US3896382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Precipitation attenuation detection system
Assignee: Comsat Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A precipitation attenuation detection system in a satellite communication system for detecting the approach of rain cells which will cause attenuation of the communications signals passing between the satellite and an earth station over a communications path and for causing the communications signals between the earth station and the satellite to be switched to another communications path outside the influence of the rain cells in response to the detection of impending rain.
Inventors
- 👤 Bertram Magenheim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/02; H04B7/04; H04B7/0408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a satellite communications system including a plurality of earth stations, a precipitation attenuation detection system comprising: means associated with an earth station for generating a pair of communications beams traversing the space between the earth station and at least one satellite over separate communications links, only one of said beams being active to carry communications signals at any time, the other beam being dormant, precipitation detecting means for detecting precipitation in a region above said earth station, said region including an area which surrounds the beam width of said active communications beam, and switch means, responsive to the detection of precipitation by said detecting means, for switching the communications signals to the dormant communications beam, the beam previously carrying communications signals becoming dormant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a satellite communications system including a plurality of earth stations, a precipitation attenuation detection system comprising: means associated with an earth station for generating a pair of communications beams traversing the space between the earth station and at least one satellite over separate communications links, only one of said beams being active to carry communications signals at any time, the other beam being dormant, precipitation detecting means for detecting precipitation in a region above said earth station, said region including an area which surrounds the beam width of said active communications beam, and switch means, responsive to the detection of precipitation by said detecting means, for switching the communications signals to the dormant communications beam, the beam previously carrying communications signals becoming dormant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The precipitation attenuation detection system of claim 1 wherein said detecting means includes means for scanning the area about each communications beam with an auxiliary detecting beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The precipitation attenuation detection system of claiM 1 wherein said detecting means includes means for producing an auxiliary detecting beam surrounding each communications beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The precipitation attenuation detection system of claim 3 wherein said means producing auxiliary beams comprises means for producing a beam wider than and concentric with its corresponding communications beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A precipitation attenuation detection system of claim 3 wherein said detecting means includes radiometer means for monitoring the sky temperature in the area around said communications beams, said sky temperature providing an indication of rain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The precipitation attenuation detecting system of claim 5 wherein said switch means comprise beam select logic responsive to the radiometer means for producing a beam select signal and a distributor switch responsive to said beam select signal for switching communications signals to the communications beam not subject to attenuation by detected approaching precipitation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |