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:
Dec. 28, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 14, 1997
Dennis Paul Diekelman, Tempe, AZ (US);
George Thomas Kroncke, Gilbert, AZ (US);
Keith Andrew Olds, Mesa, AZ (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A method (100) for providing continuous communication service from a partially populated satellite constellation includes deploying one or more phases of satellites to populate one or more sets of orbital planes (210), and providing continuous communication service from the one or more sets of orbital planes. Satellites (320) in each phase of satellites can be positioned to reside substantially the same as a position in which they will reside in a fully populated satellite constellation thereby eliminating the need to relocate satellites in the fully populated satellite constellation. Also, a communication unit (600) and a method (700) for the communication unit to communicate in a satellite communication system having a satellite constellation capable of being deployed in a plurality of phases is provided. The communication unit is capable of communicating with the satellite communication system at various minimum elevation angles during various phases of deployment. Additionally, an antenna apparatus (800) adapted for providing satellite service at various minimum elevation angles during various phases of deployment also is provided.