Hybrid dual-band satellite communication system

Abstract

A hybrid satellite communication system in which a hub station transmits signals to remote stations through a satellite at a relatively low frequency unaffected by weather effects and in which the remote stations transmit signals to the hub station at a relatively higher frequency which enables use of more economical equipment at remote stations. The hub station senses signal quality or strength received from each remote station and transmits power control signals to remote stations with poor signal strengths to cause such remote stations to increase output power to overcome weather effects. The power control signals are transmitted on the lower frequency to prevent the power control signals from being masked by the weather effects. A communications satellite can the either geostationary or low Earth orbit (LEO). Data can also be transmitted on the relatively low frequency. The communication system can utilize antennae with dish, array and other suitable configurations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 9,026,106, issued May 5, 2015, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,648,568, issued May 9, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to satellite communication systems and, more particularly, to such a system which communicates from a communication hub to a remote station on one band and from the remote station to the hub on another band.2. Description of the Related Art[0003]Modern telecommunication systems provide means for communicating vocal conversations, email, and various kinds of data from originating sources to destinations over twisted pair landlines, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and radio frequency communication links. Satellite communications have become an important mode of communications for large and small entities for both one-way services, such as television signals, and two-way servi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides a hybrid satellite communication system in which a hub station transmits signals to remote stations through a satellite at a relatively lower frequency which is unaffected by weather effects and in which the remote stations transmit signals to the hub station at a relatively higher frequency which enables the use of more economical equipment at the remote ...

Problems solved by technology

A problem with higher frequency bands with satellite technology is that they tend to be highly susceptible to local rain or weather fade due to the nature of the frequencies used.

This works some of the time quite well, but the same local weather anomaly that causes the problem with the inbound signal to the hub also creates a problem with the outbound power control signal to the remote site.

Eventually, the control signal cannot reach the remot...

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