US5619211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position locating and communication system using multiple satellite constellations
Assignee: CDC Propriete Intellectuelle
•
Filing: 1994-11-17
•
Granted: 1997-04-08
•
Expires: 2014-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A communication and position locating system (2) suitable for air traffic control is described. Multiple satellites (40) are provided in two geosynchronous constellations. One constellation (e.g., 4 satellites) has a first closed ground track (14). The other (e.g., 2 satellites (161, 182)) has a different ground track (18) or is geostationary, located outside of the first ground track (14). Geolocation information is transmitted by the satellites (40) to aircraft (28) and ground stations (26) so that aircraft (28) can determine their current position. A pseudo range correction map is provided to the aircraft (28) by the base stations (26) to permit differential geolocation measurements. The satellites (40) include communication transceivers (80) so that aircraft (28) can communicate voice and data to other aircraft (28) and to the ground stations (26, 30, 32) and automatically report their position to air traffic control centers (30), e.g., via the satellites (40). High positional accuracy over large geographic areas is obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip R. Horkin
- 👤 Stephen C. Ma
- 👤 Isaac N. Durboraw, III
- 👤 George W. Muncaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/1853; H04B7/18545; H04B7/18547; H04B7/1855; H04B7/18502; H04B7/18506; H04B7/18508; H04B7/18554
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for providing location information to users, comprising: a first group of at least three geolocation information transmitting satellites in substantially geosynchronous independent elliptical first orbits around the Earth, wherein said first orbits are inclined to earth's equatorial plane by at least ten degrees and with orbital parameters providing first closed ground tracks having longitudinal extent greater than zero and less than one hundred and eighty degrees, and each of said first closed ground tracks of said satellites of said first group being substantially common, and said first closed ground tracks defining a predetermined area of coverage wherein said user is located; and a second group of one or more geolocation transmitting satellites in substantially geosynchronous second orbits around the earth, wherein said second orbits provide ground tracks lying substantially outside the first ground tracks and wherein said user obtains non-indeterminate positional fixes from said first group of at least three geolocation information transmitting satellites and from said second group of one or more geolocation transmitting satellites.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for providing location information to users, comprising: a first group of at least three geolocation information transmitting satellites in substantially geosynchronous independent elliptical first orbits around the Earth, wherein said first orbits are inclined to earth's equatorial plane by at least ten degrees and with orbital parameters providing first closed ground tracks having longitudinal extent greater than zero and less than one hundred and eighty degrees, and each of said first closed ground tracks of said satellites of said first group being substantially common, and said first closed ground tracks defining a predetermined area of coverage wherein said user is located; and a second group of one or more geolocation transmitting satellites in substantially geosynchronous second orbits around the earth, wherein said second orbits provide ground tracks lying substantially outside the first ground tracks and wherein said user obtains non-indeterminate positional fixes from said first group of at least three geolocation information transmitting satellites and from said second group of one or more geolocation transmitting satellites.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for providing location information to users, comprising, at least six substantially geosynchronous satellites in at least two constellations having different ground tracks, wherein a first constellation comprises a grouping of three or more satellites having independent elliptical orbits with substantially common first closed ground tracks, said first closed ground tracks defining a predetermined area of coverage wherein said user is located and a second constellation comprises a second grouping of one or more satellites with second closed ground tracks, wherein said second ground tracks lie outside said first ground tracks and wherein said satellites transmit location information permitting said users to determine their position when at least four of said satellites are in view.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for providing location information to users, comprising, at least six substantially geosynchronous satellites in at least two constellations having different ground tracks, wherein a first constellation comprises a grouping of three or more satellites having independent elliptical orbits with substantially common first closed ground tracks, said first closed ground tracks defining a predetermined area of coverage wherein said user is located and a second constellation comprises a second grouping of one or more satellites with second closed ground tracks, wherein said second ground tracks lie outside said first ground tracks and wherein said satellites transmit location information permitting said users to determine their position when at least four of said satellites are in view.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for providing location information to users, comprising at least six substantially geosynchronous orbiting satellites transmitting said location information having at least first closed ground tracks and second ground tracks, wherein a first portion of said at least six substantially geosynchronous orbiting satellites having said at least first closed ground tracks have independent elliptical orbits, said first closed ground tracks having longitudinal extent of about 30-180 degrees, and said first closed ground tracks being substantially common and defining a predetermined area of coverage wherein said user is located, said user obtains non-indeterminate positional fixes from said at least six substantially geosynchronous orbiting satellites.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for providing location information to users, comprising at least six substantially geosynchronous orbiting satellites transmitting said location information having at least first closed ground tracks and second ground tracks, wherein a first portion of said at least six substantially geosynchronous orbiting satellites having said at least first closed ground tracks have independent elliptical orbits, said first closed ground tracks having longitudinal extent of about 30-180 degrees, and said first closed ground tracks being substantially common and defining a predetermined area of coverage wherein said user is located, said user obtains non-indeterminate positional fixes from said at least six substantially geosynchronous orbiting satellites.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the longitudinal extent is about 40-100 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the longitudinal extent is about 50-70 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising communication transceivers in at least two of the satellites, said communication transceivers having a ground footprint which includes at least the first closed ground track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 4 further comprising communication transceivers in at least two of the satellites, said communication transceivers having a ground footprint which includes at least the first closed ground tracks and the second ground tracks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 3 wherein an angle of inclination of orbits of satellites describing the first closed ground tracks are in a range of 10-70 degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the angle of inclination of orbits of satellites describing the first closed ground tracks are in a range of 20-40 degrees.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the angle of inclination of orbits of satellites describing the first closed ground tracks are in a range of 25-35 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising communication transceivers for voice and data reception and transmission to and from remotely located users and destinations.
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) | 2000-04-07 | 2000-10-07 | 2001-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | 2005-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-07 | 2008-10-07 | 2009-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |