公开(公告)号：WO1997008851A1

公开(公告)日：1997-03-06

申请号：PCT/US1996010788

申请日：1996-06-25

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： GLOBALSTAR L.P. ,  WIEDEMAN, Robert, A.

IPC: H04B07/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/2041 ,  B64G1/1007 ,  B64G1/24 ,  B64G1/363 ,  B64G1/365 ,  B64G1/366 ,  B64G1/66 ,  B64G3/00 ,  G05D1/0883

Abstract: A satellite communication system has at least one satellite (1) with an antenna that generates a moving beam pattern (3) on the surface of the earth. The beam pattern (3) comprises a plurality of sub-beams (4). A method for determining an attitude correction signal for the satellite (1) comprising: providing a reference trasmitter on Earth; transmitting a signal from the transmitter into one of the sub-beams; receiving the signal with the satellite antenna and transponding the signal to a ground station (8); receiving the transponded signal with the ground station (8); determining a gain of the received signal; comparing the determined gain to a gain expected to be received based on predetermined knowledge of the satellite antenna characteristics; and determining a difference between the determined gain and the expected gain to derive a correction signal indicative of an attitude error of the satellite (1).

Abstract translation: 卫星通信系统具有至少一个卫星（1），其具有在地球表面上产生移动波束图案（3）的天线。 光束图案（3）包括多个子光束（4）。 一种用于确定卫星（1）的姿态校正信号的方法，包括：在地球上提供参考雷达; 将来自所述发射机的信号发送到所述子光束中的一个; 用卫星天线接收信号并将信号转发到地面站（8）; 接收与地面站（8）的转发信号; 确定接收信号的增益; 基于卫星天线特性的预定知识将确定的增益与预期接收的增益进行比较; 以及确定所确定的增益和所述预期增益之间的差以导出指示所述卫星（1）的姿态误差的校正信号。

公开(公告)号：WO1996041494A1

公开(公告)日：1996-12-19

申请号：PCT/US1996001502

申请日：1996-01-23

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： GLOBALSTAR L.P. ,  WIEDEMAN, Robert, A. ,  MONTE, Paul, A. ,  SITES, Michael, J.

IPC: H04Q07/38

CPC classification number: H04B7/18539

Abstract: A method and system for accurately accounting for an amount of satellite communication system resources. A gateway (18) that is assigned to handle a call for a user terminal (13) accumulates the data and subsequently transfers the data over a terrestrial data network (39) to a Ground Operations Control Center (38).

Abstract translation: 一种准确计算卫星通信系统资源量的方法和系统。 被分配以处理对用户终端（13）的呼叫的网关（18）累积数据，并随后通过地面数据网络（39）将数据传送到地面操作控制中心（38）。

公开(公告)号：WO1996039788A1

公开(公告)日：1996-12-12

申请号：PCT/US1996005548

申请日：1996-04-23

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： GLOBALSTAR L.P. ,  WIEDEMAN, Robert, A.

IPC: H04Q07/38

CPC classification number: H04B7/18534 ,  Y02D70/1222 ,  Y02D70/164 ,  Y02D70/446

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving and optimizing the delivery of path diversity in a satellite repeater-based communication system, thereby conserving both FDM channels and satellite power utilization. The reception of communications is improved, when one or more orbiting satellite repeater (12) transmitters is blocked or severely faded, by recognizing the need for satellite path diversity on a real-time or near real-time basis. A user terminal (13) is thus enabled to receive sufficient signal strength to avoid having an ongoing call automatically terminated. The system optimizes satellite path diversity applied to (a) classes (types) of user terminals and/or (b) to individual user terminals as a function of location and also a local RF propagation environment of the user terminal. In addition, the invention teaches a consideration of the satellite resources that are available at any given point in time, and may restrict or limit the availability of satellite path diversity, thereby increasing overall system capacity.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于改善和优化基于卫星转发器的通信系统中的路径分集的传递的方法和装置，从而节省了FDM信道和卫星功率利用。 当一个或多个轨道卫星中继器（12）发射机被阻塞或严重褪色时，通过在实时或接近实时的基础上识别卫星路径分集的需要，改善了通信的接收。 因此，用户终端（13）能够接收足够的信号强度，以避免正在进行的呼叫自动终止。 系统优化应用于（a）用户终端的类（类型）和/或（b）作为位置的函数的个体用户终端的卫星路径分集以及用户终端的本地RF传播环境。 此外，本发明教导了在任何给定时间点可用的卫星资源的考虑，并且可以限制或限制卫星路径分集的可用性，从而增加整体系统容量。

公开(公告)号：EP1067712B1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-11

申请号：EP00305761.9

申请日：2000-07-07

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert ,  Monte, Paul A.

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18558

公开(公告)号：EP1067712A3

公开(公告)日：2003-01-02

申请号：EP00305761.9

申请日：2000-07-07

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert ,  Monte, Paul A.

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18558

Abstract: A method for operating a communication system includes steps of: (a) receiving a call for a user terminal at a satellite system gateway, the call originating from another user terminal; (b) examining a database to determine if the called user terminal is located within a coverage area of the satellite system gateway; and (c) if yes, formulating a paging message and transmitting the paging message to the called user terminal via at least one satellite. Upon the called user terminal responding to the page, the method further: (d) establishes the call using satellite system resources, (e) designates one of the calling or called user terminals as a call manager for the duration of the call, and (f) makes a temporary assignment of satellite system resources to the call manager user terminal for use in managing the remainder of the call. The step of establishing the call includes a step of assigning at least an initial channel/circuit pair to each of the user terminals. A call synopsis is transmitted from the call manager user terminal to the gateway at the completion of the call, and the gateway employs the call synopsis when transmitting billing-related information from the gateway to another gateway with which one or both of the user terminals has an affiliation. The other gateway could be a virtual gateway that serves a localized region within the service region of the gateway. At the completion of the call the assigned satellite system resources are relinquished. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for extending the effective service regions of gateways and virtual gateways through a gateway-to-gateway diversity technique, wherein gateways are interconnected for providing user terminal traffic and signalling information between themselves at call setup and during a call.

公开(公告)号：EP0872966B1

公开(公告)日：2003-01-02

申请号：EP98302922.4

申请日：1998-04-15

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert A. ,  Monte, Paul A.

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18578 ,  H04B7/18556 ,  H04B7/18567

公开(公告)号：EP0973274A3

公开(公告)日：2001-09-19

申请号：EP99304681.2

申请日：1999-06-16

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert A ,  Monte, Paul A

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/1856

Abstract: A method for operating a satellite communications system as well as a method for providing a larger effective gateway coverage area includes the steps of (a) establishing a call connection between a terrestrial telecommunications network (PSTN) and a user terminal (3) via a first gateway (1) and at least one satellite (SAT); and (b) while the call connection is established, coupling the user terminal (3) to the terrestrial telecommunications network (PSTN) via a second gateway (2) and at least one further satellite. The step of coupling includes a step of conveying call speech or data information between the first gateway (1) and the second gateway (2) over an inter-gateway communications link (4). By so linking multiple gateways each gateway experiences an increase in its effective coverage area, as an on-going call can be continued even after a user terminal (3) moves from a first gateway's coverage area into a second gateway's coverage area.

公开(公告)号：EP0849890A3

公开(公告)日：2001-02-07

申请号：EP97310320.3

申请日：1997-12-19

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert A.

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18558 ,  H04B7/18515 ,  H04B7/195 ,  H04B7/216

Abstract: A communications system includes at least one low earth orbit first satellite (10), at least one second satellite (11) in other than a low earth orbit, and a ground segment (12) that includes a plurality of user transceivers (78, 80, 82, 84) and at least one gateway (76) coupled to a publicly-accessible terrestrial communications system, such as a PSTN and/or a fiber optic network. The first satellite includes a first transceiver for communication with the at least one gateway, a second transceiver for communication with at least one user transceiver, and a third transceiver for communication with the at least one second satellite. The first, second and third transceivers are switchably coupled together on-board the first satellite by on-board processors (36, 38, 56) and a switching matrix (70) for relaying a user communication between the at least one gateway (76) and the at least one user transceiver via the at least one second satellite. The plurality of user transceivers can include a plurality of data processors which are interconnected into a network through the at least one first satellite (10). This network can be considered as a virtual network, and can have a mesh, star, or other topology. In a presently preferred, but not limiting embodiment of this invention, the user transceivers are adapted to transmit and receive direct sequence, code division/multiple access communications. Transmission of signals to and from the user transceivers is accomplished by spreading a digital data stream (e.g., voice, data, image, video) with assigned spreading codes.

公开(公告)号：EP1067712A2

公开(公告)日：2001-01-10

申请号：EP00305761.9

申请日：2000-07-07

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert ,  Monte, Paul A.

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18558

Abstract: A method for operating a communication system includes steps of: (a) receiving a call for a user terminal at a satellite system gateway, the call originating from another user terminal; (b) examining a database to determine if the called user terminal is located within a coverage area of the satellite system gateway; and (c) if yes, formulating a paging message and transmitting the paging message to the called user terminal via at least one satellite. Upon the called user terminal responding to the page, the method further: (d) establishes the call using satellite system resources, (e) designates one of the calling or called user terminals as a call manager for the duration of the call, and (f) makes a temporary assignment of satellite system resources to the call manager user terminal for use in managing the remainder of the call. The step of establishing the call includes a step of assigning at least an initial channel/circuit pair to each of the user terminals. A call synopsis is transmitted from the call manager user terminal to the gateway at the completion of the call, and the gateway employs the call synopsis when transmitting billing-related information from the gateway to another gateway with which one or both of the user terminals has an affiliation. The other gateway could be a virtual gateway that serves a localized region within the service region of the gateway. At the completion of the call the assigned satellite system resources are relinquished. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for extending the effective service regions of gateways and virtual gateways through a gateway-to-gateway diversity technique, wherein gateways are interconnected for providing user terminal traffic and signalling information between themselves at call setup and during a call.

Abstract translation: 一种用于操作通信系统的方法包括以下步骤：（a）在卫星系统网关处接收对用户终端的呼叫，来自另一用户终端的呼叫; （b）检查数据库以确定被叫用户终端是否位于卫星系统网关的覆盖区域内; 以及（c）如果是，则通过至少一个卫星制定寻呼消息并将呼叫消息发送到被叫用户终端。 在被叫用户终端响应该页面的情况下，该方法进一步：（d）使用卫星系统资源建立呼叫，（e）在呼叫持续时间内将呼叫或被叫用户终端中的一个指定为呼叫管理器，以及（ f）将卫星系统资源临时分配给呼叫管理器用户终端，以用于管理呼叫的其余部分。 建立呼叫的步骤包括将至少一个初始信道/电路对分配给每个用户终端的步骤。 呼叫概要在呼叫完成时从呼叫管理用户终端发送到网关，并且当从网关向基站发送计费相关信息时，网关采用呼叫概要，其中一个或两个用户终端具有 隶属关系。 另一个网关可以是为网关的服务区域内的本地化区域提供的虚拟网关。 在完成通话后，分配的卫星系统资源将被放弃。 还公开了用于通过网关到网关分集技术来扩展网关和虚拟网关的有效服务区域的方法和装置，其中网关被互连用于在呼叫建立和呼叫期间在它们之间提供用户终端业务和信令信息。

公开(公告)号：EP0973274A2

公开(公告)日：2000-01-19

申请号：EP99304681.2

申请日：1999-06-16

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Wiedeman, Robert A ,  Monte, Paul A

IPC: H04B7/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/1856

Abstract: A method for operating a satellite communications system as well as a method for providing a larger effective gateway coverage area includes the steps of (a) establishing a call connection between a terrestrial telecommunications network (PSTN) and a user terminal (3) via a first gateway (1) and at least one satellite (SAT); and (b) while the call connection is established, coupling the user terminal (3) to the terrestrial telecommunications network (PSTN) via a second gateway (2) and at least one further satellite. The step of coupling includes a step of conveying call speech or data information between the first gateway (1) and the second gateway (2) over an inter-gateway communications link (4). By so linking multiple gateways each gateway experiences an increase in its effective coverage area, as an on-going call can be continued even after a user terminal (3) moves from a first gateway's coverage area into a second gateway's coverage area.

Abstract translation: 一种用于操作卫星通信系统的方法以及用于提供更大的有效网关覆盖区域的方法包括以下步骤：（a）在地面电信网络（PSTN）和用户终端（3）之间经由第一 网关（1）和至少一个卫星（SAT）; 和（b）当建立呼叫连接时，经由第二网关（2）和至少一个另外的卫星将用户终端（3）耦合到地面电信网络（PSTN）。 耦合步骤包括通过网关间通信链路（4）在第一网关（1）和第二网关（2）之间传送呼叫语音或数据信息的步骤。 通过如此链接多个网关，每个网关经历其有效覆盖区域的增加，因为即使在用户终端（3）从第一网关的覆盖区域移动到第二网关的覆盖区域中之后，继续呼叫也可以继续。