System and method for satellite communications

Abstract

A satellite communication system that includes a terrestrial base station and a satellite. The satellite communicates with the terrestrial base station using a signal that has a frequency in the range from the S band to visible light. The satellite is configured in a COBRA orbit.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A satellite communication system comprising: 
 a terrestrial base station; and    a first satellite communicating with said terrestrial base station using a signal, in the frequency range from the S band to visible light wherein said first satellite is configured in a COBRA orbit.    
     
     
         2 . The satellite communication system of  claim 1 , wherein said communicating includes transmitting said signal between said terrestrial base station and said first satellite; and 
 wherein an optimal location for transmitting said signal is determined based on a frequency of said signal and the attenuation of said signal at said frequency.    
     
     
         3 . The satellite communication system of  claim 2 , wherein said attenuation is based on the cloud water content persistent in a region including said optimal location.  
     
     
         4 . The satellite communication system of  claim 3 , wherein said optimal location is defined by longitude and latitude.  
     
     
         5 . The satellite communication system of  claim 3 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on an exceedance probability.  
     
     
         6 . The satellite communication system of  claim 3 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on a cloud water content formula.  
     
     
         7 . The satellite communication system of  claim 3 , wherein said optimal location is based on the probability density function of an elevation angle.  
     
     
         8 . The satellite communication system of  claim 8 , wherein said communicating includes receiving said signal between said terrestrial base station and said first satellite; and 
 wherein an optimal location for receiving said signal is determined based on a frequency of said signal and the attenuation of said signal at said frequency.    
     
     
         9 . The satellite communication system of  claim 8 , wherein said attenuation is based on the cloud water content persistent in a region including said optimal location.  
     
     
         10 . The satellite communication system of  claim 9 , wherein said optimal location is defined by longitude and latitude.  
     
     
         11 . The satellite communication system of  claim 9 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on an exceedance probability.  
     
     
         12 . The satellite communication system of  claim 9 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on a cloud water content formula.  
     
     
         13 . The satellite communication system of  claim 9 , wherein said optimal location is based on the probability density function of an elevation angle.  
     
     
         14 . A terrestrial base station communication system comprising: 
 a terrestrial base station communicating with a first satellite using a signal in the frequency range from the S band to visible light, wherein said first satellite is configured in a COBRA orbit.    
     
     
         15 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 14 , wherein said communicating includes transmitting said signal between said terrestrial base station and said first satellite; and 
 wherein an optimal location for transmitting said signal is determined based on a frequency of said signal and the attenuation of said signal at said frequency.    
     
     
         16 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 15 , wherein said attenuation is based on the cloud water content persistent in a region including said optimal location.  
     
     
         17 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 16 , wherein said optimal location is defined by longitude and latitude.  
     
     
         18 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 16 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on an exceedance probability.  
     
     
         19 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 16 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on a cloud water content formula.  
     
     
         20 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 16 , wherein said optimal location is based on the probability density function of an elevation angle.  
     
     
         21 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 14 , wherein said communicating includes receiving said signal between said terrestrial base station and said first satellite; and 
 wherein an optimal location for receiving said signal is determined based on a frequency of said signal and the attenuation of said signal at said frequency.    
     
     
         22 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 21 , wherein said attenuation is based on the cloud water content persistent in a region including said optimal location.  
     
     
         23 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 22 , wherein said optimal location is defined by longitude and latitude.  
     
     
         24 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 22 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on an exceedance probability.  
     
     
         25 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 22 , wherein said cloud water content is determined based on a cloud water content formula.  
     
     
         26 . The terrestrial base station communication system of  claim 22 , wherein said optimal location is based on the probability density function of an elevation angle.  
     
     
         27 . A satellite communication system comprising: 
 a terrestrial base station;    a first satellite communicating with said terrestrial base station using a signal in the frequency range from the S band to visible light;    wherein said first satellite is configured in a COBRA orbit;    wherein said communicating includes transmitting said signal between said terrestrial base station and said first satellite;    wherein an optimal location for transmitting said signal is determined based on a frequency of said signal and the attenuation of said signal at said frequency; and    wherein said attenuation is based on the cloud water content persistent in a region including said optimal location.    
     
     
         28 . A satellite communication system comprising: 
 a terrestrial base station;    a first satellite communicating with said terrestrial base station using a signal from in the frequency range the S band to visible light;    wherein said first satellite is configured in a COBRA orbit;    wherein said communicating includes receiving said signal between said terrestrial base station and said first satellite;    wherein an optimal location for transmitting said signal is determined based on a frequency of said signal and the attenuation of said signal at said frequency; and    wherein said attenuation is based on the cloud water content persistent in a region including said optimal location.