Abstract:
A reconfigurable satellite access point including a transport-mounting structure and at least one antenna integrated with the transport-mounting structure, the transport-mounting structure allowing the satellite access point to be easily reconfigured between a shipping configuration and an deployed configuration, the satellite access point in the shipping configuration having a form factor of a shipping container which allows the satellite access point to be shipped to a remote satellite access site on earth and the satellite access point in the deployed configuration revealing the at least one antenna to the sky at the satellite access site. Further, a method for constructing and rapidly deploying a satellite access site, the method including integrating at least one antenna with a transport-mounting structure to create a satellite access point, configuring the satellite access point into a shipping configuration wherein the satellite access point has a form factor of a shipping container, shipping the satellite access point to a desired location on earth for the satellite access site, and reconfiguring the satellite access point into an deployed configuration at the satellite access site to reveal the at least one antenna to the sky.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to non-geostationary satellite communications systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to reconfigurable satellite access points (antenna systems) that can be rapidly deployed, and satellite access sites or antenna farms constructed from such satellite access points and related methods. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Satellite communications systems for bringing low-cost broadband Internet service to any location on the earth are currently being developed.  FIG. 1  illustrates such a satellite communications system  10 . As illustrated, the system  10  includes one or more satellite access sites (SAS)  12 , also referred to as antenna farms. Each of the SASs  12  comprises individual satellite access points (SAPs)  14 , also known as ground gateway antennas. The SASs  12 , in some systems, may each include between four (4) and twenty (20) SAPs  14 . Further, some of these systems, may comprise up to fifty (50) SASs  12  around the world. 
         [0003]    As also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the SAPs  14  of the SASs  12  may be connected to the Internet or other network and link the Internet or other network to a fleet of non-geostationary satellites  16 , which in turn link to inexpensive user terminals  18  positioned on the earth. The user terminals  18  deliver Internet connectivity to user computers, such as laptops, and user cell phones and the like, in residences and businesses. 
         [0004]    The SAPs  14  of the SAS  12  comprise relatively large tracking antenna assemblies. Therefore, a civil works project is currently required to construct an SAS  12 . 
         [0005]    Accordingly, an SAP is needed, which can be made and assembled at a manufacturing or like facility, and easily and quickly configured for shipping to a desired ground site and easily and quickly reconfigured for deployment at the ground site to rapidly construct a SAS. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Disclosed herein is a reconfigurable satellite access point comprising, in various embodiments, a transport-mounting structure, and at least one antenna integrated with the transport-mounting structure, wherein the transport-mounting structure allows the satellite access point to be easily reconfigured between a shipping configuration and an deployed configuration, the satellite access point in the shipping configuration having a form factor of a shipping container which allows the satellite access point to be shipped to a remote satellite access site on earth and the satellite access point in the deployed configuration revealing the at least one antenna to the sky at the satellite access site. 
         [0007]    Further disclosed herein is a method for constructing a satellite access site, the method comprising in various embodiment, integrating at least one antenna with a transport-mounting structure to create a satellite access point, configuring the satellite access point into a shipping configuration wherein the satellite access point has a form factor of a shipping container, shipping the satellite access point to a desired location on earth for the satellite access site, and reconfiguring the satellite access point into an deployed configuration at the site to reveal the at least one antenna to the sky. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a prior art satellite communications system according to the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is an end elevational view of an embodiment of a reconfigurable satellite access point (SAP) according to the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a side elevational view of the shippable SAP of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the SAP shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in a folded state or assembled into a shipping configuration for shipping. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3B-3E  are perspective views of the SAP shown in  FIG. 3A , as it is reconfigured by collapsing it down into a deployed configuration during deployment of the SAP at a SAS. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4E  are perspective views of another embodiment of the SAP comprising two SAP sub-units where  FIGS. 4A-4C  depict the assembling of the SAP sub-units to one another and where  FIGS. 4D-4E  depict the SAP sub-units being optionally separated from one another and collapsed down into the deployed configuration during deployment of the SAP at a SAS. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is another embodiment of the SAP. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6-9  are block diagrams of various embodiments of a SAS. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a method for constructing and rapidly deploying an SAS according an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a reconfigurable SAP  20  that can be shipped to an SAS and rapidly deployed thereat, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The SAP  20  comprises one or more antennas  22  integrated with a transport-mounting structure  40 . When configured in a shipping configuration, the SAP  20  can have a form factor of a shipping container, such as an ISO-standard intermodal shipping container, which allows the SAP  20  to be shipped without further preparation to an SAS. Once at the SAS, the SAP  20  can be easily and quickly reconfigured by collapsing the SAP  20  down into a deployed configuration to deploy the SAP  20  at the SAS. 
         [0018]    The antenna  22  of the SAP  20  can comprise a parabolic dish antenna  24 . In other embodiments, the antenna  22  can comprise a phased array antenna or a horn antenna. In still other embodiments, the antenna assemblies can have antenna designs (e.g. parabolic, phased array, horn) that vary from one or more of the antenna assemblies to another, if desired. In some embodiments, a radome  28  (illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) may be provided to cover the antenna  22 . The radome  28  in such embodiments operates as a protective shell for the antenna  22 . 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the transport-mounting structure  40  can include a rigid receptacle sub-structure  41  and a pedestal sub-structure  26 . The receptacle sub-structure  41  is specifically designed, in terms of shape, size, weight, and strength (wall thickness, ribbing, etc.), for the particular antenna  22  selected for use in the SAP  20 , and in some embodiments, the particular antenna electronics, which will be integrated therewith. The pedestal sub-structure  26  connects the antenna  22  with the receptacle sub-structure  41  and can be adapted to mechanically move the antenna  22  relative to the receptacle sub-structure  41 . More specifically, the pedestal sub-structure  26  may comprise one or more motors (not shown) that mechanically move the antenna  22  relative to the receptacle sub-structure  41 . In some embodiments, the pedestal sub-structure  26  may have a first motor, which tilts the antenna relative to the receptacle sub-structure  26  and a second motor that spins or rotates the antenna relative to the receptacle sub-structure  41 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, antenna electronics (not shown) may be integrated with the transport-mounting structure  40 . The antenna electronics can comprise a motor controller, RF equipment for transmitting and receiving data, and a modem for allowing the SAP  20  to communicate with a central controller of an associated SAS and to receive power from a power converter system of the associated SAS. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , the receptacle sub-structure  41  of the transport-mounting structure  40 , in one embodiment, may comprise a base  42 , opposing top wall sections  44 , opposing side walls  46 , and opposing end walls  48 . The base  42  may be unitary with or integrally connected to the pedestal sub-structure  26 . To allow the SAP  20  to be reconfigurable between the shipping and deployed configurations, the top wall sections  44  can be pivotally and/or removably attached to a corresponding one of the side walls  46  (and/or end walls  48  in other embodiments), and the side walls  46  and the end walls  48  can be pivotally and/or removably attached to the base  42 . The receptacle sub-structure  41  can be made from a hard protective material and/or combination of materials. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the SAP  20  can be placed in the shipping configuration by pivotally moving the receptacle sub-structure side and end walls  46 ,  48  up relative to the base  42  into the form of an open shipping container (e.g., an ISO-standard intermodal shipping container), and pivotally moving the top wall sections  44  relative to the side and end walls  46 ,  48  to close the receptacle sub-structure  41 , so that the SAP  20  can be shipped to a desired SAS without further preparation. Once at the SAS, the SAP  20  can be collapsed down into the deployed configuration by pivotally moving the top wall sections  44  relative to the side and end walls  46 ,  48 , and pivotally moving the side and end walls  46 ,  48  relative to the base  42 , to open and collapse the receptacle sub-structure  41  of the SAP  20  down onto the ground to uncover the antenna  22  to allow for power and network connection of the SAP  20 . In other embodiments, the SAP  20  can be placed in the shipping configuration by attaching the receptacle sub-structure walls  46 ,  48  to the base  42  so that it takes the form of an open shipping container, and attaching the top wall sections  44  to the side and end walls  46 ,  48  to close the receptacle sub-structure  41 , so that the SAP  20  can be shipped to a desired SAS without further preparation. Once at the SAS, the SAP  20  can be collapsed down into the deployed configuration by detaching the top wall sections  44  from the side and end walls  46 ,  48 , and detaching the walls  46 ,  48  from the base  42  to uncover the antenna  22  and allow for power and network connections of the SAP  20 . In still other embodiments, the SAP  20  can be placed in the shipping configuration by attaching and/or pivotally moving the side and end walls  46 ,  48  up relative to the base  42  into the form of an open shipping container, and attaching and/or pivotally moving the top wall sections  44  relative to the side and end walls  46 ,  48  to close the receptacle sub-structure  41 , so that the SAP  20  can be shipped to a desired SAS without further preparation. Once at the SAS, the SAP  20  can be collapsed down into the deployed configuration by detaching and/or pivotally moving the top wall sections  44  relative to or from the side and end walls  46 ,  48 , and detaching and/or pivotally moving the side and end walls  46 ,  48  relative to or from the base  42 , to uncover the antenna  22  and allow for power and network connection of the SAP  20 . 
         [0023]    Connectors (not shown) can be provided for pivotally and/or removably attaching each top wall section  44  to a corresponding one of the side walls  46  and pivotally and/or removably attaching the side walls  46  and the end walls  48  to the base  42 . In some embodiments, the connectors can comprise a hinge arrangement, fastener (e.g., quick-connect fastener), or other arrangement. The hinge arrangements may comprise, without limitation, living hinges, barrel hinges, piano hinges, combinations thereof or any other suitable arrangement that allows the top, side and end walls  44 ,  46 ,  48  to be pivotally and/or removably attached to one another to allow reconfiguration of the SAP receptacle sub-structure  41  between the shipping and deployed configurations, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3E . 
         [0024]    Removable pins (not shown) or other means can be used to lock the side and end walls  46 ,  48  of the SAP receptacle sub-structure  41  in a vertical or upright position (open shipping configuration) and to lock the top wall section  44  in a horizontal or closed position (closed shipping configuration) so that the SAP  20  can be shipped. The removable pins or other means allow the walls  44 ,  46   48  to be unlocked and lowered without special tools when the SAP  20  is collapsed down into the deployed configuration. Slow release lines  50 , struts, ballast arms, and/or other means can be provided for allowing the side and end walls  46 ,  48  to pivot down onto the ground in a controlled and/or automatic manner to rapidly collapse the SAP  20  down into the deployed configuration, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3B-3E . 
         [0025]    Once in the deployed configuration, one or more of the top wall sections  44 , side walls  46  and end walls  48  can be can be locked into position using stakes  52  and/or other suitable fasteners that extend through holes (not visible) provided through the walls  44 ,  46 ,  48  of the receptacle sub-structure  41 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3E . In other embodiments, the top wall sections  44 , side walls  46  and end walls  48  can be adapted to automatically lock when pivoted down to the ground. For example, in some embodiments, the hinge arrangements may be adapted to automatically lock when the walls  44 ,  46 ,  48  reach the pivoted down position (in the deployed configuration), thereby retaining the walls  44 ,  46 ,  48  in the pivoted down position. In other embodiments, the slow release lines  50 , struts, and/or ballast arms can be adapted to automatically lock when the walls  44 ,  46 ,  48  reach the pivoted down position, thereby retaining the walls  44 ,  46 ,  48  in the pivoted down position. In other embodiments, the stakes, bolts, or other manual locking means can be used in conjunction with the automatic locking means, if required or desired. 
         [0026]    After placing the SAP  20  in the deployed configuration, only power and data cable connections are needed to complete the deployment. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the SAP  20  can be provided with solar panels which are attached to the interior surfaces of the top wall sections  44 , the side wall, and/or end walls  48  of the receptacle sub-structure  41 . The solar panels can be adapted and configured to automatically begin charging and powering the SAP  20  when the SAP is collapsed down into the deployed configuration. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , in some embodiments comprising smaller antennas  22  or large antennas that can be shipped in smaller sections, the SAP  200  may comprise multiple SAP sub-units  20   1  and  20   2  mechanically connected into a single unit. In such embodiments, each SAP sub-unit  20   1 ,  20   2  includes integrated transport-mounting structures  40   1 ,  40   2  and antennas or antenna sections  22   1 ,  22   2 . The SAP sub-units  20   1 ,  20   2  can be mechanically connected to one another as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , using bolts or some other fastener arrangement, to form a single shippable and rapidly deployable SAP  200  that has the form factor of a shipping container such as an ISO-standard container. For example, in one embodiment, each antenna  22   1    22   2  may comprise, for example, a 1.9 meter diameter parabolic dish antenna and the optional radome. Such dimensioned antennas  22   1 ,  22   2  can be integrated with appropriately configured transport-mounting structures  40   1 ,  40   2  each having a form factor of a 20 foot long container, which when mechanically connected together form a 40 foot long SAP  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4C , which can be shipped to the site of the SAS. 
         [0029]    Upon reaching the SAS site, the SAP  200  can be rapidly deployed by collapsing the SAP  200  down into the deployed configuration, as described earlier. 
         [0030]    Providing two antennas  22   1  and  22   2  at opposite ends of the 40 foot long SAP  200  may have a separation distance that is sufficient. More specifically, the separation distance between the antennas  22   1 ,  22   2  should be sufficient to prevent the antennas  22   1 ,  22   2  from pointing through one another to observe the sky at low (10-15 degrees) elevation angles. If the separation distance is not sufficient and it still desired to ship an SAP with 2 (or more antennas), then upon reaching the SAS site, the SAP  200  can be rapidly deployed by separating the SAP sub-units  20   1  and  20   2  from one another and dragging or hoisting them into their desired positions (e.g., to avoid pointing through one another) as illustrated in  FIG. 4D  and collapsing down each of the SAP sub-units  20   1 ,  20   2  into the deployed configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 4E . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the SAP where the antennas  22  do not include the radome. In such an embodiment, each of the antennas  22  can comprise a parabolic dish antenna  24  having a diameter up to 2.4 meters. 
         [0032]    In addition to the antenna  22  and the transport-mounting structure  40 , the SAP  20 ,  200  may further include other SAS equipment integrated therein including but not limited to a central controller  68  (where no separate container is provided for such equipment), and the one or more motors for moving the antenna  22  can be pre-wired. Therefore, the only connections for completing the installation of the SAP  20 ,  200  are power for the SAP  20 ,  200  from a local power grid (either  110 ,  220  or  440  depending on what is available) and some form of Ethernet cable to connect the SAP  20 ,  200  to the Internet or other network. 
         [0033]    The antennas  22  transmit and receive signals, which are then transformed and aggregated in a terrestrial communications system. In various embodiments, the communications system may be a digital network, and in some embodiments of such a system, the data will be IP (“layer 3”) that is forwarded by a central controller that includes a router. In other embodiments, such a system may use digital samples (“layer 1”) or WAN Ethernet (“layer 2”), which can be handled by other types of controllers. 
         [0034]    The reconfigurable SAPs  20 ,  200  (and other SAS equipment) of the present disclosure can each be controlled and managed by a central controller of the SAS to thereby form a rapidly deployable SAS. In some embodiments, each of the SAPs  20 ,  200  may be placed anywhere on the earth, and using a GPS unit provided with each of the SAPs  20 ,  200 , notify the central controller of its location and availability, thus allowing most of the configuration process to be automated. The central controller of the SAS will then be capable of automatically commanding the SAPs  20 ,  200  to perform their functions including satellite tracking and data forwarding. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an SAS  60  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The SAS  60  is constructed from a plurality of the earlier described SAPs  20 ,  200 , which may be placed anywhere on the earth. The antenna electronics of each SAP  20 ,  200  can include a modem  62 , which communicates with the central controller  68  of the SAS  60  and converts data from digital bit streams received from the central controller  68 , to analog waveforms suitable for transmission out of the antennas  22 ,  22   1 ,  22   2  of the SAP  20 ,  200 . The modem  62  also converts analog waveforms received by the antennas  22 ,  22   1 ,  22   2  to digital bit streams, which are communicated to the central controller  68  of the SAS  60 . The antenna electronics of the SAPs  20 ,  200  may further comprise RF components  66  which amplify and filter the analog waveforms and a motor controller  64  which points the antennas of the antennas  22 ,  22   1 ,  22   2 , such that they always track the correct satellite. The central controller  68  of the SAS  60  connects the SAS  60  to the Internet  80  or other network. The central controller  68 , in typical embodiments, can comprise a router, which directs data traffic between the Internet  80  or other network and the SAPs  20 ,  200  at the site of the SAS  60 . The SAS  60  further includes an SAS power converter system  70 , which connects to an external local power grid  90 . The power converter system  70  converts the power supplied by the power local grid  90  (e.g., 250V at 50 Hz) to the power requirements of the SAPs  20 ,  200  (e.g., 120 V AC). The SAS  60  can further include one or more auxiliary power systems in case the local power grid  90  fails. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the auxiliary power systems include a power back-up system  72  (e.g., batteries) and a diesel generator and/or solar panels  74 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the SAS  60  can include a low data-rate global interconnection to one or more satellite systems, using for example, Iridium (e.g., Iridium phone on a post), such that once dropped off a delivery vehicle, the SAS  60  can always be in contact with the cloud (a network of remotely located servers hosted on the Internet) or other network, to begin set-up and receive initialization instructions. The can provide low-rate data connectivity to the central controller or even to a user in the event that the wired Internet connection is temporarily lost. 
         [0037]    The SAS  60  allows a plurality of reconfigurable SAPs  20 ,  200  to be connected together by the central controller  68  locally where all of the SAPs  20 ,  200  together would form a switch moving Internet traffic between satellites and any other medium, wired or wireless, which can pass such traffic. In other words, data can pass from any SAP  20 ,  200  to any SAP  20 ,  200 , or from any SAP  20 ,  200  to the Internet  80 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an SAS  60 . 1  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the central controller  68  and power converter system  70  of the SAS  60 . 1  are combined into a single shipping container  71 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an SAS  60 . 2  according to further embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the central controller  68  and power converter system  70  (and any auxiliary power systems) of the SAS  60 . 2  are provided in separate containers. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an SAS  60 . 3  according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the SAS  60 . 3  the central controller  68  and power converter system  70  are combined into a single shipping container  71  where the power converter system  70  is connected to a local power grid  80  and where the central controller  68  is not connected to the Internet of other network. This is made possible by pointing the antenna(s) of one of the SAPs  20 ,  200  to one satellite and pointing the antenna(s) of the other SAP  20 ,  200  to another satellite to act as a relay between the satellites without using the Internet or other network. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method for constructing an SAS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Starting with box  100 , the antenna(s), modem, motor controller, RF components, transport-mounting structure(s) and any other components of the SAPs, and the central controller, power converter system (if applicable), one or more auxiliary power systems (if applicable) and any other components of the SAS are manufactured at one or more manufacturing facilities. In some embodiments, one or more of the antennas and corresponding other SAP components are integrated with one or more transport-mounting structures to construct a SAP, and the central controller, power converter system (if applicable) and one or more auxiliary power systems (if applicable) are provided together or separately in their own shippable containers. In other embodiments, one or more of the central controller, power converter system, and one or more auxiliary power systems can be integrated into the SAP with the transport-mounting structure(s) and the antenna(s). The SAPs and SAS components are then operationally tested and the walls of each SAP receptacle sub-structure are then folded up and/or assembled into the shipping configuration. 
         [0042]    In box  102 , the SAPs and SAS component containers (if applicable) are shipped to a remote SAS site using the appropriate shipping vehicle or vehicles. Once at the SAS site, the SAPs and SAS component containers (if applicable) are removed from the shipping vehicle using, for example, a crane or bracing jacks, and placed at a desired position at the SAS site. 
         [0043]    If the SAPs are constructed from multiple SAP sub-units, and need to be separated to provide sufficient distance between the antennas and the like, then in box  104 , the SAP sub-units are separated from one another and at least one of the SAP sub-units is moved and placed in a desired position at the SAS site. 
         [0044]    In box  106 , the walls of each SAP or SAP sub-unit receptacle sub-structure are collapsed into the deployed configuration and locked into position on the ground. 
         [0045]    In box  108 , the modem of each SAP is connected to the central controller and the power converter system. Further, the central controller is connected to the Internet or other network and the power converter system is connected to the local power grid. 
         [0046]    In box  110 , the SAS connects with a fleet of non-geostationary satellites through the Internet or other network. In box  112 , the SAPs automatically calibrate their pointing and acquisition components. In box  114 , the SAPs make contact with the satellites of the fleet and in box  116 , data flows from the Internet or other network to the satellites of the fleet and to one or more user terminals. 
         [0047]    Although the shippable and rapidly deployable SAP and SAS have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments, they are not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of same, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the SAP and SAS.