Abstract: An inexpensive method and system for maintaining communication between fixed receivers on the earth surface having fixed antennas and inclined orbit geostationary satellites. In preferred embodiments the fixed antennas of each receiver are provided with more than one feed horn (such as three or more feed horns) each positioned to form a beam with its antenna in a slightly different direction from beams of the other feed horns in the north-south direction. An algorithm is developed based on the known daily swings of the inclined orbit geostationary satellite which determines which of the feed horns provides a beam providing the maximum signal from the satellite.

Abstract: A satellite trunking system has a satellite for sending and receiving optical signals. A first ground station is positioned on a first land mass and a second ground station is positioned on a second land mass. Each ground station communicates to the other ground stations through the satellite using optical signals.

Abstract: A communications system (10) and method of operating the communications system includes a first stratospheric platform generating a second beam having a frequency the same as a satellite beam to the same service area. User terminals are configured to receive the first beam or the second beam.

Abstract: A communication system has a communication infrastructure and a gateway station communicating a communication signal to the communication infrastructure. An airplane having an antenna coupled to a processing circuit for establishing a plurality of multiple communication links corresponding to the communication infrastructure is used. The gateway station generates multiple datagrams from the television signal and transmits the multiple datagrams through the multiple dynamic links. The antenna receives the datagrams from the infrastructure and the processing circuit and reassembles the datagrams into the communication signal.

Abstract: A communication system has a plurality of high altitude devices that are coupled to user terminals through a plurality of dynamic links. The terminal monitors and changes the multiple dynamic links as the position of the user terminal relative to the high altitude devices changes. The terminal transmits to and receives from the user terminals through the high altitude devices using a plurality of datagrams.

Abstract: A communication system has a plurality of high altitude devices that are coupled to user terminals through a plurality of dynamic links. The terminal monitors and changes the multiple dynamic links as the position of the user terminal relative to the high altitude devices changes. The gateway terminal transmits and receives to said user terminals through the high altitude devices using a plurality of datagrams.