W0 9809968
`
`1 "r .‘
`
`PCTIUSD'Tm-l'm
`
`2 0
`
`1-
`
`“they. directional -.- anten-n-a:;-; 402 -
`
`through»- .the. directional
`
`._,
`
`antenna -.J':n.ter_._face
`
`506-92 1.-,..'1"l'n-er-'I
`
`the. processr _goes -to step
`
`.,
`
`In; step SlOQG,‘ the processor: :determines- whether
`
`5
`
`communication with
`
`the
`
`selected .tsfltel-lite _: has
`
`been
`
`‘If - the communication with the
`successfully established.
`selected-,satellitegha-s not been established,
`the process
`
`.
`
`.- If ‘_the.,conununi-cation' is successfully
`,goes. to step=- 5101-2. 5
`establishedp t_he;.:process_fi-goes_-to step: 81003..
`.-:
`In Step
`81-012,
`the processorhSOO increments encount
`.and then goes-
`to {step 9510145..
`‘Inr “SEQP‘.I'-SIOI4,-
`the u processor - 500
`determinesuyhether the count has. -_e'xce‘ed.ed-;a_ ,maximum.
`If
`the count , exceeded .‘a’ maxi-mum, .---the process " goes -. to step
`31.36 and outputs :.an-.-_,endin_g{message
`to the calling party
`.-that
`communication cannot '
`.be.-._ established. 3-. Then
`the.
`
`-
`
`‘
`
`.-.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`the comunication
`and. ends
`310.38
`--to_.--.:,step
`_ process goes
`process.
`If the count has not exceeded a ,maxi-mum,
`the
`:p-rocess met-urns to. step-;Sl-012..
`'- V .
`9.2,!
`receives
`'
`.
`l LIm-‘step 5.1008” hthe select-ed satellite.
`1.02
`and'
`1 information: .‘from .the.'-.-por.table r_ satellite,..phone.
`determines i tjhfe happr‘opriate destinat-irdn satellite-”if
`the
`
`n-
`:7
`-.
`
`20 r.
`_
`:-.-.:-.
`
`.;:1.
`
`'- destination un'satelli-tfe '=:~'i's
`
`other .
`
`than
`
`the_.;_-=.-<selected
`
`= In step
`,
`satellite-2:; _T.-hen theipr'oce-ssv" goes to step 311010.
`I! H. 310310?“- 1"the"-tide£=.'t;1i.1‘lai_'.1011r {satelalitem {uni-rt; » could '= be
`the
`
`:7":-
`
`s;elec-te1d..‘ satellite); 2 determines nwhet-her "-1 'L---' number dialed‘
`
`30-
`
`the 'ca‘lling‘...party i-iis. th-e' number
`by
`the portable
`:‘f: r
`satellite -..-:phone,
`portabler satelli'_.(
`phone
`1104,
`for
`example:
`If.
`theimumberrr-isw'. the number . 1.5:;
`the:éportable
`vsatel.lite-..phone,104-,
`then the prooes;
`.:':.---s
`to step 31022
`.to reach rthe called party by dir-ECLL:':"! contacting the
`portable" satellite _phone*- 104..
`. Otherwise“ if the... number
`
`tdial-ed by.
`
`the calling party is .the :n'umber connected to a
`
`ground based communication? networkeloo,
`{goes to step 8101.62:
`‘-
`:
`'
`_-.-
`:-
`
`then the process
`. -: :5:
`-.-'
`
`'
`
`35 "
`.3" ‘
`
`- In s..tep'=51022;--the destination :.satellite. outputs a
`'
`=1-
`. signal" Ito ale-rt'theyzcalled party that escall.‘ is pending.
`
`174
`
`174
`
`

`

`WO‘S'M9968 "
`
`'
`
`.
`
`PCT/USQ7I‘FA170'
`
`«
`
`’h-
`
`21
`
`Then theUprocess goes to stepLSI024.~'In:step'51024{ if
`
`the pOrtable satellite phone loéfiis in Standby'mdde-fe.g.,~
`
`not busy),
`
`then the portable satellite phone l04~alerts
`
`the called party‘that a‘call is pending.
`
`-Then the process
`
`goes to Steb!SI026;
`»11n-
`step)
`
`'
`510263
`
`'
`"
`the'a proéeSS‘T'waitSVfinfor
`
`a
`
`- predetermined time for the‘callediparty to answer the call
`through the po‘rtable'rsate-llit’e? phone “104.2 : -If- ’the'called
`party answerspthe calllwithtn-the.predeterminednamount of
`time,“ Uhe process.wgoes“'to 'stepfn81032:={ zdtherwise,
`the
`
`10-.
`
`the
`In istep‘}81030,
`-
`to3istep ‘310303
`process:egoes
`destination satellite informs the selécfled<satelbite that
`
`15
`
`20
`
`2,5 «
`
`The
`the' called -party‘~has- failed to 9an5wér-stHe-Lcallsf
`seleCted satellite in turm§informs the'balling party that
`thé call
`is not answered in an’ending message.
`’Then the
`‘Iprocess goes :t0”-step-
`SIOBBZ and: ends -the; communicatfibn
`
`.»u
`.w.;~ ..
`2;
`fins
`hrwflr
`;-L
`~g:
`:.J:. van
`dprobess..
`'
`In step 51032r-thé5portable=satellitefiphone 104
`-establiShe$A:communication' with ”the Idestination satellite
`
`by determining-therpositionqof‘thendestrnationuSatellfite’V
`and the position of the portableqsatellitewphome+m04 and
`
`forms-a.direCted beam toathe destination-satehldter: Then
`nthe .pIOCess- goes .tOt‘Step~‘8103flLJ'u%flfi'
`stepl”51034,
`the
`t~¢arling partys and-'the.’calledwgparty:nare~ connedCEdl
`in a
`-call. After the call
`incompleted;ft e pnocesshgoes toil
`
`step $1038 and ends the-communi¢ationypro¢ess.rfi
`
`1
`
`In
`establishes '
`
`destinationi “satellite
`step’ H81016,fiusthe
`'COmmunication ‘n:thhn.- a!-
`ground'
`- based
`
`communication network 200.
`
`-Then the processfigoeS'to step
`
`30-0
`
`35.
`
`In step $1018;J the igroUnd -based=-communication-“
`:
`3 $1018;
`:netWork connects the call tOua.terminal suchJas a terminal
`
`~202Vorxa mobile phone.20¢ of the-called party and goes to
`
`= step $1020. -- In step. SlOZOythheuuprocesss waits: for
`
`a
`
`predetermined amount of
`
`time
`
`for'uthe- called ¢party to
`
`the call.
`'If‘:the‘ecallédzsparty; answers
`‘3:answer :thes call;:
`.then~-the; process--goes
`to :stepn“810284
`- Otherwise,
`the
`
`175
`
`175
`
`

`

`WO 98/29968' - ‘ ".- '
`
`'
`
`'
`
`,
`
`PCT/[1897124170 .
`
`‘9
`
`22
`
`the.calling
`In step $1028,
`process-goes;to stepgSlQ30;.
`~. party and-the called partyiare.connecteduin a call.
`,After
`
`‘wthe gall is completedfinehenprocess goes toistep $1038 and
`. ends I-the,;‘,communicati.on process.
`;
`,,
`._
`
`‘
`
`,After=thenportableLsaUeLlite phones
`
`102 and 104
`
`establish~ communication~ with {the :respective.-satellites,
`teach of,the.respective portable satellite phones 102 and
`
`104, continues
`
`to monitor .the: positions 'of
`
`the portable
`
`the _;respective
`.and ;.104 avand
`xeioz
`4 satellite‘ .phones
`satellites,
`: The,'respective,yprocessors ‘500.-continue to
`adaptively A. adjustpxhjels dimection- of“ them antenna beams
`so
`
`that
`
`'the ~BDUana‘ beams Mare. aimed
`
`atzatbe ~respective
`
`satellites irrespective of
`
`theumovement of
`
`the calling or
`
`(calledvgpaxtiess
`satellites-4..
`
`and,wthe
`:11? 9-";
`
`:movement
`I
`A”
`~'
`
`'
`
`of'
`..E '
`
`the .respective
`1
`i
`
`-In ?the£:eventwgthat
`the; selected; destination
`'satellites are‘otherwthan.GEO satellites,
`thempossibility
`lexists.forwthe‘respective-satellites=t04move'out ofwrange
`
`the respectiveuportable satellite phones 102 and'104.
`-of
`the selected/destinatidnfisatellites move out of range,
`‘If
`‘xthe Portable satellite phonesthZ andrlOd must
`identify
`
`sanotherh‘satellite mto continue -the communication: path by
`
`consulting the respectiyegdatabases scuthat
`
`the call may
`
`~cbntinue'Withoutwinterruptionm :After
`
`identifying another
`
`thevportablewsatellite phones 102 and 104 may;
`'satellite,
`transition from the originalMOr.first selected/destination
`
`satellites mUOw the‘;new; or"second-
`
`selected/destination
`
`satellites bye-either
`“beamitechnique.:‘,
`
`:
`
`a} snap beam “technique or .a. bridge
`ira:
`»
`s.
`
`beam
`snap
`the,
`diagram= of
`-a
`‘Figure A15H shows
`"
`technique 'that. may' bem.used to ‘transition or~ “hand-off”
`
`'from a first satellite.802 to.a second satellite 804.
`
`As
`
`ishown :in Figi, 14,.
`
`the‘ portable: satellite -phone
`
`800
`
`communicatesAWithmtheffirst Satellite 802.through'antenna
`
`-satellitefi 802: goes‘ out of
`$beamu 806LM4%Befbre15theiwfirst
`range,
`the portable satellite phone
`800 determines
`the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25_
`
`3O
`
`'35'
`
`176
`
`176
`
`

`

`wo 9mg "
`
`Per/osmmnou
`
`23
`
`an
`position.~bff the 'second“nsafiellite ‘804*:andf"~at
`appropriate ?momenty
`transitions 3the
`communication apathy
`from antenna'beam“806:to‘antéfina'beam 808 in the direction
`
`of
`
`810.
`
`Thus,
`
`the .antenna ‘beam is aIsnapp‘ed' from a
`
`S
`
`-dire¢tion of antenna beam-806 toga direction of antenna
`
`beam 808
`
`transitioning ithe commUnication“ path from the
`
`first.satellite1802 tOLthe second;Satellite 804.
`
`for
`shows‘ a Vsecond possibleh method
`-'-5Figure- 16-
`transitioning between a first satellite 812 and a second
`satellite"814.fi . The' portable“ satellite phone 5820;
`for
`
`10
`
`example?'communicates‘withgthé first'satEIlite,8I2 through
`antenna beam 822;” When therfiflrst sateilite 812 is moving
`
`the~portable Satellite phone 820 locates the
`lout of range,
`'second satellite '814 -and converts the Fantenna beanw 822
`
`15
`
`communicatibn,wwith
`that permits
`into a bridge beam 824
`' both the first and second satellites 812 and 814.
`hWhen
`
`“the.commUnication‘path transwtionxfiom the first‘sateilite
`'812 to the second satellitewfil4uis completed,-theVbLidge
`beam 824 is converted to-a narrowqbeamt826 aimed~directly
`
`20
`
`-' at the second satellite 814;LnThns;fithe transitibn betweeniu
`the ‘first :and'wseCOhdw satellites n&12 wandf‘814gumay
`be
`
`'i
`
`‘achieved ‘Wibhout
`
`tinternupflimg:
`
`the >commflnicatiohunbetween
`x
`V.
`t
`.4
`
`Lthe callihg and the called partiesuu“ an; an:31:
`For handvoffs betWeenthO;HICOmorLMEOwBOBy:306 and
`
`25
`
`,, Ar312 satellites,
`
`the*béam'bridgingumechnique-is generally *
`
`- widely ' applicable,uivsinceaf HOT: precise» timing
`- more
`- Coordination wbetween;‘the~vsate11ite network 100
`and the
`antenna phdnes 800~and 8207is reqUiredp‘ A bridging beam
`can be directed at both satellites 800-and1820 for seconds
`
`30 ‘-4
`
`or minutes to ensure.a seamleSs hand—offal The snap beam
`
`hhand—off
`
`[between adjacentsnsatellites: 802= anda 804,
`
`for
`
`the
`-requires. some» timingv:coordination .between
`.-eXamplef
`‘satellitesj802 and 804 and the portable.satellite phones
`
`35"
`
`‘
`
`u8OQ;and‘£20a’ pAltermatelynithefisnap:beamutechnique with.
`'the satellites-802 and 804*bridgingtthe:signa1 across both.
`,.-‘
`.,.‘.
`.‘
`‘
`t:-\-..
`”.5.
`.2
`_
`'.',"'
`;
`I.-
`
`177
`
`177
`
`

`

`W0 9809968 -
`
`II 'T '.
`
`PCT/059734170
`
`24.
`
`41'
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20'-
`
`25.
`
`3o"
`
`satellitesh~802 andrHBOAygwould obviate .the
`
`need.
`
`for
`
`precisionrhand-off timing:2
`
`:L
`
`~.-~
`
`.«M‘ V..
`
`shousu;a:;flowchart cof' the .process of
`17
`Figure
`transitioning_ betweenn a
`first.nsateLlite ~and- a
`second
`
`Satellite-by the-portable‘satelliterphoneg102. -‘In step
`SZOOOvlythE' portable,
`satellite4;phone
`102
`-receives
`an
`
`ainstructiondto establish communication_with-a satellite.r
`,Then the process goes to.step_32002.
`In step.82002,
`the
`
`i xsa-.calling
`.A processor~ 500 idetermines whether- the. user
`‘; party or.a called-party.
`‘If the.user is a calling.party,
`the. processor,;500=*goes-
`to step g32004.
`.‘Otherwise,
`the
`first. satellite.
`is: the; destination.
`satellitem and
`the
`processor‘WSOO..goes;wto ustepp-82006.-(L:In':stepg.82004,
`the
`processor 500 selects;a first satellite from the satellite
`
`-Then the processor 500 goes»to step 32006.
`network 1003
`In step 82006,
`the processor 500 determines
`
`the
`
`In step
`finst.satellite.position and goes1to step 52008.
`$200811the-processorw500 forms and adaptively maintains an
`antenna beam directed at
`the first'satellite.
`.Then the
`
`the
`In »step 82010,
`-processor‘-300 goes :to. step 32010.2
`5processor,=500 -establishes: communication with uthe ,first
`
`satellite“aangoesgto step:£2012.
`
`..In step SZOIZ,
`
`the
`
`KprocesSqrn50Q~determines-whether it is necessary.to switch
`
`oto~a\second+satellite;
`
`It it is necessaryzto.switch to a
`
`--second.satellite;.the~processor-SOO goes to.step~82014.
`
`In step
`the'processor'SOO goes to step S2030.
`OtherWise;
`$2030,
`the:prOcessor=determines:whether=the communication
`between the'calling and called parties'is-completed.
`If
`the communication between thelcalling.and called parties
`isficompleted,:the processor 500.goes to step 82032 and
`*ends the.process;
`:Otherwisep the-processor'SOO returns to
`\
`.step 52012.
`T
`f
`“
`‘
`-
`
`'
`
`.qun. step .52014,
`
`the processor
`
`.500 :determines
`
`a
`
`35
`
`.ThenWthe:proceSSor 500.goes to
`second satellite position.
`'step $2016."In“step'82016,‘the.processor~500rdetermines
`
`whether to utilize the snap or beam bridge process. If the
`
`178
`
`178
`
`

`

`W0 98’29968 '
`
`1'
`
`PCIIUSWMIVOIV .
`
`2 5
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`processor' 500 decides ton: us’é'mthen snap—“beam~~‘-proces$'-,
`processor
`500
`goes
`~to
`step [5.1320243'
`:
`Otherwise;
`processor 500 goes: to: step 6202185
`‘
`i
`- ".'-:'
`
`the
`the
`
`the
`500‘? [concludes
`:In step -82024,==‘=the "processor
`communication with ~the~ftirst~ satellite;- The processor 500
`may determine the-=timing' for~ concluding. the-cornm‘Unication
`with‘.
`the ‘first .1 satellite and! begin 'the-51 snap" hand—off
`
`:.
`
`a
`the processor 50039-receiiies
`process. or alternatively;
`synchronization signal.- -from the - first"? satellite} that
`‘.=ini‘t-iates
`the snap: ha'n‘d-o'ff process.“ = The
`the processor
`500 goes' 'to step" 82026..
`In. step 52026,: the processor 500
`forms-and:adaptively-maintains ani‘anten'na' beam directed at
`a lseCOnds satellite. =“uThen‘ Ithe u-p‘roc'e-srsor ~500ugoes to. step
`
`'3!
`
`=
`
`:- 820-28; ‘ .the-- prrioces‘sor‘w 500 --est»ablis~hes
`In’ step'
`52028.15
`communication withhthe second satellite and goes to step
`:82.030;‘.
`'
`- w
`;
`2 ,. '5
`2-.
`:1
`
`the
`the“ precesso'r- 3f 150.032. expands
`"step ‘ 82018,
`l":In‘
`:11
`antenna "beamidirected 'towafrd’W'the"first:vsa'telli‘t'elv'int-9. a
`bridging. Ibeam zbetWeen the firstriand' second: satelliteseand
`.goes
`tof- step’ $20203. " 5 In‘ step: $2.020,
`'t‘he processor @500
`transitions the! communication'é: frOm..:~t‘he '“f/‘i‘rst .‘4-5'a-te'l'l'iten'; to
`
`‘the . second satellite“wand-goesJ to‘fws‘tepi. 520,22; '-
`
`In step
`
`‘- -
`
`520221, - the processor 500‘:n‘a-rrow'si ".ther::bri§”dging_::beam.'into an
`antenna - beam directed . at
`the? [Second' .' satellite and
`
`25
`
`‘-'!"adaptively maintains the , antenna.- beam' =toward athemsecond :1
`antenna '.'~ 1: Then - the proces'ssor 500'. goes: to: step «8-2030
`
`the
`'E‘i’gure.‘ 18 -:shows-‘ ' a’ = flowchart: of‘ a response. of
`portable satellite phone -102- to aniobject xithat». comes into
`=a_ beam:-..path' neighborhood of" .the¥ antennaiizbe-am;
`';In step
`£3000,“ .Ithe processor
`5020-~:»'fvorms»--an
`‘amtehna
`beam and 1::
`a n sestablishes:communication.i witrlrrlra satellite. '.
`"JThen
`the
`processor 500 goes
`to step 83002.
`In step 83002,
`the
`.1 unprocessor‘ --500 .a-c—ti~vates-. the l-pr‘oximi‘ty. detector along a.
`:.
`. beam: path~=1neighborhood.
`.-2A.‘_ sbeam p'ath. -.neighborhood
`is
`~ ,
`..
`-. determined f-:l::vy‘~ 'a - predetermined .--;distance from ..:th_e-_ .antennac,
`.‘z‘i
`.'
`1: =g,-'.'v.
`.-'§E
`":‘.,.".-':
`r,
`-
`ii.
`
`30in»
`
`35.
`
`179
`
`179
`
`

`

`“419889968 \.. p .-
`
`-
`
`PCT/0897124170 ’
`
`if
`
`26
`
`."1'
`
`--.:beamA and :the portable [satellite phone '102u w-'Then
`:processor SOD-goestaste};SL3004.‘i
`.
`v
`.
`
`the
`
`determines
`'-'Aw:In£'5t5p 's3aompuatne 'proceSSor' 500
`:.whetheré'an“.objeCt-:has
`entered -into ~the. beam! path
`neighborhood.
`if an object has-not entered'into a beam
`
`path neighborhood,
`
`the processon.500'goes to-step S3008.
`
`‘has entered‘ into the- beam path
`an sobject
`Otherwise .wif
`neighborhood,-then the.processor 500 goes to step 53006.
`In step 53008;
`the processor‘SOO'determines.whether
`the
`
`_communication between the calling and calleduparties has
`completedu'au Ifw them Communication: has ‘bompleted,
`the
`-processor.SOOQQOeE-tofisteanSOlS and.ends€the
`prdcess.
`Otherwise,ithemprocessor 500 returns to step S3004.
`,
`-
`In- step 'S3005,
`the
`probessor
`500 .determines
`
`. whether alternativewantennazbeam pathsfare available.
`
`If
`
`,alternative beam pathS'are available; thenHt e processor,
`
`the-procesSor 500 goes
`500 goes to step 83010. Otherwise,
`,-to step “'S3012;.- .I. 'In €stcpz-S3010,
`the .proces‘sor' i5'00 Ieshapes
`'-the antenna beamrto moverthe communication to-a new beam
`
`pathfso'thatethe.beamdpathvneighborhoodiavoids>thefobject
`'thatienterednthe oniginal!beam path neighborhood;
`This
`process;mayiincrudefiswitching-to another‘satelliteu Then
`
`'i”
`-*
`»W =
`,thewprocessor 500 goeshto step 83004.
`ninxustepi 53012,.Etne ‘processor SOOi‘reducésv the beam
`
`In?
`power of-the}antennawbeam and then'goeS'to'Step~S3014.
`Astepis30143 the processor‘SOO activates the~a1arm device
`
`to alert thewusermand/or-the'object‘that entered into the
`.beam. pathw neighborhood ‘of potential‘ harm.w “Then
`the
`, processon:500:goes:to step.s3004.
`»
`rn'
`W H"
`
`Figure-19 showsda diagram'of_atcommunicationzsystem~
`
`:that
`
`includes fixed phased array antennas 908,
`
`910,
`
`926
`
`and 928 that are fixed to permanent structures 904, 906,
`
`922 and 924,
`
`respectivehyv
`
`The permanent35tructures 904
`
`and 906'arehiocaCedfiin:thederthern Hemisphere Such as
`~mhe UnitediStates.902§twhile:the permanentistructures 922
`and£924-are located?innthevSouthernHHemiSphere-such as in
`
`10
`
`'15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30--
`
`35
`
`180
`
`180
`
`

`

`WO 98/29968 - " "
`
`PCT/US97I24170
`
`27
`
`Australia)920uz,Phased arraysMSOE and 926 may be planar
`phased arrays mounted =on structures sdch asr-houses
`and
`
`-phased arrays 910 and 9287mayflbé.volumetriolphased arrays
`mounted .on
`towers -such as:
`for .terrestrial ”wireless
`transmitters%receiversu .2"[ ““u
`‘:“ Us“
`.
`
`The-fixed=phased:array antennas @08w1910u1926 and
`
`the
`3 ForVexamplé;
`form directed antennafibeams.
`928 may
`the
`phase array antenna:90& may foflm beams.9169ahd”918;
`phased array antenna 910 may‘formzantefiha beams 912 and
`
`914;-the.phased;array?antenna 926:maw fidrmhbeams-934 and
`
`936; and the phased array 928 mayyform beams 930'and 932.
`‘The phased array antennas~908;:9L0,4926Wand 928 form the
`
`respective. directed: beams
`
`rtowardrqsatellite5'~SUch as
`
`gsatellites 938r 940,
`
`942
`
`andVBAA that may have orbits
`
`alongnthe equatorq950;'Otherisateiiiues'that‘havevother
`.orbits.mayflalsoibe'reached'byfthe:fixedfiarray~antennas
`
`a"
`;._:
`.-.;'.‘3
`LOAF.
`‘
`.
`..99‘8,.-)91:0,-'..92;6 and .928».
`wThe: «above—described“ phased narrayfi‘iafi‘tenna'
`
`-‘.-.s:.
`'systems
`
`that,are attachedtmo.permanentmstnuctuxeSwmaybbe used £9:
`satellite;cable|TV(and.broadbanddterrestrial'lmnks sqgh“
`
`as multimedia;direct;satelli£erand wirelessrcablenL:Usigg
`theielectronically steerablerphasedgatrayvantennas 908,
`910,
`926
`and
`.92&g:;installation>’b£?‘fiheaxphasedh array
`
`antenna iacilitieSnmayubexsimplyfilbeatiqg:thetantennas in
`;a xgeneral directionq.faeing "then satellit552w 1Thus,
`the ’
`'phased,array antennas 908,.910r~826 add 938 eliminate the
`
`complex- mechanicalh.installations *where
`for
`:need
`antennas.amUStJ.ben~carefullyJ aimed ,atn destinations
`
`the
`and
`
`sources.
`
`These fixedfiphased arrayrafitEnnaS*provide at
`
`least
`
`two unique benefiitsi simple; auto~steering during
`
`1'1
`
`4"
`
`.uinstaliationn.for ease. of vuSe,i and terminal
`'multipLe‘sateLlitezservices.
`;Tj
`:
`f
`f
`In addinionp thegantenna systems may either receive
`‘ysepsfi;UlgcamionAaddness‘,(Latitude tand.:lbngitude)
`or
`
`acCess
`
`to
`
`alternativelymyse builtvianPsrflpcalizati n tofeompute a.‘
`correct
`.steering Adirectiong to uelectronically- steer
`
`181
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25.
`
`'30
`
`35
`
`181
`
`

`

`wo 93129968 ‘2 -
`
`'
`
`Per/ussmn'm
`
`28
`
`the
`.Further,
`/
`for' Optimum receptibn.
`beams
`antenna
`Electronically—steeredvantennas can :be‘redirected under
`
`:auser acontroll
`
`for'
`
`aiming :antenna mbeams :at.:selected
`
`satelliteshnto taken'advantagellofu nerrestrialn service
`
`: ”Thus,:'using.=a= singles,electronically—steered
`nodes.
`antenna system permitsrthesuser towreceive service for
`
`multiple systems.,
`
`-
`
`v'
`
`-
`
`fl
`
`Wu?
`
`'Moreover,
`
`:fixed phasedw:array antennasn.908,
`
`910,
`
`'10
`
`926-and 928-thatdtran5mit signals using directed~or non-
`
`directed beams may also apply proximity detection of
`
`objects that may be harmed by the electromagnetic energy.
`
`If objects are detected, alternative actions may be taken
`
`by redirecting the antenna beam,
`
`reducing the power of
`
`transmitted electromagnetic energy and/or activating an
`alarm to warn of possible harm.
`While
`this
`invention
`
`been
`
`described
`
`in
`
`has
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`conjunction with
`
`specific
`
`embodiments
`
`thereof,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`evident
`
`that
`
`many
`
`alternatives, modifications
`
`and'
`
`variations will be apparent
`
`to those skilled in the art.
`
`In particular, while portable satellite phones 102 and 104
`
`have been described by way of example,
`
`this invention is
`
`applicable to other devices
`
`such as cars
`
`and airplanes
`
`from forming highly directed antenna
`that may benefit
`beams to conserve power and to reach destinations such as
`
`other satellites or other receiving devices.
`
`In addition,
`
`in
`are _ described
`embodiments
`above
`the
`although
`,conjunction with a portable satellite phone,
`the invention
`is applicable to other devices such as facsimile devices.
`
`For
`
`simple
`
`embodiments,
`
`the portable satellite
`
`phones 102 and 104 may include a simple compass and level
`
`in orientating the portable} satellite
`to assist users
`phones
`102
`and 104.
`These
`simple
`instruments provide
`rough attitude and bearing information for
`the user
`so
`
`that
`
`the portable satellite phones
`
`102
`
`and 104 may be
`
`properly and approximately orientated at night or
`dense fog situation,
`for example.
`
`in a
`
`182
`
`182
`
`

`

`W0 98/29968'5-
`
`‘
`
`PCT/USWMI’IB‘ ,-c
`
`.
`
`a
`include
`gmay
`408
`'Also,.=the_ alarmumdeqice
`methanical* alarm Vsuch
`aSwuawbvibrator. v-vThis-uadditional
`
`‘-élarm mode enablesnhearing andfiér visionlimpaired uSers to
`'be alerted of:antenna beam interference conditiéns;
`
`Accordingly,’ upreferred :Iembodiments
`
`.vafin'
`
`the
`
`inventionv as Uset'
`forth .herein mare
`intended.;bo
`be
`iliustrative, not
`limiting. Various:chanqes may bevmade
`without ndeparting
`fromz¢the spirit' and
`scope
`of
`the
`
`anention
`
`as
`
`. deflned..
`
`1m;‘Lithe=42 following-clalms.
`
`i
`
`-.
`
`. r,
`fl
`
`.
`
`.\-
`
`11
`r
`
`.
`
`;
`
`I
`
`I
`
`.24‘
`
`r
`
`1
`
`,
`
`I
`
`r
`
`1
`
`.i
`
`',
`
`D
`
`E
`
`.
`
`2
`
`.
`-
`
`
`
`:,-:-
`
`at“
`
`~
`
`—
`
`\
`
`.
`
`_
`
`.
`
`I
`_
`
`L
`
`.
`
`I
`
`;
`
`-
`
`x
`
`i
`
`l
`
`1
`
`‘
`
`\
`
`.._
`
`_
`
`-.
`
`r
`
`.
`
`,
`
`-'
`
`u
`
`_
`
`I
`
`J.
`
`.
`
`5
`
`‘
`
`l
`
`~
`
`.
`
`.
`
`,
`s.
`
`I
`
`‘
`
`,_
`
`.
`
`1
`
`,
`
`e
`
`_
`
`'
`l
`
`I
`
`s
`
`1
`n
`I-J
`
`'
`'2
`
`I
`
`,.
`m.
`'
`
`'
`
`.; ‘
`
`.
`
`'
`
`.
`
`.
`
`2‘
`.
`-‘
`
`.'
`.
`
`u:
`
`f, ’1‘.‘
`
`4
`l
`
`v.
`
`..
`
`~
`
`.
`
`'
`
`'
`
`x
`
`v n
`
`'
`
`L
`
`I.
`
`.1
`,
`
`.
`
`',A;,-'
`
`xv,‘.l~
`
`4‘5.
`
`;
`l.
`
`39
`
`..
`
`’
`
`.,
`
`-
`
`u
`
`V
`
`1
`
`1‘
`
`."
`
`,
`
`'
`
`'
`
`1
`
`-
`
`,
`I
`
`I
`
`1
`
`.
`
`u
`
`u
`
`n.
`
`x
`
`'
`
`l
`
`I
`
`,»
`V
`
`n
`
`.
`
`‘
`
`
`
`"
`
`A
`.L
`
`l
`
`n
`
`,
`"
`
`‘
`
`l
`
`1‘
`
`.31")
`
`.‘
`
`,..
`
`,‘:z'
`
`-
`
`y
`
`IA
`
`-L
`
`.
`
`,
`l-
`
`\
`
`\'
`
`rl
`
`.x
`
`g
`I!
`”Cl.”
`
`"I?
`
`1
`
`u.
`I
`
`L
`-.
`
`
`
`x'
`
`--
`
`1
`
`l
`
`.
`
`.
`
`,
`
`.2 .
`,
`
`3.
`
`,7
`
`u,
`
`.
`
`,-
`
`u
`
`~
`
`.
`
`r
`
`.
`
`.
`
`\
`
`x
`
`-’.‘
`
`i."
`
`,.
`
`h
`
`.
`
`;
`
`:
`
`.. .
`.‘u
`
`.
`
`.
`
`5'
`
`«
`
`n
`
`L
`
`‘
`
`.'
`
`‘
`v,’
`
`:r »
`
`'
`
`2
`
`!
`
`V
`
`i
`
`\
`.'-
`
`-
`
`:1~
`
`. H ‘,
`
`.
`
`'2
`
`.
`
`.
`
`I
`.
`c"
`
`, 1,,
`.
`
`h
`
`I
`
`‘
`
`l
`
`183
`
`183
`
`

`

`“1998””. -
`
`-
`
`PCT/[1897124170
`
`'u:.
`
`'l. ”HaiporQable1terpinalh;compri$inggn
`-.
`,3.5%zdireC-tipnalifim—snna; sand».
`
`_’E1_iu,
`
`_5'
`
`'-l"'
`
`l.‘.:-.'
`
`n
`
`4:
`
`(‘1 an antenna'controller.conpled to fiheudirectional
`,fl:y
`:aptennaw yherein|§he.antennadgontrqller,forms,an antenna
`beam of the directional antenna and determines a.direction
`
`lof_the antenna beam based on information generated by the
`;portablezfltegminalfiytp .allow. the portable_.terminal
`to
`«
`x
`.-:"-.x .s:
`commpnicatetwithxghe satellite..n ”p
`_.
`.2r_;_Theupprtapleuterminaldof claim 1pbwherein the
`antenna
`controller directs
`the
`antenna
`beamghof
`the
`
`directional? antenna in “the; direction .determined by the
`antenna .qontroller
`to:,communicate .with _the hsatellite.-
`
`3,, “Ihe_ portable -terminal ”of
`
`.claim-,lu.;further
`
`comprisingilr..,,
`
`.:f
`
`-
`
`1
`
`u
`
`V
`
`n
`
`fgfl.~z,
`
`~<
`
`informationpdetermining.uddevice,
`steering
`a
`;wherein “(themgssteeringL.7information7determining
`device
`generates _steering,
`infiormation including a position,
`a
`
`-.3 bearing ang anJattitpdeJofgthe portable terminalnuy
`
`4 The.:.rp_9r:'.:a.b.le,terminal.of. claim A3.- wherein the
`steering.jénfpamasaivom Qatarmipingidevice cqmprises ;‘ 1
`‘_
`
`5% :7 arqlohalgRositioning System~signal receiver that.
`,?l
`,receiyesfiglohalfRositioning_Systemnsignals;.and -
`steering information sensors that include at
`
`w
`
`alleast one.p£-a compass,qa gyroscope,,a plumb line and an
`
`attitude‘sensor.
`
`.5.
`
`,The portable_tenmina1 of claim 3, wherein the'
`
`,antenna controller maintains the antennaqbeam of the
`
`.directionaliantenna toward the satellite'based on~ag
`position of the satellite and the steering information of
`,thekportable,terminal generated by1the steering
`
`information—determining device.
`
`~
`
`.
`
`,
`
`.
`
`H,
`
`‘
`
`.;
`
`,§$ni The
`
`-p9rtahle~3terminal ~O£a claim; 5; ufurther
`
`comprisingf a; database" _whereinrflthe,yantennag controller
`determines the position of,the.satellite based on at least
`
`wmumm'pwwpqmmbumpom‘mwmwhwwwmqmlwwaH
`
`184
`
`184
`
`

`

`w
`
`wo 98129968
`
`Per/097124176“
`
`\
`
`31 '
`
`one of data retrieved from the database and position data
`received from the satellite.
`'
`1'-
`":-;"39'-"-‘-"-'--" "‘4‘
`
`'7.
`
`Th‘e'hf'porfiablexf‘teir‘mffnal-J of ‘j'c'laIim ‘6,
`
`further
`
`controller
`the ' Ian'té’nna
`clock; ‘- ‘Whé’r'ein'
`a
`comprising
`determines ”the ‘-ioeeiicibn'-5'of"the“éatenit‘e by generating
`orbital -information 'based"'ofi':'the; retrieved data and the
`
`clock.“ '
`
`-: mi)
`
`'11-
`
`'
`
`:1“ .r,
`
`t 1 ‘4
`
`Liv
`
`iti‘
`
`"
`
`'-".'The'- portable terminal; of claim" 5’,' wherein the
`738“,
`~
`—.
`..
`..
`1
`f
`.
`‘_
`‘;‘-.;
`.-
`antenna controller ’tran81t‘1ons {row-communicating With the
`
`‘
`
`satellite to communicating =Wit’h another satellite. by one
`
`of Remapping“ the antenna" 'Ee'am I and "" bridging the antenna
`‘beam‘..‘v.7ff
`.H \'
`"v."
`'l':
`‘
`9.).“71:"r5":-:'-—ll7.-';:"'
`
`§»"'x9--.!?"-I‘ The port'abl‘e-‘ terminal o‘f~"‘c'la'im"8I’ wherein the
`antenna-3 controller‘=' euap'e ‘-‘ the‘
`antenna ‘1‘ Beam ' from chef“
`' satel-lite' to‘" the 'anotfhér "satellite. at! a time determined 'by
`'one of the antenna controller and a. synchr'o’n'iiatiOn'Signal ‘
`
`‘“from‘tHeE-s‘atel'lit-e‘fl ”we? ' ’
`’
`
`“HIO:WVThQJporLableétermififil’ofktlafm's,‘Whéréin the.
`antenna *' controller ”*brdédiens':
`the-“T’Tafitenha”"'bEam ”to "
`
`communicate—5 With the~3 sa'tell'it’éb‘ahd’it‘h'e‘another: satellite
`
`the ‘.
`reforming
`the ----ant"em1a ‘*i$fi‘&eal‘e~f5
`siMul-taneousi’y,“
`broadened .“ahtehria’ “heal“ 3' ‘to Wei—rearLEHeV-‘anEeenav beem' toward ~'
`'ther'anOthe'r'?sétél’lii‘t‘e' at"é'"timéfi’deéefifi‘i—n’edi'by at least one "
`of
`the -antenna"?controller)” 'thé Js'a-t’e'll‘ritie rand “the“:i'nother 3'
`
`,J.ncufirfi Gfliflngk
`.JSatellife'J u Lfisflfi é a
`"11.
`The. 3-portable ~'te'rminal“'!.='-'"o"f
`“ c1‘air‘n’4 1-,"“—f§urther -‘
`
`comprising:
`
`.
`
`‘;-_,.._:,.-.
`
`.,
`
`,
`
`a -‘broximity " ~déte‘ct‘or‘fi' Wherein
`
`the
`
`antenna "
`
`controller "adjusts“one ' of" 5a“ ‘shape‘bf "the"-antenna' beam,
`
`a *
`
`direction—waif the-“antenna Beam"-'éind7’a"i>63vezr' of the antenna
`«beam based oh‘the‘ ’ou-tp’ut of ’the ipr'bxirrfi‘ty detector: '
`112::
`'The portabl'e't‘e-rminal‘of claim 11', wherein the
`
`antenna controller
`
`reduc‘é’s'
`
`'afil-poWer ’ transmitted-'5 by
`
`the'
`
`I-antennal‘ibeam when the-‘p‘roiimityi-d'e't'e’ctor detects an object'
`
`”within-'a' predeterminé‘di distan‘cei"‘fr'omv at _liie‘a-:'st""one of
`antenna beam and the po-rt'able'xterrfiifnal: “4‘
`
`the“:
`
`4 5 l 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 l 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5
`
`185
`
`185
`
`

`

`‘mqmwewwpwar-a
`
`HHHNHOkD
`
`walk/29'9“ -'
`
`»
`
`.
`
`r
`
`32
`
`PCT/0597124170
`
`M"-1r3".-'~’The pbrtabl‘efif'te'rminal of claim ~11, wherein the
`
`fa‘nten’n‘a cdntr‘o‘ller ‘ou't-pnts'e'za‘n alarmi
`
`.when’the :‘proximity
`
`the ”object wibhinx; a '-;iprede‘-termined
`"detector; Hdetects
`distance from a path of the antenna beam.
`.
`1. r"
`
`‘
`
`._.-
`
`' 14..“fiThe 1 portable ifterminalu‘u'ofv- claim 1,
`
`further
`
`0n
`w
`i.-
`'-"c<‘:omprieing:3‘
`a database; and
`
`as:
`
`- a'.Global iPositionifigt SYst'em- l‘signal receiver that
`receives::‘-'Glioba1 Positioning ~S'?ys‘tem , -signals,' wherein - the
`
`the
`antenna "'con'tro'l-leb-~‘det:ermi=nes‘*:ra-n 'elevation angle: of
`'satellitefiba‘se‘dzv onF. awposition of, the satellite and a
`
`‘p’osition'f of
`
`the? portable i'terminal:, ; the position -of
`
`the
`
`the-id’atabase
`satellite being"? determined Inbased on-rdata in‘
`- and :the posi'tion'of thessportable=terminal being determined ’
`
`:-'-based
`
`on
`
`the "Globa‘lthositioning ' =System'
`
`' signals;
`
`the
`
`the: determined --
`fani beam-at
`f‘brms'L-ngn'a
`antenna ‘3.213111:rolleri
`ZeleVaciouzfangle,3
`"the" f—fan _'beam '-:being ' directed at.
`the
`in'Iisth'e’m-pc-thabl‘e'
`terminal
`is maintained: at
`a
`-‘Satelli‘te‘
`pre'Set'§-- attitude: ‘-and
`"a":
`'bearingI ' generally facing
`the'
`" ‘S'a'tel'lite'jd ‘.1Ll'i.[.‘)>'~_'.,,
`-;--.-‘ ..i
`.51“
`.‘i!
`.
`‘1 :-
`WU
`
`15.
`
`The portable terminal of claim l4,'=.wherein the,
`
`r'fireset-attitude is vertical. 5 F0!‘ w
`
`=
`
`r
`
`"5' 11¢ .
`
`' ~'I:‘hre' =‘-‘p6rta=bl'e
`
`terminal: of; claim 51‘, ~‘.Wh'er.ei‘n.
`
`the
`
`’"‘sa’téllfit’é‘ié‘bflé of 53a geostationary earth orbit 'satéllite, ,
`a medium altitude earth {orbit Wé‘at—ellite,‘
`a "down-altitude-
`
`e'art'h orbit-3 satellite-,5: an -‘int'erme‘dia:-t-.-'z circular orbit
`‘satel‘Iite 'a‘n‘d-‘a ge‘o'dh'elio i‘syn'chkonohs‘ oft-'1'. rsat'ellite.
`
`'Thef portable terminal 'o’f claun: 1:,u wherein the
`' i7. '
`directional? aunt-enna' isf:a aphas‘efd 'array antenna
`18.
`The portable terminali '05” claim 1:7, wherein the
`
`phased "array”“ante'nna‘ AlisW' one "of-ma "planar. phased array
`: antenna and ’a-vol'umetr'i'c pha’eed array antenna:
`
`terminal,
`19. A method ‘for‘ operating -a part-ablei
`comprising:
`'wv-fivéu'
`i~."‘v
`
`fbffii‘ing"'J‘ar‘ru’ahtenna:
`
`beam -df
`
`a . directional
`
`:antennaf’a'nd
`
`..»;:
`
`-.
`
`.
`
`l.,.:*
`
`.
`
`5-HT).
`
`.,.-;.-
`
`186
`
`186
`
`

`

`PWNHRWNHmkWNHO‘mIbWNHMNHWNl-‘(quw
`
`wHawMHm
`
`WON/29968
`
`Pcrtusmml-m-
`
`3 3
`
`_ determining .a'fidirectdOn. of:
`
`the
`
`antenna
`
`beam
`
`based on.information'generated}mm;a.;portable‘
`
`tenminal
`
`terminalsnto
`allow the portable
`satellite.
`.wurd *4.»-~n 91'
`iv dJn
`
`communicate ewflth
`mu”! ‘3 1:31‘“
`
`to
`
`a
`
`20.
`
`-The. method-306 -c1aim¢ 19pq further ncomprising
`
`directing the antenna beam in the directiomigenerated by
`the determining step.
`tn;
`-
`.:r at 3
`comprising
`,u‘s21;
`The method~ qf' claimnuISrnufurther
`generating steering infbrmationgthat
`ineludesra position,
`
`.a beaming and an‘attitudenof“theapontablegterminalr
`
`'22.‘nTher method .of'1CLaim:32L,u wherein; the” steering
`'information‘
`is ,generatedn.baSedrrong data received from a
`Globali Positioning. System psignalmprecgiVer
`that-
`receives
`Global Positioning Systemssignals andwsteeringiinformation 5:
`sensors.
`theta-include'iat”:leasta‘one of
`a
`cpmpassr3:ai
`.tgyrdscope, a plumb line and,an attitudeusensorgllf.yr_ ~;
`:a
`i:flBLT'ThE‘qmeth0d ’of
`!qlaim¢32113{£urther‘acomprising ;;
`" maintaining the antenna; beam..-of .theg‘jdir‘rectional.’ antenna .-.
`
`:toward the satellite_based on agmpsition.o£-the,£ate11ite
`
`and the steering information generated byg the .portable
`terminal.
`";-_ "
`.xizfiu'u f?!
`=;’-"i
`"‘
`....;:i nun-1‘ uni
`.
`»
`..
`4-
`
`The method of Lelaimu»2311fifiunther¢ comgrising;
`
`24.
`
`: {-
`
`determining- then positian»ofi vtheQJSatelthe _pased on‘ at:
`
`least one of: data, retnievedmfirgmla ‘databélse‘vfipdf‘PQSition _
`w
`..
`,Lp ml. ‘13"
`’J-datazr9ceived from mhezsatellitegy
`:251- Then-.methodis-ofi claimwfiZAmq;further
`
`,comprising;
`
`L
`
`generating-orbitalginformationnbased‘onLthe.retrieyed data.
`and a clock¢.the determining cheapositionyof the satelliteh
`
`step determining the positiongofinthe satellite based on.
`Tthe orbital-informatipn.hr$L1 1
`{3;
`4
`_
`
`- 26. The methodgof claimgzgdufurther:comprisingEone of;
`snapping and bridging the antenna,heamlto transitipn from
`
`ncommunicating .with the .sategliteglto..communicating with
`another satellite.
`”1r;
`
`.wherein snapping the
`,elaimw 26,
`The method; of
`’~: g 2%.
`antenna beam comprises determining a ,time_ to .snap the-
`
`187
`
`187
`
`

`

`“103809968.
`
`‘
`
`'
`
`PCT/US97/I4170
`
`\IO‘U'IPWNHWNPIDWNHDbUNHU‘Iwal-‘wm\lanuwaHU‘UTIbW
`
`(antenna beam from-thehsatellite to the another satellite,"
`
`wthe time being determinedsby one of the-antenna controller
`
`,and receiving-a synchronization signal received'from the
`seatellite¢5_-n,:
`-
`.t"--
`r-
`A;
`
`The method; of-iclaim"26; wherein- bridging the
`28.
`antenna beam_comprises;m"
`:r
`"
`‘
`
`broadening the antenna beam to-communicate with
`
`athe satellite ~and the 'another Lsatellitel simultaneously;
`and
`x -:;-:x
`3,9
`g
`.
`_;, “I
`--
`'2
`
`; h_
`
`reforming the broadened antenna beam to direot
`
`the antenna beam t0warthhewanOther‘satelliteiat a time;
`
`determined by at leastmone of the antennaHController ,
`satellite andtfihe:another.satellite."fi
`“”
`
`the
`
`29.x-Themmethod'ofwclaim-19,
`
`further-comprising:
`
`and iii:
`
`. generating proximity information of an object;
`,-I..’V.'-
`,'
`.7:
`I,‘
`,_v.’,
`v‘
`-
`5“; "-
`i"
`'.
`‘
`-
`'J‘ '1':
`
`then :antenna Lbeam v based *56n
`zmzadjustingu:
`proximity information output by the generating step.
`
`the‘
`
`30.
`
`The method of claim 29, wherein the adjusting
`
`step comprises one of reshaping the antenna beam, changing
`
`the direction of the antenna beam and reducing a power of
`the antenna beam.
`
`31.
`
`The method of claim 30, wherein reducing the
`
`step is performed when
`power
`predetermined distance from at
`
`an object
`least one of
`
`is within a
`the antenna
`
`beam and the portable terminal.
`
`32.
`outputting
`
`comprising
`further
`claim 29,
`The method of
`an
`alarm when
`the
`object
`is within
`a
`
`predetermined distance from a path of the antenna beam.
`
`33.
`
`The method of claim 19, further comprising:
`
`determining an elevation angle of the satellite;
`
`and
`
`elevation angle,
`the
`fan beam at
`forming a
`wherein the elevation angle
`is determined based on
`a
`
`the portable
`the satellite and a poSition of
`position of
`terminal,
`the position of
`the satellite being determined
`
`188
`
`188
`
`

`

`W0 98/293968 :
`
`-
`
`PCT/UM!” -'
`
`35
`
`8
`
`10
`
`11
`
`12
`
`umHNHm-bwwpm
`
`. .
`
`based on data in a databaseuofathe pdrtable=terminal and9
`the; position: of
`the {portablefnterminal zbeingt determined‘
`based.9n“GlobathositionianSyStem signals;
`the fan beam”
`being directed at
`the satellite if the portable terminal
`is.maintained,at a“preset:attitudeg -w
`“'i
`-‘
`
`34.
`The method of
`claim M33} wherein"th€ Vpreset'
`.attitude:is vertical.
`:‘f'n “'--fi;:A '2=€
`,135:
`The me