Non-uniform multi-beam satellite communications system and method
First Claim
1. A spacecraft antenna array for multi-beam broadcasts to earth, comprising:
- a plurality of antenna reflectors, and at least one respective feed horn associated with each reflector, said antenna reflectors and their respective feed horns configured to broadcast a plurality of communication signal beams in a non-uniform beam pattern with at least some of said beams having different sizes, and at least some of said reflectors having different sizes to produce respective beams with different roll-off characteristics.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite broadcast system and method, particularly useful for television signals, allows for local as well as nationwide broadcast service by allocating greater satellite resources to the more important local service areas. This is accomplished by broadcasting a non-uniform pattern of local service beams and designing the system to establish different service area priorities through factors such as the individual beam powers, sizes, roll-off characteristics and peak-to-edge power differentials. Frequency reuse is enhanced by permitting a certain degree of cross-beam interference, with lower levels of interference established for the more important service areas.
45 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A spacecraft antenna array for multi-beam broadcasts to earth, comprising:
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a plurality of antenna reflectors, and at least one respective feed horn associated with each reflector, said antenna reflectors and their respective feed horns configured to broadcast a plurality of communication signal beams in a non-uniform beam pattern with at least some of said beams having different sizes, and at least some of said reflectors having different sizes to produce respective beams with different roll-off characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A spacecraft antenna array for multi-beam broadcasts to earth, comprising:
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a plurality of antenna reflectors, and at least one respective feed horn associated with each reflector, said antenna reflectors and their respective feed horns configured to broadcast a plurality of communication signal beams in a non-uniform beam pattern with at least some of said beams having different sizes, and at least some of said feed horns having different respective illumination tapers to produce respective beams with different peak-to-edge power differentials. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A spacecraft broadcast system for multi-beam broadcasts to earth, comprising:
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a spacecraft, a plurality of antenna reflectors with respective horns carried by said spacecraft, and a power supply and radio frequency (RF) signal circuitry carried by said spacecraft for energizing said feed horns to broadcast respective communication signal beams to respective target area locations on earth via their respective reflectors, said antenna reflectors and their respective feed horns configured to broadcast said beams in a non-uniform beam pattern with at least some of said beams having different sizes, at least some of said reflectors having different sizes to produce respective beams with different roll-off characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A spacecraft broadcast system for multi-beam broadcasts to earth, comprising:
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a spacecraft, a plurality of antenna reflectors with respective feed horns carried by said spacecraft, and a power supply and radio frequency (RF) signal circuitry carried by said spacecraft for energizing said feed horns to broadcast respective communication signal beams to respective target area locations on earth via their respective reflectors, said antenna reflectors and their respective feed horns configured to broadcast said beams in a non-uniform beam pattern with at least some of said beams having different sizes, at least some of said feed horns having different respective illumination tapers to produce respective beams with different peak-to-edge power differentials. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification