Patent US4181886A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4181886A
Expired / Lapsed
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Distribution control unit providing simultaneous hybrid FDMA and SS-TDMA operation in a transitional satellite switched system
Assignee: International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
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Filing: 1977-08-22
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Granted: 1980-01-01
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Expires: 1997-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An SS-TDMA satellite system providing uplink and downlink interconnections through an on-board microwave switching matrix controlled by an on-board distribution control unit responsive to ground command signals. The distribution control unit is configured to permit both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint interconnections of uplinks to downlinks through the switching matrix. Point-to-point interconnections under system static mode control may be effected simultaneously with point-to-point interconnections under system dynamic mode control.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Cooperman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/204; H04B7/2046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In a communications satellite system of the space division type including spot beam antennas receiving uplink communications signals from a plurality of earth stations and transmitting said uplink signals over downlinks to said earth stations, said uplinks being communicated to said downlinks through a switching matrix forming an array of inputs and outputs interconnected in a row and column fashion through electrically controllable crosspoint switching elements, each uplink being designated to a different matrix input and each downlink to a different matrix output, and a distribution control unit for controlling the conductive states of said crosspoint switching elements, the improvement comprising: (a) means associated with said distribution control unit for generating digital control words, each bit position of said words functioning to control the conductive state of a different crosspoint switching element, and (b) means responsive to said digital control words for selectively and simultaneously rendering any number of said crosspoint switching elements conductive to thereby effect point-to-multipoint interconnection between the matrix inputs and outputs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a communications satellite system of the space division type including spot beam antennas receiving uplink communications signals from a plurality of earth stations and transmitting said uplink signals over downlinks to said earth stations, said uplinks being communicated to said downlinks through a switching matrix forming an array of inputs and outputs interconnected in a row and column fashion through electrically controllable crosspoint switching elements, each uplink being designated to a different matrix input and each downlink to a different matrix output, and a distribution control unit for controlling the conductive states of said crosspoint switching elements, the improvement comprising: (a) means associated with said distribution control unit for generating digital control words, each bit position of said words functioning to control the conductive state of a different crosspoint switching element, and (b) means responsive to said digital control words for selectively and simultaneously rendering any number of said crosspoint switching elements conductive to thereby effect point-to-multipoint interconnection between the matrix inputs and outputs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The satellite system of claim 1 wherein said satellite system is operable in a time division mode with uplinks communicating with downlinks in a cyclical fashion, a complete cycle occurring over a frame time, each frame being subdivided into frame units, said distribution control unit including means for dynamically varying the conductive states of said crosspoint switching elements such that a different connection pattern can occur each frame unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The satellite system of claim 2 wherein said means for generating a digital control word comprises a shift register and said means responsive to said digital control words comprises a latch circuit.
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) | 1982-12-31 | 1983-07-02 | 1984-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-31 | 1987-07-02 | 1988-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-31 | 1991-07-02 | 1992-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |