Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link providing data transmission rates of over 1 billion bits per second (more than 1 Gbps) at ranges of several miles during normal weather conditions. In a preferred embodiment a communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing divergence of less than 10−4 steradians so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers can use the same spectrum. In a preferred embodiment the first and second spectral ranges are 92.3-93.2 GHz and 94.1-95.0 GHz. During very bad weather conditions this data link will not provide a 10−10 bit-error rate and 99.999% availability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the speed of relative movement of a transmitter and a receiver which are in communication with each other in a telecommunications system. The transmitter and receiver are in communication via a channel of the telecommunications system by a carrier wave. An analysis is made of the variations of amplitude or power of the signal transmitted by the transmitter and the channel between the transmitter and the receiver. The dopler shift undergone by the carrier wave is deduced from the variations, and the speed of movement is thereby deduced.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing or eliminating effects of noise on a wireless communication system are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises monitoring noise attributable to an interference source that may affect one or more components of the wireless communication system. The interference source being monitored is distant from the wireless communication system to the degree that noise arrives at the wireless communication system within a substantially point source-like angular range. For example, the noise may be attributable to the sun or tropospheric ducting. The technique then comprises initiating one or more operations, as a function of the monitored noise, to reduce or eliminate the effects of the noise attributable to the distant interference source at one or more of the components of the wireless communication system that are determined to be affected by such noise.

Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link providing data transmission rates of over 1 billion bits per second (more than 1 Gbps) at ranges of several miles during normal weather conditions. In a preferred embodiment a communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing divergence of less than 10−4 steradians so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers can use the same spectrum. In a preferred embodiment the first and second spectral ranges are 92.3-93.2 GHz and 94.1-95.0 GHz. During very bad weather conditions this data link will not provide a 10−10 bit-error rate and 99.999% availability.

Abstract: A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link at ranges of several miles during normal weather conditions. In a preferred embodiment a communication link operates within the 92 to 95 GHz portion of the millimeter spectrum and provides data transmission rates in excess of 155 Mbps. A first transceiver transmits at a first bandwidth and receives at a second bandwidth both within the above spectral range. A second transceiver transmits at the second bandwidth and receives at the first bandwidth. The transceivers are equipped with antennas providing beam divergence small enough to ensure efficient spatial and directional partitioning of the data channels so that an almost unlimited number of transceivers will be able to simultaneously use the same spectrum. Antennas and rigid support towers are described to maintain beam directional stability to less than one-half the half-power beam width. In a preferred embodiment the first and second spectral ranges are 92.3-93.2 GHz and 94.1-95.

Abstract: The present invention provides an open-loop method for determining uplink transmission power in a satellite communication system 200 that compensates for antenna pointing error attenuation and for rain attenuation. Satellite downlink signal 208 attenuation is measured. Antenna pointing information is then used in conjunction with antenna gain pattern information 400 to determine antenna pointing error attenuation. The measured downlink attenuation and antenna pointing error attenuation are then used to determine the amount of rain attenuation on the downlink 208. The downlink attenuation information is then used to determine the amount of uplink 216 attenuation to be expected. Uplink transmission power levels are then adjusted accordingly to overcome the expected uplink 216 attenuation.

Abstract: Rain fade mitigation methods and data broadcast systems that provide improved performance in a rain fade environment. The systems distribute data derived from a transmitting processor by way of a data distribution system to one or more receivers located at remote locations. The transmitting processor may include forward error correction processing software that is used to add forward error correction bits to data packets to be transmitted. When error correction bits are added to the data prior to transmission, the receivers include forward error correction software that processes the received data packets to reconstruct the original data. Data packets with or without error correcting bits may be transmitted two times to the remote locations, which times are separated by a time delay having a duration that is related to a rain fade event, which time delay is sufficient to allow data reconstruction in the presence of the rain fade event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus predicts a ground-to-satellite terminal's (16) percentage of successful communication linkage time to at least one satellite of a communication system in response to a terminal blockage profile (410), as created from the location of an antenna of the terminal, and a satellite blockage profile (412). The prediction may also be based upon a weather model data base (358) corresponding to the area where the terminal is located.

Abstract: A method and associated circuitry for initiating communication between a network station and a user terminal of a radiotelephonic communication system, such as a satellite-cellular communication system. When communication is to be initiated, a paging signal is transmitted by a network station to the user terminal. When the user terminal detects the paging signal, an acknowledgment signal is generated by the user terminal and encoded to increase the margin of the acknowledgment signal. An increased-margin acknowledgment signal acknowledging reception of the paging signal is transmitted to facilitate communication of the acknowledgment signal back to the network station.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a data processing system for motor vehicles including at least two computers and a line connecting the computers for the transmission of messages. This line permits a fast and reliable data transmission between the computers installed in the motor vehicle, taking into account the specific requirements of a controller-coupling in the motor vehicle. An embodiment is provided which describes in detail the interface between the individual computers and the line linking the computers, and with the aid of which a controller-coupling is realized in the vehicle.

Abstract: A control status monitor/decision unit is added to a transmission power control apparatus which determines a transmission power level of a transmission signal to be output from an antenna via a transmission system and controls the same by referring to a received signal from the antenna obtained via a reception system. The unit monitors the control status in the control apparatus and performs the control of the optimum transmission power level according to this control status. By this, a further higher channel quality than that of the conventional apparatus can be maintained.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for transmission of spatial diversity radio signals via a geostationary main communication satellite and one or more auxiliary satellites "colocated" in the same orbit. The distance between an auxiliary satellite and the main satellite is in the range from 200 km to 400 km. The system includes conventional bidirectional transmission links between terrestrial mobile terminals and the main satellite and between the latter and a terrestrial station. Additionally, unidirectional transmission links are provided between the auxiliary satellites and the main satellite. Applications include a mobile communication service with portable terminals via a geostationary satellite.

Abstract: A method of determining parameters for the design of ground equipment for satellite link systems using duplex links is disclosed. The method has particular application to determining transponder power requirements and antenna size. The method comprises selecting required availability of the satellite system and ground sites for the equipment and determining site degradation parameters for the ground sites. A range where no up link power control is required is also determined and a point of minimum transponder power is determined to enable the parameters to be selected.