Patent ID: 6801768
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A bidirectional multimedia communication terminal comprising two orientable antennas for sending/receiving radio signals conveying multimedia data, an electronic signal processor for processing signals received or to be sent via said antennas, a pointing system associated with each antenna for pointing the respective antenna at a predetermined satellite from a constellation of non-geostationary satellites forming part of a multimedia telecommunication system, and a switching system for selectively switching the transmission of multimedia data between the terminal and the satellites of said constellation from a satellite at which one of said antennas is pointed to another satellite at which the other antenna is pointed, so as to guarantee continuous transmission of a data stream between said terminal and said constellation, said pointing system including an antenna orientation unit associated with each antenna and a control unit for controlling said orientation units on the basis of data on the position of said terminal in a frame of reference tied to the Earth and on ephemerides of visible satellites of said constellation supplied by a mission center of said constellation, said terminal further including a terminal positioning system for delivering said data on the position of said terminal.