Motorola Corporation

Philip R Horkin

Stephen Chih-Hung Ma

Isaac N Durboraw, Iii

George William Muncaster

A communication and position locating system (2) suitable for air traffic control is described. Multiple satellites (40) are provided in two geosynchronous constellations. One constellation (e.g., 4 satellites) has a first closed ground track (14). The other (e.g., 2 satellites (161, 182)) has a different ground track (18) or is geostationary, located outside of the first ground track (14). Geolocation information is transmitted by the satellites (40) to aircraft (28) and ground stations (26) so that aircraft (28) can determine their current position. A pseudo range correction map is provided to the aircraft (28) by the base stations (26) to permit differential geolocation measurements. The satellites (40) include communication transceivers (80) so that aircraft (28) can communicate voice and data to other aircraft (28) and to the ground stations (26, 30, 32) and automatically report their position to air traffic control centers (30), e.g., via the satellites (40). High positional accuracy over large geographic areas is obtained.

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Philip R Horkin