U.S. patent application number 12/048882 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for communications systems and methods including emission detection.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mobile Satellite Ventures, LP. Invention is credited to Peter D. Karabinis, Lon C. Levin.
Application Number | 20080160993 12/048882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35137120 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080160993 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levin; Lon C. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
Communications Systems and Methods Including Emission Detection
Abstract
A system for communications on an extraterrestrial body may
include a space-based component and an ancillary extraterrestrial
component on the extraterrestrial body. The space-based component
may be configured to provide wireless communications with a
plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body
over a satellite frequency band wherein the space-based component
includes at least one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body.
The ancillary extraterrestrial component may be configured to
provide wireless communications with the plurality of
radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body. Moreover, the
ancillary extraterrestrial component may reuse at least one
satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band, and the
space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial component
may be configured to relay communications therebetween. Related
methods are also discussed.
Inventors: |
Levin; Lon C.; (Washington,
DC) ; Karabinis; Peter D.; (Cary, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC, P.A.
P.O. BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Assignee: |
Mobile Satellite Ventures,
LP
|
Family ID: |
35137120 |
Appl. No.: |
12/048882 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10827961 |
Apr 20, 2004 |
|
|
|
12048882 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/427 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 7/2041 20130101;
H04B 7/18508 20130101; H04B 7/18521 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/427 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a first device that is configured to detect
an emission of a second device, to establish a first link between
the first device and the second device responsive to the detected
emission and to use the first link to coordinate a frequency reuse,
a transmission power, a hand-off procedure and/or a second
link.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first device is
configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one other
device.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the first device is a
base station.
4. A method comprising: detecting an emission of a second device;
establishing a first link between a first device and the second
device responsive to the detecting; and using the first link to
coordinate a frequency reuse, a transmission power, a hand-off
procedure and/or a second link.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the first device is
configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one other
device.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the first device is a
base station.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the base station is
configured to communicate with at least one radioterminal using
frequencies of a satellite frequency band.
Description
Related Application
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority as a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/827,961 filed Apr. 20,
2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to communications systems and
methods, and more particularly to extraterrestrial communications
systems and methods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Interplanetary communications are provided for various
spacecraft being sent, for example to Mars. Communications for the
Mars Exploration Rover Mission are discussed, for example, in the
following Web publications by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at
the California Institute of Technology: (1) "Mars Exploration Rover
Mission, Spacecraft: Surface Operations. Rover, The rover's
antennas,"
marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_rover_antennas.html; and
(2) "Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Communications With Earth: How
the rovers can communicate through Mars-orbiting spacecraft,"
marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/comm._orbiters.html. The
disclosures of both of these publications are hereby incorporated
herein in their entirety by reference.
[0004] In the on-going Mars Rover mission, a rover on the surface
of Mars can communicate either directly with Earth or through a
Mars-orbiting spacecraft. More particularly, a rover on the surface
of Mars can transmit communications directly to one or more Deep
Space Network antennas on Earth. A rover on Mars can also uplink
information to a spacecraft orbiting Mars, and the information can
then be passed from the spacecraft orbiting Mars to Earth. The
spacecraft orbiting Mars can also send information to the rover on
Mars.
[0005] Potential benefits of using an orbiting spacecraft may
include: (1) that the orbiting spacecraft is closer to the rover
than the Deep Space Network antennas on Earth; and (2) that the
spacecraft orbiting Mars has the Earth in view for a longer and/or
a more frequently occurring time period than the rover on the
surface of Mars. Moreover, the rover may not have to use as much
energy to send a communication to a spacecraft orbiting Mars as may
be required to send a communication to an antenna on earth.
[0006] Improved communications systems and methods, however, may be
desired to accommodate increasing communications to and from
extraterrestrial bodies such as the Moon and/or Mars as more
missions are sent to extraterrestrial bodies. More particularly,
communications systems and methods may be desired that can
accommodate increased communications between radioterminals on an
extraterrestrial body and increased communications between
radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body and a satellite
orbiting a celestial body and/or transceivers on earth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to first embodiments of the present invention, a
system for communications on an extraterrestrial body may include a
space-based component having at least one satellite orbiting the
extraterrestrial body and an ancillary extraterrestrial component
on the extraterrestrial body. The space-based component may be
configured to provide wireless communications with a plurality of
radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body over a
satellite frequency band. The ancillary extraterrestrial component
may be configured to provide wireless communications with the
plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body.
Moreover, the ancillary extraterrestrial component may reuse at
least one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band, and
the space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial
component may be configured to relay communications
therebetween.
[0008] The space-based component may be configured to relay
communications between first and second radioterminals on the
extraterrestrial body using at least one satellite frequency of the
satellite frequency band. The ancillary extraterrestrial component
may be configured to relay communications between first and second
radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body reusing the at least
one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band. In
addition, the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the
space-based component may be configured to relay communications
between first and second terminals on the extraterrestrial body
such that communications between the first and second
radioterminals are relayed through both the ancillary
extraterrestrial component and the space-based component. At least
one of the radioterminals may be configured to provide full duplex
voice communications and/or digital data communications.
[0009] The ancillary extraterrestrial component may be one of a
plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components on the
extraterrestrial body with each ancillary extraterrestrial
component defining a respective coverage area on the
extraterrestrial body. More particularly, the ancillary
extraterrestrial components may reuse one or more of frequencies of
the satellite frequency band. The one or more frequencies may be
shared among the plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components
according to a frequency reuse pattern to reduce interference
between the ancillary extraterrestrial components.
[0010] The systems may also include a second space-based component
that is configured to provide wireless communications with a
plurality of radioterminals located on earth over a second
satellite frequency band. Moreover, the second space-based
component may include at least one satellite orbiting the earth,
and the first space-based component, the second space-based
component, and the ancillary extraterrestrial component may be
configured to relay communications therebetween. In addition, an
ancillary terrestrial component on earth may be configured to
provide wireless communications with the plurality of
radioterminals located on earth, and the ancillary terrestrial
component may reuse at least one satellite frequency of the second
satellite frequency band, and the second space-based component and
the ancillary terrestrial component may be configured to relay
communications therebetween. Moreover, the first satellite
frequency band and the second satellite frequency band may be
substantially the same satellite frequency band.
[0011] The ancillary extraterrestrial component on the
extraterrestrial body and the ancillary terrestrial component on
earth may also be configured to relay communications between a
radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial
body. More particularly, communications between the radioterminal
on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be
relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and
ancillary terrestrial component. In addition or in an alternative,
communications between the radioterminal on earth and the
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be relayed through
the first and/or second space-based components. In addition or in
another alternative, communications between the radioterminal on
earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be
relayed through both the first space-based component and the
ancillary terrestrial component. In addition or in yet another
alternative, communications between the radioterminal on earth and
the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be relayed
through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and the
second space-based component.
[0012] According to second embodiments of the present invention, an
extraterrestrial communications system may include a first
space-based component having at least one satellite orbiting the
extraterrestrial body, an ancillary extraterrestrial component on
the extraterrestrial body, a second space-based component having at
least one satellite orbiting earth, and an ancillary terrestrial
component on earth. The first space-based component may be
configured to provide wireless communications with a plurality of
radioterminals located on an extraterrestrial body. The ancillary
extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body may be
configured to provide wireless communications with the plurality of
radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body. Moreover, the
first space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial
component may be configured to relay communications therebetween.
The second space-based component may be configured to provide
wireless communications with a plurality of radioterminals located
on earth. The ancillary terrestrial component on earth may be
configured to provide wireless communications with the plurality of
radioterminals located on earth, and the second space-based
component and the ancillary terrestrial component may be configured
to relay communications therebetween. In addition, the first
space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial component,
the second space-based component, and the ancillary terrestrial
component may be configured to relay communications between a
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and a radioterminal on
earth. Moreover, communications between the radioterminal on the
extraterrestrial body and the radioterminal on earth may be relayed
through at least two of the first space-based component, the
ancillary extraterrestrial component, the second space-based
component, and/or the ancillary terrestrial component.
[0013] The first space-based component may be configured to provide
wireless communications over a first satellite frequency band, and
the ancillary extraterrestrial component may be configured to reuse
at least one satellite frequency of the first satellite frequency
band. In addition, the second space-based component may be
configured to provide wireless communications over a second
satellite frequency band and the ancillary terrestrial component
may be configured to reuse at least one satellite frequency of the
second satellite frequency band. Moreover, the first and second
satellite frequency bands may be substantially the same satellite
frequency band.
[0014] The first space-based component may be configured to relay
communications between first and second radioterminals on the
extraterrestrial body, and the ancillary extraterrestrial component
may be configured to relay communications between first and second
radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body.
[0015] In addition, the first space-based component and the
ancillary extraterrestrial component may be configured to relay
communications between first and second radioterminals on the
extraterrestrial body such that communications between the first
and second radioterminals are relayed through both the ancillary
extraterrestrial component and the first space-based component. The
radioterminals located on earth and/or on the extraterrestrial body
may be mobile radio terminals configured to provide full duplex
voice communications, and/or to provide digital data
communications.
[0016] The ancillary extraterrestrial component may be one of a
plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components on the
extraterrestrial body with each ancillary extraterrestrial
component defining a respective coverage area on the
extraterrestrial body. More particularly, the first space-based
component may be configured to provide wireless communications over
a first satellite frequency band, the ancillary extraterrestrial
component may be configured to reuse one or more of the satellite
frequencies of the first satellite frequency band, and the one or
more frequencies may be shared among the plurality of ancillary
extraterrestrial components according to a reuse pattern to reduce
interference between the extraterrestrial components.
[0017] The ancillary extraterrestrial component on the
extraterrestrial body and the ancillary terrestrial component on
earth may be configured to relay communications between a
radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial
body. More particularly, communications between the radioterminal
on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be
relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and
the ancillary terrestrial component. The first space-based
component and the second space-based component may be configured to
relay communications between a radioterminal on earth and a
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body. More particularly,
communications between the radioterminal on earth and the
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be relayed through
the first space-based component and/or the second space-based
component.
[0018] The first space-based component and the ancillary
terrestrial component may be configured to relay communications
between a radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the
extraterrestrial body. More particularly, communications between
the radioterminal on earth and the radioterminal on the
extraterrestrial body may be relayed through both the first
space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component. The
ancillary extraterrestrial component and the second space-based
component may be configured to relay communications between a
radioterminal on earth and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial
body. More particularly, communications between the radioterminal
on earth and the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be
relayed through both the ancillary extraterrestrial component and
the second space-based component.
[0019] According to third embodiments of the present invention, a
communications system may include a space-based component having at
least one satellite orbiting earth and an ancillary terrestrial
component on earth. The space-based component may be configured to
provide wireless communications with a plurality of radioterminals
located on earth over a satellite frequency band. The ancillary
terrestrial component may be configured to provide wireless
communications with the plurality of radioterminals located on
earth. Moreover, the ancillary terrestrial component may reuse at
least one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band, and
the space-based component and the ancillary terrestrial component
may be configured to relay communications therebetween. In
addition, at least one of the space-based component and/or the
ancillary terrestrial component may be configured to relay
communications between one of the plurality of radioterminals
located on earth and a radioterminal located on an extraterrestrial
body.
[0020] The communications system may also include a second
space-based component that is configured to provide wireless
communications with a plurality of radioterminals located on the
extraterrestrial body over a second satellite frequency band. More
particularly, the second space-based component may include at least
one satellite orbiting the extraterrestrial body, and the first
space-based component, the second space-based component, and the
ancillary terrestrial component may be configured to relay
communications therebetween. In addition, an ancillary
extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body may be
configured to provide wireless communications with the plurality of
radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body. Moreover, the
ancillary extraterrestrial component may reuse at least one
satellite frequency of the second satellite frequency band, and the
second space-based component and the ancillary extraterrestrial
component may be configured to relay communications therebetween.
The first satellite frequency band and the second satellite
frequency band may also be substantially the same satellite
frequency band.
[0021] According to fourth embodiments of the present invention,
methods may be provided for operating a communications system
including a space-based component having at least one satellite
orbiting an extraterrestrial body and an ancillary extraterrestrial
component on the extraterrestrial body. Wireless communications may
be provided from the space-based component with a plurality of
radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body over a
satellite frequency band. Wireless communications may also be
provided from the ancillary extraterrestrial component with the
plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body,
and the ancillary extraterrestrial component may reuse at least one
satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band. In addition,
communications may be relayed between the space-based component and
the ancillary extraterrestrial component.
[0022] According to fifth embodiments of the present invention,
methods may be provided for operating a communications system
including a first space-based component having at least one
satellite orbiting an extraterrestrial body, an ancillary
extraterrestrial component on the extraterrestrial body, a second
space-based component having at least one satellite orbiting earth,
and an ancillary terrestrial component on earth. Wireless
communications may be provided from the first space-based component
with a plurality of radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial
body, and wireless communications may be provided from the
ancillary extraterrestrial component with the plurality of
radioterminals located on the extraterrestrial body. Communications
may also be relayed between the first space-based component and the
ancillary extraterrestrial component. Wireless communications may
be provided form the second space-based component with a plurality
of radioterminals located on earth, and wireless communications may
be provided form the ancillary terrestrial component with the
plurality of radioterminals located on earth. Communications may
also be relayed between the second space-based component and the
ancillary terrestrial component. Communications may also be relayed
between a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and a
radioterminal on earth. More particularly, communications between
the radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body and the
radioterminal on earth may be relayed through at least two of the
first space-based component, the ancillary extraterrestrial
component, the second space-based component, and/or the ancillary
terrestrial component.
[0023] According to sixth embodiments of the present invention,
methods may be provided for operating a communications system
including a space-based component including at least one satellite
orbiting earth, and an ancillary terrestrial component on earth.
Wireless communications may be provided from the space-based
component with a plurality of radioterminals located on earth over
a satellite frequency band, and wireless communications may be
provided from the ancillary terrestrial component with the
plurality of radioterminals located on earth. More particularly,
the ancillary terrestrial component may reuse at least one
satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band. Communications
may be relayed between the space-based component and the ancillary
terrestrial component. In addition, communications may be relayed
between one of the plurality of radioterminals located on earth and
a radioterminal located on an extraterrestrial body using at least
one of the space-based component and/or the extraterrestrial
component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of extraterrestrial
communications systems and methods according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of communications systems and
methods on earth according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of communications systems and
methods on earth and on an extraterrestrial body according to
embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of mobile terminals and methods
according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
typical embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0029] It will be understood that although the terms first and
second are used herein to describe various elements, these elements
should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to
distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element
below could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second
element may be termed a first element without departing from the
teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items. Moreover, as used herein, "substantially
the same" band means that the bands substantially overlap, but that
there may be some areas of non-overlap, for example at the band
ends. Moreover, "substantially the same" air interface means that
the air interfaces are similar but need not be identical. Some
changes may be made to the air interface to account for different
characteristics for the terrestrial, extraterrestrial, and/or
satellite environments.
[0030] According to embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 1, communications systems and methods may be
provided for an extraterrestrial body such as the Moon, Mars, or
another planet or moon thereof. More particularly, a communications
system may comprise a space-based network including at least one
space-based component such as a satellite 101 orbiting the
extraterrestrial body 105, and an ancillary extraterrestrial
network including one or a plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103a-g on the extraterrestrial body 105. While the
space-based network is illustrated with a single satellite 101, the
space-based network may include a plurality of satellites and each
satellite may provide communications over different coverage areas
107a-d of the extraterrestrial body 105. While the ancillary
extraterrestrial network is illustrated with a plurality of
ancillary components 103a-g, ancillary extraterrestrial networks
according to embodiments of the present invention may operate with
only a single ancillary extraterrestrial component. As shown in
FIG. 1, only a portion of the extraterrestrial body 105 is
illustrated.
[0031] More particularly, the space-based network is configured to
provide wireless communications with a plurality of radioterminals
on the extraterrestrial body using a satellite frequency band. As
shown in FIG. 1, the space-based network may define a plurality of
non-overlapping, partially overlapping, and/or substantially
overlapping satellite coverage areas 107a-d on the extraterrestrial
body 105 using respective spot beams. One or more satellite
frequencies of the satellite frequency band may be used to provide
communications with each of the coverage areas 107a-d, and a
satellite frequency reuse pattern may be established so that the
same satellite frequencies may not be used in adjacent/overlapping
ones of coverage areas 107a-d. While a single satellite 101 is
shown in FIG. 1 providing communications in four coverage areas
107a-d, a space-based network according to embodiments of the
present invention may include a plurality of satellites with each
satellite providing service for one or a plurality of coverage
areas.
[0032] Moreover, a satellite 101 or satellites of the space-based
network may be relatively stationary (i.e.
extraterrestrial-body-stationery) with respect to particular
locations on the extraterrestrial body so that one or more coverage
areas 107a-d thereof are relatively stationary with respect to the
extraterrestrial body. Accordingly, a single satellite may provide
continuous coverage for a relatively stationary coverage area. An
orbit for a extraterrestrial-body-stationary satellite, however,
may be relatively high. In addition or in an alternative, a
satellite or satellites of the space-based network may be provided
in a relatively low orbit to reduce transmission delays and/or to
reduce a transmission power. With a relatively low orbit satellite,
however, a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may not have
continuous coverage from a single low orbit satellite. For example,
a space-based network may include a plurality of relatively low
orbit satellites with each satellite providing coverage for a
particular location on the extraterrestrial body at a different
time.
[0033] Accordingly, the space-based network of the communications
system is configured to relay communications between first and
second radioterminals on the extraterrestrial body 105 using at
least one frequency of the satellite frequency band. For example,
communications between two radioterminals located in the coverage
area 107b may be relayed through the satellite 101 using a first
communications channel between the first radioterminal and the
satellite 101 and using a second communications channel between the
second radioterminal and the satellite 101. Because the two
radioterminals are in the same coverage area 107b, the first and
second communications channels may be provided on different
satellite frequencies of the satellite frequency band in a FDM/FDMA
architecture; the first and second communications channels may be
provided on the same satellite frequency using different time slots
in a TDM/TDMA architecture; and/or the first and second
communications channels may be provided on the same satellite
frequency using different spread-spectrum codes in a CDM/CDMA
(frequency-hopped and/or direct-sequence spread) architecture.
Other architectures and/or air interface protocols may also be
used. The space-based network of the communications system may also
be configured to relay communications between radioterminals
located in different coverage areas, such as coverage areas 107b
and 107c.
[0034] Accordingly, the space-based network may provide for
communications over relatively large portions of the
extraterrestrial landscape. Communications between two
radioterminals located in the same or different coverage areas
107a-d may be relayed through the space-based network. While a
space-based network with a single satellite 101 is shown in FIG. 1,
multiple satellites may be included in the space-based network. For
example, communications may be relayed between a first
radioterminal in coverage area 107b and a second radioterminal in
coverage area 107c through a first satellite providing service for
coverage area 107b and a second satellite providing service for
coverage area 107c. A communications path between two
radioterminals may thus pass through two or more satellites.
[0035] Each of the ancillary extraterrestrial components 103a-g of
the ancillary extraterrestrial network defines a respective
coverage area 109a-g. Each of the ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103a-g may be configured to provide wireless
communications with a plurality of radioterminals located on the
extraterrestrial body. More particularly, each of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103a-g is configured to reuse at least
one satellite frequency of the satellite frequency band, and each
of the ancillary extraterrestrial components 103a-g and the
space-based component(s) such as satellite 101 are configured to
relay communications therebetween. Coverage areas are shown as
circles for purposes of illustration. Coverage areas, however, may
have other shapes such as hexagonal, octagonal, wedge shaped,
triangular, oval, substantially circular, etc.
[0036] Moreover, a plurality of adjacent ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103d-g may have overlapping coverage areas 109d-g, and
each of the ancillary extraterrestrial components 103d-g may reuse
one or more satellite frequencies of the satellite frequency band.
As discussed above, the space-based component such as satellite 101
may provide wireless communications with the coverage area 107d
using one or more satellite frequencies of the satellite frequency
band with different satellite frequencies being used by the
space-based component such as satellite 101 to provide wireless
communications over the coverage areas 107b-c. Accordingly, the
ancillary extraterrestrial components 103d-g may reuse satellite
frequencies other than satellite frequencies used by the satellite
101 to provide wireless communications with the coverage area 107d.
Accordingly, interference between the ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103d-g and the space-based network can be reduced.
[0037] In addition, a plurality of satellite frequencies may be
shared among the ancillary extraterrestrial components 103d-g
according to a frequency reuse pattern to reduce interference
between adjacent ancillary extraterrestrial components 103d-g.
Reuse of satellite frequencies among the adjacent ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103d-g may be provided, for example,
such that adjacent ancillary extraterrestrial components do not
reuse the same frequencies at the same time. For example, ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103e-g have overlapping coverage areas
109e-g so that the same satellite frequencies may not be reused at
the same time by any of the ancillary extraterrestrial components
103e-g in a FDM/FDMA and/or TDM/TDMA architecture and/or air
interface protocol. However, for certain architectures and/or air
interface protocols, such as a CDM/CDMA architecture and/or air
interface protocol, the ancillary extraterrestrial components
103e-g may reuse at the same time the same satellite band frequency
or frequencies. Ancillary extraterrestrial components 103d and 103f
have non-overlapping coverage areas 109d and 109f, and the same
satellite frequencies may thus be reused by ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103d and 103f at the same time.
Moreover, satellite frequencies used by ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103d-g may be used at the same time by a space-based
component such as satellite 101 for communications with coverage
areas 107a, 107b, and/or 107c.
[0038] Similarly, ancillary extraterrestrial components 103b-c may
define overlapping coverage areas 109b-c, and ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103b-c may use different satellite
frequencies to reduced interference therebetween. Moreover,
satellite frequencies used by ancillary extraterrestrial components
103b-c may be different than satellite frequencies used by the
space-based component for communications in the coverage area 107d.
Satellite frequencies used by the ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103b-c, however, may be reused by a space-based
component such as satellite 101 for communications in coverage
areas 107a, 107b, and/or 107c. In addition, ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103a may define coverage area 109a, and
ancillary extraterrestrial communication component 103a may use
satellite frequencies different than those used by a space-based
component such as satellite 101 for communications in the coverage
area 107a. Satellite frequencies used by the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103a, however, may be reused by the
space-based component for communications in coverage areas 107b,
107c, and/or 107d.
[0039] A single ancillary extraterrestrial component (such as
103g), for example, may relay communications between two
radioterminals located in the respective coverage area (such as
109g). Moreover, ancillary extraterrestrial components 103d-g may
be networked such that communications between a first radioterminal
in coverage area 109d and a second radioterminal in coverage area
109f are relayed through respective ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103d and 103f. Links between ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103d-g may be provided, for example, by wire link, by
optic fiber link, by radio link, and/or by satellite link.
Moreover, service for a radioterminal may be switched during
communications from one ancillary extraterrestrial component to
another as the radioterminal moves from the coverage area of one
ancillary extraterrestrial component to another. Switching, for
example, may be controlled from a switching office, the
functionality of which may be distributed among different ancillary
extraterrestrial components, provided at one of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components, provided separate from any of the
ancillary extraterrestrial components, and/or provided at one or
more space-based components of the space-based network.
[0040] Similarly, ancillary extraterrestrial components 103a-c may
provide wireless communications for radioterminals located in
coverage areas 109a-c. For example, ancillary extraterrestrial
component 103a may relay communications between two radioterminals
located in coverage area 109a, ancillary extraterrestrial component
103b may relay communications between two radioterminals located in
coverage area 109b, and ancillary extraterrestrial component 103c
may relay communications between two radioterminals located in
coverage area 109c. Moreover, links between all of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103a-g may be provided, for example, by
wire link, by optic fiber link, by radio link, and/or by satellite
link. Communications between a radioterminal in coverage area 109a
and a radioterminal in coverage area 109c, for example, may be
relayed through ancillary extraterrestrial components 103a and
103c.
[0041] Coverage for a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body
may thus be provided by either the space-based network (including
one or more space based components such as satellite 101) or the
ancillary extraterrestrial network (including one or more ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103a-g). More particularly, one or more
ancillary extraterrestrial components may be provided at locations
on the extraterrestrial body where a relatively high volume of
radioterminal usage is expected, and coverage from the space-based
network may be provided over larger areas to cover areas not
covered by the ancillary extraterrestrial components 103a-g.
[0042] A space-based component such as satellite 101 may thus
provide communications for radioterminals located in relatively
large coverage areas 107a-d while the ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103a-g may provide communications for radioterminals
located in relatively small coverage areas 109a-g. Moreover, the
satellite(s) 101 of the space-based network and the ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103a-g of the ancillary
extraterrestrial network may be networked so that communications
can be relayed therebetween.
[0043] When a radioterminal is in a coverage area of an ancillary
extraterrestrial component, the radioterminal may elect to
establish a link with the available ancillary extraterrestrial
component instead of the space-based component to conserve power,
to reduce propagation delays, and/or to enhance system efficiency
and/or capacity. Because the ancillary extraterrestrial component
is on the extraterrestrial body and may cover a relatively limited
area thereof, the radioterminal can transmit to the ancillary
extraterrestrial component at a lower power than may be required to
transmit to the space-based component. Moreover, a propagation
delay in communications may be reduced if all of the links in a
communication can be maintained within one or more ancillary
extraterrestrial components. When a radioterminal is outside a
coverage area of the ancillary extraterrestrial components, a link
may be established with a space-based component such as satellite
101. In addition, use of relatively small coverage areas in the
ancillary extraterrestrial network may allow a relatively high
degree of frequency reuse and a greater density of radioterminal
usage.
[0044] A first radioterminal 401a, for example, may initially be
located in coverage area 109d when a communication is first
established with a second radioterminal 401b located in coverage
area 109f. Accordingly, communications may be initially relayed
between the radioterminals through ancillary extraterrestrial
components 103d and 103f. If the first radioterminal moves to
coverage area 109g, coverage of the first radioterminal may be
handed off from the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103d to
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103g so that communications
are relayed between the radioterminals through ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103g and 103f. If the first
radioterminal then moves outside any of the coverage areas 103d-g,
coverage of the first radioterminal may be handed off to a portion
of the space-based network such as satellite 101 providing coverage
for coverage area 107d. Accordingly, communications may be relayed
between the radioterminals through the satellite 101 and the
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103f. A communication such as
a radiotelephone conversation may thus be maintained as one or both
radioterminals move between coverage areas 103a-g and/or coverage
areas 107a-d.
[0045] According to another example, a first radioterminal 401c may
be located in coverage area 109a, and a second radioterminal 401d
may be located in coverage area 109c, and a link between ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103a and 103c may be provided via
satellite 101. Communications may thus be relayed between the first
and second radioterminals 401c-d through the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103a, the satellite 101, and the
ancillary component 103c. While a propagation delay may be
introduced through the satellite link, the use of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103a and 103c may reduce a transmission
power required from the radioterminals to thereby extend battery
life thereof. Stated in other words, even though the communications
are transmitted through the satellite, the introduction of an
ancillary extraterrestrial component into the communications link
may reduce power consumption (and/or increase battery life) at the
radioterminal(s). If the first radioterminal 401c moves outside the
coverage area 109a, communications may be relayed between the first
and second radioterminals 401c-d through the satellite 101 and the
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103c.
[0046] According to particular embodiments of the present
invention, a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may
initially seek service from an ancillary extraterrestrial component
on the extraterrestrial body so that the radioterminal may transmit
at a lower power than may otherwise be required to transmit to a
space-based component such as a satellite. Even if a particular
communication will require a link through a satellite, an ancillary
extraterrestrial component may provide the link to the satellite
more efficiently than the radioterminal alone because an ancillary
extraterrestrial component may be less constrained in size than a
radioterminal, and an ancillary extraterrestrial component may have
a greater power capacity. If an ancillary extraterrestrial
component is not available, the radioterminal may seek service
directly from a space-based component such as satellite 101.
[0047] The ancillary extraterrestrial components 103a-g may be
specially adapted for operation in an extraterrestrial environment.
Each ancillary extraterrestrial component may be self-contained,
for example, including a power supply such as one or more of a
solar cell, a battery, and/or a fuel cell. Moreover, each ancillary
extraterrestrial component may include one (or more) transceiver(s)
to provide one (or more) communications link(s) with one or more
satellites of the space-based component, one (or more)
transceiver(s) to provide one (or more) communications link(s) with
one (or more) radioterminal(s), and/or one (or more) transceiver(s)
to provide one (or more) communications link(s) with one (or more)
other ancillary extraterrestrial component(s). In addition, each
ancillary extraterrestrial component may be configured to be
deployed from space with little or no manual assembly required once
the ancillary extraterrestrial component lands on the
extraterrestrial body.
[0048] Each ancillary extraterrestrial component may also be
configured to automatically scan for the presence of other nearby
ancillary extraterrestrial components to create an adaptable
ancillary extraterrestrial network. For example, if two ancillary
extraterrestrial components land near one another on the
extraterrestrial body, one component may detect transmissions of
the other and initiate a link therebetween. The link between the
two components may then be used to coordinate frequency reuse
between the two components, transmission powers of the two
components, hand-offs of radioterminals between the two ancillary
extraterrestrial components, and/or links with a space-based
component (such as a satellite).
[0049] Each ancillary extraterrestrial component may also be
configured to automatically scan for the presence of a space-based
component such as a satellite. For example, the ancillary
extraterrestrial component may detect transmissions from a
space-based component (such as a satellite) to a coverage area in
which the ancillary extraterrestrial component is located and
initiate a link therebetween. The link may be used to coordinate
frequency reuse, hand-offs of radioterminals between the ancillary
extraterrestrial component and the space-based component, and/or
links through the satellite to other ancillary extraterrestrial
components and/or radioterminals.
[0050] Because both the space-based component(s) and the ancillary
extraterrestrial component(s) operate using satellite frequencies,
a radioterminal according to embodiments of the present invention
may communicate through both space-based and ancillary
extraterrestrial components using substantially a same transceiver
and/or substantially a same communications protocol. A number of
components and/or size of the radioterminal can thus be reduced.
Moreover, a radioterminal according to embodiments of the present
invention may be incorporated into a space suit used to provide
life-support on the extraterrestrial body. In other embodiments,
the radioterminal may be a hand-held device.
[0051] According to additional embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 1, communications may be relayed between a
radioterminal(s) on the extraterrestrial body and communications
systems on earth through a space-based component such as satellite
101 and/or through a relay station(s) 111 (also referred to as a
gateway) on the extraterrestrial body. For example, a communication
may be established between a radioterminal in coverage area 109a
and a radioterminal on earth with links being provided through the
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103a, the satellite 101, and a
communications system on earth (such as will be described with
respect to FIG. 2). In another example, a communication may be
established with links being provided through the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103a, the satellite 101, the relay
station 111, and a communications system on earth. In yet another
example, a communication may be established with links being
provided through the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103a, the
relay station 111 (without a link through a satellite orbiting the
extraterrestrial body), and a communications system on earth.
[0052] In other examples, a radioterminal may be outside any
coverage areas provided by ancillary extraterrestrial components.
For example, a communication may be established between a
radioterminal in coverage area 107b and a radioterminal on earth
with links being provided through the satellite 101 and a
communications system on earth. In another example, a communication
may be established with links being provided through the satellite
101, the relay station 111, and a communications system on earth.
Moreover, service for a radioterminal may be handed-off from one
ancillary extraterrestrial component to another, from an ancillary
extraterrestrial component to a space-based component, and/or from
one space-based component coverage area to another during a
communication with a radioterminal on earth.
[0053] The relay station 111 may be optional with links to earth
being provided through a space-based component such as a satellite.
Moreover, a space-based network may include a plurality of
satellites in orbit around the extraterrestrial body to provide
that at least one satellite is always in alignment for
communication with earth. In another alternative, links to earth
may be provided through one or more of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components without requiring a separate relay
station. Stated in other words, one or more of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components may include functionality of a relay
station therein.
[0054] If a separate relay station 111 is included, links between
the relay station 111 and one or more of the ancillary
extraterrestrial components may be provided, for example, by wire
link, by optic fiber link, by radio link, and/or by satellite link.
Moreover, a plurality of relay stations 111 may be provided around
the extraterrestrial body to provide that at least one relay
station 111 is always in alignment for communication with earth.
For example, three relay stations could be provided at
approximately 120 degree intervals around the extraterrestrial
body.
[0055] According to additional embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 2, communications systems and methods may be
provided for use on earth. As shown in FIG. 2, a second space-based
network may include at least one space-based component such as a
satellite 201 orbiting earth 205, and an ancillary terrestrial
network including one or a plurality of ancillary terrestrial
components 203a-e on earth 205. While the second space-based
network is illustrated with a single satellite 201, the space-based
network may include a plurality of satellites, and each satellite
may provide communications over different coverage areas 207a-c on
earth. While a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components 203a-e
are illustrated, ancillary terrestrial networks according to
embodiments of the present invention may operate with only a single
ancillary terrestrial component. As shown in FIG. 2, only a portion
of earth 205 is illustrated.
[0056] Terrestrial communications systems including space-based and
ancillary terrestrial components used to provide communications for
radioterminals are discussed, for example, in the following U.S.
patents and U.S. patent publications. Satellite radioterminal
communications systems and methods that may employ terrestrial
reuse of satellite frequencies are described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,684,057 to Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for
Terrestrial Reuse of Cellular Satellite Frequency Spectrum; and
Published U.S. patent application Nos. US 2003/0054760 to
Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for Terrestrial Reuse of
Cellular Satellite Frequency Spectrum; US 2003/0054761 to
Karabinis, entitled Spatial Guardbands for Terrestrial Reuse of
Satellite Frequencies; US 2003/0054814 to Karabinis et al.,
entitled Systems and Methods for Monitoring Terrestrially Reused
Satellite Frequencies to Reduce Potential Interference; US
2003/0073436 to Karabinis et al., entitled Additional Systems and
Methods for Monitoring Terrestrially Reused Satellite Frequencies
to Reduce Potential Interference; US 2003/0054762 to Karabinis,
entitled Multi-Band/Multi-Mode Satellite Radiotelephone
Communications Systems and Methods; US 2003/0153267 to Karabinis,
entitled Wireless Communications Systems and Methods Using
Satellite-Linked Remote Terminal Interface Subsystems; US
2003/0224785 to Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for
Reducing Satellite Feeder Link Bandwidth/Carriers In Cellular
Satellite Systems; US 2002/0041575 to Karabinis et al., entitled
Coordinated Satellite-Terrestrial Frequency Reuse; US 2002/0090942
to Karabinis et al., entitled Integrated or Autonomous System and
Method of Satellite-Terrestrial Frequency Reuse Using Signal
Attenuation and/or Blockage, Dynamic Assignment of Frequencies
and/or Hysteresis; US 2003/0068978 to Karabinis et al., entitled
Space-Based Network Architectures for Satellite Radiotelephone
Systems; US 2003/0143949 to Karabinis, entitled Filters for
Combined Radiotelephone/GPS Terminals; US 2003/0153308 to
Karabinis, entitled Staggered Sectorization for Terrestrial Reuse
of Satellite Frequencies; and US 2003/0054815 to Karabinis,
entitled Methods and Systems for Modifying Satellite Antenna Cell
Patterns In Response to Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies.
All of the above referenced patents and patent publications are
assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and the
disclosures of all of these patents and patent publications are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set
forth fully herein.
[0057] Accordingly, the second space-based network including
satellite 201 may provide communications for radioterminals located
in coverage areas 207a-c using a satellite frequency band.
According to particular embodiments of the present invention,
substantially the same satellite frequency band may be used by both
the first space-based network including satellite 101 orbiting the
extraterrestrial body and the second space-based network including
satellite 201 orbiting earth. Accordingly, a same radioterminal may
operate on both earth and the extraterrestrial body without
requiring multi-mode operation. For example, substantially the same
satellite frequency band used by both the first and second
space-based networks may include frequencies in the range of
approximately 1626.5 MHZ to approximately 1660.5 MHz and/or
frequencies in the range of approximately 1525 MHz to approximately
1559 MHz. More particularly, a forward link for transmissions from
the space-based networks may be provided by frequencies in the
range of approximately 1525 MHZ to approximately 1559 MHz, and a
return link for transmissions to the space-based networks may be
provided by frequencies in the range of approximately 1626.5 MHz to
approximately 1660.5 MHz. In an alternative, different satellite
frequency bands may be used by a space-based network including one
or more satellites orbiting the extraterrestrial body and by the
space-based network including one or more satellites orbiting
earth.
[0058] More particularly, a satellite frequency reuse pattern may
be established so that the same satellite frequencies are not used
in adjacent/overlapping ones of the coverage areas 207a-c at the
same time. Accordingly, the space-based network of the
communications system is configured to relay communications between
first and second radioterminals on earth using at least one
frequency of the satellite frequency band. For example,
communications between two radioterminals located in the coverage
area are 207b may be relayed through satellite 201 using a first
communications channel between the first radioterminal and the
satellite 201 and using a second communications channel between the
second radioterminal and the satellite 201. Because the two
terminals are in the same coverage area, the first and second
communications channels may be provided on different satellite
frequencies of the satellite frequency band; the first and second
communications channels may be provided on the same satellite
frequency using different time slots in a TDM/TDMA architecture
and/or air interface protocol; and/or the first and second
communications channels may be provided on the same satellite
frequency using different codes in a CDM/CDMA architecture and/or
air interface protocol. The space-based network may also be
configured to relay communications between radioterminals located
in different coverage areas, such as coverage areas 207a and
207b.
[0059] Accordingly, the space-based network including satellite 201
may provide for communications over relatively large portions of
earth. Communications between two radioterminals located in the
same or different coverage areas 207a-c may be relayed through the
space-based component. While a space-based network with a single
satellite 201 is shown in FIG. 2, multiple satellites may be
included in the space-based network. For example, communications
may be relayed between a first radioterminal in coverage area 207b
and a second radioterminal in coverage area 207c through a first
satellite providing service for coverage area 207b and a second
satellite providing service for coverage area 207c. A
communications path between two radioterminals may thus pass
through two or more satellites.
[0060] Each of the ancillary terrestrial communications components
203a-e defines a respective coverage area 209a-e. Each of the
ancillary terrestrial communications components 203a-e is
configured to provide wireless communications with a plurality of
radioterminals located within a coverage area thereof. More
particularly, each of the ancillary terrestrial components 203a-e
is configured to reuse at least one satellite frequency of the
satellite frequency band, and each of the ancillary terrestrial
components 203a-e and the space-based component(s) such as
satellite 201 may be configured to relay communications
therebetween.
[0061] Moreover, a plurality of adjacent ancillary terrestrial
components 203c-e may have overlapping coverage areas 209c-e, and
each of the ancillary terrestrial components 203c-e may reuse one
or more satellite frequencies of the satellite frequency band. As
discussed above, a space-based component such as satellite 201 may
provide wireless communications for radioterminals in the coverage
area 207c using one or more satellite frequencies of the satellite
frequency band with different satellite frequencies being used by
the space-based component to provide wireless communications over
the coverage areas 207a-b. Accordingly, the ancillary terrestrial
components 203c-e may reuse satellite frequencies other than the
satellite frequencies used by the satellite 201 to provide wireless
communications for radioterminals in the coverage area 207c.
Accordingly, interference between ancillary terrestrial components
203c-e and the space-based network can be reduced.
[0062] In addition, a plurality of satellite frequencies may be
shared among the ancillary terrestrial components 203c-e according
to a frequency reuse pattern to reduce interference between
adjacent ancillary terrestrial components 203c-e. Reuse of
satellite frequencies among the adjacent ancillary terrestrial
components 203c-e may be provided, for example, such that adjacent
ancillary terrestrial components do not reuse the same frequencies
at the same time. Ancillary terrestrial components 203a-b (and/or
additional adjacent ancillary terrestrial components) may also
share a plurality of satellite frequencies according to a frequency
reuse pattern. Moreover, satellite frequencies used by ancillary
terrestrial components 203c-e may be used at the same time by the
satellite 201 for communications with radioterminals in coverage
areas 207a-b. Similarly, satellite frequencies used by ancillary
terrestrial components 203a-b may be used at the same time by the
satellite 201 for communications with radioterminals in coverage
areas 207a or 207c.
[0063] Communications for a radioterminal on earth may thus be
provided by a space-based component such as satellite 201 within
one of the coverage areas 207a-c and/or by an ancillary terrestrial
component 203a-e within one of the coverage areas 209a-e. When
within a coverage area 209a-e, a radioterminal may communicate
through the respective ancillary terrestrial component 203a-e. When
outside coverage areas 209a-e of the ancillary terrestrial
components 203a-e or when an ancillary terrestrial component is not
available, the radioterminal may communicate through a space-based
component(s) (such as satellite 201) of the space-based network.
Moreover, components of the space-based and ancillary terrestrial
networks may be coupled with a public switched telephone network on
earth. Accordingly, a radioterminal may establish communications
through a space-based component and/or an ancillary terrestrial
component with another radioterminal on earth. The other
radioterminal may be coupled through the space-based network
including the satellite 201 and the ancillary terrestrial
components 203a-e or through another wireless network such as a
cellular and/or PCS radiotelephone network. In another alternative,
a radioterminal may establish communications through a space-based
component or an ancillary terrestrial component with a conventional
telephone through a public switched telephone network.
[0064] A single ancillary terrestrial component (such as 203e), for
example, may relay communications between two radioterminals
located in the respective coverage area (such as 209e). Moreover,
ancillary terrestrial components 203c-e may be networked such that
communications between a first radioterminal in coverage area 209c
and a second radioterminal in coverage area 209e are relayed
through respective ancillary terrestrial components 203c and 203e.
Links between ancillary components 209c-e may be provided, for
example, by wire link, by optic fiber link, by radio link, and/or
by satellite link. Moreover, service for a radioterminal may be
switched during communications from one ancillary terrestrial
component to another as the radioterminal moves from the coverage
area of one ancillary terrestrial component to another. Switching,
for example, may be controlled from a switching office, the
functionality of which may be distributed among different ancillary
terrestrial components, provided at one of the ancillary
terrestrial components, provided separate from any of the ancillary
terrestrial components, and/or provided at one or more satellites
of the space-based component.
[0065] Similarly, ancillary terrestrial components 203a-b may
provide wireless communications for radioterminals located in
coverage areas 209a-b. For example, ancillary terrestrial component
203a may relay communications between two radioterminals located in
coverage area 209a, and ancillary terrestrial component 203b may
relay communications between two radioterminals located in coverage
area 209b. Moreover, links between all of the ancillary terrestrial
components 203a-e may be provided, for example, by wire link, by
optic fiber link, by radio link, and/or by satellite link.
Communications between a radioterminal in coverage area 209a and a
radioterminal in coverage area 209e, for example, may be relayed
through ancillary terrestrial components 203a and 203e.
[0066] A space-based component such as satellite 201 may thus
provide communications for radioterminals located in relatively
large coverage areas 207a-c while the ancillary terrestrial
components 203a-e may provide communications for radioterminals
located in relatively small coverage areas 209a-e. Moreover, a
satellite(s) 201 of the space-based network and ancillary
terrestrial components 203a-e of the ancillary terrestrial network
may be networked so that communications can be relayed
therebetween.
[0067] According to a particular example, a first radioterminal
401e may initially be located in coverage area 209c when a
communication is first established with a second radioterminal 401f
in coverage area 209e. Accordingly, communications may be initially
relayed between the radioterminals 401e-f through ancillary
terrestrial components 203c and 203e. If the first radioterminal
401e moves to coverage area 209d, coverage of the first
radioterminal 401e may be handed off from the ancillary terrestrial
component 203c to ancillary terrestrial component 203d so that
communications are relayed between the radioterminals 401e-f
through ancillary terrestrial components 203d and 203e. If the
first radioterminal 401e then moves outside of any of coverage
areas 203c-e, coverage of the first radioterminal 401e may be
handed off to a space-based component such as satellite 201
providing coverage for coverage area 207c. Accordingly,
communications may be relayed between two radioterminals 401e-f
through the satellite 201 and/or the ancillary terrestrial
component 203e. A communication such as a radiotelephone
communication may thus be maintained as one or both radioterminals
move between coverage areas 203a-e and/or coverage areas
207a-c.
[0068] According to embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in FIG. 2, communications may be relayed between a
radioterminal(s) on earth and communications systems on an
extraterrestrial body (such as illustrated in FIG. 1) through a
satellite(s) 201 of the space-based network and/or through a relay
station(s) 211 (also referred to as a gateway) on earth. For
example, a communication may be established between a radioterminal
in coverage area 209a and a radioterminal on an extraterrestrial
body with links being established through the ancillary terrestrial
component 203a, the satellite 201, the relay station 211, and a
communications network on the extraterrestrial body. In yet another
example, a communication may be established with links being
provided through the ancillary terrestrial component 203a, the
relay station 211 (without a link through a satellite orbiting
earth), and a communications network on the extraterrestrial
body.
[0069] In other examples, a radioterminal may be outside any
coverage areas provided by ancillary terrestrial components. For
example, a communication may be established between a radioterminal
in coverage area 207b and a radioterminal on the extraterrestrial
body with links being provided through the satellite 201 and a
communications network on the extraterrestrial body. In another
example, a communication may be established with links being
provided through the satellite 201, the relay station 211, and a
communications network on the extraterrestrial body. Moreover,
service for a radioterminal may be handed-off from one ancillary
terrestrial component to another, from an ancillary terrestrial
component to a space-based component, and/or from one space-based
component coverage area to another during a communication with a
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body.
[0070] The relay station 211 may be optional with links to the
extraterrestrial body being provided through a satellite of the
space-based component. Moreover, the space-based component may
include a plurality of satellites in orbit around earth to provide
that at least one satellite is always in alignment for
communication with the extraterrestrial body. In other
alternatives, links to the extraterrestrial body may be provided
through one or more of the ancillary terrestrial components without
requiring a separate relay station. Stated in other words, one or
more of the ancillary terrestrial components may include
functionality of a relay station therein.
[0071] If a separate relay station 211 is included, links between
the relay station 211 and one or more of the ancillary terrestrial
components may be provided, for example, by wire link, by optic
fiber link, by radio link, and/or by satellite link. Moreover, a
plurality of relay stations 211 may be provided around earth to
provide that at least one relay station 211 is always in alignment
for communication with the extraterrestrial body. For example,
three relay stations could be provided at approximately 120 degree
intervals around earth.
[0072] Communications systems and methods as discussed above with
respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 can thus relay communications therebetween
to support communications between radioterminals on earth and
radioterminals on an extraterrestrial body as shown in FIG. 3. As
discussed above, a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components
may be included in the communications system on earth, and a
plurality of ancillary extraterrestrial components may be included
in the communications system on the extraterrestrial body as
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Moreover, a
plurality of satellites may be included in the space-based
components orbiting earth and/or the extraterrestrial body as
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. A single ancillary
terrestrial component 203 on earth, a single satellite 201 orbiting
earth, a single ancillary extraterrestrial component 103 on the
extraterrestrial body, and a single satellite 101 orbiting the
extraterritorial body are shown in FIG. 3 for ease of illustration.
It will be understood, however, that all elements discussed above
with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be implemented in systems and
methods illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0073] As discussed above, the satellite 101 orbiting the
extraterrestrial body may provide communications for radioterminals
in one or more satellite coverage areas on the extraterrestrial
body using one or more frequencies of a satellite frequency band.
The ancillary extraterrestrial component 103 provides
communications for radioterminals in an ancillary coverage area
serviced by the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103 using one
or more frequencies of the satellite frequency band. A
radioterminal may thus obtain service from the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103 (or another ancillary
extraterrestrial component) when within range of the ancillary
extraterrestrial component. A radioterminal may obtain service from
the satellite 101 when outside a range of any ancillary
extraterrestrial components. A radioterminal may also obtain
service from the satellite 101 when inside a range of any ancillary
extraterrestrial component.
[0074] On the extraterrestrial body, communications between two
radioterminals both within a coverage area of the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103 may be relayed between the two
radioterminals through the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103
and/or through the satellite 101. Communications between two
radioterminals both outside coverage areas of ancillary
extraterrestrial components may be relayed between the two
radioterminals through the satellite 101. Moreover, communications
between a first radioterminal within a coverage area of the
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103 and a second radioterminal
outside coverage areas of any ancillary extraterrestrial components
may be relayed between the two radioterminals through the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103 and the satellite 101 and/or through
the satellite 101.
[0075] On earth, communications between two radioterminals both
within a coverage area of the ancillary terrestrial component 203
may be relayed between the two radioterminals through the ancillary
terrestrial component 203 and/or through the satellite 201.
Communications between two radioterminals both outside coverage
areas of ancillary terrestrial components may be relayed between
the two radioterminals through the satellite 201. Moreover,
communications between a first radioterminal within a coverage area
of the ancillary terrestrial component 203 and a second
radioterminal outside coverage areas of any ancillary terrestrial
components may be relayed between the two radioterminals through
the ancillary terrestrial component 203 and the satellite 201
and/or through the satellite 201.
[0076] In addition, the communications systems of FIG. 3 may
support communications between a first radioterminal on earth and a
second radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body. A first
radioterminal may be within a coverage area of the ancillary
terrestrial component 203 and a second radioterminal may be within
a coverage area of the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103 and
communications may be relayed therebetween. For example,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the ancillary terrestrial component 203, the
satellite 201, the satellite 101, and the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103. In an alternative, communications
between the first and second radioterminals may be relayed through
the ancillary terrestrial component 203, the relay station 211, the
satellite 101, and the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103. In
another alternative, communications between the first and second
radioterminals may be relayed through the ancillary terrestrial
component 203, the satellite 201, the relay station 111, and the
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103. In yet another
alternative, communications between the first and second
radioterminals may be relayed through the ancillary terrestrial
component 203, the relay station 211, the relay station 111, and
the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103. In still another
alternative, communications between the first and second
radioterminals may be relayed through the ancillary terrestrial
component 203, the satellite 201 and/or the relay station 211, the
relay station 111, and/or the satellite 101, and the ancillary
extraterrestrial component 103.
[0077] The first radioterminal on earth may be within a coverage
area of the ancillary terrestrial component 203 and the second
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be outside coverage
areas of any ancillary extraterrestrial components, and
communications may be relayed therebetween. For example,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the ancillary terrestrial component 203, the
satellite 201, and the satellite 101. In an alternative,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the ancillary terrestrial component 203, the relay
station 211, and the satellite 101. In another alternative,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the ancillary terrestrial component 203, the
satellite 201, the relay station 111, and/or the satellite 101. In
still another alternative, communications between the first and
second radioterminals may be relayed through the ancillary
terrestrial component 203, the satellite 201 and/or the relay
station 211, the relay station 111, and/or the satellite 101.
[0078] The first radioterminal may be outside a coverage area of
any ancillary terrestrial component and the second radioterminal
may be within a coverage area of the ancillary extraterrestrial
component 103, and communications may be relayed therebetween. For
example, communications between the first and second radioterminals
may be relayed through the satellite 201, the satellite 101, and/or
the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103. In an alternative,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the satellite 201, the relay station 211, and/or
the satellite 101, and/or the ancillary extraterrestrial component
103. In another alternative, communications between the first and
second radioterminals may be relayed through the satellite 201,
and/or the relay station 111, and the ancillary extraterrestrial
component 103. In yet another alternative, communications between
the first and second radioterminals may be relayed through the
satellite 201, and/or the relay station 211, the relay station 111,
and the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103. In still another
alternative, communications between the first and second
radioterminals may be relayed through the satellite 201, and/or the
relay station 211, the relay station 111, and/or the satellite 101,
and the ancillary extraterrestrial component 103.
[0079] A first radioterminal on earth may be outside a coverage
area of any ancillary terrestrial components and a second
radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body may be outside a
coverage area of any ancillary extraterrestrial components, and
communications may be relayed therebetween. For example,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the satellite 201 and the satellite 101. In an
alternative, communications between the first and second
radioterminals may be relayed through the satellite 201, and/or the
relay station 211, and the satellite 101. In another alternative,
communications between the first and second radioterminals may be
relayed through the satellite 201, and/or the relay station 211,
and/or the relay station 111, and/or the satellite 101. In still
another alternative, communications between the first and second
radioterminals may be relayed through the satellite 201, the relay
station 111, and the satellite 101.
[0080] As used herein the term radioterminal includes
radiotelephones (such as cellular and/or satellite radiotelephones)
with or without a multi-line display; Personal Communications
System (PCS) terminals that may combine a radiotelephone with data
processing, facsimile, and/or data communications capabilities;
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) that can include a radio
frequency transceiver and pager, Internet/intranet access, Web
browser, organizer, calendar, e-mail transmitter/receiver, and/or
global/extraterrestrial positioning system receiver; and/or
conventional laptop and/or palmtop computers or other appliances,
which include a radio frequency transceiver.
[0081] Accordingly, communications systems according to embodiments
of the present invention may provide bi-directional communications
(such as radiotelephone communications) between a radioterminal on
Earth and a radioterminal on an extraterrestrial body such as the
Moon or Mars. Moreover, the component(s) providing the link between
the Earth and the extraterrestrial body may relay communications
therebetween regeneratively and/or non-regeneratively. For example,
either one of the ancillary terrestrial component 203, the relay
station 211, the satellite 201, the ancillary extraterrestrial
component 103, the relay station 111, or the satellite 101 may
function as a regenerative and/or a non-regenerative repeater. In
addition or in an alternative, communications systems according to
embodiments of the present invention may provide uni-directional
communications between a radioterminal on Earth and a radioterminal
on an extraterrestrial body.
[0082] It will be further understood that communications systems
and/or methods according to embodiments of the present invention
may be implemented to provide communications between two or more
extraterrestrial bodies and/or the earth. For example, a
communication system such as that illustrated on the
extraterrestrial body 105 maybe implemented on the Moon so that
communications may be provided between a first radioterminal on the
Moon and a second radioterminal on the extraterrestrial body 105
(such as Mars). Moreover, communications systems and/or methods may
be implemented on the earth and two or more extraterrestrial bodies
to provide communications between radioterminals on any two of the
extraterrestrial bodies and/or the earth.
[0083] Radioterminals and methods according to embodiments of the
present invention are illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, a
radioterminal 401 may include an antenna 402, a transceiver 403, a
processor 405, a user interface 407, and a battery 409 and the
radioterminal 401 may be configured for use on earth and/or on an
extraterrestrial body using communications systems discussed above
with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 3. For example, substantially
the same band of satellite frequencies and/or substantially the
same air interface protocol may be used by the space-based and
ancillary components of FIGS. 1-3 so that the radioterminal 401 can
be used on earth and on the extraterrestrial body using both
space-based and ancillary components thereon.
[0084] More particularly, the transceiver 403 and antenna 402 may
be configured to transmit and receive communications over
frequencies of the satellite frequency band used by the ancillary
terrestrial components 203 on earth, the space-based network
including the satellite 201 orbiting earth, the ancillary
extraterrestrial components 103 on the extraterrestrial body, and
the space-based network including the satellite 101 orbiting the
extraterrestrial body. The processor 405 may be configured to
process communications received and/or transmitted by the
transceiver 403, and the user interface 407 may be configured to
receive input from a user for communications to be transmitted and
to provide user output for communications received. The user
interface 407, for example, may include a speaker, a microphone, a
liquid crystal display, a touch sensitive display, a key pad, a
dial, an arrow key, and/or a joy stick.
[0085] The radioterminal 401 may thus establish a bidirectional
communications pathway with another radioterminal through one or
more of an ancillary terrestrial component 203 on earth, an
space-based network including the satellite 201 orbiting earth, an
ancillary extraterrestrial component 103 on the extraterrestrial
body, a space-based network including the satellite 101 orbiting
the extraterrestrial body, a relay station 111 on the
extraterrestrial body, and/or a relay station 211 on earth. The
bidirectional communications pathway, for example, may support an
audio radiotelephone communication, a web browsing session, an
e-mail transmission, a facsimile transmission, internet/intranet
access, and/or a digital data transmission. In an alternative, a
unidirectional pathway from one radioterminal to another through
one or more elements of FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 3 may support a one way
communication such as a page, an e-mail transmission, and/or a
facsimile transmission.
[0086] If the ancillary and space-based components provide
communications on earth and on the extraterrestrial body
operatively using substantially the same satellite frequency band
and/or substantially the same air interface protocol and/or
standard, a same radioterminal with a substantially single
transceiver can be used for communication with space-based and
ancillary components on earth and on the extraterrestrial body.
Accordingly, a duplication of parts in the transceiver 403 for
different communications modes can be reduced thereby reducing a
cost and/or size of the radioterminal 401. Moreover, power consumed
by the transceiver 403 may be reduced by providing communications
through ancillary components when available on earth and/or on the
extraterrestrial body (instead of requiring all transmissions to go
through space-based components). A drain on the battery 409 during
transmission to ancillary component(s), compared to during
transmission to space-based components, may be reduced so that a
life of the battery before discharge may be extended and/or so that
a smaller, lighter, and/or cheaper battery may be used.
[0087] Radioterminals according to the present invention may be
hand-held devices and may be similar in appearance to conventional
radiotelephones. When used on an extraterrestrial body, a
radioterminal according to embodiments of the present invention may
be integrated into a spacesuit, an extraterrestrial roving vehicle,
an extraterrestrial landing vehicle, and/or an extraterrestrial
living quarter. Moreover, radioterminals according to embodiments
of the present invention may be used to transmit data from and/or
receive data at an unmanned vehicle and/or station. In addition,
communications according to embodiments of the present invention
may be provided between a radioterminal and a fixed and/or wired
communications device.
[0088] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although
specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the
scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
Moreover, while particular systems are discussed above with respect
to the figures, analogous methods are also included in the present
invention.
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