Apparatus and method for reusing satellite broadcast spectrum for terrestrially broadcast signals

An apparatus for simultaneously providing terrestrially transmitted signals on a common frequency with satellite signals transmitted from a satellite along a satellite signal route to a first location, the satellite signals being transmitted at a first frequency and having a signal power level at the first location to produce satellite input signals at least at a minimum usable satellite input signal level when received with a satellite receiving antenna physically oriented at the first location in a satellite reception position in which an aperture of the satellite receiving antenna encompasses the satellite signal route to the first location, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first terrestrial transmitter for transmitting terrestrial signals at the first frequency along a wireless transmission route from a first terrestrial transmitter location to the first location, the wireless transmission route lying at an angle from the satellite signal route such that the terrestrial signals present at the first location produce terrestrial input signals from the satellite receiving antenna oriented in the satellite reception position at the first location, the terrestrial input signals being at a power level less than an interference level with respect to the satellite input signals, the terrestrial signals present at the first location also having a power level at least at a minimum usable terrestrial signal level.

A method for reusing a first transmission frequency already in use for transmitting satellite signals from a satellite along a satellite signal route to a first location for reception with a satellite receiving antenna which is physically oriented at the first location with an aperture of the satellite receiving antenna encompassing the satellite signal route to the first location, the satellite signals having a sufficient signal power level at the first location to result in satellite input signals from the satellite receiving antenna which are at least at a minimum usable satellite input signal level, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) transmitting terrestrial signals at the first transmission frequency from a first terrestrial transmitter to the first location, the terrestrial signals present at the first location resulting in terrestrial input signals from the satellite receiving antenna such that the satellite input signals at the satellite receiving antenna are distinguishable from the terrestrial input signals;
• and
• (b) receiving the terrestrial signals with a terrestrial receiving antenna at the first location to produce terrestrial input signals from the terrestrial receiving antenna which are distinguishable from any satellite input signals at the terrestrial receiving antenna resulting from satellite signals transmitted from the satellite to the first location.

An apparatus for simultaneously transmitting terrestrial signals on a common frequency with satellite signals transmitted from a satellite, the satellite transmitting satellite signals at a first frequency along a satellite signal route to a first location for reception with a satellite receiving antenna which is physically oriented at the first location with an aperture of the satellite receiving antenna encompassing the satellite signal route to the first location, the satellite signals having a signal power level at the first location to produce satellite input signals at least at a minimum usable satellite input signal level when received within the aperture of the satellite receiving antenna, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a terrestrial transmitter for transmitting terrestrial signals at the first frequency to the first location from a fixed terrestrial location which forms a fixed geometry with the first location and the satellite, the terrestrial transmitter being located with respect to the first location such that the terrestrial signals present at the first location result in terrestrial input signals from the satellite receiving antenna at the first location which are at a power level less than an interference power level with respect to the satellite input signals produced by the satellite receiving antenna at the first location;
• and
• (b) a terrestrial receiving antenna at the first location, the terrestrial receiving antenna receiving the terrestrial signals transmitted from the terrestrial transmitter to produce terrestrial input signals which are distinguishable from any satellite input signals at the terrestrial receiving antenna resulting from satellite signals transmitted from the satellite to the first location.