Method for limiting interference between satellite communications systems

• US 6,866,231 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Higgins, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Teri P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLZEN, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US10/153,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: H04/B01.5/00, B64/G00.1/22, 244/158.R, 244/159, 701/13, 701/51, 701/226, 379/63, 379/60, 455/127, 455/128, 455/130
• US Class Current: 244/158.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1007 Communications satellites
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1085 Swarms and constellations
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/242 Orbits and trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/195 Non-synchronous stations

Abstract

Boeing achieves satellite diversity by having a large discrimination angle for a MEO constellation of communications satellites to limit interference in the Ku-band with GSO communications systems. Each satellite entering an exclusion zone over a GSO ground station terminates all transmissions to provide EPFD within acceptable limits. The Boeing MEO constellation preferably comprises 20 satellites, 5 in each orbit. The four orbits are inclined at about 57° with respect to the equator. Services include an Integrated Digital Service (IDS) and Backhaul Data Service (BDS) to accommodate the needs of different users.

Claims

1. A method to reduce interference between a GSO satellite and its GSO ground station when operating a plurality of NGSO satellites orbiting at medium earth orbit (MEO) in a constellation, comprising the step of:

terminating all transmission signals generated on a particular NGSO satellite or emanating from an NGSO ground station in communication with the NGSO satellite when the NGSO satellite is in an exclusion zone defined from 15°

North to 15°

South latitude for a GSO ground station antenna.

2. A satellite communication system for reducing interference comprising:

a GSO satellite and its GSO ground station,

a NGSO satellite and a NGSO ground station in communication with the NGSO satellite, wherein a plurality of NGSO satellites are orbiting in a constellation at Medium Earth Orbit (MEO),

an exclusion zone from 15°

North to 15°

South latitude,

wherein all transmission signals generated on a particular NGSO satellite or emanating from an NGSO ground station communicating with the NGSO satellite are terminated when the NGSO satellite is in the exclusion zone.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the MEO constellation comprises five satellites in an orbit and four orbits in planes inclined 57°

relative to the equator.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the constellation permits users outside the Tropics to always be in view of at least two operational satellites above a 30°

elevation angle.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the constellation includes four planar orbits, each orbit inclined 57°

relative to the equator to provide truly global coverage, each orbit including five operational satellites.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the system includes at least twelve NGSO ground stations distributed over the earth to provide truly global coverage and the constellation includes four orbits of satellites wherein each orbit has no more than five satellites.