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:
Jul. 01, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 20, 2002
Garrick J. Harmon, Newport Beach, CA (US);
Stuart T. Linsky, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
David L. Brundrett, Culver City, CA (US);
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A communications satellite method and are provided for controlling a configuration of spot beams produced by a communications satellite. A plurality of spot beams are generated by a communications satellite while maintained at a first orbital position with respect to a first portion of the earth. The plurality of spot beams are configured in a first cell pattern to substantially encompass a first portion of the Earth. The satellite is moved to a second orbital position with respect to a second portion of the earth. Once moved, the satellite is reconfigured such that a second plurality of spot beams form a second pattern to substantially cover the new portion of the earth of interest. A network of switches allows the satellite to be reconfigured for operation from multiple orbital positions. The switching network directs individual feeds to different signal paths having different bandwidth and power capabilities.