IL296107A - System and method of augmenting terrestrial communication - Google Patents
System and method of augmenting terrestrial communicationInfo
- Publication number
- IL296107A IL296107A IL296107A IL29610722A IL296107A IL 296107 A IL296107 A IL 296107A IL 296107 A IL296107 A IL 296107A IL 29610722 A IL29610722 A IL 29610722A IL 296107 A IL296107 A IL 296107A
- Authority
- IL
- Israel
- Prior art keywords
- communication
- terrestrial
- satellite
- signal
- converter
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims description 275
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 25
- 230000003190 augmentative effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 6
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003416 augmentation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010367 cloning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
- H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/005—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
- H04B1/40—Circuits
- H04B1/403—Circuits using the same oscillator for generating both the transmitter frequency and the receiver local oscillator frequency
- H04B1/406—Circuits using the same oscillator for generating both the transmitter frequency and the receiver local oscillator frequency with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/14—Relay systems
- H04B7/15—Active relay systems
- H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/14—Relay systems
- H04B7/15—Active relay systems
- H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
- H04B7/1853—Satellite systems for providing telephony service to a mobile station, i.e. mobile satellite service
- H04B7/18563—Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUGMENTING TERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD The present invention is generally in the field of communication systems, and particularly relates to techniques of augmenting terrestrial communication equipment and infrastructures.
BACKGROUND This section intends to provide background information concerning the present application, which is not necessarily prior art. Conventional terrestrial radio transceivers (e.g., land mobile radio - LMR) operate within a defined radio frequency (RF) band, which is typically partitioned into multiple sub-bands defining various transmit/receive frequency ranges/channels for various RF applications (e.g., LMR, GSM, PCS). Geographic areas requiring RF communication coverage are typically divided into multiple cells, and a certain number of such channels is assigned to each geographic cell according to its traffic loads. When such conventional terrestrial radio transceivers are roaming from one geographic cell to another (i.e., mobile terrestrial radio transceivers), they usually change their communication channels in correspondence with the geographical division of the RF band. The different frequency channel bands allocated to the geographic cells in RF communication systems are typically referred to as frequency plans (also referred to herein as terrestrial frequency plans). Accordingly, the conventional terrestrial radio transceivers are limited to the certain geographical cell in which the transceiver is being operated and to the specific frequency plan associated with the certain geographical cell. For example, LMR communication systems typically utilize communication channels that are 25KHz wide in the low and high very-high-frequency (VHF) bands (30-50MHz and 150-172MHz), and in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) band (450-512MHz). LMR communication systems (such as push-to-talk - PTT voice communication) are designed for extreme reliability in difficult environments, enabling instant communication between teams members, and thus they are a backbone necessity for operation of many civil, public, military, and government agencies. LMR communication can be conducted utilizing handheld, vehicle-mounted, and/or fixed base, radio transceivers, to provide users the ability to instantly communicate and coordinate efforts during routine and emergency operations, which is crucial for public safety protection and live saving operations (e.g., law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services – EMS, and suchlike). There are however various threats to LMR communication systems due to the ability to easily intercept their transmissions utilizing off-the-shelf commercially available equipment. There are also available devices that can be configured to act as LMR system users, giving them the ability to intercept and send messages. In addition, LMR communication systems are typically susceptible to deliberate and/or accidental interferences e.g., due to amateur/pirate deployment of RF equipment and/or regular electrical noise sources. The wide-spread and availability of web-based applications, frequency jammers, radio cloning devices, and encryption-breaking software can seriously challenge LMR communication systems. Though encryption can be used to implement secure LMR communication infrastructures, it is a complex, resource hungry, expensive to purchase and manage technology, which requires in-depth understanding and careful/persistent management. The communication of conventional terrestrial RF systems is usually susceptible to the geographic conditions characterizing the geographical cells in which they operate. For example, communication between users is typically tampered when line-of-sight (LOS) between the antennas of the terrestrial RF transceivers, and/or with their relay/base station(s), is lost e.g., due to obstructions, such as terrain barriers/mountains, buildings, and/or rough weather conditions, or can be severely interfered due to RF reflections. There are currently no satisfactory solutions to the coverage, capacity and security, concerns associated with the conventional terrestrial RF communication, and their limiting frequency plans. Some related solutions known from the patent literature are briefly described hereinbelow. International Patent Publication No. WO 1999/21276 discloses a mobile radio for use in multiple different frequency plans. The multiple different frequency plans, such as land-based plans (cellular, land mobile radio, etc.) and satellite-based plans may employ different frequency bands and, within those different bands, different frequency channel step sizes. The mobile radio employs only a single loop synthesizer to accommodate all of the different plans, including all of the different channel step sizes. It does so by employing a dynamically programmable divider circuit within the single loop synthesizer for macro-adjustment of the local oscillator frequency and a dynamically adjustable reference oscillator within the single loop synthesizer for micro-adjustment of the local oscillator frequency depending upon a recovered carrier signal.
US Patent Publication No. 2008/218427 discloses a multiple mode communications transceiver which includes an antenna for receiving and transmitting RF energy and a first circuit selectively coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving FM modulated signals for terrestrial based communications. The transceiver also includes at least a second circuit selectively coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving satellite signals and a control circuit for selecting which of the first and second circuits are employed by the transceiver for the reception and transmission of information. US Patent Publication No. 2003/060195 discloses a dual-mode telephone with a satellite communication adapter. According to one embodiment a cellular-type hand-portable phone is equipped with a connector for the attachment of accessories. This connector provides a satellite communications adapter accessory access to the handset's signal processing resources which may operate in an alternative mode to process signals received from the satellite and converted by the adapter into a suitable form for processing. The processing translates the satellite signals into voice or data, and vice-versa.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION Terrestrial RF communication systems have limited coverage and capacity, and their security can be easily breached, allowing unauthorized users to easily intercept and interfere the RF communications, and/or impersonate authorized participants. The increased availability of relatively inexpensive RF equipment nowadays imposes serious threats to management of critical mission operations and routine public safety operations, which primarily rely on types of instant terrestrial RF communication infrastructures, such as LMR/PTT RF communication. The present application provides techniques for augmenting terrestrial RF communication equipment and infrastructures, and easily enabling to increase its capacity, coverage and security. In a broad aspect these goals are achieved in embodiments disclosed herein by relaying the conventional terrestrial RF communication over satellite communication channels e.g., utilizing geostationary communication satellites. In this way, the limited geographical coverage of conventional RF communication equipment/infrastructures can be increased up to the full geographical coverage of the satellite and/or its spot beam(s), the capacity of conventional RF communication systems can be greatly increased up to the limits of the satellite communication system used, and the security of the RF communication is also increased as satellite communication is more difficult to intercept and tamper with. These and other objects of this disclosure are achieved in some embodiments by coupling the conventional terrestrial RF communication devices/equipment to a communication converter configured, in the transmit path, to receive the RF transmission generated by the RF communication devices/equipment and transmit it over a satellite uplink communication carrier to a satellite responder, and in the receive path receive over a downlink satellite carrier the RF transmissions conducted in the system. The communication converter can thus utilize a terrestrial-to-satellite (T/S) communication converting unit configured to receive the terrestrial RF communication signals generated by a conventional terrestrial RF transceiver coupled thereto and relay it over a satellite uplink communication carrier to a satellite responder, and a satellite-to-terrestrial (S/T) communication converting unit configured to receive downlink satellite communication and extract therefrom terrestrial RF communication signals thereby relayed. For this purpose, the disclosed communication converter is equipped in some embodiments with a RF signal port configured for coupling of the terrestrial RF communication signals from the conventional terrestrial RF transceiver thereinto for relay over the satellite carrier by the T/S unit, and/or a satellite antenna configured for transmission of the uplink satellite carrier used by the T/S unit and/or for receiving the downlink satellite transmissions for extracting by the S/T unit the terrestrial RF communication signals thereby carried. Optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, the disclosed communication converter further includes a detection unit configured to identify transmission of terrestrial RF communication signals from the conventional terrestrial RF transceiver and generate data/signals indicative thereof, and/or identify reception of the downlink satellite carrier and generate data/signals indicative thereof. The communication converter can be accordingly configured to change its mode of operations between the T/S and S/T modes, based on the data/signals generated by the detection unit. For example, the communication converter comprises in some embodiments a first switch device configured to controllably convey the terrestrial RF communication signals from the conventional terrestrial RF transceiver to the T/S unit based on data/signals generated by the detection unit indicative of the T/S mode of operation, or to convey the terrestrial RF communication signals extracted by S/T unit to the conventional terrestrial RF transceiver based on data/signals generated by the detection unit indicative of the S/T mode. A second switch device can be similarly used in the communication converter to controllably convey the satellite uplink communication signals generated by the T/S unit for transmission by the satellite antenna based on data/signals generated by the detection unit indicative of the T/S mode of operation, or to convey the satellite downlink communication signals received by the satellite antenna to the S/T unit based on data/signals generated by the detection unit indicative of the S/T mode. A control unit is used in some embodiments to change the operating mode of the communication converter between the T/S and S/T modes. Namely, the control unit can be configured to set the states of the first and second switches based on the data/signals indications generated by the detection unit, and/or to operate the T/S and S/T units accordingly. One or more signal generators may be used for generating local oscillator signals for the uplink satellite communication signal generated by the T/S unit and for the extraction/demodulation of the terrestrial RF communication signals by the S/T unit. In some embodiments a single signal generator is used to controllably generate the local oscillator signals based on the data/signals generated by the detection unit and/or control signals generated by the control unit i.e., responsive to setting the communication converter into the T/S or S/T operation mode. Optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, the control unit is further configured to instruct the signal generator of use a first frequency (also referred to herein as conversion frequency) for local oscillator signal thereby generated for the uplink satellite communication signal generated by the T/S unit, and a second frequency (also referred to herein as extraction frequency) for the local oscillator signal thereby generated for the extraction/demodulation of the terrestrial RF communication signals by the S/T unit. A memory is used in some embodiments in the communication converter to store one or more pairs of such first and second frequencies for generation of the local oscillator signals. The control unit can be accordingly configured to select a suitable pair of frequencies from the one or more frequency pairs stored in the memory, for use by the signal generator in the T/S and S/T operation modes based on geographical location of the terrestrial RF transceiver to which the communication converter is coupled i.e., based on the frequency plan of the terrestrial RF transceiver and/or satellite spot beam coverage of the satellite used to augment the terrestrial RF communication. In one aspect the present application is directed to a communication converter comprising a terrestrial-to-satellite (T/S) conversion unit configured to receive and convert terrestrial RF communication signals into uplink satellite communication signals, and to receive downlink satellite communication signals and extract therefrom terrestrial RF communication signals thereby carried. The communication converter comprises in some embodiments one or more signal generators configured to generate local oscillator signals for the conversion of the terrestrial RF communication signals into the uplink satellite communication signals, and for the extraction of the terrestrial RF communication signals from the downlink satellite communication signals. The terrestrial-to-satellite (T/S) conversion unit is configured in some embodiments to modulate a local oscillator signal generated by the one or more signal generators with the terrestrial RF communication signals received by the communication converter. In possible embodiments the communication converter comprises a satellite-to terrestrial (S/T) conversion unit configured to use a local oscillator signal generated by the one or more signal generators to extract the terrestrial RF communication signals from the downlink satellite communication signals received by the communication converter. A detection unit is used in the communication converter according to possible embodiments to detect the reception of the terrestrial RF communication signals, or of the downlink satellite communication signals, and generate data/signals indicative thereof. The communication converter can be configured to change mode of operation thereof between a T/S and S/T modes based on the data/signals generated by the detection unit. The communication converter can thus comprise a first switch device for coupling the communication converter to a terrestrial RF transceiver. The first switch device can be configured to controllably convey to the T/S conversion unit terrestrial RF communication signals received from the terrestrial RF transceiver, or to convey to the terrestrial RF transceiver terrestrial RF communication signals extracted by the S/T conversion unit. The communication converter can be configured to use a second switch device for coupling the communication converter to a satellite antenna. The second switch device can be configured to controllably convey to the S/T conversion unit downlink satellite communication signals received from the satellite antenna, or to convey to the terrestrial satellite antenna uplink satellite communication signals generated by the T/S conversion unit. The communication converter comprises in some embodiments a control unit configured to set the communication converter into the T/S or S/T modes of operation based on the data/signals generated by the detection unit. The control unit can be configured to generate control data/signals for changing the states of the first and second switch devices in accordance with the mode of operation indicated by the data/signals generated by the detection unit. The control unit can be further configured to instruct the one or more signal generators to use a predefine extraction/demodulation frequency for generation of a local oscillator signal usable to extract the terrestrial RF communication signals from the downlink satellite communication signals, and to use a predefined conversion frequency for generation of a local oscillator signal usable for modulation of the terrestrial RF communication signals received by the communication converter. In possible embodiment the communication converter comprises one or more memories for at least storing the predefined conversion and extraction frequencies.
The communication converter may have a plurality of frequency pairs of predefined conversion and extraction frequencies. The control unit can be configured to select one of the plurality of frequency pairs for the generation of the local oscillation signal by the one or more signal generators based at least in part on a geographical location of the terrestrial RF transceiver to which the communication converter is coupled. The communication converter comprises in some embodiments a power terminal connectable to a power source of said communication converter. In another aspect the present application is directed to a communication device comprising a terrestrial RF transceiver, a communication converter according to any one of the embodiments disclosed hereinabove or hereinbelow configured to receive terrestrial RF communication signals generated by the terrestrial RF transceiver, and a satellite antenna configured to transmit satellite communication signals generated by the communication converter. The communication converter is coupled in some embodiment to the terrestrial RF transceiver via a waveguiding element (e.g., a coax cable) configured to connect to an antenna port of the terrestrial RF transceiver. Optionally, the communication converter is embedded inside the terrestrial RF transceiver. The communication device comprises in some embodiments an extension pole configured to connect between the satellite antenna and the communication converter so as to elevate the satellite antenna a predefined distance from the communication converter. The satellite antenna can be a planar passive antenna. In some embodiments the satellite antenna is a type of printed circuit antenna. For example, the satellite antenna can be a type of right-hand circular polarity (RHCP) antenna. In yet another aspect the present application is directed to a communication system comprising at least one satellite transponder, and at least two terrestrial RF transceivers having same terrestrial frequency plan and at least two communication converters according to any one of the embodiments disclosed hereinabove or hereinbelow operatively coupled the at least two terrestrial RF transceivers and configured to communicate via the at least one satellite transponder, and/or at least two communication devices according to any one of the embodiments disclosed hereinabove or hereinbelow having the same terrestrial frequency plan and configured to communicate via the at least one satellite transponder, for relaying terrestrial RF communication therebetween over the at least one satellite transponder. Optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, the at least one transponder is mounted on at least one geostationary satellite.
The at least two terrestrial RF transceivers and/or the at least two communication devices can be located within a geographical region associated with a spot beam of the at least one satellite transponder. Optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, the geographical region contains a geographical cell associated with the same frequency plan of the at least two terrestrial RF transceivers and/or of the at least two communication devices. At least one of the at least two terrestrial RF transceivers, and/or of the at least two communication devices, can be located in another geographical region associated with either another spot beam of the at least one satellite transponder or with a spot beam of another satellite transponder that is in satellite communication with the at least one satellite transponder. In possible embodiments the another geographical region is remote from, or nearby to, or at least partially overlap with, a geographical cell associated with the same frequency plan of the at least two terrestrial RF transceivers and/or of the at least two communication devices. According to yet another aspect the present application is directed to a method of augmenting terrestrial communication. The method comprising modulating an uplink satellite communication signal with a terrestrial RF communication signal, transmitting the modulated uplink satellite communication signal to a satellite transponder, extracting the terrestrial RF communication signal by the satellite transponder, modulating a downlink satellite communication signal with the extracted terrestrial RF communication signal, and transmitting the modulated downlink satellite communication signal by the satellite transponder. The method comprising in some embodiments receiving the terrestrial RF communication signal from a terrestrial RF transceiver. The method comprises in possible embodiments extracting from the modulated downlink satellite communication signal the terrestrial RF communication signal. The method comprising in some embodiments conveying the extracted terrestrial RF communication signal to one or more terrestrial RF transceivers. The method may comprise using one communication converter to receive the terrestrial RF communication signal from one terrestrial RF transceiver, modulate the uplink satellite communication signal and transmit it to the satellite transponder, and using at least one other communication converter to receive the modulated downlink satellite communication signal, extract therefrom the terrestrial RF communication signal, and convey the extracted terrestrial RF communication signal to at least one other terrestrial RF transceiver. Optionally, the one terrestrial RF transceiver and the at least one other terrestrial RF transceiver are configured to use a same terrestrial frequency plan.
The method comprises in some embodiment configuring the one communication converter and/or the at least one other communication converter to use a certain terrestrial communication plan, and/or a certain uplink satellite communication frequency associated with a satellite transponder, and/or a certain downlink satellite communication frequency associated with a satellite transponder. The configuring is based in some embodiments on a geographical position of the one terrestrial RF transceiver and/or of the at least one other terrestrial RF transceiver. The method comprises in some embodiments sampling an antenna port of a terrestrial transceiver and continuously extracting from the modulated downlink satellite communication signal the terrestrial RF communication and conveying the same to the terrestrial transceiver, until the sampling is indicative of transmission of terrestrial communication signals by the terrestrial transceiver. Optionally, but in some embodiments preferably, the modulating of the uplink satellite communication signal and the transmitting of the modulated uplink satellite communication signal is carried out when the sampling is indicative of transmission of terrestrial communication signals by the terrestrial transceiver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Features shown in the drawings are meant to be illustrative of only some embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise implicitly indicated. In the drawings like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a communication system according to some possible embodiments; Figs. 2A to Fig. 2C schematically illustrate possible embodiments of a communication converter device according to some possible embodiments, wherein Fig. 2A shows a perspective view, Fig. 2B shows a side view, and Fig. 2C shows a front view, of the communication converter device; and Fig. 3A and 3B exemplify coupling of the communication converter to a LMR transceiver according to some possible embodiments; Figs. 4A to 4D are functional block diagrams of the communication converter according to some possible embodiments, wherein Fig. 4A shows a general block diagram, Fig. 4B shows a functional block diagram, Fig. 4C shows with more detail components, of the communication converter, and Fig. 4D is a flowchart exemplifying transition of the communication converter between the ; and Fig. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating augmentation of terrestrial communication equipment/infrastructures according to some possible embodiments.
Claims (38)
1. A communication converter comprising: a RF signal port for coupling said communication converter to a type of push-to-talk (PTT) terrestrial RF transceiver; an antenna port for coupling said communication converter to a planar passive satellite antenna; a terrestrial-to-satellite (T/S) conversion unit configured to receive via said RF signal port terrestrial RF communication signals generated by said PTT terrestrial RF transceiver and convert them into uplink satellite communication signals; and a satellite-to-terrestrial (S/T) conversion unit configured to receive via said antenna port downlink satellite communication signals received by said planar passive satellite antenna and extract therefrom terrestrial RF communication signals thereby carried.
2. The communication converter according to claim 1 comprising one or more signal generators configured to generate local oscillator signals for the conversion of the terrestrial RF communication signals into the uplink satellite communication signals, and for the extraction of the terrestrial RF communication signals from the downlink satellite communication signals.
3. The communication converter according to claim 2 wherein the terrestrial-to-satellite (T/S) conversion unit configured to modulate a local oscillator signal generated by the one or more signal generators with the terrestrial RF communication signals received by said communication converter via the RF signal port.
4. The communication converter according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the satellite-to terrestrial (S/T) conversion unit configured to use a local oscillator signal generated by the one or more signal generators to extract the terrestrial RF communication signals from the downlink satellite communication signals received by said communication converter.
5. The communication converter according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a detection unit configured to detect the reception of the terrestrial RF communication signals, or of the downlink satellite communication signals, and generate data/signals indicative thereof.
6. The communication converter according to claim 5 configured to change mode of operation thereof between a T/S and S/T modes based on the data/signals generated by the detection unit. 296107/ - 26 -
7. The communication converter according to claim 6 comprising a first switch device for coupling said communication converter to the RF signal port, said first switch device configured to controllably convey to the T/S conversion unit terrestrial RF communication signals received via said RF signal port, or convey to said RF signal port terrestrial RF communication signals extracted by the S/T conversion unit.
8. The communication converter according to claim 6 or 7 comprising a second switch device for coupling said communication converter to the antenna port, said second switch device configured to controllably convey to the S/T conversion unit downlink satellite communication signals received via said antenna port, or to convey to said antenna port uplink satellite communication signals generated by the T/S conversion unit.
9. The communication converter according to any one of claims 5 to 8 comprising a control unit configured to set said communication converter into the T/S or S/T modes of operation based on the data/signals generated by the detection unit.
10. The communication converter according to claim 9 wherein the control unit is configured to generate control data/signals for changing the states of the first and second switch devices in accordance with the mode of operation indicated by the data/signals generated by the detection unit.
11. The communication converter according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the control unit is configured to instruct the one or more signal generators to use a predefine extraction/demodulation frequency for generation of a local oscillator signal usable to extract the terrestrial RF communication signals from the downlink satellite communication signals, and to use a predefined conversion frequency for generation of a local oscillator signal usable for modulation of the terrestrial RF communication signals received by the communication converter.
12. The communication converter according to claim 11 comprising one or more memories for at least storing the predefined conversion and extraction frequencies.
13. The communication converter according to claims 11 or 12 comprising a plurality of frequency pairs of predefined conversion and extraction frequencies, and wherein the control unit is configured to select one of said plurality of frequency pairs for the generation of the local oscillation signal by the one or more signal generators based at least in part on a geographical location of the terrestrial RF transceiver to which said communication converter is coupled. 296107/ - 27 -
14. The communication converter according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a power terminal connectable to a power source of said communication converter.
15. A communication device comprising a PTT terrestrial RF transceiver, a communication converter according to any one of the preceding claims configured to receive via its RF signal port terrestrial RF communication signals generated by said PTT terrestrial RF transceiver, and a satellite antenna coupled to the antenna port of said communication converter and configured to transmit satellite communication signals generated by said communication converter.
16. The communication device according to claim 15 wherein the communication converter is coupled to the PTT terrestrial RF transceiver via a waveguiding element configured to connect the RF signal port to an antenna port of said PTT terrestrial RF transceiver.
17. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the communication converter is embedded inside the PTT terrestrial RF transceiver.
18. The communication device according to any one of claims 15 to 17 comprising an extension pole configured to connect between the planar passive satellite antenna and the antenna port of the communication converter so as to elevate said planar passive satellite antenna a predefined distance from said communication converter.
19. The communication device according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the planar passive satellite antenna is a type of printed circuit antenna.
20. The communication device according to claim 19 wherein the planar passive satellite antenna is a type of right-hand circular polarity (RHCP) antenna.
21. A communication system comprising at least one satellite transponder and two or more communication devices according any one of claims 15 to 20 for relaying terrestrial RF communication therebetween over said at least one satellite transponder.
22. The communication system according to claim 21 wherein the at least one satellite transponder is mounted on at least one geostationary satellite.
23. The communication system according to claim 21 or 22 wherein the at least two communication devices are associated with a same spot beam of said at least one satellite transponder.
24. The communication system according to claim 23 wherein the at least two communication devices are associated with a same frequency plan.
25. The communication system according to claim 21 or 22 wherein at least one of the at least two communication devices is associated with either another spot beam of said at least 296107/ - 28 - one satellite transponder or with a spot beam of another satellite transponder that is in satellite communication with said at least one satellite transponder.
26. The communication system according to claim 25 wherein the at least one communication device is located in a geographical region being remote from, or nearby to, or at least partially overlapping with, a geographical cell associated with a frequency plan of the at least two communication devices.
27. A method of augmenting terrestrial communication comprising receiving terrestrial RF communication signal from a PTT terrestrial RF transceiver, modulating an uplink satellite communication signal with said terrestrial RF communication signal, transmitting the modulated uplink satellite communication signal to a satellite transponder via a planar passive satellite antenna, extracting said terrestrial RF communication signal by said satellite transponder, modulating a downlink satellite communication signal with the extracted terrestrial RF communication signal, and transmitting the modulated downlink satellite communication signal by said satellite transponder.
28. The method according to claim 27 comprising extracting from the modulated downlink satellite communication signal the terrestrial RF communication signal.
29. The method according to claim 28 comprising conveying the extracted terrestrial RF communication signal to one or more PTT terrestrial RF transceivers.
30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29 comprising using one communication converter configured to: receive the terrestrial RF communication signal from one PTT terrestrial RF transceiver; modulate the uplink satellite communication signal with said terrestrial RF communication signal; and transmit the modulated uplink satellite communication signal to the satellite transponder, and using at least one other communication converter to: receive the modulated downlink satellite communication signal; extract from said modulated downlink satellite communication signal the terrestrial RF communication signal, and convey the extracted terrestrial RF communication signal to one other PTT terrestrial RF transceiver.
31. The method according to claim 30 wherein the at least one terrestrial RF transceiver and the at least one other PTT terrestrial RF transceiver are configured to use a same terrestrial frequency plan.
32. The method according to claim 30 or 31 comprising configuring the at least one communication converter and/or the at least one other communication converter to use a certain terrestrial communication plan, and/or a certain uplink satellite communication frequency 296107/ - 29 - associated with a satellite transponder, and/or a certain downlink satellite communication frequency associated with a satellite transponder.
33. The method according to claim 32 wherein the configuring is based on a geographical position of the at least one terrestrial RF transceiver and/or of the at least one other terrestrial RF transceiver.
34. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 33 wherein the transmitting of the modulated uplink satellite communication signal and of the modulated downlink satellite communication signal is utilizing a same spot beam associated with the satellite transponder.
35. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 33 wherein the transmitting of the modulated uplink satellite communication signal and of the modulated downlink satellite communication signal is utilizing different spot beams associated with the satellite transponder.
36. The method according to claim 35 wherein at least one of the different spot beams is associated with another satellite transponder.
37. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 36 comprising sampling an antenna port of a PTT terrestrial RF transceiver and continuously extracting from the modulated downlink satellite communication signal the terrestrial RF communication and conveying the same to said PTT terrestrial RF transceiver until the sampling is indicative of transmission of terrestrial communication signals by said PTT terrestrial RF transceiver.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein the modulating of the uplink satellite communication signal and the transmitting of the modulated uplink satellite communication signal is carried out when the sampling is indicative of transmission of terrestrial RF communication signals by the PTT terrestrial RF transceiver. 25
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| IL296107A IL296107B1 (en) | 2022-08-31 | 2022-08-31 | System and method of augmenting terrestrial communication |
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| IL296107A IL296107B1 (en) | 2022-08-31 | 2022-08-31 | System and method of augmenting terrestrial communication |
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| IL296107A true IL296107A (en) | 2024-01-01 |
| IL296107B1 IL296107B1 (en) | 2024-01-01 |
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|---|---|
| IL (1) | IL296107B1 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20020177465A1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-11-28 | Robinett Robert L. | Multi-mode satellite and terrestrial communication device |
| US20020193108A1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-12-19 | Robinett Robert L. | Multi-mode satellite and terrestrial communication device with position location |
| US20050181786A1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2005-08-18 | Karabinis Peter D. | Coordinated satellite-terrestrial frequency reuse |
| US20080084838A1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2008-04-10 | Jang Soo Ryoo | Apparatus And Method For Satellite Communication Installed In Terrestrial Portable Phone And Similar Ground Terminal |
-
2022
- 2022-08-31 IL IL296107A patent/IL296107B1/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20050181786A1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2005-08-18 | Karabinis Peter D. | Coordinated satellite-terrestrial frequency reuse |
| US20020177465A1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-11-28 | Robinett Robert L. | Multi-mode satellite and terrestrial communication device |
| US20020193108A1 (en) * | 2001-05-10 | 2002-12-19 | Robinett Robert L. | Multi-mode satellite and terrestrial communication device with position location |
| US20080084838A1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2008-04-10 | Jang Soo Ryoo | Apparatus And Method For Satellite Communication Installed In Terrestrial Portable Phone And Similar Ground Terminal |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IL296107B1 (en) | 2024-01-01 |
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