Patent ID: 7373105
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of determining communication link quality employing beacon signals, the method comprising the steps of: equipping a plurality of communications satellites with beacon transmitters that generate beacon signals including a continuous wave (CW) tone and a coded signal that are different for each of the communications satellites; providing a communications device, that is capable of establishing UHF communications links with the communications satellites by means of a first antenna, with means for receiving and processing the beacon signals to determine the quality of the UHF communications links; providing the communications device with means for communicating to a user information pertaining to the quality of the UHF communications links and identifying individual component impairments of a total link degradation; and providing the communications device with a means for adjusting a transmission power of the communications device; wherein the means for adjusting transmission power comprises a booster device that includes an alternative high gain antenna.