US 12,261,679 B2
Access node farm for end-to-end beamforming
Kenneth V. Buer, Bluff City, TN (US); Mark J. Miller, San Marcos, CA (US); Christopher J. Cronin, Monrovia, MD (US); Mark D. Dankberg, Encinitas, CA (US); and Donald L. Runyon, Duluth, GA (US)
Assigned to ViaSat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by ViaSat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 26, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/616,395.
Application 18/616,395 is a continuation of application No. 17/375,485, filed on Jul. 14, 2021, granted, now 11,973,572.
Application 17/375,485 is a continuation of application No. 16/131,831, filed on Sep. 14, 2018, granted, now 11,101,877, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Application 16/131,831 is a continuation of application No. 15/719,249, filed on Sep. 28, 2017, granted, now 10,084,532, issued on Sep. 25, 2018.
Application 15/719,249 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/013518, filed on Jan. 13, 2017.
Application 15/719,249 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2016/026813, filed on Apr. 8, 2016.
Application PCT/US2017/013518 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2016/026815, filed on Apr. 8, 2016.
Application 15/719,249 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2016/026815, filed on Apr. 8, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/431,416, filed on Dec. 7, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/314,921, filed on Mar. 29, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/312,342, filed on Mar. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/298,911, filed on Feb. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/278,368, filed on Jan. 13, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/164,456, filed on May 20, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/145,810, filed on Apr. 10, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/145,804, filed on Apr. 10, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0322900 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. H04B 7/185 (2006.01); H01Q 1/06 (2006.01); H01Q 1/28 (2006.01); H01Q 3/24 (2006.01); H01Q 3/40 (2006.01); H01Q 5/50 (2015.01); H01Q 19/13 (2006.01); H01Q 21/00 (2006.01); H01Q 21/24 (2006.01); H01Q 25/00 (2006.01); H04B 7/024 (2017.01); H04B 7/0413 (2017.01); H04B 7/06 (2006.01); H04B 7/204 (2006.01); H04B 10/118 (2013.01); H04W 4/00 (2018.01); H04W 16/28 (2009.01); H04W 40/20 (2009.01); H04W 76/10 (2018.01); H04W 84/06 (2009.01); H01Q 1/24 (2006.01); H04W 16/26 (2009.01)
CPC H04B 7/18513 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/06 (2013.01); H01Q 1/288 (2013.01); H01Q 3/247 (2013.01); H01Q 3/40 (2013.01); H01Q 5/50 (2015.01); H01Q 19/132 (2013.01); H01Q 21/0025 (2013.01); H01Q 21/24 (2013.01); H01Q 25/001 (2013.01); H04B 7/024 (2013.01); H04B 7/0413 (2013.01); H04B 7/0617 (2013.01); H04B 7/18508 (2013.01); H04B 7/18515 (2013.01); H04B 7/18517 (2013.01); H04B 7/18534 (2013.01); H04B 7/1858 (2013.01); H04B 7/18586 (2013.01); H04B 7/18589 (2013.01); H04B 7/204 (2013.01); H04B 7/2041 (2013.01); H04B 10/118 (2013.01); H04W 4/00 (2013.01); H04W 16/28 (2013.01); H04W 40/20 (2013.01); H04W 76/10 (2018.02); H04W 84/06 (2013.01); H01Q 1/247 (2013.01); H04W 16/26 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ground network of a satellite communications system, the ground network comprising:
a plurality of geographically distributed access nodes (ANs) configured to transmit a plurality of forward uplink signals for retransmission by a satellite, each AN configured to transmit a corresponding one among the plurality of forward uplink signals; and
a central processing station (CPS) configured to distribute a plurality of AN-specific forward signals to the plurality of ANs, for transmission as the plurality of forward uplink signals, and wherein the CPS is configured to apply delay equalization for distribution of the plurality of AN-specific forward signals for equalization of AN-specific path delays between the CPS and the satellite, such that the plurality of forward uplink signals is received in synchrony at the satellite.