Systems, methods and devices for overlaid operations of satellite and terrestrial wireless communications systems

Abstract

A communications system includes a space-based network (SBN) including a plurality of spotbeams using a first set of frequencies and an ancillary terrestrial network (ATN) including a plurality of base stations using a second set of radio frequencies. In a coverage zone of a given spot beam wherein the SBN and the ATN use at least one frequency from the first and second sets of frequencies in common, the SBN uses a narrower bandwidth than the ATN on both forward and return links, the ATN employs frequency spreading on at least its return link communications, the SBN employs spatial beam nulling directed toward at least one ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) of the ATN, the SBN employs forward link margin control, the ATN employs return link power control, the SBN employs return link power control and base stations of the ATN provide isolation in the direction of at least one satellite of the SBN. Using such a combination of measures, the ATN and the SBN may support completely or partially overlapping use of the first and second sets of radio frequencies.