Method and apparatus for managing a constellation of satellites in low earth orbit
AssigneeOrbcomm Global, L.P.
InventorJohn J. Tandler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reconfiguring a satellite based on its position relative to one or more reference points on the Earth's surface. The method and apparatus use dot products defining relative locations of the satellite and predefined regions on the Earth's surface to determine when the satellite is within the predefined region. When the dot product comparison indicates that the satellite is located within the predefined region, a computer on-board the satellite executes a stored command set to reconfigure the satellite's communications protocol for the predefined region in which the satellite is located.
Claims17
A method for configuring the operation of a communications satellite, comprising the sets of:
- providing data defining the geographical location of a region on a body;
- providing data defining the geograhical position of said satellite;
- comparing said data defining said geographical location of said region to said data defining said geographical position of said satellite;
- and
- selectively configuring said satellite to operate in a predetermined manner when said step of comparing indicates that said satellite is within said region;
- wherein said region comprises a substantially circular area having a center point and a perimeter, wherein said data defining said region is expressed as a dot product of a first vector and a second vector and wherein said data defining said geographical position of said satellite is expressed as a dot product of said first vector and a third vector.
A method for configuring the communications protocol of a communications satellite, comprising the steps of:
- defining the geographical location of a region;
- defining the geographical position of the satellite;
- comparing the geographical location of the region to the geographical position of the satellite;
- and
- selectively configuring the satellite for a predetermined communications protocol when the step of comparing indicates that the satellite is within the region;
- wherein said region comprises a substantially circular area having a center point and a perimeter, wherein said data defining said region is expressed as a dot product of a first vector and a second vector and wherein said data defining said geographical position of said satellite is expressed as a dot product of said first vector and a third vector.
An apparatus for configuring an operating mode of a satellite as a function of the satellite's location, comprising:
- data storage means for storing defining a predetermined ground position;
- position determining means for determining the geographical position of said satellite;
- comparing means for comparing said predetermined ground position to said satellite position;
- and
- operating mode configuring means for selectively configuring an operating mode of said satellite in a predetermined manner when said predetermined ground position corresponds to said satellite position in a predetermined manner;
- wherein said predetermined ground position comprises a substantially circular area having a center point and a perimeter, wherein said substantially circular area is defined in terms of a dot product of a first vector and a second vector, and wherein said geographical position of said satellite is defined in terms of a dot product of said first vector and a third vector.
An apparatus for configuring an operating mode of a satellite as a function of the satellite's location, comprising:
- a ground position memory unit for storing data defining a predetermined ground position;
- a command set memory unit for storing at least one executable command set;
- a positioning unit for determining the geographical position of said satellite, wherein said positioning unit is configured to output data defining said position of said satellite;
- and
- a processor operably associated with said ground position memory unit, said command set memory unit, and said positioning unit,
- wherein said processor compares said data defining said predetermined ground position to said data defining said satellite location,
- wherein said processor selectively executes said at least one executable command set to configure an operating mode of said satellite in a predetermined manner,
- wherein said data defining a predetermined ground position is defined in terms of a circular area, and
- wherein said circular area is defined as a dot product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.