Patent ID: 7840180
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: H04B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A system, comprising: a plurality of satellites, wherein each satellite of the plurality of satellites is adapted to receive uplink signals from at least one uplink hub, and to transmit downlink signals toward Earth in at least one directed beam, and wherein orbit paths of the plurality of satellites are Molniya orbits with an orbital period of about 12 hours and an angle of inclination of about 63.4 degrees, and wherein the plurality of satellites track along a substantially fixed path on the surface of the Earth over which each of the plurality of satellites travels during an orbit of the satellite, and wherein the plurality of satellites are phased in their orbits so that a first satellite enters an active orbit segment of the first satellite and initiates transmission of the downlink signals as a second satellite exits an active orbit segment of the second satellite and ceases transmission of the downlink signals, wherein an active orbit segment is centered about an apogee and has a duration of a sidereal day divided by a total number of satellites in the plurality of satellites; a plurality of user equipment systems located proximate to a surface of the Earth, wherein a user equipment system includes a highly-directional, non-tracking antenna adapted to receive the downlink signals, wherein the active orbit segment of each of the satellites is configured to transmit downlink signals to the plurality of highly-directional non-tracking antennas, and wherein each of the plurality of non-tracking antennas do not include a tracking mechanism adapted to dynamically point toward and track a satellite from which each highly-directional non-tracking antenna is receiving a transmission; and wherein each of the plurality of highly-directional non-tracking antennas are configured to receive the downlink signals transmitted by a satellite of the plurality of satellites while the satellite is within an active orbit segment.