Systems and methods for communicating with satellites via non-compliant antennas

Abstract

A system and method allow end users the ability to operate using non-compliant antennas. A coordination database may be continually updated with respect to geographic coordinates, time planning, frequency and orbital positions. Further, the system and method may utilize a tool for easily calculating interference resulting from the use of non-compliant antennas. These components, amongst others, spot possible slots in the frequency spectrum for non-compliance operations. A device may be integrated into terrestrial terminals to perform a sound, realistic and up-to-date interference calculation for equipment in a particular environment. The device may determine the level and extent of safety for operating the equipment in the particular environment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the systems and methods according to the present invention are described in the figures identified below and in the detailed description that follows.

FIG. 1 shows a high level view of an embodiment of a system and method, according to the present invention, for providing satellite communications.

FIG. 2 shows a high level view of an embodiment of a system and method, according to the present invention, for providing satellite communications.

FIG. 3 shows a high-level schematic view of the architecture in an embodiment of a system and method according to the present invention, with an emphasis on the satellite side of the system.

FIG. 4 shows a high-level view of the software of a satellite in an embodiment of a system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a high-level view of the architecture of a satellite in an embodiment of a system and method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a high-level view of the architecture of a terrestrial terminal in an embodiment of a system and method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7-20 show, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for providing satellite communications service to a customer.

FIG. 21 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for building, expanding or enhancing a satellite communications system.

FIG. 22 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for building, expanding or enhancing a satellite communications system.

FIG. 23 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for initiating customer/user control of a satellite.

FIG. 24 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for providing customer/user control of an antenna on a satellite.

FIG. 25 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for providing tracking of a target terrestrial terminal through steering an antenna on a satellite.

FIG. 26 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for a closed loop antenna steering method.

FIG. 27 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for providing customer/user control of the movement of a satellite.

FIG. 28 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for providing tracking of a target terrestrial terminal through the movement of a satellite.

FIG. 29 shows, in flowchart form, steps associated with an embodiment of a method, according to the present invention, for a closed loop satellite movement method.

FIG. 30 shows a high-level view of an embodiment of a system and method, according to the present invention, for providing satellite communications.

FIG. 31 shows a view of intersatellite communication geometry.

FIG. 32 shows a high-level view of satellite interference from a non-compliant terminal antenna.

Claims

1. A system for managing interferences in a satellite system, the system comprising: a coordination database comprising information regarding a current communications environment of the satellite system; anda device, in communication with at least one terrestrial terminal operative to communicate with the satellite system and the coordination database, that is operative to perform interference calculations using information in the coordination database in order to determine whether a terrestrial terminal antenna can communicate with the satellite system.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the coordination database is located on-board at least one of the satellites.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the coordination database is coupled to a terrestrial terminal.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the coordination database tracks at least one from the group consisting of (i) geographic coordinates of satellite coverage, (ii) orbital positions of satellites, (iii) frequency, and (iv) time planning in real time.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the terrestrial terminal comprises a mobile terrestrial terminal and the device is operative to perform interference calculations for the mobile terrestrial terminal.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the device is operative to determine whether the mobile terrestrial terminal can safely operate.

7. The system according to claim 5 wherein the device is operative to determine an extent of operation available to a mobile terrestrial terminal.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the device is operative to determine orbital slots for operations using non-compliant antennas.

9. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an antenna simulation device.

10. A method to allow users to communicate with satellites using a non-compliant antenna system, comprising the steps of: supplying an operator data concerning the non-compliant antenna system;scanning for satellite capacity;pointing a terrestrial terminal's antenna towards a target satellite;transmitting geoposition data to a software engine; andconducting an interference calculation to determine whether the terrestrial terminal can safely operate.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the data concerning the non-compliant system comprises at least one of the group consisting of (i) antenna geometry, (ii) antenna design, (iii) measured radiation patterns, (iv) radio frequency equipment information, (v) frequency, (vi) power levels, (vii) bandwidth, and (viii) waveforms.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the scanning for satellite capacity occurs on a link budget and non-interference basis.

13. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of transmitting a confirmation signal from the software engine to the terrestrial terminal if the terrestrial terminal can safely operate.

14. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of transmitting a denial signal from the software engine to the terrestrial terminal if the terrestrial terminal cannot safely operate.

15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of continuously conducting interference calculations.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of sending a shut down command to the terrestrial terminal if an interference calculation determines the terrestrial terminal cannot safely operate.