US5619210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Large phased-array communications satellite
Assignee: Ericsson Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-08
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Granted: 1997-04-08
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Expires: 2014-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A communications satellite is disclosed which uses distributed multiplexing and demultiplexing so as to minimize the amount of cabling needed between deployable phased array panels and a central processor. Signals are distributed from the active array panels to a number of active antenna elements. Each active antenna element has at least a radiating element, a modulator and a sample and hold circuit for forming modulation waveforms.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W. Dent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/28; H01Q1/288; H01Q25/00; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/204; H04B7/2041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A satellite relay station for communicating between at least one first station and a plurality of second stations comprising: a first number of hinged active antenna panels said active antenna panels further comprising at least: time-multiplexer signal distribution means for distributing signals to a second number of active antenna elements means, said second number of active antenna element means each comprising: a radiating element connected to a transmit power amplifier; a modulator circuit with an input for modulating waveforms; and a sample and hold circuit to sample signals on said signal distribution line and to filter said sampled signal to form said modulation waveforms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A satellite relay station for communicating between at least one first station and a plurality of second stations comprising: a first number of hinged active antenna panels said active antenna panels further comprising at least: time-multiplexer signal distribution means for distributing signals to a second number of active antenna elements means, said second number of active antenna element means each comprising: a radiating element connected to a transmit power amplifier; a modulator circuit with an input for modulating waveforms; and a sample and hold circuit to sample signals on said signal distribution line and to filter said sampled signal to form said modulation waveforms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A communications satellite according to claim 1, further comprising: feeder link receiver means for receiving a time-multiplex of array element signals from said at least one first station; and demultiplexer means to separate out for each of said active antenna panels a time-multiplexed signal for distribution using said signal distribution means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A communications satellite according to claim 1, wherein said active antenna element means are divided into sub-arrays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
A satellite relay station for communicating between at least one first station and a plurality of second stations comprising: a first number of hinged active antenna panels said active antenna panels further comprising at least: time-multiplexed signal collection means for collecting signal samples from a second number of active antenna elements, said second number of active antenna element means each comprising at least: a radiating element connected to a low-noise amplifier means; a downconverting receiver circuit with an input connected to said low-noise amplifier and an output for downconverted waveforms; a sampling circuit for sampling said downconverted waveforms output and applying said sampled signals to said collection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
A satellite relay station for communicating between at least one first station and a plurality of second stations comprising: a first number of hinged active antenna panels said active antenna panels further comprising at least: time-multiplexed signal collection means for collecting signal samples from a second number of active antenna elements, said second number of active antenna element means each comprising at least: a radiating element connected to a low-noise amplifier means; a downconverting receiver circuit with an input connected to said low-noise amplifier and an output for downconverted waveforms; a sampling circuit for sampling said downconverted waveforms output and applying said sampled signals to said collection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A communications satellite according to claim 4 further comprising: central multiplexer means having inputs connected to said signal collection means from each of said first number of active antenna panels and a multiplexed output; feeder link transmitter means connected to said multiplexed output for transmitting a time-multiplex of said active antenna element signals received from said second stations to said at least one first station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A communications satellite according to claim 4, wherein said active antenna element means are divided into sub-arrays.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for relaying signals from a first station by a relay station using a phased array antenna comprising panels of antenna elements to at least a second station, comprising the steps of: receiving signals from said first station; amplifying, filtering and down convening said received signals; converting said downconverted signals to a complex I,Q baseband; sampling said converted signals to produce separated signal sample streams for each panel of said antenna and calibration samples; generating output clock pulses and framing strobes using said calibration samples; generating a sampling pulse using said clock pulses and said framing strobes to separate out signal samples from said signal sample streams for a particular element on a panel of said antennas elements; convening said signal samples into continuous modulating waveforms; modulating a carrier using said continuous modulating waveforms to produce a drive signal; and driving a power amplifier with said drive signal to produce a signal for transmission to said at least said second station using said particular antenna element.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for relaying signals from a first station by a relay station using a phased array antenna comprising panels of antenna elements to at least a second station, comprising the steps of: receiving signals from said first station; amplifying, filtering and down convening said received signals; converting said downconverted signals to a complex I,Q baseband; sampling said converted signals to produce separated signal sample streams for each panel of said antenna and calibration samples; generating output clock pulses and framing strobes using said calibration samples; generating a sampling pulse using said clock pulses and said framing strobes to separate out signal samples from said signal sample streams for a particular element on a panel of said antennas elements; convening said signal samples into continuous modulating waveforms; modulating a carrier using said continuous modulating waveforms to produce a drive signal; and driving a power amplifier with said drive signal to produce a signal for transmission to said at least said second station using said particular antenna element.
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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) | 2000-04-07 | 2000-10-07 | 2001-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | 2005-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-07 | 2008-10-07 | 2009-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |