Redundant communication path for satellite communication data

• US 7,773,942 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ViaSat Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Hudson, Erwin C., Martin, Remberto L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aminzay; Shaima Q
• Application Number:
  US11/847,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20080055152A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/3.01, 455/3.02, 455/9, 455/427, 455/428, 455/430, 342/352, 342/357
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Claims

1. A satellite communications system that provides a redundant communication path for communications data that is transmitted between a satellite and a plurality of ground stations by providing at least one backup, earth-based, utility gateway for backing up multiple earth-based operational gateways comprising:

a first microwave radiator configured to direct a first set of microwave signals to a first earth-based operational gateway that comprises one of said multiple earth-based operational gateways, said first set of microwave signals carrying a first subset of said communications data from a first user terminal located in spot beam coverage region;

a first signal splitter configured to collect at least a portion of said first subset of said communications data from said first user terminal;

a second microwave radiator configured to direct a second set of microwave signals to a second earth-based operational gateway that comprises one of said multiple earth-based operational gateways, said second set of microwave signals carrying a second subset of said communications data from a second user terminal;

a second splitter configured to collect at least a portion of said second subset of said communications data from said second user terminal;

a third microwave radiator configured to direct a selected one of said first set of microwave signals and said second set of microwave signals to said at least one backup, earth-based, utility gateway; and

at least one selector on said satellite configured to selectively couple said third microwave radiator to a selected one of said first splitter and said second splitter in response to detection of propagation loss of one of said first set of microwave signals and said second set of microwave signals, such that said selected one of said first set of microwave signals and said second set of microwave signals is directed by said third microwave radiator to carry communications data collected from said selected one of the said first splitter and said second splitter to said at least one backup, earth-based, utility gateway.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a first receiver configured to receive microwave signals from said first earth-based gateway, said first receiver coupled to a first combiner; and

a second receiver configured to receive microwave signals from said second earth-based gateway, said second receiver coupled to a second combiner.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a third receiver configured to receive microwave signals from said backup utility, earth-based gateway; and

a second selector configured to selectively couple said third receiver to a selected one of said first combiner and said second combiner.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second, and third microwave radiators comprise a feed horn.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first splitter and second splitter comprise a directional coupler.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said first selector comprises a switch.

7. A satellite communications system having at least one backup utility gateway for backing up multiple operational gateways comprising:

a first feed horn disposed on a satellite that is configured to direct a first set of microwave signals to a first operational earth-based gateway, that comprises one of said multiple operational gateways, said first set of microwave signals carrying a first set of communications data from a first user terminal located in a spot beam coverage region;

a first directional coupler, that is disposed on said satellite, that is configured to collect at least a portion of said first set of communications data from said first user terminal;

a second feed horn, that is disposed on said satellite, that is configured to direct a second set of communications data to a second earth-based operational gateway that comprises one of said multiple operational gateways, said second set of microwave signals carrying a second set of communications data from a second user terminal;

a second directional coupler, that is disposed on said satellite, that is configured to collect at least a portion of said second set of communications data from the second user terminal;

a third feed horn, that is disposed on said satellite, that is configured to direct a selected one of said first set of communications data and said second set of communications data to an earth-based, utility gateway that comprises one of said at least one backup, utility gateways; and

at least one switch, disposed on said satellite, that is configured to selectively couple said third feed horn to a selected one of said first directional coupler and said second directional coupler in response to detection of a propagation loss of one of said first set of communications data and said second set of communications data, such that said selected one of said first set of communications data and said second set of communications data is directed by said third feed horn, which carries said selected one of said first set of said communications data and said second set of said communications data, to said earth-based, utility gateway.

8. A method of mitigating microwave signal propagation loss by providing a utility gateway that serves as a backup gateway for multiple operational gateways in a satellite communications system comprising:

transmitting a first microwave signal from said satellite to a first operational earth-based gateway that comprises one of said multiple operational gateways first microwave antenna radiator, said first microwave signal carrying communications data from an earth-based user terminal;

detecting propagation loss of a second microwave signal received by said satellite from said first earth-based gateway using said first microwave antenna;

providing a first switch that communicatively couples said first microwave signal to a second microwave antenna;

switching said first microwave signal, using said first switch to said second microwave antenna in response to detection of said propagation loss of said second microwave signal;

transmitting said first microwave signal from said satellite to said utility gateway, using said second microwave antenna, said first microwave signal carrying said communication data from said earth-based user terminal to said utility gateway, that serves as a backup gateway upon detection of said propagation loss;

providing a second switch that communicatively couples said second microwave signal to said second microwave antenna.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said propagation loss in said first microwave signal is due to weather.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said propagation loss of said microwave signal is due to one of electrical failure, fire, flood, and tornado.