Patent ID: 6138012
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
In a communication system, a method for reducing data interruptions due to signal blocking and signal fading, said method comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining a first block of data at a first communication satellite, said first communication satellite being at a first location;(b) obtaining a second block of data at a second communication satellite, said second communication satellite being at a second location and being coupled to said first communication satellite via a space-based cross-link;(c) identifying a dual-coverage subscriber unit, said dual-coverage subscriber unit being at a third location, said dual-coverage subscriber unit comprising two separate radio frequency (RF) subsystems having separate antennas;(d) establishing a primary communication channel from said first communication satellite to said dual-coverage subscriber unit;(e) establishing a secondary communication channel from said second communication satellite to said dual-coverage subscriber unit, said dual-coverage subscriber unit using said two separate RF subsystems to simultaneously receive and process signals from said primary communication channel and said secondary communication channel, said primary and secondary channel determinations being based on a combination of signal strength and bit error rates for the channels;(f) sending said first block of data from said first communication satellite to said dual-coverage subscriber unit using said primary communication channel;(g) sending said second block of data from said second communication satellite to said dual-coverage subscriber unit using said secondary communication channel, wherein said space-based cross-link is used to coordinate the sending of said first block of data from said first communication satellite and the sending of said second block of data from said second communication satellite;(h) receiving a third block of data at said dual-coverage subscriber unit, wherein said third block of data is a corrupted version of said first block of data;(i) receiving a fourth block of data at said dual-overage subscriber unit, wherein said fourth block of data is a corrupted version of said second block of data; and(j) processing said third block of data and said fourth block of data at said dual-coverage subscriber unit, said dual-coverage subscriber unit determining which frequencies and timeslots to use for said two separate RF subsystems.