US5774787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interference mitigation system for protecting radio astronomy and method of using same
Assignee: CDC Propriete Intellectuelle
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Filing: 1994-12-05
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2014-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A constellation (12) of satellites (14) distributed around the earth supports satellite-based communication system (10) involved in global communication of subscriber units (24). Subscriber units (24) may potentially transmit from any location on earth. Some locations such as radio astronomy sites (28) may be interfered with by nearby transmissions from subscriber units (24) or transmissions from satellites (14). Subscriber units (24) located within a potentially interfering proximity to radio astronomy sites are prohibited from transmitting potentially interfering signals by reception of a non-interfering control signal transmitted by a radio astronomy special equipment located at radio astronomy sites. A radio astronomy special equipment (44) repeatedly transmits to a subscriber unit (24) a control signal synchronous with a control signal of a servicing satellite. The radio astronomy special equipment control signal (46), (48), and (54) is compatible with a subscriber unit's communication receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Joseph Leopold
- 👤 Keith Andrew Olds
- 👤 Brian Michael Daniel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/1851; H04B7/18513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of mitigating electromagnetic interference during a scheduled radio astronomy session as scheduled at a radio astronomy site, said electromagnetic interference created by operating a satellite-based communication system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) requesting interference mitigation services for said scheduled radio astronomy session from a radio astronomy site to a ground control station; (b) transmitting a mitigation timetable from said ground control station to radio astronomy special equipment; (c) receiving said mitigation timetable at said radio astronomy special equipment; (d) activating said radio astronomy special equipment located at said radio astronomy site according to said mitigation timetable for mitigating said electromagnetic interference during said scheduled radio astronomy session; and (e) inhibiting said electromagnetic interference from a subscriber unit of said satellite-based communication system, said subscriber unit located within a protection zone encompassing said radio astronomy site.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of mitigating electromagnetic interference during a scheduled radio astronomy session as scheduled at a radio astronomy site, said electromagnetic interference created by operating a satellite-based communication system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) requesting interference mitigation services for said scheduled radio astronomy session from a radio astronomy site to a ground control station; (b) transmitting a mitigation timetable from said ground control station to radio astronomy special equipment; (c) receiving said mitigation timetable at said radio astronomy special equipment; (d) activating said radio astronomy special equipment located at said radio astronomy site according to said mitigation timetable for mitigating said electromagnetic interference during said scheduled radio astronomy session; and (e) inhibiting said electromagnetic interference from a subscriber unit of said satellite-based communication system, said subscriber unit located within a protection zone encompassing said radio astronomy site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: (a1) determining at said radio astronomy site a start time for said scheduled radio astronomy session; (a2) determining at said radio astronomy site a duration for said scheduled radio astronomy session; and (a3) communicating said start time and said duration of said scheduled radio astronomy session to said ground control station of said satellite-based communication system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein step (d) comprises the steps of: (d1) evaluating said start time of said mitigation timetable for commencement of mitigation services; (d2) upon arrival of said start time, activating said radio astronomy special equipment; (d3) said radio astronomy special equipment transmitting a control signal about said radio astronomy site; and (d4) said radio astronomy special equipment remaining activated throughout said duration of said scheduled radio astronomy session.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of: (b1) constructing a mitigation timetable at said ground control station; (b2) scheduling transmission of said mitigation timetable; and (b3) transmitting said mitigation timetable from said ground control station to said radio astronomy special equipment through a communication channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (c1) monitoring a communication channel of said satellite-based communication system for said mitigation timetable directed to said radio astronomy special equipment; (c2) said radio astronomy special equipment receiving said mitigation timetable from said communication channel of said satellite-based communication system; and (c3) storing said mitigation timetable in said radio astronomy special equipment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the steps of: (d5) informing said radio astronomy site from said radio astronomy special equipment of commencement of said interference mitigation services; and (d6) signifying to said radio astronomy site from said radio astronomy special equipment a mitigation period defining minimization of said electromagnetic interference from said satellite-based communication system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises the steps of: (e1) said subscriber unit receiving a control signal on a control channel from said radio astronomy special equipment; (e2) said subscriber unit in response to reception of said control signal prohibiting transmission of said electromagnetic interference; and (e3) continuing to prohibit said electromagnetic interference during said scheduled radio astronomy session.
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) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |