Patent ID: 6127967
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A ground terminal acquisition and synchronization system for a satellite communication network comprising a plurality of orbiting satellites and a plurality of ground terminals that communicate with one another via uplink and downlink data channels to and from the orbiting satellites, each of said orbiting satellites producing a beacon signal, said ground terminal acquisition and synchronization system comprising:(a) a satellite acquisition system for locating a satellite, acquiring the beacon signal produced by the satellite and determining if the satellite is a desired satellite serving the geographic area in which the ground terminal is located; and(b) a satellite synchronization system for synchronizing the ground terminal to the satellite serving the geographic area in which the ground terminal lies based on satellite position and velocity information contained in the beacon signal produced by the satellite, if the satellite is the desired satellite serving the geographic area in which the ground terminal is located.