Multi-access laser communications transceiver system
US5218467A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B7/18521
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A satellite system for optical communications such as a multi-access laser transceiver system. Up to six low Earth orbiting satellites send satellite data to a geosynchronous satellite. The data is relayed to a ground station at the Earth's surface. The earth pointing geosynchronous satellite terminal has no gimbal but has a separate tracking mechanism for tracking each low Earth orbiting satellite. The tracking mechanism has a ring assembly rotatable about an axis coaxial with the axis of the field of view of the geosynchronous satellite and a pivotable arm mounted for pivotal movement on the ring assembly. An optical pickup mechanism at the end of each arm is positioned for optical communication with one of the orbiting satellites by rotation of the ring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.