Patent ID: 8509144
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for communicating using a satellite having a forward link capability comprising: providing the satellite, the satellite comprising a plurality of receivers having inputs and outputs, a plurality of transmitters having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the plurality of transmitters coupled to the outputs of the plurality of receivers, a plurality of transmit switches coupled to the outputs of the plurality of transmitters, and a gateway switch structure coupled to at least one of: (a) the inputs of the plurality of receivers, (b) the outputs of the plurality receivers and the inputs of the plurality of transmitters, or (c) the outputs of the plurality of transmitters; using each transmit switch in the plurality of transmit switches to sequentially switch a forward link signal into multiple fixed location beams according to a beam group transmit switching pattern; prior to a time T after time T wherein P and Q are both non-zero, positive integers, and Q<P; and wherein the first and second gateway switching patterns are different.