Patent ID: 6349195
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
In a satellite communication system, a method of enhancing the communication capabilities of said system comprising in combination:deploying a first satellite into an orbital slot at a first point in time, said first satellite being capable of communicating with a second satellite; deploying said second satellite at a second point in time later than said first point in time after a need for communication between the first and second satellites has been confirmed, whereby the communication capabilities of said first satellite are expanded to intersatellite capabilities by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said orbital slot; deploying an uplink receiver with said first satellite, said uplink receiver being capable of receiving communication signals from a first ground-based communication station; deploying a processor with said first satellite, said processor being capable of processing said communication signals from said uplink receiver; deploying a first two-way intersatellite communication link terminal operable within a first range with said first satellite, said first terminal being capable of communication with a second two-way intersatellite communication link terminal deployable with said second satellite capable of receiving intersatellite signals from beyond said first range; deploying a downlink transmitter with said first satellite, said downlink transmitter being capable of transmitting signals to a second ground-based communication station; and deploying a switch with said first satellite enabling signals from said uplink receiver to be utilized by said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor and enabling signals from said first intersatellite communication link terminal or said first processor to be utilized by said downlink transmitter; whereby the communication capabilities of said first satellite are expanded to intersatellite capabilities beyond said first range by launching said second satellite after said first satellite is in said orbital slot.