Patent ID: 6125261
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A system for providing high frequency data communications in a satellite-based communications network, the system comprising:a plurality of communications satellites each having uplink and downlink antennas capable of receiving and transmitting a plurality of signals utilizing spot beams to a plurality of coverage areas at a predetermined range of frequencies, the plurality of satellites each further having uplink and downlink antenna beam switches coupled to the uplink and downlink antennas respectively for selecting a reconfigurable subset of the plurality of coverage areas so as to provide satellite communications to a subset of the plurality of coverage areas, and the plurality of satellites each having a primary communication payload for receiving and transmitting signals at a primary range of frequencies in each of the plurality of coverage areas in the subset and a secondary communication payload for receiving and transmitting signals at a secondary range of frequencies in each of the plurality of coverage areas in the subset upon drop-out of the primary communication payload, and wherein each of the plurality of satellites further having an intersatellite link for communicating with each of the other plurality of satellites;a plurality of dedicated communications links between a source location in one of the plurality of coverage areas and a destination location in another one of the plurality of coverage areas, the plurality of dedicated communications links each being assigned an exclusive time interval for transmitting and receiving communications signals to and from each of the plurality of satellites; anda plurality of user terminals disposed in the plurality of source locations and destination locations for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each other via the plurality of communications satellites utilizing one of the plurality of dedicated communications links, and each of the plurality of user terminals having a primary communication antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to each of the plurality of satellites at the primary range of frequencies.