U.S. patent application number 10/740129 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for constellation of spacecraft, and broadcasting method using said constellation.
Invention is credited to Goodzeit, Neil Evan.
Application Number | 20050098686 10/740129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27737016 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodzeit, Neil Evan |
May 12, 2005 |
Constellation of spacecraft, and broadcasting method using said
constellation
Abstract
In general, a constellation of spacecraft is used to broadcast
to a particular region with high angles of view in order to reduce
blockage or shadowing. A constellation of a plurality of spacecraft
is placed in 24-hour orbits having inclination of about 550,
eccentricity of about 0.32, semi-major axis of about 42,000 km,
longitude of the ascending node of about 43.degree. East, argument
of perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground track
at maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East. The preferred number
of spacecraft ranges from three to six. In a particular application
of Digital Audio Broadcast to Europe in some embodiments, the most
populous cities are provided with service from no more than about
10.degree. from vertical, and broadcast takes place when the
spacecraft are above at least 35.degree. North latitude. The
broadcast power is reduced during those portions of the orbit in
which the ground track lies in the Southern hemisphere. (146)
Inventors: |
Goodzeit, Neil Evan;
(Princeton, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS LLP
PO BOX 5203
PRINCETON
NJ
08543-5203
US
|
Family ID: |
27737016 |
Appl. No.: |
10/740129 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10740129 |
Dec 18, 2003 |
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10176936 |
Jun 21, 2002 |
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6851651 |
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60356775 |
Feb 15, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
244/158.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 7/19 20130101; Y02D
70/164 20180101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; B64G 1/1085 20130101; B64G
1/1007 20130101; B64G 1/242 20130101; Y02D 70/446 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
244/158.00R |
International
Class: |
B64G 001/00; B64G
001/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is
1. A constellation, comprising: a plurality of spacecraft, each in
its own approximately 24-hour orbit, each of said orbits having an
inclination in the range from about 50.degree. to about 58.degree.
and an eccentricity in the range of about 0.28 to 0.36, and
longitude of the ascending node in the range of 33.degree. East to
53.degree. East.
2. A constellation according to claim 1, wherein; each of said
orbits has a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km when said
inclination is about 55.degree., longitude of the ascending node of
about 43.degree. East, argument of the perigee is about
270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at maximum latitude
of about 7.degree. East.
3. A constellation according to claim 1, wherein the ground track
of each of said orbits moves from East to West monotonically above
about 30.degree. North latitude.
4. A constellation, comprising: a plurality of spacecraft, each
including a broadcast capability, and each in its own approximately
24-hour orbit, each of said orbits having an inclination of about
55.degree. and an eccentricity of about 0.32, and each of said
orbits also having a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km, longitude
of the ascending node of about 43.degree. East, argument of the
perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at
maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East.
5. A constellation according to claim 4, wherein each of said
orbits has apogee altitude of about 49,300 km and perigee altitude
of about 22,300 km.
6. A constellation according to claim 4, wherein said plurality is
three, and the orbits of said spacecraft are selected to bring each
of said spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about eight
hours.
7. A constellation according to claim 4, wherein said plurality is
four, and the orbits of said spacecraft are selected to bring each
of said spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about six
hours.
8. A constellation according to claim 4, wherein said plurality is
five, and the orbits of said spacecraft are selected to bring each
of said spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about four hours
fifty minutes.
9. A constellation according to claim 4, wherein said plurality is
six, and the orbits of said spacecraft are selected to bring each
of said spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about four
hours.
10. A constellation, comprising: a plurality of spacecraft, each
including a broadcast capability, and each in its own approximately
24-hour orbit, each of said orbits having an inclination of about
55.degree., apogee altitude of about 49,300 km, and perigee
altitude of about 22,300 km, longitude of the ascending node of
about 43.degree. East, argument of the perigee of about
270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at maximum latitude
of about 7.degree. East.
11. A constellation according to claim 10, wherein each of said
orbits has a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km and an eccentricity
of about 0.32.
12. A method for broadcasting to European cities, said method
comprising the steps of: placing a plurality of broadcast
spacecraft in similar approximately-24-hour orbits, which may be
rotated relative to each other, each of said orbits having an
inclination of about 55.degree. and an eccentricity of about 0.32,
and each of said orbits also having a semi-major axis of about
42,000 km, longitude of the ascending node of about 43.degree.
East, argument of the perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude
of the ground track at maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East;
broadcasting from each of said spacecraft during those times when
the ground track of said spacecraft is above about 30.degree. to
35.degree. latitude, and reducing the broadcast power during other
times.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of reducing
the broadcast power includes the step of cessation of
broadcast.
14. A method for broadcasting according to claim 12, wherein plural
ones of said spacecraft broadcast simultaneously using one of
different (a) frequency ranges, (b) time-division multiplex slots,
and (c) code-division multiplex codes.
15. A method for broadcasting according to claim 12, wherein said
constellation has more than two broadcast spacecraft.
16. A method for broadcasting according to claim 14, wherein said
constellation contains three spacecraft, and the orbit of each of
said spacecraft is selected to bring a spacecraft to apogee
approximately every eight hours.
17. A method for broadcasting according to claim 14, wherein said
constellation contains four spacecraft, and the orbit of each of
said spacecraft is selected to bring a spacecraft to apogee
approximately every six hours.
18. A method for broadcasting according to claim 14, wherein said
constellation contains five spacecraft, and the orbit of each of
said spacecraft is selected to bring a spacecraft to apogee
approximately every four hours fifty minutes.
19. A method for broadcasting according to claim 14, wherein said
constellation contains six spacecraft, and the orbit of each of
said spacecraft is selected to bring a spacecraft to apogee
approximately every four hours.
Description
[0001] This application claims the priority of Provisional
application 60/356,775 filed Feb. 15, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to spacecraft constellations for
broadcast communication purposes, and more specifically to
spacecraft constellations which are particularly suited to
broadcast service to particular portions of a heavenly body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Space-based Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) systems provide a
new type of service for distribution of CD-quality radio broadcast
to mobile users such as automobiles and trucks. A salient property
of Digital Audio Broadcast service is that it can be provided over
a large geographic area when delivered from an overhead
satellite.
[0004] Several digital Audio Broadcast systems are in use to
provide service to the continental United States (CONUS). The
service operated by XM Radio uses two geosynchronous-orbit
spacecraft. Ideally, the DAB transmitter is located directly
overhead of all mobile units to which service is provided, so as to
prevent shadowing of the signal by adjacent structures or
geographic features such as hills or mountains. With a location
directly overhead, signal would be lost only when the vehicle
passes through a tunnel or into a structure. A disadvantage of the
use of geosynchronous spacecraft is that the required orbit is such
that for northern latitude coverage, the elevation angle of the
spacecraft as seen from potential users may be less than
60.degree., where the elevation angle is measured from the horizon.
Thus, the XM Radio system has a potential for significant signal
loss or shadowing, corresponding to loss of service, for at least
some users or subscribers in northern latitudes. This can be
corrected by the use of terrestrial repeaters, but such repeaters
undesirably increase the cost and complexity of the system.
[0005] The DAB system operated by Sirius Radio, on the other hand,
uses three spacecraft in highly elliptical inclined (HEO) "Tundra"
orbits. This orbit has an inclination of 63.4.degree. and
eccentricity of 0.27, as it was originally developed to reduce
orbital perturbations when providing service to Russia.
[0006] It has been determined that a Digital Audio Broadcast system
should provide user-to-spacecraft elevation angles of no less than
70.degree. over its service area in order to maximize user
satisfaction. When applied to DAB service for Europe, the high
orbit inclination of 64.3.degree. results in poor elevation angle
performance to users in central and southern Europe. Modified
Molniya orbits have been proposed for DAB service to Europe, using
eight spacecraft in twelve-hour orbits and an argument of perigee
of about 240.degree..
[0007] Improved DAB systems are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A constellation according to an aspect of the invention
includes a plurality of spacecraft, each in its own approximately
24-hour orbit. Each of the orbits has an inclination in the range
from about 50.degree. to about 58.degree., an eccentricity in the
range of about 0.28 to 0.36, and longitude of the ascending node in
the range of 33.degree. East to 53.degree. East. Preferred
constellations have ground tracks which move monotonically from
East to West when above about 30.degree. North latitude. In a most
preferred constellation, the inclination is about 55.degree., and
each of the orbits has a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km,
longitude of the ascending node of about 43.degree. East, argument
of the perigee is about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground
track at maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East.
[0009] A constellation according to an aspect of the invention
includes a plurality of spacecraft, each of which has broadcast
capability. Each of the spacecraft is in its own approximately
24-hour orbit. Each of the orbits has an inclination of about
55.degree. and an eccentricity of about 0.32, and each of the
orbits also has a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km, longitude of
the ascending node of about 43.degree. East, argument of the
perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at
maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East. According to another view
of the invention, each of the approximately-24-hour orbits has an
inclination of about 55.degree., apogee altitude of about 49,300
km, and perigee altitude of about 22,300 km, longitude of the
ascending node of about 43.degree. East, argument of the perigee of
about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at maximum
latitude of about 7.degree. East.
[0010] In particular variants of this aspect of the invention, (a)
the plurality is three, and the orbits of the spacecraft are
selected to bring each of the spacecraft to apogee at time
increments of about eight hours, (b) the plurality is four, and the
orbits of the spacecraft are selected to bring each of the
spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about six hours, (c) the
plurality is five, and the orbits of the spacecraft are selected to
bring each of the spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about
four hours fifty minutes, and (d) the plurality is six, and the
orbits of the spacecraft are selected to bring each of the
spacecraft to apogee at time increments of about four hours.
[0011] A method according to another aspect of the invention is for
broadcasting to European cities. In the method according to this
aspect of the invention, a plurality of broadcast spacecraft are
placed in similar approximately-24-hour orbits, which may be
rotated relative to each other. Each of the orbits has an
inclination of about 55.degree. and an eccentricity of about 0.32,
and each of the orbits also has a semi-major axis of about 42,000
km, longitude of the ascending node of about 43.degree. East,
argument of perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude of the
ground track at maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East. According
to this method, the spacecraft broadcast during those times when
their ground tracks are above about 30.degree. to 35.degree.
latitude, and the broadcast power is reduced during other times. In
one version, reduction of power is complete, so that the broadcast
portion of the operation of the spacecraft ceases during those
other times. According to an aspect of this method, all of the
spacecraft provide for multiplex operation. That is, the spacecraft
broadcast using at least one of frequency-, code, and time-division
multiplex, so that the broadcast signals of each spacecraft can be
separated by use of that one or ones of said frequency, code, and
time division unique to that spacecraft.
[0012] A specific method for broadcasting according to an aspect of
the invention includes the step of placing more than two broadcast
spacecraft in similar approximately-24-hour orbits, spaced so that
they arrive at apogee at time increments equal to the orbital
period divided by the number of spacecraft. According to other
aspects of the invention, the methods include the step of placing
one of three, four, five, and six broadcast spacecraft in similar
approximately-24-hour orbits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 is a table listing various cities in a European
Digital Audio Broadcast coverage area, together with weights
assigned based on population;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a table listing approximate values for various
parameters of an orbit according to an aspect of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a representation of the ground track of a group of
six spacecraft following an orbit or orbits according to an aspect
of the invention, which traverse the relevant broadcast region
generally from East to West, and showing the locations of certain
cities relative to the track;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a representation of the ground track of a group of
five spacecraft following an orbit or orbits according to an aspect
of the invention, showing the locations of certain cities relative
to the track;
[0017] FIGS. 5a and 5b are representations of sub-optimal satellite
ground tracks which reverse direction in the northern
hemisphere;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a highly simplified block diagram of the power
source, power supply, and broadcast control portions of a
spacecraft according to an aspect of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 sets forth equations useful in making determinations
about optimal orbits; and
[0020] FIG. 8 tabulates summarized results of evaluations of
various orbits.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The Tundra orbit, when applied to Digital Audio Broadcast
service for Europe, results in sub-optimal coverage, with low
user-to-spacecraft elevation angles in the most populated regions.
The proposal for use of eight spacecraft in modified Molniya orbits
with 12-hour periods results in high system cost.
[0022] The inventor herein realized that the orbits of the
spacecraft used for Digital Audio Broadcast service for Europe
should maximize the elevation angles for the most populous cities,
which are the most important cities from a commercial point of
view. Desirable orbits were determined by assigning weights to
various ones of the cities of Europe, based on population,
corresponding to the ability to pay for service, and performing an
optimization. The particular optimization which was used for this
purpose was a constrained non-linear optimization. The table of
FIG. 1 ranks the most important cities or regions for this purpose,
their respective latitudes and longitudes, and the weighting factor
applied to each. These major cities or regions are roughly included
within a closed polygon having vertices at the cities of Glasgow,
Copenhagen, Budapest, Naples, Valencia, and Madrid. This polygon
includes the DAB markets associated with London, Paris, Munich, and
Berlin.
[0023] The analysis associated with the optimization revealed that
maximized elevation angle coverage of the European region, as
represented by the cities and regions for which optimization was
performed, would be obtained by 24-hour orbits with less
inclination than a Tundra orbit, but with greater eccentricity.
More particularly, the optimized orbits have an inclination of
about 55.degree., less than the 63.4.degree. of Tundra, but with an
eccentricity of 0.32, which is larger than the Tundra eccentricity
of 0.27. Such a 55.degree. inclination, 0.32 eccentricity orbit
according to the invention has a greater or longer dwell time over
Europe than a less elliptical one with larger inclination. As it
happens, the orbit according to the invention also maximizes the
coverage elevation angles to the cities in the table of FIG. 1, and
simultaneously minimizes the number of spacecraft required to
provide that coverage.
[0024] The semi-major axis, apogee altitude, perigee altitude,
inclination, eccentricity, argument of perigee, and pertinent
longitudes of orbits according to an aspect of the invention are
listed in the table of FIG. 2. More particularly, the semi-major
axis (half the major axis) of the orbit is theoretically 42,164
kilometers (km), the apogee altitude is 49,279 km, the perigee
altitude is 22,294 km, the inclination is 55.degree., and the
eccentricity is 0.32, the argument of perigee is 270.degree.. The
"argument of perigee" is the angle from the ascending node to the
orbit perigee, where the "ascending node" is the longitude of that
equator crossing at which the spacecraft traverses from the
Southern to the Northern hemisphere. The longitude of the ascending
node (where the ground track of the orbit crosses the equator going
in a Northerly direction) is 43.degree. East, and the longitude of
the ground track at maximum latitude (the maximum northerly
excursion) is 7.degree. East. The ground track of an orbit
according to an aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3.
The ground track 310 of FIG. 3 represents the path taken by each
spacecraft of the constellation 300, however many that may be. In
FIG. 3, the number of spacecraft is six, and they are identified as
circles designated SC-1, SC-2, SC-3, SC-4, SC-5, and SC-6, where a
spacecraft is designated as SC. All six of the spacecraft follow
the same orbital track, corresponding to ground track 310. In
general, the orbit of each spacecraft, as illustrated in FIG. 3,
crosses the equator (0.degree. latitude) at roughly 43.degree. East
longitude in the northerly direction or "movement in orbit"
indicated by arrow 312, which is termed the "ascending node." From
the ascending node, the spacecraft enters the European coverage
region, designated generally as 314. The apex or apogee 316 of the
orbit occurs at 55.degree. latitude and a longitude of roughly
7.degree. East. In FIG. 3, the city of London is identified by
name, and Paris, Munich and Berlin are identified by designations
2, 3, and 4, respectively. It can be seen that the spacecraft pass
almost directly overhead of these cities. From apogee 316, the
ground track of the orbit proceeds generally southerly, re-crossing
the equator in a southerly direction at about 30.degree. West. The
ground track 310 loops about "in" the southern hemisphere back to
the ascending node. The six spacecraft SC-1, SC-2, SC-3, SC-4,
SC-5, and SC-6 of FIG. 3 are illustrated at about the positions
which they assume at the time that SC-1 is at apogee or apex
316.
[0025] While any number of spacecraft may be used in the
constellation, at least three spacecraft are required in order to
provide elevation angles greater than 70.degree. in the European
coverage region. The constellation of FIG. 3 includes six
spacecraft. Since each spacecraft is in a 24-hour orbit, equal
temporal spacing of the spacecraft places them 24/6=4 hours apart.
In FIG. 3, each circle SC-1, SC-2, SC-3, SC-4, SC-5, and SC-6
represents a position of a spacecraft with a four-hour spacing.
Thus, the spacecraft following an orbit having the ground track 310
of FIG. 3 come to apogee point 316 in a time succession
corresponding to the numerical designation of the spacecraft; thus
SC-1 is first in time, then SC-2, followed by SC-3, and so forth,
at four-hour intervals. Twenty-four hours after the relative
positions illustrated in FIG. 3, the illustrated positions
recur.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a ground track corresponding to that of
FIG. 3, but with the difference that only five spacecraft are
illustrated along the track. A constellation of five spacecraft,
each in a 24-hour orbit, has temporal spacing between adjacent ones
of the spacecraft of about 4.8 hours, corresponding to 4 hours 48
minutes (if the temporal spacing is equal).
[0027] A constellation of three spacecraft (ground track not
illustrated) makes the temporal spacing eight hours, so they are
eight hours apart on the ground track of FIGS. 3 or 4. The ground
track of such a constellation may be readily visualized as being
that of FIG. 3 with every other spacecraft removed, thereby
retaining SC-1, SC-3, and SC-5, for example. Thus, each spacecraft
in a three-spacecraft constellation nominally provides eight hours
of time over the coverage region. As one spacecraft leaves the
coverage region, another enters the region. Consequently, during
some of the "crossover" times coverage may be provided by two
spacecraft, or by more than two spacecraft if the constellation
includes more than three.
[0028] The ground tracks illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 have
"teardrop" shapes which aid in distinguishing the orbits of the
associated spacecraft from some other orbits. FIG. 5a illustrates
the ground track associated with one sub-optimal orbit, namely the
abovementioned 12-hour modified Molniya, in which the ground track
reverses direction and then crosses itself before tending toward
the equator, as illustrated in FIG. 5a . FIG. 5b illustrates the
ground track for another suboptimal orbit, namely an orbit using
four spacecraft with six-hour spacing. The orbit of FIG. 5b has an
inclination of 53.degree., eccentricity of 0.20, and argument of
perigee of 270.degree., with semimajor axis of 42164 km, apogee
altitude of 44,219 km and perigee altitude of 27,353 km. As
illustrated in FIG. 5b , the ground track exhibits a "loop" at its
apex, with retrograde motion over a portion of the loop.
[0029] From the discussion associated with FIGS. 3 and 4, it will
be appreciated that the spacecraft are almost directly overhead of
the desired cities at a time when the spacecraft are at or near
apogee, or the highest point in the orbit. At this time, the
maximum spacing of each spacecraft from the European coverage
region is about 49,000 km, corresponding to 30,450 miles. At such
an altitude, more broadcast or transmitted electromagnetic power is
required in order to achieve a given field strength at ground level
than would be the case if the spacecraft were at perigee. Those
skilled in the art know that operating power must be supplied to
various portions of the electronics of the spacecraft in order to
achieve the desired broadcast coverage with sufficient field
strength. Otherwise, the signals arriving at the mobile radios
would not be strong enough to give reliable or low-noise reception.
In general, spacecraft do not use electrical generators such as
those which are available to terrestrial transmitter. Spacecraft
would not be able to carry sufficient fuel to operate a
conventional rotary power generator for more than a short while,
and in any case there is no air available in space which could be
used as a source of oxygen with which to combust the fuel, so
oxygen would additionally have to be carried on board the
spacecraft. Considering the weight limitations on launch of
spacecraft, other types of power supplies are commonly used in
spacecraft. Often, electrical storage batteries are provided, but
the batteries which can be carried on spacecraft cannot power the
electrical broadcast equipment for more than a short time. Thus,
spacecraft often rely solely on solar power panel(s) as their
primary power source. In general, the batteries are used only to
temporarily store excess energy from the solar panels for use at
times when the solar panels cannot provide sufficient power.
According to an aspect of the invention, at least some of the
electrical broadcast equipment of each spacecraft used for
broadcast purposes in an orbit according to another aspect of the
invention is placed in a low- or no-power-consumption state during
a portion of the orbit, thereby reducing the power load on the
solar panel(s). This temporary reduction in the load on the solar
panel(s) makes more excess power available, which can be stored in
the batteries for use during peak power usage intervals, which
according to an aspect of the invention include those intervals in
which the electrical broadcast equipment is powered-up and
broadcasting occurs. According to this aspect of the invention, the
low- or no-power-consumption portion of the orbit includes those
portions in which the ground track lies in the southern hemisphere,
and the powered portion of the orbit includes those portions of the
orbit which lie above 30.degree. North latitude, and preferably
above 35.degree. North latitude. Such a power-limiting arrangement
is particularly useful for DAB service to Europe.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a highly simplified block diagram of electrical
portions of a spacecraft. In FIG. 6, the spacecraft 610 includes a
power source in the form of a solar panel which is connected by way
of paths 614 and a power conditioner/controller (power
supply/switch) 616 to a battery 618. Such power
conditioners/controllers are known in the art, being termed a
"power regulation unit" (PRU) in Lockheed Martin A2100 spacecraft.
An electromagnetic signal transmission arrangement is illustrated
as including an antenna 620 fed from a power amplifier 622. A
signal source 624 produces signals to be transmitted, and supplies
those signals to amplifier 622, which amplifies the signals, and
which may also process the signals to be transmitted by frequency
translation, filtering, coding, time-multiplexing, or other
processing. The signals to be transmitted are provided to antenna
620, which transduces the signals into a transmitted beam suggested
by the "lightning bolt" symbol 626. Signal source block 624 may
include memory for at least temporary storage of some of the
signals to be transmitted. Signal block 624 may also include some
arrangement for receiving signals from one or more ground stations
for retransmission from the spacecraft 610 in a "bent pipe"
operating mode. Such an arrangement for receiving signals may
include an antenna, which may be associated with antenna 626 or
which may be a separate antenna, together with appropriate
receiver(s), controls and security verification. In one possible
bent-pipe operating mode, signals are transmitted from the ground
to the spacecraft in a given frequency range, such as in C or Ku
band, and retransmitted from the spacecraft toward the ground at a
different frequency, such as L-band. In such bent-pipe operation,
the signals are coded at the ground before transmission to the
spacecraft, in order to provide for multiplexing.
[0031] In operation of the spacecraft 610 of FIG. 6 in an orbit
according to an aspect of the invention, power supply and switch
block 616 operates so as to couple power from solar panel 612 to
power amplifier 622 (and any other power-consuming equipment
associated with the broadcasting function) during those intervals
in which the power draw of amplifier 622 (and any ancillary
equipment) is less than the power available from solar panel 612,
and so as to additionally couple power from battery 618 to power
amplifier 622 during those intervals in which the power draw of
power amplifier 622 is greater than the amount of power available
from solar panel 612. In addition, a switch control unit,
designated 630 in FIG. 6, controls power supply and switch block
616 so as to disable power, or at least reduce power, to amplifier
622 (and ancillary broadcast equipment) during those intervals in
which the spacecraft is in the southern hemisphere, and also
preferably during at least a portion of those intervals during
which the spacecraft ground track lies below 30.degree., and most
preferably 35.degree., North latitude. This limits the main
power-consuming electrical drain of the broadcast system to those
portions of the orbit in which they are most needed. In turn, this
allows a substantial portion of the orbit to be used for charging
of the battery 618, if desired. The advantages of this type of
operation can be taken advantage of by providing the spacecraft
with a smaller solar panel than would otherwise be required, or
with more powerful broadcast equipment than would be possible if
the equipment were to be constantly in operation.
[0032] The controller illustrated as block 630 in FIG. 6 may
include a radio receiver which responds to uplinked commands to
enable or disable the power amplifier 622, or it may include
autonomous equipment which determines the location of the
spacecraft inertially, from models of the orbit together with
attitude and other sensors, or by the use of global positioning
service (GPS) receivers. Such an autonomous apparatus must be
reprogrammable, so that the location can be changed at which power
amplifier 622 switches from enabled to low-power or disabled and
vice versa, because failure of one or more of the spacecraft of a
given constellation might require that non-failed units of the
constellation begin broadcast sooner as they approach the coverage
region, and end broadcast later, than if all the spacecraft of the
constellation were operational.
[0033] Since more than one spacecraft of the constellation may be
transmitting at a given time, the mobile receiver user may receive
signals from more than one spacecraft at a given time. Since the
distance of the various spacecraft from the user will in general
not be the same, and in any case both the spacecraft and the user
are in relative motion, it can be expected that the signals from
the various spacecraft will not arrive at a given user at the same
time. If the same information were to be transmitted for arrival at
the receiver at different times, some form of distortion, such as
time-delay or "echo" distortion, is expected. According to an
aspect of the invention, the broadcasts from the various spacecraft
are rendered separable by use of at least one of frequency division
multiplex, code division multiplex, or temporal or time-division
multiplex. In the frequency division multiplex scheme, each of the
spacecraft which transmits at a given time within the broadcast
region transmits at a frequency different from that of any of the
other spacecraft so broadcasting. For example, if there were six
spacecraft in a constellation, of which three (SC-6, SC-1, SC-2)
were to broadcast at any one time, the spacecraft at the apogee
316, as for example spacecraft SC-1 of FIG. 3, would broadcast at a
first frequency or frequency range Fl, spacecraft SC-2, just
entering the coverage area, would broadcast at a second frequency
F2, and spacecraft SC-3, just leaving the broadcast region, would
have been transmitting at a third frequency F3. When spacecraft
SC-3 ceases broadcasting, and another spacecraft, such as SC-4,
enters the broadcast region, it would begin its broadcast in
frequency range F3, made available by the cessation of broadcasting
by SC-3. Similarly, when spacecraft SC-1 were to finally leave the
broadcast region, it would cease broadcasting in frequency range
Fl, which frequency would then become available for use by
spacecraft SC-5 when it enters the broadcast region. Thus, the
number of operating frequencies can be less than the number of
spacecraft. In the situation in which the constellation includes
three spacecraft, only one spacecraft is in position to broadcast
at any one time, so frequency, code, or time division multiplex is
not needed. With four or more spacecraft, at least two different
frequencies, codes or time division multiplex channels are needed.
In the situation with six spacecraft in the constellation and three
frequencies, codes or time multiplex channels, each spacecraft
would have to be able to transmit at its selected frequency, code
or time, as for example SC-1 at frequency (or code or time) F1,
SC-2 at F2, SC-3 at F3, SC-4 at F1, SC-5 at F2, and SC-6 at F3.
With five spacecraft in the constellation, at least some of the
spacecraft will need to switch from one frequency (or code or time)
to another to maintain separable channels.
[0034] The preferred mode of operation of the various spacecraft of
the constellation is the "bent-pipe" mode, at least in part because
all of the coding required for multiplex operation can be performed
on the ground before transmission of the signals to the spacecraft
for retransmission.
[0035] The orbits according to the orbit aspect of the invention
were determined by a comparison of two alternatives against a
baseline provided by a customer. The comparison included issues of
view angle, and the cost of the spacecraft plus the cost of launch
of the spacecraft. The baseline included eight spacecraft in
12-hour modified Molniya orbits. The optimization was performed by
minimization of the average weighted view angle given by Equation 1
of FIG. 7, with the indicated average view angle, which can be
determined for each city, and with the weight from each city as set
forth in the table of FIG. 1, where the weights are normalized in
accordance with Equation 2 of FIG. 7. It should be noted that the
top four cities, namely London, Munich, Berlin, and Paris,
represent 37% of the DAB market. The next ten cities, which are
Glasgow, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Marseille,
Milan, Rome, Naples and Brussels, represent 45% of the market, so
that the first 14 cities represent 82% of the market. Other cities
on the list amount to only 18% of the DAB market. The solution of
equation 1 is obtained by non-linear constrained optimization. The
resulting orbital parameters are given in the table of FIG. 2.
[0036] A comparison of the characteristics of orbits according to
an aspect of the invention with those of the baseline 8 spacecraft
in 12-hour orbits. The performance comparison is based on the
metrics (a) J, where J is the average weighted view angle over 24
hours for all 30 cities of the table of FIG. 1, (b) .theta..sub.4
is the maximum view angle for the top four cities or 37% of the
market, where "view angle" is the angle from local vertical .theta.
and .theta.=0 is directly overhead, (c) .theta..sub.14 is the
maximum view angle for the top 14 cities (82% of the market), and
(d) .theta..sub.30 is the maximum view angle for all 30 cities
(100% of the market). It should be noted that the definition of
.theta. set forth above differs from standard definitions of
elevation angle, but is more directly useful in the present
context. The comparison of the characteristics of the various
orbits is made in one regard with the assumptions that all
spacecraft of the constellation are operational, and that one of
the spacecraft of the constellation is failed. Another
consideration which is evaluated is the quality of service possible
during an introductory phase when not all spacecraft of the
constellation are available. Service-introduction with three and
with four spacecraft are considered. FIG. 8 summarizes these
results.
[0037] In FIG. 8, when all spacecraft are operating, the values of
J, the average weighted view angle over 24 hours for all cities,
has a value of 7.4.degree. for the baseline of eight spacecraft in
12-hour modified Molniya orbits, and has lower values of
6.2.degree. for alternative 1 (five spacecraft in 24 hour orbit
according to an aspect of the invention) and 5.7.degree. for
alternative 2 (six spacecraft in 24 hour orbit according to an
aspect of the invention). The values for the alternatives according
to various aspects of the invention are superior to the baseline.
Similarly, when all the spacecraft are operating, the
.theta..sub.4, .theta..sub.14, and .theta..sub.30 for alternatives
1 and 2 are superior (lower in value) than for the baseline.
Similarly, the values of J are better (lower) for the alternatives
1 and 2 listed in FIG. 8 than for the baseline both for both the
situations of one spacecraft failed and for service introduction.
The values listed for .theta..sub.4, .theta..sub.14, and
.theta..sub.30 for any of alternatives 1 and 2 in either the
one-spacecraft-failed or service introduction scenarios are in no
case greater than, and in many cases less than, the corresponding
values for the baseline. Put more generally, the performance of
alternative 1 is about comparable to the baseline, in that view
angles are less than about 19.degree. by comparison with
23.degree., and the failure performance is also about the same.
Alternative 2, however, is substantially better than the baseline,
in that the view angles are less than 18.degree. versus (vs)
23.degree. with all spacecraft operational, and are within
25.degree. vs 31.degree. with one spacecraft failed. In addition,
alternative 2 facilitates early service introduction, because its
performance with three spacecraft is similar to that of the
baseline with all eight spacecraft operating.
[0038] Consideration of the cost of buying or fabricating the
spacecraft and of launch does not affect the primacy of alternative
2 over the baseline. In particular, the baseline requires eight
spacecraft, and alternative 2 requires only six, so the cost of
both purchase and the cost of launch are less for alternative 2. It
should be noted that the spacecraft according to some aspects of
the invention have orbits which may be viewed as being rotated to
different planes, or which may be viewed as being relatively
time-delayed along the same ground track. If separate launches are
used, it is easy to place the spacecraft in the desired planes. If
a single vehicle launches two or more spacecraft, then separate
maneuvers must be used to select the appropriate planes. In this
regard, alternative 1 can be rolled out with as few as two
launches, namely a single launch into a first plane, and a dual
launch into a second plane, with 36.degree. nodal rotations of each
of the two spacecraft of the dual launch, to leave the orbit planes
separated by 72.degree.. The spacecraft will not be equally spaced
in the ground track during service introduction for alternative
1.
[0039] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. For example, the temporal spacing of the
various spacecraft along the ground track has been described as
being equal. However, the operation of a system such as that
described is not dependent upon exact time spacing. Also, the
orbital parameters have been given as single values, rather than in
ranges. It is believed that orbits suitable for use in accordance
with aspects of the invention may have inclinations ranging from
about 50.degree. to about 60.degree., eccentricity ranging from
about 0.28 to about 0.36, and longitude of the ascending node in
the range of about 33.degree. East to about 53.degree. East.
[0040] Thus, a constellation (300) according to an aspect of the
invention includes a plurality of spacecraft (SC), each in its own
approximately 24-hour orbit. Each of the orbits has an inclination
in the range from about 50.degree. to about 58.degree., an
eccentricity in the range of about 0.28 to 0.36, and longitude of
the ascending node in the range of 33.degree. East to 53.degree.
East. Preferred constellations have ground tracks which move
monotonically from East to West when above about 30.degree. North
latitude. In a most preferred constellation, the inclination is
about 55.degree., and each of the orbits has a semi-major axis of
about 42,000 km, longitude of the ascending node of about
43.degree. East, argument of the perigee is about 270.degree., and
longitude of the ground track at maximum latitude of about
7.degree. East.
[0041] Further, a constellation (300) according to an aspect of the
invention includes a plurality of spacecraft (SC), each of which
has broadcast capability. Each of the spacecraft (SC) is in its own
approximately 24-hour orbit. Each of the orbits has an inclination
of about 55.degree. and an eccentricity of about 0.32, and each of
the orbits also has a semi-major axis of about 42,000 km, longitude
of the ascending node of about 43.degree. East, argument of the
perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at
maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East. According to another view
of the invention, each of the approximately-24-hour orbits has an
inclination of about 55.degree., apogee altitude of about 49,300
km, and perigee altitude of about 22,300 km, longitude of the
ascending node of about 43.degree.. East, argument of the perigee
of about 270.degree., and longitude of the ground track at maximum
latitude of about 7.degree. East.
[0042] In particular variants of this aspect of the invention, (a)
the plurality of spacecraft (SC) is three, and the orbits of the
spacecraft (SC) are selected to bring each of the spacecraft (SC)
to apogee (316) at time increments of about eight hours, (b) the
plurality is four, and the orbits of the spacecraft (SC) are
selected to bring each of the spacecraft (SC) to apogee (316) at
time increments of about six hours, (c) the plurality is five, and
the orbits of the spacecraft (SC) are selected to bring each of the
spacecraft (SC) to apogee (316) at time increments of about four
hours fifty minutes, and (d) the plurality is six, and the orbits
of the spacecraft (SC) are selected to bring each of the spacecraft
(SC) to apogee (316) at time increments of about four hours.
[0043] A method according to another aspect of the invention is for
broadcasting to European cities. In the method according to this
aspect of the invention, a plurality of broadcast spacecraft (SC)
are placed in similar approximately-24-hour orbits, which may be
rotated relative to each other. Each of the orbits has an
inclination of about 55.degree. and an eccentricity of about 0.32,
and each of the orbits also has a semi-major axis of about 42,000
km, longitude of the ascending node of about 43.degree. East,
argument of perigee of about 270.degree., and longitude-of the
ground track at maximum latitude of about 7.degree. East. According
to this method, the spacecraft (SC) broadcast during those times
when their ground tracks are above about 30.degree. to 35.degree.
latitude, and the broadcast power is reduced during other times. In
one version, reduction of power is complete, so that the broadcast
portion of the operation of the spacecraft (SC) ceases during those
other times. According to an aspect of this method, all of the
spacecraft (SC) provide for multiplex operation. That is, the
spacecraft (SC) broadcast using at least one of frequency-, code,
and time-division multiplex, so that the broadcast signals of each
spacecraft (SC) can be separated by use of that one or ones of said
frequency, code, and time division unique to that spacecraft
(SC).
[0044] A specific method for broadcasting according to an aspect of
the invention includes the step of placing more than two broadcast
spacecraft (SC) in similar approximately-24-hour orbits, spaced so
that they arrive at apogee at time increments equal to the orbital
period divided by the number of spacecraft (SC). According to other
aspects of the invention, the methods include the step of placing
one of three, four, five, and six broadcast spacecraft (SC) in
similar approximately-24-hour orbits.
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