Satellite-based mobile communication system

A wireless communications system having at least one satellite and more than one terminal, comprising:

• a global positioning system (GPS) receiver contained in a user equipment (UE) for receiving position information pertaining to the terminal;
• a star tracking system contained in the at least one satellite for determining position information pertaining to the at least one satellite;
• and
• at least one multiple beam scanning array transceiver contained in a satellite for wirelessly transceiving the information.

A multiple beam optical array transceiver, comprising:

• at least one receive amplifier for amplifying received optical signals;
• at least one transmit amplifier for amplifying optical signals prior to transmission;
• at least one micro-electronic mechanical (MEM) mirror for reflecting free-space optical signals;
• at least one bi-directional optical coupler connected to the receive amplifier and the transmit amplifier, and associated with the MEM mirror, for transmitting to and receiving from the connected amplifiers an optical signal, and reflecting a free-space optical signal onto and receiving a reflected free-space optical signal from the associated MEM mirror;
• at least one holographic aperture for focusing free-space optical signals reflected from the MEM mirror and focusing received free-space optical signals onto the MEM mirror;
• and
• a controller for controlling the aiming of the MEM mirror.

A multiple beam optical array antenna, comprising:

• at least one receive amplifier for amplifying received optical signals;
• at least one transmit amplifier for amplifying optical signals prior to transmission;
• at least one bi-directional optical switch bank having a bi-directional fiber optic input and a plurality of fiber optic outputs;
• at least one bi-directional optical coupler connected to the receive amplifier, the transmit amplifier, and the input of the switch bank;
• at least one holographic aperture connected to the plurality of outputs of the switch bank for receiving and transmitting free-space optical signals;
• and
• a controller for controlling the switch bank.

A millimeter wavelength array receive antenna, comprising:

• a plurality of array antenna elements each capable of detecting focused millimeter wavelength energy and converting the focused millimeter wavelength energy into electrical signals;
• and
• a millimeter wavelength lens for focusing incident millimeter energy onto said array antenna elements;
• wherein said plurality of array antenna elements conform to an array focal contour Of the millimeter wavelength lens.

A millimeter wavelength array transmit antenna, comprising:

• a plurality of array antenna elements each capable of converting electrical signals into millimeter wavelength energy and emitting the millimeter wavelength energy;
• and
• a millimeter wavelength lens for aiming the emitted millimeter wavelength energy;
• wherein said plurality of array antenna elements conform to an array focal contour of the millimeter wavelength lens.

A method for setting up a call in a communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting via one of optical and millimeter signals from a first user equipment (UE) a call message to setup a call with a second UE;
• receiving at a first satellite the call message from UE1;
• transmitting from the first satellite the call message in its coverage area and to other satellites via optical crosslinks;
• transmitting via one of optical and millimeter signals by the other satellites the call message in their coverage areas;
• receiving at the second UE the call message from one of the satellites and transmitting an acknowledgement the one of the satellites;
• routing a call from the first UE to the second UE;
• and
• releasing resources required for the call set up.

A method for setting up a call in a communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting via one of optical and millimeter signals from a first user equipment (UE) a call message to setup a call with a second UE;
• receiving at a first satellite the call message from UE1;
• determining the location of the second UE;
• transmitting via one of optical and millimeter signals to the second UE the call message from a satellite in whose coverage area the second UE is located;
• receiving at the second UE the call message from one of the satellites and transmitting an acknowledgement to the one of the satellites;
• routing a call from the first UE to the second UE;
• and
• releasing resources required for the call set up.

A method for setting up a call in a communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting via one of optical and millimeter signals from a first user equipment (UE) a call message to setup a call with a second UE;
• receiving at a first satellite the call message from UE1;
• training a narrow, high-gain, wide-band beam on the first UE;
• training a narrow, high-gain, wide-band beam on the second UE;
• transmitting via one of optical and millimeter signals the call message to the second UE;
• receiving at the second UE the call message from one of the satellites and transmitting an acknowledgement the one of the satellites;
• routing a call from the first UE to the second UE;
• and
• releasing resources required for the call set up.

A method for aligning and tracking a call in a communications system for wireless transceiving of information, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting from a first user equipment (UE) to a first satellite a log-on message at an assigned mm channel;
• receiving at the first satellite the log-on message and determining authorization and identification of the first UE;
• determining if atmospheric conditions are conducive to an optical signal link;
• if atmospheric conditions are conducive to an optical signal link, transmitting a response in an optical band to the first UE, and if atmospheric conditions are not conducive to an optical signal link, transmitting the response in a millimeter band to the first UE;
• receiving at the first UE the response;
• setting up a call with a second UE;
• determining if atmospheric conditions are conducive to optical signal link;
• if atmospheric conditions are conducive to an optical signal link, transmitting the call in an optical band, and if atmospheric conditions are not conducive to an optical signal link, transmitting the call in a millimeter band.