Coordinated satellite-terrestrial frequency reuse

• US 20060211371A1
• Filed: 01/06/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D., Singh, Rajendra, Olexa, George Ronald, Badipour, Bahman
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/12.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18539 Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2041 Spot beam multiple access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks

Abstract

A system and method of operation for efficiently reusing and/or sharing at least a portion of the frequency spectrum between a first satellite spot beam and a second satellite spot beam, and/or an underlay terrestrial network associated with a second satellite spot beam. The spectrum is efficiently reused and/or shared between respective spot beams and/or associated underlay terrestrial systems in a manner minimizes interference between the respective satellite and terrestrial systems.

Claims

1. A method of assigning and/or reusing frequencies between one or more wireless communications systems, comprising:

configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith and providing satellite-based communications;

configuring a second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith and providing satellite-based communications;

configuring at least one terrestrial cell that at least partially overlaps geographically with the first satellite spot beam having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and providing terrestrial communications; and

assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the at least one terrestrial cell, at least a portion of the first set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the second set of frequencies to be used by the at least one terrestrial cell in providing the terrestrial communications responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by is preferentially performed relative to the second set of frequencies.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the satellite-based communications are provided using a satellite air-interface protocol and the terrestrial communications are provided using a terrestrial air-interface protocol.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the satellite air-interface protocol is different compared to the terrestrial air-interface protocol.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the satellite air-interface protocol is based on a terrestrial air-interface protocol.

6. A method of making a telephone call using a wireless communications system comprising a plurality of satellite spot beams, comprising:

receiving from a terminal within an area of a first satellite spot beam having a set of frequencies associated therewith, a request to establish communications with at least one communications device;

determining because of unavailability of the set of frequencies that a connection cannot be established with the at least one communications device; and

establishing a connection between the terminal and the at least one communications device by assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the first satellite spot beam, and/or for use by the terminal, at least a portion of frequencies associated at least with a second satellite spot beam.

7. A method of assigning and/or reusing frequencies between a plurality of communications areas, comprising:

configuring a first communications area having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring a second communications area having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring at least one third communications area that at least partially overlaps geographically with the first communications area, having a third set of frequencies associated therewith; and

assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the third communications area, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

8. A method of assigning and/or reusing frequencies between one or more communications systems, comprising:

configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring a second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring at least one terrestrial cell that at least partially overlaps geographically with the first satellite spot beam having a third set of frequencies associated therewith; and

assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the first and/or second satellite spot beam(s), at least a portion of the third set of frequencies responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

9. A method of assigning and/or reusing frequencies between one or more communications systems, comprising:

configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring a second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring at least one terrestrial cell that at least partially overlaps geographically with the first satellite spot beam having a third set of frequencies associated therewith; and

assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the at least one terrestrial cell, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

10. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies between one or more wireless communications systems, the wireless communications systems comprising at least one satellite capable of configuring a first spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith and providing satellite-based communications, the at least one satellite also capable of configuring at least one second spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith and providing satellite-based communications, a terrestrial base station positioned within the first spot beam for configuring at least one terrestrial cell, the at least one terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and providing terrestrial communications over a geographic coverage area that at least partially overlaps with a geographic coverage area associated with the first spot beam, and a first subscriber terminal positioned within the terrestrial base station coverage area;

the system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising;

a controller that is configured to assign to, allow reuse by and/or allow borrowing by, the terrestrial base station, and/or for use by the first subscriber terminal in communicating with at least one second subscriber terminal and/or other communications device(s), at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by is preferentially performed relative to the second set of frequencies.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the satellite-based communications are provided using a satellite air-interface protocol and the terrestrial communications are provided using a terrestrial air-interface protocol.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the satellite air-interface protocol is different compared to the terrestrial air-interface protocol.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the satellite air-interface protocol is based on a terrestrial air-interface protocol.

15. A system for making a telephone call using a wireless communications system that assigns and/or reuses frequencies between a first satellite spot beam and a second satellite spot beam, the wireless communications system comprising a subscriber terminal for dialing a telephone number to communicate with at least one communications device, and at least one satellite for configuring the first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith, and the second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

the system for making a telephone call comprising;

a controller that is configured to establish a connection between the subscriber terminal and the at least one communications device, by assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the first spot beam, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

16. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies, comprising:

at least one satellite for configuring a first communications area having a first set of frequencies associated therewith, and at least one second communications area having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

a terrestrial base station positioned within the first communications area, the terrestrial base station configuring at least one third communications area having at least partially overlapping geographic coverage with the first communications area, the third communications area having a third set of frequencies associated therewith; and

a network operations controller that assigns to, allows reuse by and/or allows borrowing by, the terrestrial base station, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies to facilitate communications between a subscriber terminal positioned within the third communications area and at least one second communications device, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

17. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies between a plurality of communications systems, the system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

at least one satellite capable of configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

the at least one satellite also capable of configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

a terrestrial base station positioned within the first satellite spot beam for configuring at least one terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having an area of geographic coverage that is at least partially overlapping geographically with an area of geographic coverage associated with the first satellite spot beam; and

a network operations controller for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the at least one second and/or first satellite spot beam(s), at least a portion of the third set of frequencies responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

18. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies between a plurality of communications systems, the system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

at least one satellite capable of configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

the at least one satellite also capable of configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

a terrestrial base station positioned within the first satellite spot beam for configuring at least one terrestrial cell, the terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having an area of geographic coverage at least partially overlapping with an area of geographic coverage of the first satellite spot beam; and

a network operations controller for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the terrestrial base station for use in establishing communications between a first subscriber terminal positioned within an area of coverage of the terrestrial base station and at least one second subscriber terminal and/or communications device, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

19. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies between a plurality of communications systems, the system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

at least one satellite capable of configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

the at least one satellite also capable of configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

a terrestrial base station positioned within the first satellite spot beam for configuring at least one terrestrial cell, the at least one terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having an area of geographic coverage at least partially overlapping with an area of geographic coverage associated with the first satellite spot beam; and

a network controller for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the terrestrial base station and/or for use by a first subscriber terminal in communicating with at least one second subscriber terminal and/or other communications device, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

20. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies between one or more wireless communications systems, the system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

means for configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith and at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

means positioned within the first satellite spot beam for configuring at least one terrestrial cell, the at least one terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and an area of geographic coverage that at least partially overlaps with an area of geographic coverage associated with the first satellite spot beam; and

means for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the terrestrial cell, and/or for use by a first subscriber terminal positioned within the terrestrial cell in communicating with at least one second subscriber terminal and/or other device(s), at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

21. A wireless communications system that assigns and/or reuses frequencies between a first satellite spot beam, at least one second satellite spot beam and/or at least one terrestrial base station cell, the wireless communications system comprising:

means for configuring the first satellite spot beam to have a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

means for configuring the at least one terrestrial base station cell to have at least partially overlapping geographic coverage area with a geographic coverage area associated with the first satellite spot beam and to have a third set of frequencies associated therewith;

means for configuring the at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith; and

means for establishing a communications connection between a user device and at least one second communications device, by assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the first satellite spot beam, and/or for use by the user device, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the third set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

22. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies, comprising:

means for configuring a first communications area having a first set of frequencies associated therewith, and at least one second communications area having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

means for configuring at least a third communications area, the third communications area having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having at least partially overlapping geographic coverage with the first communications area; and

means for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the third communications area, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies for facilitating communications between a subscriber terminal positioned within the third communications area and at least one second communications device, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

23. A system for assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

means for configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith and configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

means for configuring at least one terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having a geographic area of coverage at least partially overlapping with a geographic area of coverage of the first satellite spot beam; and

means for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the second satellite spot beam, at least a portion of the third set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies responsive to at least one predetermined criterion that is associated at least with a capacity requirement.

24. A system of assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

means for configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith and configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

means for configuring at least one terrestrial cell, the terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having an area of coverage at least partially overlapping geographically with an area of coverage of the first satellite spot beam; and

means for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the terrestrial cell for use in establishing communications between a first subscriber terminal positioned within a coverage area of the terrestrial cell and at least one second subscriber terminal and/or communications device, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion associated at least with a capacity requirement.

25. A system of assigning and/or reusing frequencies comprising:

means for configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith, and configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

means for configuring a terrestrial cell, the terrestrial cell having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having an area of coverage at least partially overlapping with an area of coverage associated with the first satellite spot beam; and

means for assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the terrestrial cell, and/or for use by a first subscriber terminal in communicating with at least one second subscriber terminal and/or communications device, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion associated at least with a capacity requirement.

26. A method of assigning and/or reusing frequencies between one or more communications systems, the method comprising:

configuring a first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring at least one second satellite spot beam having a second set of frequencies associated therewith;

configuring at least one terrestrial cell within the first satellite spot beam having a third set of frequencies associated therewith and having at least partially overlapping geographic coverage with the first satellite spot beam; and

assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the at least one terrestrial cell, at least a portion of the second set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the first set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion associated at least with a capacity requirement.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by is preferentially performed relative to the second set of frequencies.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

configuring at least one second terrestrial cell within the at least one second satellite spot beam having a fourth set of frequencies associated therewith and having at least partially overlapping geographic coverage with the at least one second satellite spot beam; and

assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the at least one second terrestrial cell, at least a portion of the first set of frequencies and/or at least a portion of the second set of frequencies, responsive to at least one predetermined criterion associated at least with a capacity requirement.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by is preferentially performed relative to the first set of frequencies.

30. A method of establishing wireless communications using a satellite-based communications system that assigns and/or reuses frequencies between a first satellite spot beam and at least one second satellite spot beam, comprising:

initiating communications from a subscriber terminal within an area associated with the first satellite spot beam having a first set of frequencies associated therewith to at least one other communications device;

determining because of unavailability of the first set of frequencies that a communications connection cannot be established with the at least one other communications device; and

establishing a communications connection between the subscriber terminal and the at least one other communications device by assigning to, allowing reuse by and/or allowing borrowing by, the first satellite spot beam, at least one frequency associated with the at least one second satellite spot beam.