Satellite communication system constituted with primary and back-up multi-beam satellites

摘要

A satellite communication system for providing communications between user terminals and gateways constituted with m primary satellites. In one embodiment, n back up satellites are also provided. Further, each satellite, primary or back-up, is equipped to project N/m beams onto and across an area in a loosely-packed array manner. M of the m primary and n back-up satellites collectively create N beam spots to cover the area. Moreover, each sub-area is covered by a beam spot separated from another sub-area covered by another beam spot by one beam width. Each satellite is also equipped to facilitate communication over 1 of m band of frequencies on one beam. AS a result, any of the m primary satellites may be efficiently replaced on demand by a selected one of the n back-up satellites. The gateways and user terminals are configured to communicate signals through or with both or either the primary and back-up satellites.

主权项

1. A satellite communication system comprising:
m primary satellites, each equipped to project N/m beams onto an area, the N/m beams from each primary satellite projected across the area in a loosely-packed array wherein beam spots from any one of the m primary satellites are separated by one beam width, wherein N is a total number of beams projected over the area by the m primary satellites and m is an integer greater than 1; and n back-up satellites, each equipped, disposed, and configured to project N/m beams onto the area such that beam spots from any one of the n back-up satellites are positioned within gaps between the beam spots from the m primary satellites, wherein respective ones of the n back-up satellites are configured to respond to failure of a failed primary satellite by angularly redirecting its beams, without moving from an orbital position occupied by the respective ones of the n back-up satellites prior to the failure of the failed primary satellite, to cover the area previously covered by the beams from the failed primary satellite.