Patent ID: 7630683

Claim:
A method of determining a power spectral density (PSD) of a wireless return link signal from a mobile platform, as received at a space-based communications device, and in which the mobile platform has a communications system in communication with the space-based communications device, said method comprising: a) estimating, from a location remote to a space-based communications device and remote to said mobile platform, a signal quality value of a wireless return link signal emanating from an output of said space-based communications device, said wireless return link signal being generated in response to a wireless signal originating from an antenna of a mobile platform and being transponded by said space-based communications device to said remote location; b) using said estimated signal quality value to determine an effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) value of said wireless 13 signal being radiated from said antenna of said mobile platform, and denoting said EIRP value as a target EIRP; and c) using said target EIRP to assist in determining said PSD of said wireless return link signal reaching said space-based communications device.