first space-based component and for maintaining or increasing the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the means for monitoring determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may not interfere with the second or first space-based component.

60. A system according to claim 43 wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the means for monitoring by controlling a number, geographic distribution, frequency distribution, vocoder and/or power of the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones.

61. A system according to claim 43 wherein the space-based component is configured to wirelessly receive communications from the radiotelephones over an uplink and wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for identifying signals from the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones on the uplink.

62. A system according to claim 43 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band;

wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring wireless radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones at the space-based component; and

wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones in response to the means for monitoring.

63. A system according to claim 43 in combination with the radiotelephones.

64. A method for reducing interference in a satellite radiotelephone system, the satellite radiotelephone system comprising a space-based component that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which subsets of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused in a spatial reuse pattern, and an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to wirelessly communicate with radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the interference reducing method comprising:

monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of a subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications; and

adjusting the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitoring.

65. A method according to claim 64 wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

66. A method according to claim 65 wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

67. A method according to claim 65 wherein the monitoring comprises:

silencing the at least part of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications; and

monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that adjoin a predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the silencing.

68. A method according to claim 64 wherein the monitoring comprises determining radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, while reducing a contribution of the radiation by the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell of the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, to the wireless radiation at the space-based component that is monitored by the monitoring.

69. A method according to claim 68 wherein the determining comprises determining radiation by at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, based on a position of the at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

70. A method according to claim 64 wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

71. A method according to claim 70 wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is not actually being used in the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications due to inactivity of at least one radiotelephone in the predetermined satellite cell.

72. A method according to claim 71 wherein the monitoring comprises:

silencing the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications; and

monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component from the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications, at a time that the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications is silenced by the silencing.

73. A method according to claim 64 wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring wireless radiation at the space-based component, by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in satellite cells that are outside the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the predetermined satellite cell, in the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

74. A method according to claim 64 wherein the monitoring comprises determining a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell.

75. A method according to claim 74 wherein the determining comprises determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

76. A method according to claim 74 wherein the determining comprises determining a thermal noise floor in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell at a time that the ancillary terrestrial network that is in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell is not communicating with the radiotelephones using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications and the radiotelephones in the predetermined satellite cell are not communicating with the space-based component using the at least part of the subset of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is assigned to the predetermined satellite cell for space-based component communications.

77. A method according to claim 74 wherein the determining comprises determining an average antenna discrimination of an antenna pattern of the space-based component.

78. A method according to claim 76 wherein the determining comprises determining a thermal noise floor in the predetermined satellite cell and/or in the satellite cells that adjoin the predetermined satellite cell over a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band that is not assigned to the space-based component and/or the ancillary terrestrial network.

79. A method according to claim 64 wherein the space-based component is a first space-based component, in combination with:

a second space-based component that is not configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones and the ancillary terrestrial network but that may be subject to interference by the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones;

wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component; and

wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones to reduce the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones that may interfere with the second or first space-based component.

80. A method according to claim 79 wherein the adjusting comprises:

reducing the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitoring determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may interfere with the second or first space-based component; and

maintaining or increasing the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitoring determining that the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones may not interfere with the second or first space-based component.

81. A method according to claim 64 wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitoring by controlling a number, geographic distribution, frequency distribution, vocoder and/or power of the wireless radiation by the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones.

82. A method according to claim 64 wherein the space-based component is configured to wirelessly receive communications from the radiotelephones over an uplink and wherein the monitoring comprises identifying signals from the ancillary terrestrial network and/or the radiotelephones on the uplink.

83. A method according to claim 64 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the radiotelephones in the satellite footprint over at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to thereby terrestrially reuse the at least some of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band;

wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring wireless radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones at the space-based component; and

wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the radiation by the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components and/or the radiotelephones in response to the monitor.