Patent ID: 6636734
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A user ground terminal for use in a satellite-based communications system of the type including a first satellite with means for receiving RF signals through a first uplink channel to said first satellite and for transmitting RF signals through a first downlink channel from said first satellite distinct from said first uplink channel, and a second satellite with means for receiving RF signals through a second uplink channel to said second satellite distinct from said first uplink channel, and for transmitting RF signals through a second downlink channel distinct from said first downlink channel and said second uplink channel, said user around terminal comprising:a user terminal antenna for receiving RF signals on said first downlink channel and said second downlink channel, and for transmitting RF signals on only one of said first and second uplink channels; an RF signal processor electrically coupled to said user terminal antenna and processing RF signals received on said first downlink channel and said second downlink channel, said RF signal processor including means for supplying RF signals to said user terminal antenna for transmission to only one of said first satellite on said first uplink channel and said second satellite on said second uplink channel; and a data processor connected to said RF signal processor and processing data received from said RF signal processor: whereby the user ground terminal is capable of transmitting RF signals to only one satellite, with which the user ground terminal is associated, but is capable of receiving RF signals from multiple satellites, to facilitate transmission of data between two user ground terminals associated with different satellites without the need for intersatellite crosslinks or ground relay stations.