The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 15, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 15, 1994
Edward F Tuck, West Covina, CA (US);
Teledesic Corporation, Kirkland, WA (US);
Abstract
Methods for transmitting and receiving radiated energy (15a, 15b, 15c) from and to a satellite (12) which moves with respect to the Earth's surface are disclosed. The invention pertains to any satellite (12) which is not in an equatorial orbit at geosynchronous altitude. The present invention reduces hand-off overhead in systems that utilize satellite-fixed cells, augments frequency re-use, and enhances the communications and sensing capacity of the satellite. In accordance with the methods of the invention, satellite footprints (16a, 16b, 16c) are partitioned into linear spanning cells (18) and multiple linear segments (22). The linear spanning cells (18) resemble long strips that extend across an entire footprint (16a, 16b, 16c). Multiple linear segments (22) are smaller contiguous areas that lie within the linear spanning cells (18). The alignment of the linear spanning cells (18) across a footprint (16a, 16b, 16c) is determined by a correction angle .phi., which compensates for the changing relative motion of the Earth's surface at various latitudes.