US5485485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radio frequency broadcasting systems and methods using two low-cost geosynchronous satellites and hemispherical coverage antennas
Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-13
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Granted: 1996-01-16
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Expires: 2014-04-13
Abstract
Abstract The methods and systems for reducing multipath fading and outage from blockage in a radio broadcasting system that is adapted to simultaneously broadcast signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz from two or more satellite sources traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit with the satellite sources separated from one another by a sufficient distance to minimize outage from physical blockages and multipath fading of signals from these satellites and received by a plurality of fixed and mobile platforms using substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas, each antenna having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches and each adapted to receive frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Briskman
- 👤 John M. Seavey
- 👤 Paul Medeiros
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H40/00; H04H40/18; H04H40/27; H04H40/90; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A method for reducing multi-path fading in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: broadcasting a first signal using spread spectrum modulation from a first satellite source traveling on a geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting a second signal using spread spectrum modulation, said second signal having substantially the same content and frequency as said first signal from a second satellite source on said geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source being spaced from said first satellite source a predetermined number of degrees to reduce multi-path fading and to reduce signal attenuation from physical objects in the paths of said first signal and said second signal and producing an output signal from said first signal and said second signal at a plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
A method for reducing multi-path fading in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: broadcasting a first signal using spread spectrum modulation from a first satellite source traveling on a geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting a second signal using spread spectrum modulation, said second signal having substantially the same content and frequency as said first signal from a second satellite source on said geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source being spaced from said first satellite source a predetermined number of degrees to reduce multi-path fading and to reduce signal attenuation from physical objects in the paths of said first signal and said second signal and producing an output signal from said first signal and said second signal at a plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising measuring the signal strengths of said first and said second signals, and selecting the stronger signal from said first and said second signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising combining said first and said second signals to form said output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first and said second signals are modulated sufficiently to resist multi-path fading.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said first and said second signals are modulated sufficiently to resist multi-path fading.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said first and said second signals are modulated sufficiently to resist multi-path fading.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said predetermined number of degrees is in the range of about 25 degrees to about 50 degrees.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
327 words
A method for reducing satellite-based transmitter power in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast radio signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal having substantially the same content and frequency as said first broadcast signal from a second satellite source on said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to reduce the power needed to transmit said first and said second signals to a receiver at or near the earth's surface; and assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at a plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal located at or near the earth's surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
327 words
A method for reducing satellite-based transmitter power in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast radio signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal having substantially the same content and frequency as said first broadcast signal from a second satellite source on said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to reduce the power needed to transmit said first and said second signals to a receiver at or near the earth's surface; and assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at a plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal located at or near the earth's surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
312 words
A method for reducing satellite-based transmitter power in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast radio signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal with substantially identical content from a second satellite source on said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to reduce the power needed to transmit said first and said second broadcast signal to the earth's surface, said second broadcast signal having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal; and assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first and said second broadcast signals at a plurality of fixed receivers at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
312 words
A method for reducing satellite-based transmitter power in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast radio signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal with substantially identical content from a second satellite source on said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to reduce the power needed to transmit said first and said second broadcast signal to the earth's surface, said second broadcast signal having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal; and assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first and said second broadcast signals at a plurality of fixed receivers at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
434 words
A method for improving signal reception in a radio system comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information having a frequency in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal with identical content having substantially the same frequency as said first broadcast signal or having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal from a second satellite source on said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to improve reception of said first and said second broadcast signals at a plurality of fixed receivers located at or near the earth's surface, and at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz; assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at said plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and said plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
434 words
A method for improving signal reception in a radio system comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information having a frequency in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal with identical content having substantially the same frequency as said first broadcast signal or having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal from a second satellite source on said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to improve reception of said first and said second broadcast signals at a plurality of fixed receivers located at or near the earth's surface, and at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz; assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at said plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and said plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
330 words
A method for reducing foliage attenuation and signal outage from radio path blockage in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHZ to about 3,000 MHZ comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information having a frequency in said range from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal with identical content having substantially the same frequency as said first broadcast signal or having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal from a second satellite source on said geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to minimize foliage attenuation or radio path blockage; and assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at a plurality of fixed receivers at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage located at or near the surface of the earth, and antennas having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
330 words
A method for reducing foliage attenuation and signal outage from radio path blockage in a radio broadcasting system adapted to broadcast signals having frequencies in the range of about 300 MHZ to about 3,000 MHZ comprising: broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information having a frequency in said range from a first satellite source traveling on a substantially geosynchronous orbit; substantially simultaneously broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal with identical content having substantially the same frequency as said first broadcast signal or having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal from a second satellite source on said geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to minimize foliage attenuation or radio path blockage; and assembling and producing said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at a plurality of fixed receivers at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage located at or near the surface of the earth, and antennas having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz having at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said first satellite source comprises at least two separate satellites to provide additional broadcast signal paths.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said second satellite source comprises at least two separate satellites to provide additional broadcast signal paths.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said predetermined number of degrees is in the range of about 25 degrees to about 50 degrees.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 further comprising broadcasting said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal at opposite polarizations, and where the frequency of said first broadcast signal is substantially the same as the frequency of said second broadcast signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal are at opposite polarizations and where the frequency of said first signal is different from the frequency of said second broadcast signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
308 words
A UHF radio system adapted to broadcast signals having frequencies in a range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: a broadcasting source for broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information on a first satellite source traveling in a substantially geosynchronous orbit; a broadcasting source for broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal from a second satellite source traveling in said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to minimize outage and fading of said first and said second broadcast signals; and a plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz for receiving said first and said second broadcast signals, each of said fixed and said mobile receivers being located at or near the surface of the earth, each of said receivers being adapted to produce said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first and said second broadcast signals, each of said receivers including at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
308 words
A UHF radio system adapted to broadcast signals having frequencies in a range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz comprising: a broadcasting source for broadcasting on a first path a first broadcast signal that includes audio program information on a first satellite source traveling in a substantially geosynchronous orbit; a broadcasting source for broadcasting on a second path a second broadcast signal from a second satellite source traveling in said substantially geosynchronous orbit, said second satellite source and said second path being spaced from said first satellite source and said first path a predetermined number of degrees to minimize outage and fading of said first and said second broadcast signals; and a plurality of fixed receivers, at least some of said fixed receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz, and a plurality of mobile receivers, at least some of said mobile receivers being connected to substantially flat, hemispherical coverage antennas located at or near the surface of the earth, and having an outer diameter no greater than about 10 inches, said antennas being adapted to receive said frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to about 3,000 MHz for receiving said first and said second broadcast signals, each of said fixed and said mobile receivers being located at or near the surface of the earth, each of said receivers being adapted to produce said broadcast signal as an output signal from said first and said second broadcast signals, each of said receivers including at least one channel to receive said first broadcast signal and at least one channel to receive said second broadcast signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 17 further comprising, in each of said receivers, means for measuring the strengths of broadcast signals from said first and said second satellite sources, and means for selecting the stronger broadcast signal from said first and said second signals for output.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said receiver includes means for combining said first and said second broadcast signals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 further comprising means for modulating said first and said second broadcast signals to reduce multipath fading.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said second satellite source is adapted to produce a second broadcast signal having a frequency different from the frequency of said first broadcast signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 further comprising a UHF radio receiver that comprises means for measuring the signal strengths of said first and said second broadcast signals and means for forming and outputting the broadcast source from said first and said second broadcast signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said second satellite source is adapted to produce a second broadcast signal having a polarization opposite from the polarization of said first broadcast signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said assembling step comprises selection of said first broadcast signal or said second broadcast signal for output from at least one of said receivers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said assembling step comprises combining said first broadcast signal and said second broadcast signal to produce said output signal at at least one of said receivers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said predetermined number of degrees is sufficient to position substantially all of said receivers substantially within line-of-sight of said first satellite source and said second satellite source.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 17 or claim 18 or claim 19 wherein said first satellite source and said second satellite source are spaced apart a distance sufficient to position substantially all of said receivers substantially within line-of-sight of said first and said second satellite sources.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 or claim 11 further comprising utilizing spread spectrum modulation in said broadcasting.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said broadcasting source utilizes spread spectrum modulation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5278863A
Cited
US5319673A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |