Patent ID: 11916654

Abstract:
A satellite communication system that combines the benefits of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems into an MEO-LEO satellite system. The MEO-LEO system includes an LEO constellation combined with a MEO constellation where the LEO constellation may provide global coverage with broad average capacity and may support ‘hot spot’ coverage where desired. The MEO constellation may provide unique advantages including backhaul to ground in remote areas, higher traffic density for key locations, and a secure global backhaul for key customers. Data may be routed over optical inter-satellite links using Software Defined Networking concepts to provide MEO-LEO (backhaul and ground access), LEO-LEO (upstream & downstream); and (3) MEO-MEO (crosslinks & downlinks). Further, implementations described herein include secure user terminal (UT) to UT IP routing in the constellation for direct UT to UT communication.