Space-based server network architecture
US6002916A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B7/18578
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A space-based server network architecture (1) which permits on demand transfer of mission and control data between client satellites (14) in an orbit about earth and an earth station (20, 22, 24, 26) irrespective of the location of the client satellite (14) relative to the earth station (20, 22, 24, 26). The architecture includes a plurality of server satellites (10) located spaced apart in a earth orbit above the orbit of the client satellites (14). The server satellites (10) provide substantially total world-wide communications coverage to and connectivity with designated and authorized earth stations (20, 22, 24, 26) and the plurality of client satellites (14). Each server satellite (10) includes: a communications downlink (18, 18a, 18b) for providing intercommunication with designated and authorized earth stations within its field of view; communications crosslinks (12, 12a, 12b) for providing intercommunications with other server satellites within its field of view; and communications links (16, 16a, 16b) for providing intercommunication with a client satellite within its field of view. Client satellite control data originating from an earth station is passed directly to an ac…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.