Inter-satellite crosslink communications system, apparatus, method and computer program product

Abstract

A communications system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for inter-satellite and inter-spacecraft crosslinks (ISL) with non-ISL optimized antennas where at least one component of the communications system has the potential energy to go into space. The system includes a mobile communications platform that includes an ISL antenna configured to transmit information through a non-ISL antenna of another communications platform. The non-ISL antenna does not track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform. The mobile communications platform includes a controller configured to determine a location of the mobile platform; determine whether the non-ISL antenna is within communications range; and prepare a signal for relayed transmissions through a non-ISL antenna to another communications platform in a signal format that is decipherable by this other communications platform.

1 . A method for using a communications system having at least one component with the potential energy to go into space, comprising:
 A mobile communications platform communicating with another communications platform through a non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform that is not configured to track a trajectory of the mobile communications platform,   wherein a table of available frequencies stored in memory or available frequencies identified in a monitoring step are obtained from a database or computer program product   to determine whether the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within communications range; and   to transmit or receive through the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform compatible transmission or reception at the another communications platform or the mobile communications platform; and   the database or computer program product adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the mobile communications platform and the another communications platform.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database or computer program product obtains said frequencies to lower communications system interference with other platforms. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database or computer program product adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-tracking antenna of the another communications platform is within the Earth's atmosphere and not intended to go into space. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile communications platform, another communications platform, or non-tracking antenna are stationary or on a moving ground vehicle, aircraft, rocket, or other platform within the Earth's atmosphere and not intended to go into space. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database or computer program product adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate the communications system to lower interference with other platforms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database or computer program product uses beamforming to create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the non-tracking antenna or the mobile communications platform. 
     
     
         9 . A method for using a communications system having a mobile communications platform that is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft communicating with another communications platform by using a non-tracking non-ISL antenna on either the another communications platform or on the mobile NGSO spacecraft,
 wherein the non-tracking non-ISL antenna on the mobile NGSO spacecraft or on the another communications platform is not configured to track the other platform as the mobile NGSO spacecraft continues to move on its trajectory,   wherein a table of available frequencies stored in memory or available frequencies identified in a monitoring step are obtained from a database or computer program product   to determine whether the non-tracking antenna of the mobile NGSO spacecraft or the another communications platform is within communications range; and   to transmit or receive through the non-tracking antenna of the mobile NGSO spacecraft or the another communications platform compatible transmission or reception at the another communications platform or the mobile NGSO spacecraft; and   to adapt at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the mobile NGSO spacecraft and the another communications platform.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the another communications platform is within the Earth's atmosphere and not intended to go into space. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the another communications platform is stationary or on a moving ground vehicle, aircraft, rocket, or other platform within the Earth's atmosphere and not intended to go into space. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the database or computer program product obtains said frequencies to lower communications system interference with other platforms. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the database or computer program product adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile NGSO spacecraft or the another communications platform. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the database or computer program product uses beamforming to create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the another communications platform or the mobile NGSO spacecraft. 
     
     
         15 . A communications system having at least one component with the potential energy to go into space, comprising:
 A mobile communications platform communicating with another communications platform through a non-tracking antenna of the mobile communications platform that is not configured to track the antenna beam of the another communications platform while the mobile communications platform moves on its trajectory; and   a beamformer uses a database or computer program product to create a communications area or a particular zone, main lobe, side lobe, or narrow beam of the another communications platform for the non-tracking antenna on the mobile communications platform; wherein   the another communications platform adapts at least one of frequency, power, modulation, protocol, or a data transfer rate for communications between the another communications platform and the mobile communications platform.   
     
     
         16 . The communications system of  claim 15 , wherein the another communications platform adapts the communications system to lower interference with other platforms. 
     
     
         17 . The communications system of  claim 15 , wherein the another communications platform adapts to improve the communications system based on a capacity of a link formed with the mobile communications platform or the another communications platform. 
     
     
         18 . The communications system of  claim 15 , wherein the mobile communications platform is a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) spacecraft. 
     
     
         19 . The communications system of  claim 15 , wherein the another communications platform is within the Earth's atmosphere and not intended to go into space. 
     
     
         20 . The communications system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the another communications platform includes a tracking inter-satellite link (ISL) antenna configured to transmit information through a non-tracking non-ISL antenna that is not configured to track the another communications platform as the mobile communications platform moves on its trajectory, wherein   the controller is configured to
 determine a location of the mobile communications platform, 
 determine whether the non-tracking of the mobile communications platform is within communications range, and 
 prepare a signal for transmission through the non-tracking antenna of the mobile communications platform, and 
   said another communications platform is configured to send transmissions or receive transmissions through the non-tracking antenna to the mobile communications platform.