Extraterrestrial communications systems and methods including ancillary extraterrestrial components

• US 7,418,236 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2004
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobile Satellite Venture LP
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D., Levin, Lon C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh; Tan
• Application Number:
  US10/827,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20050239457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/431, 455/430, 455/13.1, 455/427, 455/412.1, 455/522, 455/524, 455/63.1, 455/422.1, 455/13.3, 370/345, 370/320, 342/352, 342/120, 342/351, 709/223
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18521 Systems of inter linked satellites, i.e. inter satellite service for optical links between satellites H04B10/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2041 Spot beam multiple access

Abstract

A system for communications on an extraterrestrial body may include a space-based component and an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body. The space-based component may be configured to provide wireless communications with a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body over a satellite frequency band wherein the space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body. The ancillary extraterrestrial component may be configured to provide wireless communications with the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body. Moreover, the ancillary extraterrestrial component may reuse at least one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band, and the space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component may be configured to relay communications therebetween. Related methods are also discussed.

Claims

1. A communications system composing:

a first space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications to a plurality of radioterminals located on an extraterrestrial body using frequencies of a first satellite frequency band wherein the first space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body; and

a first ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body that is configured to establish first wireless links directly between itself and the first space-based component and directly between itself and a first radioterminal and to use the first wireless links to provide wireless communications between the first radioterminal and a second radioterminal;

wherein the second radioterminal communicates with the first radioterminal via a second ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body that is configured to establish second wireless links directly between itself and the first space-based component and directly between itself and the second radioterminal; and

wherein the first ancillary extraterrestrial component is further configured to detect transmissions of the second ancillary extraterrestrial component, to establish a link therebetween responsive to having detected the transmissions and to use the link that is established to coordinate frequency reuse, transmission power and/or hand-off of radioterminals with the second ancillary extraterrestrial component.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first space-based component is configured to relay communications between first and second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body without using any ancillary extraterrestrial components.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one ancillary extraterrestrial component is configured to relay communications between first and second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body by using at least one frequency of the first satellite frequency band.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein an ancillary extraterrestrial component and the first space-based component are configured to relay communications between first and second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body such that communications between the first and second radioterminals are relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the first space-based component.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein a radioterminal is configured to provide full duplex voice communications.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein a radioterminal is configured to provide digital data communications.

7. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components on the extraterrestrial body with each ancillary extraterrestrial component defining a respective wireless communications coverage area on the extraterrestrial body.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components use a plurality of frequencies of the first satellite frequency band wherein the plurality of frequencies are shared among the plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components according to a frequency reuse pattern to reduce interference between adjacent ancillary extraterrestrial components.

9. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications to a plurality of radioterminals located on earth over a second satellite frequency band wherein the second space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting the earth, wherein the first space-based component, the second space-based component, and the ancillary extraterrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween via direct wireless links therebetween.

10. A system according to claim 9 further comprising:

an ancillary terrestrial component on earth that is configured to provide wireless communications to a plurality of radioterminals located on earth, wherein the ancillary terrestrial component uses at least one frequency of the first and/or second satellite frequency band, and wherein the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween via direct wireless links therebetween.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the first satellite frequency band and the second satellite frequency band comprise substantially the same satellite frequency band.

12. A system according to claim 10 wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body and the ancillary terrestrial component on earth are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body.

13. A system according to claim 10 wherein the first space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body.

14. A system according to claim 9 wherein the first space-based component and the second space-based component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body.

15. A system according to claim 9 wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the second space-based component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body.

16. An extraterrestrial communications system comprising:

a first space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications to a first plurality of radioterminals located on an extraterrestrial body wherein the first space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body;

an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body that is configured to provide wireless communications to the first plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body, wherein the first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween and wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component is configured to detect transmissions of at least one other ancillary extraterrestrial component, to establish a link therebetween responsive to having detected the transmissions and to use the link that is established to coordinate frequency reuse, transmission power and/or hand-off of radioterminals with the at least one other ancillary extraterrestrial component;

a second space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications to a second plurality of radioterminals located on earth wherein the second space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting earth; and

an ancillary terrestrial component on earth that is configured to provide wireless communications to the second plurality of radioterminals located on earth, wherein the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween;

wherein the first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based component, and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and a radioterminal on earth such that communications between the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and the radioterminal on earth are relayed through at least two of the first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component.

17. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the first space-based component is configured to provide wireless communications over a first satellite frequency band and wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component is configured to use at least one frequency of the first satellite frequency band.

18. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 17 wherein the second space-based component is configured to provide wireless communications over a second satellite frequency band and wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is configured to use at least one frequency of the second satellite frequency band.

19. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 18 wherein the first and second satellite frequency bands comprise substantially the same satellite frequency band.

20. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the first space-based component is configured to relay communications between first and second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body.

21. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component is configured to relay communications between first and second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body.

22. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component are configured to relay communications between first and second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body such that communications between the first and second radioterminals are relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the first space-based component.

23. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the radioterminals located on earth and on the extraterrestrial body comprise mobile radioterminals configured to provide full duplex voice communications.

24. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the radioterminals located on earth and on the extraterrestrial body are configured to provide digital data communications.

25. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component is one of a plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components on the extraterrestrial body with each ancillary extraterrestrial component defining a respective wireless communications coverage area on the extraterrestrial body.

26. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 25 wherein the first space-based component is configured to provide wireless communications over a first satellite frequency band, wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component is configured to use a plurality of frequencies of the first satellite frequency band, and wherein the plurality of frequencies are shared among the plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components according to a reuse pattern to reduce interference between adjacent extraterrestrial components.

27. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body and the ancillary terrestrial component on earth are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body such that communications between the radioterminal on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body are relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the ancillary terrestrial component.

28. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the first space-based component and the second space-based component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body such that communications between the radioterminal on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body are relayed through both the first space-based component and the second space-based component.

29. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the first space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body such that communications between the radioterminal on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body are relayed through both the first space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component.

30. An extraterrestrial communications system according to claim 16 wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the second space-based component are configured to relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body such that communications between the radioterminal on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body are relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the second space-based component.

31. A communications system comprising:

a space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications to a plurality of radioterminals located on earth over a first satellite frequency band wherein the space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting earth; and

an ancillary terrestrial component on earth that is configured to provide wireless communications to with the plurality of radioterminals located on earth;

wherein the ancillary terrestrial component uses at least one frequency of the first satellite frequency band, is configured to detect transmissions of at least one other ancillary terrestrial component, to establish a link therebetween responsive to having detected the transmissions and to use the link that is established to coordinate frequency reuse, transmission power and/or hand-off of radioterminals with the at least one other ancillary terrestrial component; and

wherein the space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to relay communications therebetween and at least one of the space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component is configured to relay communications between one of the plurality of radioterminals located on earth and a radioterminal located on an extraterrestrial body.

32. A communications system according to claim 31 further comprising:

a second space-based component that is configured to provide wireless communications to a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body over a second satellite frequency band wherein the second space-based component includes at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body, wherein the first space-based component, the second space-based component, and the ancillary terrestrial component are configured to establish direct wireless communications links therebetween and to relay communications therebetween using the direct wireless communications links.

33. A communications system according to claim 32 further comprising:

an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body that is configured to provide wireless communications to the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body, wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component uses at least one frequency of the second and/or first satellite frequency band, and wherein the second space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component are configured to establish direct wireless links therebetween and to relay communications therebetween using the direct wireless links.

34. A communications system according to claim 33 wherein the first satellite frequency band and the second satellite frequency band comprise substantially the same satellite frequency band.

35. A method of operating a communications system comprising a space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting an extraterrestrial body and an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body, the method comprising:

providing wireless communications by the space-based component to a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body over a satellite frequency band;

providing wireless communications by the ancillary extraterrestrial component to the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body, wherein the ancillary extraterrestrial component uses at least one frequency of the satellite frequency band;

establishing direct wireless links between the space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component and relaying communications between the space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component using the direct wireless links; and

detecting by the ancillary extraterrestrial component transmissions of at least one other ancillary extraterrestrial component, establishing a link therebetween responsive to the detecting and coordinating with the at least one other ancillary extraterrestrial component, using the link that is established, frequency reuse, transmission power and/or hand-off of radioterminals.

36. A method of operating a communications system comprising a first space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting an extraterrestrial body, an ancillary extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body, a second space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting earth, and an ancillary terrestrial component on earth, the method comprising:

providing wireless communications by the first space-based component to a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body;

providing wireless communications by the ancillary extraterrestrial component to the plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body;

establishing direct wireless links between the first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component and relaying communications between the first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component using the direct wireless links;

providing wireless communications by the second space-based component to a plurality of radioterminals located on earth;

providing wireless communications by the ancillary terrestrial component to the plurality of radioterminals located on earth;

establishing direct wireless communications links between the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component and relaying wireless communications therebetween using the direct wireless communications links;

detecting by the ancillary extraterrestrial component transmissions of at least one other ancillary extraterrestrial component, establishing a link therebetween responsive to the detecting and coordinating with the at least one other ancillary extraterrestrial component, using the link that is established, frequency reuse, transmission power and/or hand-off of radioterminals; and

relaying communications between a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and a radioterminal on earth such that communications between the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and the radioterminal on earth are relayed through at least two of the first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component.

37. A method of operating a communications system comprising a space-based component including at least one satellite orbiting earth, and an ancillary terrestrial component on earth, the method comprising:

providing wireless communications by the space-based component to a plurality of radioterminals located on earth using service link frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

providing wireless communications by the ancillary terrestrial component to the plurality of radioterminals located on earth using service link frequencies of the satellite frequency band;

relaying communications between the space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component;

detecting by the ancillary terrestrial component transmissions of at least one other ancillary terrestrial component, establishing a link therebetween responsive to the detecting and coordinating with the at least one other ancillary terrestrial component, using the link that is established responsive to the detecting, frequency reuse, transmission power and/or hand-off of radioterminals; and

relaying communications between one of the plurality of radioterminals located on earth and a radioterminal located on an extraterrestrial body using the space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component.