METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMED BY SPACE ORBITAL GROUPING OF COMMUNICATION AND BROADCAST SATELLITES Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC H04B7/185 B64G1/00 

FIELD: controlling power consumed by space grouping of satellites as they pass shadow sections of orbits.

SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes evaluation of power consumed by each of airborne retransmitters installed on satellites, as well as disconnection of airborne retransmitters as soon as satellites enter shadow sections of orbits and their reconnection upon exit therefrom. In addition, time taken by each satellite to pass mentioned section, power consumed by each retransmitter, and total power consumed by retransmitters of each satellite at given section are evaluated before each satellite enters respective shadow section of orbit. Balance between power accumulated in each satellite and power consumed in shadow section of orbit is found. Satellites having time-intersecting shadow sections are grouped with those having positive and negative balance of power consumption as well as with satellites whose input power is balanced. Alternate satellites residing on illuminated sections of orbits are determined for negative-balance subgroup. Operating retransmitters are switched over to alternate satellites before each satellite subgroup starts passing shadow section to provide for balancing or positive balance of input power. In case of negative input power balance, power that can be borrowed from alternate satellites is evaluated and mentioned retransmitters are connected to them. Then alternate satellites are found in positive-balance satellite subgroup using above-described method.

EFFECT: enhanced reliability of communications.

1 cl, 3 dwg