Inmarsat Global Limited

Evripides Drakos

In a carrier allocation scheme for a cellular communications system, cells are divided into groups of different types (CG, CG, CG, CG) and carriers (f) are divided into sets (f, f, f, f) allocated respectively to the different types. Carriers may be re-used between different groups of the same type, and optionally within a group, subject to a minimum re-use distance rule. The allocation patterns may be varied independently between different groups of the same type. The scheme may be adapted to the demand for carriers over a predetermined period. Different allocation schemes applied to different carriers may be overlaid on the same cells. Different allocation schemes may be applied to different cells, provided that the minimum re-use distance rule is obeyed between schemes. The scheme may be applied to spot beams of a satellite communications system, or cells of a terrestrial cellular system.

Method of carrier allocation to a plurality of cells in a cellular communication system

A multibeam is configured to transmit a duplicate of a channel from one spot beam in another spot beam, which contains a remote monitoring station. The satellite is reconfigurable to select the channel which is duplicated, allowing the beams of the satellite to be monitored, without the need for a remote monitoring station in each beam.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Evripides Drakos