Space-Based Network Architectures for Satellite Radiotelephone Systems

Abstract

A space-based network for a satellite radiotelephone system includes at least one receive-only satellite and at least one transmit satellite. The transmit satellite can be a transmit-only satellite or a transmit and receive satellite. The receive-only satellite(s) are configured to receive wireless communications from a radiotelephone at a location over a satellite frequency band. The transmit satellite(s) are configured to transmit wireless communications to the radiotelephone at the location over the satellite frequency band. By providing at least one receive-only satellite and at least one transmit satellite, space-based networks can offer a significant link margin, without the need to undesirably burden the radiotelephones themselves to achieve this link margin.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 241,519, filed Sep. 30, 2005, entitled Space-Based Network Architecture for Satellite Radiotelephone Systems, which itself is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 225,623, filed Aug. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,789, entitled Space-Based Network Architectures for Satellite Radiotelephone Systems, which claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60 / 322,240, filed Sep. 14, 2001, entitled Systems and Methods for Terrestrial Re-Use of Mobile Satellite Spectrum and provisional Application No. 60 / 392,771, filed Jul. 1, 2002, entitled Space-Based Network Architectures for Satellite Radiotelephone Systems, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth fully herein. Application Ser. No. 10 / 225,623 also is a conti...

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