US3676778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Satellite communication system
Assignee: NTT Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-20
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Attenuation caused by precipitation in a radio satellite communication system is minimized by monitoring transmission between the stations and the rate of precipitation at each station so that frequency bands having low attenuation to precipitation may be assigned to the stations in accordance with their rate of precipitation. A local monitor and controller provides switching information in response to the rate of precipitation to switch the transmission and reception respectively to transmitting and receiving frequency converters which operate in selected frequency bands.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshibumi Mori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/1851; H04B7/18515; H04B7/02; H04B7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A satellite communication system using selected frequency bands for transmission between a group of terrestrial stations and at least one satellite wherein one of said terrestrial stations is a central control station having communication paths to each of the other terrestrial stations via said satellite and a ground link, comprising; means at said central control station for determining whether the rainfall at said terrestrial stations exceeds a maximum acceptable precipitation rate for communication and for transmitting to said other terrestrial stations switching control signals when the precipitation rate exceeds said maximum acceptable precipitation rate, each of said terrestrial stations comprising; transmitting and receiving frequency converter means, carrier terminal equipment connected to said converters, each converter means including a plurality of converters tuned to a selected frequency band, precipitation collecting and measuring means for determining the incident rate of precipitation at said station and transmitting an output indication thereof to said control station, and means responsive to said control signals for switching the station transmission and reception from converter means having a frequency band attenuated by said precipitation to converter means having a frequency band less affected by said precipitation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A satellite communication system using selected frequency bands for transmission between a group of terrestrial stations and at least one satellite wherein one of said terrestrial stations is a central control station having communication paths to each of the other terrestrial stations via said satellite and a ground link, comprising; means at said central control station for determining whether the rainfall at said terrestrial stations exceeds a maximum acceptable precipitation rate for communication and for transmitting to said other terrestrial stations switching control signals when the precipitation rate exceeds said maximum acceptable precipitation rate, each of said terrestrial stations comprising; transmitting and receiving frequency converter means, carrier terminal equipment connected to said converters, each converter means including a plurality of converters tuned to a selected frequency band, precipitation collecting and measuring means for determining the incident rate of precipitation at said station and transmitting an output indication thereof to said control station, and means responsive to said control signals for switching the station transmission and reception from converter means having a frequency band attenuated by said precipitation to converter means having a frequency band less affected by said precipitation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A satellite communication system as in claim 1 wherein each of said stations includes a back-up station located at a position spaced from its associated terrestrial station to have a small precipitation correlation therewith and means at each station for switching to said back-up station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A satellite communication system as in claim 1 wherein each of said terrestrial stations further comprises a plurality of intermediate frequency modulators and demodulators each operating at a different frequency band and interconnecting, respectively, said carrier terminal equipment and an associated receiving and transmitting converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A satellite communication system as in claim 3 wherein said means for switching is a pair of diode matrices each having outputs respectively connected to said transmitter converters and to said receiver converters and each having inputs respectively connected to said modulators and to said demodulators.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |