System and method for providing continuous communications access to satellites in geocentric, non-geosynchronous orbits
US10512021B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/6421
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system including a constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit and a plurality of ground stations to enable continuous communication for other geocentric, non-geosynchronous spacecraft. Network latency, Doppler effects, and router handover time are minimized through selection of orbital parameters for the satellite constellation and locations of ground stations. A plurality of polar or near polar orbit planes is presented at equally spaced right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN), in an alternative ascending-descending pattern. Inter-satellite communication is performed in-plane to relay data to a ground station, and out-of-plane or in-plane to communicate with another satellite that is not a member of the constellation. The number and location of ground stations is selected based on the number of small satellites and orbital planes in order to maintain continuous communications. The system can enable continuous communication for geocentric satellites without the need for line-of-sight access to a ground station.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.