Multimedia two-way communication terminal

摘要

A bidirectional multimedia communication terminal includes at least two orientable antennas for sending/receiving radio signals conveying multimedia data, electronic signal processors for processing signals received or to be sent via the antennas, a pointing system associated with each antenna for pointing it at a predetermined satellite from a constellation of non-geostationary satellites forming part of a multimedia telecommunication system, and a switching system for selectively switching the transmission of multimedia data between the terminal and the satellites of the constellation from the satellite at which one of the antennas is pointed to the satellite at which the other antenna is pointed. This guarantees continuous transmission of a data stream between the terminal and the constellation. The pointing system includes an antenna orientation unit associated with each antenna and a control unit for controlling the orientation units on the basis of data on the position of the terminal in a frame of reference tied to the Earth and on ephemerides of visible satellites of the constellation supplied by a mission center of said constellation. The terminal further includes a system for delivering the data on the position of the terminal.