Patent ID: 6011951
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A system for sharing a radio frequency spectrum between first and second satellite communication systems, the system comprising:a first plurality of Earth-based communication stations operating as an Earth-bound portion of the first satellite communication system;a second plurality of Earth-based communication stations operating as an Earth-bound portion of the second satellite communication system;a first plurality of satellites in non-geostationary Earth orbits and operating as a satellite portion of the first satellite communication system to communicate with said first plurality of Earth-based communication stations, each of said satellites of said first plurality of satellites orbiting the Earth in one of a plurality of orbital planes; anda second plurality of satellites in non-geostationary orbits and operating as a satellite portion of the second satellite communication system to communicate with said second plurality of Earth-based communication stations, each of said satellites of said second plurality of satellites orbiting the Earth in one of said plurality of orbital planes, said satellites of said first and second pluralities of satellites being in alternate positions within at least one of said orbital planes, whereby the first and second satellite communication systems share the radio frequency spectrum by interleaving said satellites of said first and second pluralities of satellites in at least one orbital plane.