Additional aggregate radiated power control for multi-band/multi-mode satellite radiotelephone communications systems and methods

• US 7,623,859 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Karabinis, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost; Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENRY, CHRISTOPHER P
• Application Number:
  US11/538,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20070087690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 455/430, 370316-322, 370/324, 370/326
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00

Abstract

An Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) includes at least one Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) that is configured to provide wireless communications using frequencies of a satellite frequency band. The ATN provides communications based on a GSM, cdma2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface, under a constrained capacity measure. The capacity measure of the ATN may also be constrained when the ATN provides communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) and/or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface. Analogous methods of controlling an ATN also may be provided.

Claims

1. An Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) comprising:

at least one Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on at least two of a GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocols, a capacity measure of the ATN is limited by;

α

N+β

M+γ

L=R;

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein each one of α

, β and

γ

is substantially constant over a time interval, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of an air interface protocol of the ATN and N, M and L are measures of capacity associated respectively with the GSM, CDMA2000 CDMA2000 and W-CDMA air interface protocols.

2. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band

3. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein α

=⅛

.

4. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein β

= 1/25.

5. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein γ

= 1/100.

6. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein R is a measure of GSM frequency reuse and R=15,410 per 1% of a noise increase to a satellite.

7. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein the measure of a frequency reuse is associated with a predetermined level of a noise increase to an INMARSAT satellite.

8. An ATN according to claim 7, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-3 satellite.

9. An ATN according to claim 7, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-4 satellite.

10. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein a value associated with α

, β and

/or γ

depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

11. An ATN according to claim 10, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

12. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein the ATN provides communications using all of the GSM, CDMA2000 and W-CDMA air interfaces.

13. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein the ATN provides communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

14. An ATN according to claim 13, wherein the forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized comprise forward link transmission that are substantially Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) and/or substantially Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP).

15. An ATN according to claim 12, wherein the ATN provides communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

16. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) air interface protocol and/or an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface protocol.

17. An ATN according to claim 16, wherein the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol is a Time Division Duplex (TDD) and/or Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol.

18. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

19. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein each one of N, M and L is an integer, having a value that is greater than zero or equal to zero, but not all of N, M and L are equal to zero.

20. An ATN according to claim 1, wherein a value associated with R, N, M and/or L depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal

21. An ATN according to claim 20, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

162. An ATN according to claim 1 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

22. An Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) comprising:

at least one Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) and/or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface protocol, a capacity measure of the ATN is limited to;

X=RB10^α

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein each one of α and

B is substantially constant over a time interval, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of an air interface protocol other than the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol of the ATN and X is a measure of capacity associated with the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

23. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

24. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein the ATN provides communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

25. An ATN according to claim 24, wherein the forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized comprise forward link transmissions that are substantially Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) and/or substantially Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP).

26. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein the ATN provides communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

27. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol is a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol.

28. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein the measure of a frequency reuse is associated with a predetermined level of a noise increase to an INMARSAT satellite.

29. An ATN according to claim 28, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-3 satellite.

30. An ATN according to claim 28, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-4 satellite.

31. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein a value associated with α

depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

32. An ATN according to claim 31, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

33. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on a GSM, CDMA2000, W-CDMA and/or a Time Division Duplex (TDD) air interface protocol.

34. An ATN according to claim 33, wherein the GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocol(s) is/are based on one or more Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol(s).

35. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with a terrestrial air interface protocol.

36. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein X has a value that is greater than zero.

37. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein a value associated with R, α

and/or X depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

38. An ATN according to claim 37, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

39. An ATN according to claim 22, wherein B is associated with a channel/carrier bandwidth of the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

40. An ATN according to claim 39, wherein B is substantially equivalent to a channel measure associated with a CDMA2000 air interface protocol and/or a derivative thereof

41. An ATN according to claim 36, wherein X specifies a number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels.

42. An ATN according to claim 41, wherein the number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels is a total number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels.

43. An ATN according to claim 41, wherein the number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels is a total number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels associated with an ATN that provides communications to a plurality of disparate service areas.

163. An ATN according to claim 22 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

44. An Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) comprising:

at least one Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) and/or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface protocol, a capacity measure of the ATN is limited by;

X=α

RB10^β

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein each one of α

, B and β

is substantially constant over a time interval, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of an air interface protocol other than the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol of the ATN and X is a measure of capacity associated with the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

45. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

46. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein the ATN provides communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

47. An ATN according to claim 46, wherein the forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized comprise forward link transmission that are substantially Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) and/or substantially Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP).

48. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein the ATN provides communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

49. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol is a Time Division Duplex (TDD) air interface protocol.

50. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein the measure of a frequency reuse is associated with a predetermined level of a noise increase to an INMARSAT satellite.

51. An ATN according to claim 50, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-3 satellite.

52. An ATN according to claim 50, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-4 satellite.

53. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein a value associated with R depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

54. An ATN according to claim 53, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

55. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on a GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocol.

56. An ATN according to claim 55, wherein the GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocol(s) is/are based on one or more Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol(s).

57. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with a terrestrial air interface protocol.

58. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein X has a value that is greater than zero.

59. An ATN according to claim 58, wherein the value of X depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

60. An ATN according to claim 59, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

61. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein B is associated with a channel/carrier bandwidth of the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

62. An ATN according to claim 55, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on a OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol that is based on a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol.

63. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein α

is a power control adjustment factor.

64. An ATN according to claim 63, wherein α

=0.01×

10^0.52.

65. An ATN according to claim 44, wherein a value associated with β

depends on a power level associated with the ATN.

66. An ATN according to claim 65, wherein the power level is a maximum Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) level.

67. An ATN according to claim 66, wherein the EIRP is an effective EIRP in a direction of a satellite.

164. An ATN according to claim 44 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

68. A method of controlling an Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) that is configured to provide wireless communications using set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on at least two of a GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocols;

the method comprising;

limiting a capacity measure of the ATN to;

α

N+β

M+γ

L=R;

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein each one of α

, β and

γ

is substantially constant over a time interval, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of an air interface protocol of the ATN and N, M and L are measures of capacity associated respectively with the GSM, CDMA2000 and W-CDMA air interface protocols.

69. A method according to claim 68, wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

70. A method according to claim 68, wherein α

=⅛

.

71. A method according to claim 68, wherein β

= 1/25.

72. A method according to claim 68, wherein γ

= 1/100.

73. A method according to claim 68, wherein R is a measure of GSM frequency reuse and R=15,410 per 1% of a noise increase to a satellite.

74. A method according to claim 68, wherein the measure of a frequency reuse is associated with a predetermined level of a noise increase to an INMARSAT satellite.

75. A method according to claim 74, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-3 satellite.

76. A method according to claim 74, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-4 satellite.

77. A method according to claim 68, wherein a value associated with α

, β and

/or γ

depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

78. A method according to claim 77, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

79. A method according to claim 68, wherein the ATN provides communications using all of the GSM, CDMA2000 and W-CDMA air interfaces.

80. A method according to claim 68, wherein the ATN provides communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

81. A method according to claim 80, wherein the forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized comprise forward link transmission that are substantially Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) and/or substantially Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP).

82. A method according to claim 79, wherein the ATN provides communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

83. A method according to claim 68, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) air interface protocol and/or an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface protocol.

84. A method according to claim 83, wherein the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol is a Time Division Duplex (TDD) and/or Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol.

85. A method according to claim 68, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

86. A method according to claim 68, wherein each one of N, M and L is an integer, having a value that is greater than zero or equal to zero, but not all of N, M and L are equal to zero.

87. A method according to claim 68, wherein a value associated with R, N, M and/or L depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

88. A method according to claim 87, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

192. A method according to claim 68 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

89. A method of controlling an Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) that is configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) air interface protocol and/or an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface protocol;

the method comprising;

limiting a capacity measure of the ATN to;

X=RB10^α

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein each one of α and

B is substantially constant over a time interval, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of an air interface protocol other than the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol of the ATN and X is a measure of capacity associated with the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

90. A method according to claim 89, wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

91. A method according to claim 89, wherein the ATN provides communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

92. A method according to claim 91, wherein the forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized comprise forward link transmissions that are substantially Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) and/or substantially Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP).

93. A method according to claim 89, wherein the ATN provides communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

94. A method according to claim 89, wherein the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol is a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol.

95. A method according to claim 89, wherein the measure of a frequency reuse is associated with a predetermined level of a noise increase to an INMARSAT satellite.

96. A method according to claim 95, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-3 satellite.

97. A method according to claim 95, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-4 satellite.

98. A method according to claim 89, wherein a value associated with α

depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

99. A method according to claim 98, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

100. A method according to claim 89, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on a GSM, CDMA2000, W-CDMA and/or a Time Division Duplex (TDD) air interface protocol.

101. A method according to claim 100, wherein the GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocol(s) is/are based on one or more Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol(s).

102. A method according to claim 89, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with a terrestrial air interface protocol.

103. A method according to claim 89, wherein X has a value that is greater than zero.

104. A method according to claim 89, wherein a value associated with R, α

and/or X depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

105. A method according to claim 104, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

106. A method according to claim 89, wherein B is associated with a channel/carrier bandwidth of the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

107. A method according to claim 106, wherein B is substantially equivalent to a channel measure associated with a CDMA2000 air interface protocol and/or a derivative thereof.

108. A method according to claim 103, wherein X specifies a number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels.

109. A method according to claim 108, wherein the number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels is a total number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels.

110. A method according to claim 108, wherein the number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels is a total number of simultaneously on-the-air users/channels associated with an ATN that provides communications to a plurality of disparate service areas.

193. A method according to claim 89 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

111. A method of controlling an Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) that is configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) air interface protocol and/or an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) air interface protocol;

the method comprising;

limiting a capacity measure of the ATN to;

X=α

RB10^β

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein each one of α

, B and β

is substantially constant over a time interval, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of an air interface protocol other than the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol of the ATN and X is a measure of capacity associated with the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

112. A method according to claim 111, wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or S-band.

113. A method according to claim 111, wherein the ATN provides communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

114. A method according to claim 113, wherein the forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized comprise forward link transmission that are substantially Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) and/or substantially Right Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP).

115. A method according to claim 111, wherein the ATN provides communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

116. A method according to claim 111, wherein the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol is a Time Division Duplex (TDD) air interface protocol.

117. A method according to claim 111, wherein the measure of a frequency reuse is associated with a predetermined level of a noise increase to an INMARSAT satellite.

118. A method according to claim 117, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-3 satellite.

119. A method according to claim 117, wherein the INMARSAT satellite is an INMARSAT-4 satellite.

120. A method according to claim 111, wherein a value associated with R depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

121. A method according to claim 120, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

122. A method according to claim 111, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on a GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocol.

123. A method according to claim 122, wherein the GSM, CDMA2000 and/or W-CDMA air interface protocol(s) is/are based on one or more Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol(s).

124. A method according to claim 111, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with a terrestrial air interface protocol.

125. A method according to claim 111, wherein X has a value that is greater than zero.

126. A method according to claim 125, wherein the value of X depends on a power level of at least one radioterminal.

127. A method according to claim 126, wherein the power level is a maximum power level.

128. A method according to claim 111, wherein B is associated with a channel/carrier bandwidth of the OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

129. A method according to claim 122, wherein the ATN is further configured to provide communications based on a OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol that is based on a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) air interface protocol.

130. A method according to claim 111, wherein α

is a power control adjustment factor.

131. A method according to claim 130, wherein α

0.01×

10^0.52.

132. A method according to claim 111, wherein a value associated with β

depends on at least one power level associated with the ATN.

133. A method according to claim 132, wherein the at least one power level is a maximum Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) level.

134. A method according to claim 133, wherein the EIRP is an effective EIRP in a direction of a satellite.

194. A method according to claim 111 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

135. An Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) comprising:

at least one Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on a first air interface protocol, a capacity measure of the ATN is limited by;

X=f(R)

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein f(R) is a non-linear function of R, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of a second air interface protocol of the ATN and X is a measure of capacity associated with the first air interface protocol.

136. An ATN according to claim 135 wherein R is a measure of GSM frequency reuse.

137. An ATN according to claim 136 wherein R=15,410 per 1% of a noise increase to a satellite.

138. An ATN according to claim 137 wherein the satellite is an INMARSAT satellite.

139. An ATN according to claim 135 wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or an S-band.

140. An ATN according to claim 135 wherein the first air interface protocol is an OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

141. An ATN according to claim 140 wherein the first air interface protocol is based upon FDD and/or TDD.

142. An ATN according to claim 135 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

143. An ATN according to claim 135 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

144. An ATN according to claim 135 wherein R depends on at least one power level associated with the ATN and/or radioterminals communicating therewith.

145. An ATN according to claim 144 wherein the at least one power level is a maximum power level and/or an average power level.

146. An ATN according to claim 135, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

147. An ATN according to claim 135, wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

148. An Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) comprising:

at least one Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN uses at least first and second air interface protocols to provide wireless communications to respective at least first and second classes of radioterminals and the ATN provides a first number N≧

0 of active on-the-air communications channels associated with the first air interface protocol, a second number M≧

0 of active on-the-air communications channels associated with the second air interface protocol and a third number L≧

0 of active on-the-air communications channels associated with any other air interface protocol(s);

wherein the at least first and second air interface protocols are constrained by a functional relationship f(N, M, L)=C to generate an aggregate level of interference at the satellite that does not exceed a predetermined level, wherein C is a measure of frequency reuse for an air interface protocol.

149. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein f(N, M, L) is a linear or non-linear function of the variables N, M and/or L

150. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein C is a measure of GSM frequency reuse.

151. An ATN according to claim 150 wherein C=15,410 per 1% of a noise increase to a satellite.

152. An ATN according to claim 151 wherein the satellite is an INMARSAT satellite.

153. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or an S-band.

154. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein the at least first and second air interface protocols include a GSM, CDMA, OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

155. An ATN according to claim 154 wherein the at least first and second air interface protocols are based upon FDD and/or TDD.

156. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

157. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

158. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein C depends on at least one power level associated with the ATN and/or radioterminals communicating therewith.

159. An ATN according to claim 158 wherein the at least one power level is a maximum power level and/or an average power level.

160. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

161. An ATN according to claim 148 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

165. A method of controlling an Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) that is configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN provides communications based on a first air interlace protocol;

the method comprising;

limiting a capacity measure of the ATN to;

X=f(R)

 

in order to limit an aggregate level of interference to the satellite; and

wherein f(R) is a non-linear function of R, R is a measure of a frequency reuse of a second air interface protocol of the ATN and X is a measure of capacity associated with the first air interface protocol.

166. A method according to claim 165 wherein R is a measure of GSM frequency reuse.

167. A method according to claim 166 wherein R=15,410 per 1% of a noise increase to a satellite.

168. A method according to claim 167 wherein the satellite is an INMARSAT satellite.

169. A method according to claim 165 wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or an S-band.

170. A method according to claim 165 wherein the first air interface protocol is an OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

171. A method according to claim 170 wherein the first air interface protocol is based upon FDD and/or TDD.

172. A method according to claim 165 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

173. A method according to claim 165 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

174. A method according to claim 165 wherein R depends on at least one power level associated with the ATN and/or radioterminals communicating therewith.

175. A method according to claim 174 wherein the at least one power level is a maximum power level and/or an average power level.

176. A method according to claim 165, wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

177. A method according to claim 165, wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

178. A method of controlling an Ancillary Terrestrial Network (ATN) that is configured to provide wireless communications using a set of frequencies of a satellite frequency band;

wherein a satellite is also using at least some frequencies of the set of frequencies of the satellite frequency band to provide wireless communications, the ATN uses at least first and second air interface protocols to provide wireless communications to respective at least first and second classes of radioterminals and the ATN provides a first number N≧

0 of active on-the-air communications channels is associated with the first air interface protocol, a second number M≧

0 of active on-the-air communications channels that is associated with the second air interface protocol and a third number L≧

0 of active on-the-air communications channels that is associated with any other air interface protocol(s);

the method comprising;

constraining N, M and L by a functional relationship f(N, M, L)=C to generate an aggregate level of interference to the satellite that does not exceed a predetermined level, wherein C is a measure of frequency reuse for an air interface protocol.

179. A method according to claim 178 wherein f(N, M, L) is a linear or non-linear function of N, M and/or L.

180. A method according to claim 178 wherein C is a measure of GSM frequency reuse.

181. A method according to claim 180 wherein C=15,410 per 1% of a noise increase to a satellite.

182. A method according to claim 181 wherein the satellite is an INMARSAT satellite.

183. A method according to claim 178 wherein the satellite frequency band is an L-band and/or an S-band.

184. A method according to claim 178 wherein the at least first and second air interface protocols include a GSM, CDMA, OFDM and/or OFDMA air interface protocol.

185. A method according to claim 184 wherein the at least first and second air interface protocols are based upon FDD and/or TDD.

186. A method according to claim 178 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using space diversity and/or polarization diversity reception.

187. A method according to claim 178 wherein the ATN provides wireless communications using forward link transmissions that are substantially circularly polarized.

188. A method according to claim 178 wherein C depends on at least one power level associated with the ATN and/or radioterminals communicating therewith.

189. A method according to claim 188 wherein the at least one power level is a maximum power level and/or an average power level.

190. A method according to claim 178 wherein a vocoder used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a standard vocoder associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.

191. A method according to claim 178 wherein a data mode used by the ATN and/or by one or more radioterminals communicating therewith is a data mode associated with at least one terrestrial air interface protocol.