A very high data rate communications gateway for ground-space-ground communications

摘要

A very high data rate communication system for communicating between a plurality of RF ground terminals and satellite space station. One or more satellites orbiting the earth and first laser communication system are carried on said one or more satellites. One or more relay stations is positioned between the satellites and the RF ground stations and at a substantially stationary position above the earth's atmosphere, and at least above the earth's jetstream. An RF communications system carried on the one or more relay stations communicate with the RF ground terminals. A second laser communication system on said relay station communicates with the first laser communication system on the one or more satellites. Conversion circuits on the one or more relay stations convert information from the RF communication system on the relay station to information for transmission on the second layer communication system on the relay station. The RF communication system carried by the one or more relay stations includes antennas which form a plurality of narrow spot beams for communicating with the plurality of earth stations. In a preferred embodiment the relay stations include an airship at a substantially stationary position at from about 10 to about 25 miles above the earth's surface.