High-data-rate distribution network for LEO constellations
US12132564B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 21, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0092
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A high data rate distribution network for low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations is described. The high data rate distribution network includes multiple LEO constellations, each constellation including a number of LEO spacecraft orbiting in a LEO plane that are all connected together by by-directional free space optical links. The distribution network further includes geostationary earth orbit (GEO) spacecraft in communication with a number of ground gateways. The GEO spacecraft can receive forward communication traffic including radio-frequency (RF) and/or optical data streams uplinked from the ground gateways and can convert the received forward communication traffic into a forward aggregated traffic. The GEO spacecraft can further optically downlink the forward aggregated traffic to LEO spacecraft in a LEO constellation that is in line of sight of the GEO spacecraft. The forward aggregated traffic is then disaggregated among and received by the LEO spacecraft in the LEO constellation. Return communication traffic from each LEO spacecraft can also be aggregated into a return aggregated traffic from the LEO constellation. The return aggregated traffic is optically uplinked…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.