MULTI-BAND/MULTI-MODE SATELLITE RADIOTELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND METHODS.

摘要

Satellite radiotelephone systems and communications methods include a space-based component (110) that is configured to communicate with radiotelephones (120q, 120b) in a satellite footprint that is divided into satellite cells. The space-based component is configured to communicate with a first radiotelephone (120a) in a first satellite cell over a first frequency band and/or a first air interface, and to communicate with a second radiotelephone in the first or a second satellite cell over a second frequency band and/or a second air interface. An ancillary terrestrial network also is provided that is configured to communicate terrestrially with the first radiotelephone over substantially the first frequency band and/or substantially the first air interface, and to communicate terrestrially with the second radiotelephone over substantially the second frequency band and/or substantially the second air interface.