Patent · US Active

Satellite communications systems and methods using substantially co-located feeder link antennas

US7831202B2 · kind B2 · utility

68Cited by
146References
54Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 8, 2006
Grant dateNov 9, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04B7/18521
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A satellite communications system includes a plurality of feeder link antennas, a primary satellite, and an auxiliary satellite. The feeder link antennas are substantially co-located relative to one another. The primary satellite is configured to receive information over a plurality of return service links from radioterminals, to communicate a first portion of the information over at least one return feeder link directly to a first one of the feeder link antennas, and to communicate a second portion of the information over at least one inter-satellite link. The auxiliary satellite is spaced apart from the primary satellite, and configured to receive the second portion of the information from the primary satellite via the at least one inter-satellite link, and to communicate the second portion of the information across at least one return feeder link to a second one of the feeder link antennas.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.