Communication system which predicts good opportunities for communication
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorDaniel Richard Tayloe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A communication network (10) includes a number of satellites (12) traveling in low earth orbits (14). The satellites (12) broadcast data which identify particular cells (34) within which communication may take place and geographic locations for the cells (34). A radio unit (26) located near the earth's surface receives these broadcast data and calculates a satellite position relative to the radio unit (26). Based upon this position, the radio unit (26) predicts when target satellites (12) will reach their maximum elevation angles relative to the radio unit (26) and the future times at which these maximum elevation angles will be reached. These predictions are then presented to a user of the radio unit (26).
Claims16
A method for operating a radio unit that communicates with a constellation of satellites traveling in orbital planes around the earth, each of said satellites of said constellation projecting a plurality of antenna beams, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a signal transmitted from one of said satellites, said signal including antenna beam information uniquely identifying one of said antenna beams;
- determining a relative position between said radio unit and said satellite based on said antenna beam information;
- predicting, using said relative position and system configuration data, a future time when one of said satellites shall be at an approximate maximum elevation angle relative to said radio unit, said future time being when successful communication between said radio unit and said one of said satellites may take place;
- and
- presenting said future time to a user of said radio unit.
A method for operating a cellular communication system in which a radio unit located near the surface of the earth communicates with a constellation of satellites traveling in moving-earth orbits, said method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting identifying signals from said satellites, said identifying signals including antenna beam information uniquely identifying antenna beams projected by said satellites;
- receiving one of said identifying signals at said radio unit;
- determining, at said radio unit based on said antenna beam information, a relative position between said radio unit and an initial one of said satellites;
- predicting, at said radio unit using said relative position and system configuration data, a future time when a target satellite shall be at an approximate maximum elevation angle relative to said radio unit, said future time being when successful communication between said radio unit and said target satellite may take place;
- and
- presenting said future time to a user of said radio unit.
A radio unit that communicates with a constellation of satellites traveling in moving-earth orbits, each of said satellite of said constellation projecting a plurality of antenna beams toward earth's surface, said radio unit comprising:
- a receiver for receiving a signal transmitted from one of said satellites, said signal including antenna beam information uniquely identifying one of said antenna beams;
- a controller coupled to said receiver, said controller being configured to determine a relative position between said radio unit and said satellite in response to said signal based on said antenna beam information,
- said controller further configured to predict, using to said relative position and system configuration data, a future time when one of said satellites shall be at an approximate maximum elevation angle relative to said radio unit, said future time being when successful communication between said radio unit and one of said satellites may take place;
- and
- a display, coupled to said controller, for presenting said future time to a user of said radio unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.