Patents by Inventor Michael Thorburn

Michael Thorburn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Satellite communication system with gateway switch networks
    Patent number: 6898428
    Abstract: A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the subscriber terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thorburn, Craig Ziegler, Stephen C. Holme
  • Satellite communication system with gateway switch networks
    Publication number: 20020183057
    Abstract: A communication system having gateway filter and switching networks in forward and return channels of a frequency reuse communication satellite. The system couples subscriber terminals to the Internet or other terrestrial network by way of one or more gateways. The system cross-straps gateway-to-user beam connectivity provided by the communication satellite to allow full coverage of all user beams with a subset of the gateways having reduced frequency reuse. An exemplary system comprises a communication satellite having a return channel and a forward channel. One or more gateways are coupled to the Internet or other terrestrial network and communicate with subscriber terminals by way of the return and forward channels provided by the satellite. The return and forward channels each comprise a filter and switching network that selectively couple signals between the one or more gateways and the subscriber terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Thorburn, Craig Ziegler, Stephen C. Holme