Patent ID: 9602190
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: G06Q,H04B,H04L,H04W

Claim:
1. A communication system comprising: two or more high altitude platforms disposed at intervals in data communication with each other forming a communication path; and at least two network centers separated from each other by a predetermined distance, wherein the two or more high altitude platforms receive data signals from the network centers, travel along a communication path between the network centers, forming a data relay and transferring the data signals along the communication path, wherein the intervals are at different altitudes or different distances, wherein the two or more high altitude platforms comprise satellites; and the satellites are disposed at a low earth orbit and are spaced apart along the communication path in a predetermined configuration in multiple orbital planes, wherein each satellite is configured to: receive a data signal from the network center and retransmit the data signal to the other network center while within line of sight of the other network center: and in response to an overlap in coverage with an adjacent satellite, perform a hand-off operation to the adjacent satellite when the network centers are within line of sight.