STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to antennas, and more particularly, to a combined cross-link and communication-link phased array for satellite communication.

BACKGROUND

Spacecrafts such as satellites may use cross-link antennas, also known as inter-satellite-link or inter-spacecraft link (ISL) antennas, to establish communications with other spacecraft or satellites. The satellites may be non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites in communication with a number of global positioning system (GPS) cell phones or commercial television satellite dishes. The NGSO satellites can transmit data, for example, image data to a ground station, which can transmit the image data to a gateway of, for example, a standard commercial domestic satellite (DOMSAT). The DOMSAT may not have a cross-link antenna and may receive the image data from a gateway, which can relay the image data via an up-link to the DOMSAT. Satellites having an antenna farm including both communication and cross-link antennas can establish communication with other satellites as well as with ground stations.

SUMMARY

According to various aspects of the subject technology, systems and configurations are disclosed for providing a combined cross-link and communication link phased array for satellite communication.

In one or more aspects, an apparatus includes a cross-link phased array and a communication-link phased array. The cross-link phased array and the communication-link phased array are integrated into a multi-beam phased array. The cross-link phased array provides communication between space vehicles and the communication-link phased array provides communication between the satellite and ground stations.

In other aspects, a method of providing a common cross-link and communication antenna array includes forming a first antenna array from multiple first antenna elements including unfilled spaces. The method further includes forming one or more second antenna arrays from multiple second antenna elements, and disposing the second antenna arrays in the unfilled spaces to form the common cross-link and communication antenna array. The first antenna array includes a multi-beam ground communication-link phased array, and the second antenna array comprises a multi-beam cross-link phased array.

In yet other aspects, a communication satellite system includes an antenna array to provide cross-link and ground communications. The antenna array includes a cross-link phased array and a communication-link phased array. The cross-link phased array and the communication-link phased array include a multi-beam phased array, and the satellite system is a global positioning system (GPS) satellite system.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows can be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims.

