SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING UPLINK BANDWIDTH AMONG SATELLITES IN A COMMON ORBITAL SLOT.

摘要

A system for transmitting data to a plurality of satellites is provided. A first satellite (320) in an orbital slot has an associated receive antenna, and is configured to receive signals in a first range of frequencies. A second satellite (316) in the orbital slot has an associated receive antenna. The second satellite (316) is separated from the first satellite (320) by at least a first separation angle, and is configured to receive signals in the first range of frequencies. A first earth uplink antenna (308b), located at a first earth location, is capable of transmitting a first uplink beam ((328a) at the receive antenna of the first satellite (320). A second earth uplink antenna (308b), collocated at the first earth location, is capable of transmitting a second uplink beam (324a) at the receive antenna of the second satellite (316). The first uplink beam (328a) includes first signals at the first range of frequencies, and the second uplink beam (324a) includes second signals at the first range of frequencies. Further, the first uplink beam (328a) is substantially attenuated beyond the first separation angle in the direction of the second satellite (316), and the second uplink beam (324a) is substantially attenuated beyond the first separation angle in the direction of the first satellite (320).