Patent ID: 6169881
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method for a ground-to-satellite terminal to predict a service outage in a satellite communication system, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a terminal blockage profile based upon a location of said ground-to-satellite terminal; b) receiving a satellite blockage profile of one or more satellites of said satellite communication system; c) using said terminal blockage profile and said satellite blockage profile to predict a service outage for said ground-to-satellite terminal; d) combining said terminal blockage profile and said satellite blockage profile to generate a service status display report for use in predicting said impending service outage or impairment; and e) said service status display report comprises a circular operator display showing one or more satellites located within a field-of-view of said ground-to-satellite terminal within a predetermined time interval and showing one or more obstructed region where a communications link between said ground-to-satellite terminal and said one or more satellites may be blocked or otherwise impaired during said predetermined time interval, and wherein said circular operator display is generated, at least in part, from an optical image corresponding, at least in part, to a field-of-view of said antenna of said ground-to-satellite terminal.