Granted Patent B2

US 7,599,656 · App. 11/252,956 · Granted Oct 6, 2009

Abstract

Claims (66)

1. A satellite radiotelephone system comprising:

a space-based component that is configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which satellite radiotelephone frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused; and

an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to refrain from terrestrially reusing at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used in a plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, within the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and in respective spatial guardbands that are immediately outside and surround the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells,

wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components, at least a first one of which is located in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells or in the respective spatial guardbands and is configured to refrain from terrestrially reusing the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells for satellite communications, and at least a second one of which is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and outside the respective spatial guardbands and is configured to terrestrially reuse the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells for satellite communications,

the spatial guardbands being sufficiently large so as to attenuate the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells to a desired degree by an antenna pattern of the space-based component, so as to allow the at least a second one of the ancillary terrestrial components that is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and outside the respective spatial guardbands to reuse the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells.

2. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the spatial guardbands are sufficiently large to reduce and/or prevent interference between the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, when the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies is terrestrially reused outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

3. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving at least one signal associated with a satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

4. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving at least two signals associated with satellite radiotelephone frequencies that are used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

5. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving, processing and/or re-transmitting a measure and/or content of at least one signal associated with a satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

6. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving, processing and/or re-transmitting a measure and/or content of at least two signals associated with satellite radiotelephone frequencies that are used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

7. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein a spatial guardband is half a radius of a satellite cell in width.

8. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an interference reducer that is responsive to the space-based component and to the ancillary terrestrial network, and that is configured to reduce interference from wireless communications that are received by the space-based component from a first radiotelephone in the satellite footprint over the satellite radiotelephone frequency band, using wireless communications that are received by the ancillary terrestrial network from a second radiotelephone in the satellite footprint over the satellite radiotelephone frequency band.

9. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 :

wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is divided into a plurality of ancillary terrestrial network cells in which frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused and is further configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, in ancillary terrestrial network cells that are outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

10. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 :

wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, by not terrestrially reusing the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, within the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and/or within the spatial guardbands.

11. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 in combination with a plurality of radiotelephones that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the space-based component and/or the ancillary terrestrial network.

12. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to determine a portion thereof that is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

13. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 12 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network is further configured to determine whether a portion thereof is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving and/or processing at least one signal associated with at least one frequency of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band.

14. A satellite radiotelephone system according to claim 12 wherein the ancillary terrestrial network comprises a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components, each of which is configured to determine whether it is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

15. An ancillary terrestrial component for a satellite radiotelephone system that includes a space-based component that is configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which satellite radiotelephone frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused by the space-based component, the ancillary terrestrial component comprising:

an electronics system that is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in a plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint when the ancillary terrestrial component is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and outside a respective plurality of spatial guardbands that are immediately outside and surround the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and to refrain from terrestrially reusing the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint when the ancillary terrestrial component is located within one of the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and/or within a spatial guardband that is immediately outside and surrounds the one of the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells,

wherein the spatial guardband is sufficiently large to reduce and/or prevent interference between the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, and the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is terrestrially reused outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and outside the spatial guardbands due to attenuation of the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells by an antenna paffern of the space-based component.

16. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving at least one signal associated with a satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

17. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving at least two signals associated with frequencies that are used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

18. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving, processing and/or re-transmitting a measure and/or content of at least one signal associated with a satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

19. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is configured to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used by the space-based component in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving, processing and/or re-transmitting a measure and/or content of at least two signals associated with satellite radiotelephone frequencies that are used by the space-based component in the satellite footprint.

20. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 wherein a spatial guardband is half a radius of a satellite cell in width.

21. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 in combination with a plurality of radiotelephones that are configured to wirelessly communicate with the space-based component and/or the ancillary terrestrial component.

22. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 15 wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is further configured to determine whether the ancillary terrestrial component is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

23. An ancillary terrestrial component according to claim 22 wherein the ancillary terrestrial component is further configured to determine whether the ancillary terrestrial component is located outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands by receiving and/or processing at least one signal associated with at least one satellite radiotelephone frequency of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band.

24. A satellite radiotelephone communications method comprising:

providing space-based wireless radiotelephone communications in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the satellite footprint being divided into a plurality of satellite cells in which satellite radiotelephone frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused; and

terrestrially reusing at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used in a plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells, and refraining from terrestrially reusing at least one of the satellite frequencies that is used in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, within the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and in respective spatial guardbands that are immediately outside and surround the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells;

wherein the spatial guardbands are sufficiently large so as to attenuate the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells to a desired degree due to an antenna pattern of the satellite, so as to allow terrestrial reuse of the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies outside the spatial guardbands.

25. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein the spatial guardbands are sufficiently large to reduce interference between a satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, and the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is terrestrially reused outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

26. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein the spatial guardbands are sufficiently large to prevent interference between a satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, and the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is terrestrially reused outside the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and the spatial guardbands.

27. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein the terrestrially reusing comprises receiving at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used in at least one satellite cell in the satellite footprint.

28. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein the terrestrially reusing comprises receiving the at least two satellite radiotelephone frequencies that are used in one or more satellite cells in the satellite footprint.

29. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein the terrestrially reusing comprises receiving, processing and/or re-transmitting a measure and/or content of at least one satellite radiotelephone frequency that is used in a satellite cell in the satellite footprint.

30. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein the terrestrially reusing comprises receiving, processing and/or re-transmitting a measure and/or content of at least two satellite radiotelephone frequencies that are used in one or more satellite cells in the satellite footprint.

31. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 wherein a spatial guardband is half a radius of a satellite cell in width.

32. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 further comprising:

reducing interference from space-based wireless communications that are received from a first radiotelephone in the satellite footprint over the satellite radiotelephone frequency band, using wireless communications that are received terrestrially from a second radiotelephone in the satellite footprint over the satellite radiotelephone frequency band.

33. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 further comprising:

refraining from terrestrially reusing at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint, within the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells and/or within the spatial guardbands.

34. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 24 further comprising determining where to terrestrially reuse at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is used in the plurality of spaced apart satellite cells in the satellite footprint.

35. A satellite radiotelephone communications method according to claim 34 wherein the determining comprises receiving and/or processing at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band.

36. An ancillary terrestrial network for a satellite radiotelephone system that includes a space-based component that is configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band, the ancillary terrestrial network comprising:

a first ancillary terrestrial component in the satellite footprint that is configured to selectively and/or preferentially use at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band in a first ancillary terrestrial component footprint responsive to a first signal that is received at an element of the first ancillary terrestrial component from the satellite radiotelephone system; and

a second ancillary terrestrial component in the satellite footprint that is configured to selectively and/or preferentially use at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band in a second ancillary terrestrial component footprint that is non-overlapping with the first ancillary terrestrial component footprint in response to a second signal that is received at an element of the second ancillary terrestrial component from an element of the first ancillary terrestrial component, and without a need for the second ancillary terrestrial component to receive the first signal at an element of the second ancillary terrestrial component from the satellite radiotelephone system,

wherein the first signal identifies the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to be used by the first and second ancillary terrestrial components; or

wherein the first signal does not identify the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to be used by the first and second ancillary terrestrial components and wherein the first and second ancillary terrestrial components are configured to determine the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band from the first signal.

37. An ancillary terrestrial network according to claim 36 wherein the first signal comprises a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) signal.

38. An ancillary terrestrial network according to claim 36 wherein the first signal comprises a traffic channel signal.

39. An ancillary terrestrial network according to claim 36 wherein the first and second ancillary terrestrial components are configured to automatically configure themselves to selectively and/or preferentially use the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band responsive to the first signal.

40. A satellite radiotelephone communications method comprising:

providing space-based wireless radiotelephone communications in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band;

configuring a first ancillary terrestrial component in the satellite footprint to selectively and/or preferentially use at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band in a first ancillary terrestrial component footprint responsive to a first signal that is received at an element of the ancillary terrestrial component from external of the first ancillary terrestrial component; and

configuring a second ancillary terrestrial component in the satellite footprint to selectively and/or preferentially use at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band in a second ancillary terrestrial component footprint that is non-overlapping with the first ancillary terrestrial component footprint in response to one a second signal that is received at an element of the second ancillary terrestrial component from an element of the first ancillary terrestrial component, and without a need for the second ancillary terrestrial component to receive the first signal at an element of the second ancillary terrestrial component from the satellite radiotelephone system,

wherein the first signal identifies the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to be used by the first and second ancillary terrestrial components; or

wherein the first signal does not identify the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band to be used by the first and second ancillary terrestrial components and wherein configuring the first and second ancillary terrestrial components comprises configuring the first and second ancillary terrestrial components to determine the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band from the first signal.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the first signal comprises a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) signal.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein the at first signal comprises a traffic channel signal.

43. A method according to claim 42 wherein configuring the first and second ancillary terrestrial components comprises configuring the first and second ancillary terrestrial components to automatically configure themselves to selectively and/or preferentially use the at least a portion of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band responsive to the first signal.

Assignments (18)