Method and apparatus for providing wideband services using medium and low earth orbit satellites
AssigneeHughes Electronics Corporation
InventorArthur W. Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for mitigating communications interference between satellite communications systems in different orbits is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of evaluating a geometrical relationship between a second ground station and the satellites in the second satellite constellation, and directing communications between the second ground station and the second satellite according to the evaluated geometrical relationship. In one embodiment communications are handed over from a first satellite to another satellite when the first satellite is no longer at the highest elevation angle of visible satellites. In another embodiment, handover occurs when the first satellite drops below a minimum elevation angle.
Claims14
A method of mitigating communication interference between a first satellite communicating with a first ground station and a second satellite communicating with a second ground station, wherein the second satellite is one of a plurality of satellites in a second satellite constellation having more than two satellites, comprising the steps of:
- evaluating a geometrical relationship between the second ground station and the satellites in the second satellite constellation by determining an elevation angle for each of the satellites in the second satellite constellation, wherein the elevation angle for each satellite is measured from a local horizon of the second ground station to the satellite;
- designating one of the plurality of satellites in the second satellite constellation disposed at a largest elevation angle as the handover satellite;
- and
- directing communications between the second ground station and the second satellites in the second constellation according to the evaluated geometrical relationship by handing over communications between the second ground station and the second satellite to the handover satellite.
A method of mitigating communication interference between a first satellite communicating with a first ground station and a second satellite, wherein the second satellite is one of a plurality of satellites in a second satellite constellation and the first satellite is not a member of the second satellite constellation, comprising the steps of:
- determining a separation angle for each of the satellites in the second satellite constellation, wherein the separation angle is an angle between the first satellite, a second ground station, and each respective satellite;
- and
- handing over communications between the second ground station and the second satellite to a handover satellite, if the separation angle of the handover satellite is greater than the separation angle for the second satellite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.