System and method for continuous broadcast service from non-geostationary orbits

Abstract

A method, apparatus for providing at least near continuous broadcast services to one or more terrestrial receiver stations is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of satellites, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical geosynchronous orbit, each satellite providing a portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service to the terrestrial receiver. In one embodiment, the system also comprises a receiver station having a legacy antenna modified so as to include a sensitivity pattern substantially matched to the track of the apparent position of the satellites actively broadcasting information to the receiver stations. The present invention is also embodied in a method for receiving at least near continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of satellites at a time, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for providing at least near continuous broadcast service to a terrestrial receiver, comprising:
 a plurality of satellites, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit, each satellite providing a portion of time of the at least near continuous broadcast service to the terrestrial receiver; 
 wherein the plurality of satellites augments at least one legacy satellite in a geostationary orbit providing service to the terrestrial receiver; and 
 wherein a track of the apparent position of each of the satellites relative to the terrestrial receiver when the satellite is providing its position of the at least near continuous broadcast service is substantially closed loop. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the terrestrial receiver comprises an antenna having a sensitivity characteristic substantially corresponding to the track of the apparent position of each of the satellites. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the track of the apparent position of each of the satellites substantially corresponds to a sensitivity pattern of an antenna at the terrestrial receiver. 
     
     
       4. A system for providing at least near continuous broadcast service to a terrestrial receiver, comprising:
 a plurality of satellites, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit, each satellite providing a portion of time of the at least near continuous broadcast service to the terrestrial receiver; 
 wherein the plurality of satellites augments at least one legacy satellite in a geostationary orbit providing service to the terrestrial receiver; and 
 wherein a track of the apparent position of each of the satellites relative to the terrestrial receiver when the satellite is providing its portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service is substantially teardrop-shaped. 
 
     
     
       5. A method of providing at least near continuous broadcast service to a terrestrial receiver, comprising the steps of:
 providing a signal having a portion of the continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of satellites at a time, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit; and 
 providing service from at least one legacy satellite in a geostationary orbit, 
 wherein a track of the apparent position of the each of the satellites relative to the terrestrial receiver when the satellite is providing its portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service is substantially closed loop. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the terrestrial receiver comprises an antenna having a sensitivity characteristic substantially corresponding to the track of the apparent position of each of the satellites. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the track of the apparent position of each of the satellites substantially corresponds to a sensitivity pattern of an antenna at the terrestrial receiver. 
     
     
       8. A method of providing at least near continuous broadcast service to a terrestrial receiver, comprising the steps of:
 providing a signal having a portion of the continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of satellites at a time, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit; and 
 providing service from at least one legacy satellite in a geostationary orbit; 
 wherein a track of the apparent position of the each of the satellites relative to the terrestrial receiver when the satellite is providing its portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service is substantially teardrop-shaped. 
 
     
     
       9. A method of receiving at least near continuous broadcast service at a terrestrial receiver, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a signal having a portion of the continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of augmenting satellites at a time, each augmenting satellite of the plurality of satellites being in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit; and 
 receiving broadcast service from at least one legacy satellite in a geostationary orbit; 
 wherein a track of the apparent position of the each of the augmenting satellites relative to the terrestrial receiver when the augmenting satellite is providing its portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service is closed loop. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the terrestrial receiver comprises an antenna having a first sensitivity characteristic corresponding to the track of the apparent position of each of the augmenting satellites and a second sensitivity characteristic corresponding to the at least one legacy satellite. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the track of the apparent position of each of the augmenting satellites corresponds to a sensitivity pattern of an antenna at the terrestrial receiver. 
     
     
       12. A method of receiving at least near continuous broadcast service at a terrestrial receiver, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a signal having a portion of the continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of augmenting satellites at a time, each augmenting satellite of the plurality of satellites being in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit; and 
 receiving broadcast service from at least one legacy satellite in a geostationary orbit; 
 wherein a track of the apparent position of the each of the augmenting satellites relative to the terrestrial receiver when the augmenting satellite is providing its portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service is teardrop-shaped.