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Title: |
US5909299:
Microsatellite system for high-volume orbital telemetry
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Country: | US United States of America
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Inventor: |
Sheldon, Jr., L. Philip; Lancaster, PA 17601
Sheldon, Robert; Woburn, MA 01801
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Assignee: |
None
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Published / Filed: |
June 1, 1999
/ April 28, 1997
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Application Number: | US1997000847931
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IPC Code: |
H04B 10/00;
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ECLA Code: |
B64G1/10D;
B64G1/10M;
B64G1/66;
G01S17/74;
H04B7/185D;
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U.S. Class: |
Current:
359/172;
359/159;
Original:
359/172;
359/159;
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Field of Search: |
359/172,159,152,169,170,180,181
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Priority Number: |
April 28, 1997 |
US1997000847931 |
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Abstract: |
Detailed mapping of the magnetosphere is made possible by deploying hundreds of attitude-impervious microsatellites, in the form of small corner reflectors with piezoelectric mirror surfaces, from a single mother satellite at spacings of as little as 1 km in equatorial and elliptical orbits. The microsatellites carry magnetosensors whose output is transmitted to a ground station by modulating the reflection of a laser beam transmitted to the microsatellite by the ground station. Various refinements of the laser data link are also disclosed.
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Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Coudert Brothers ;
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Primary / Assistant Examiners: | Bacares, Rafael;
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INPADOC Legal Status: | Show legal status actions
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Designated Country: |
AL AM AP AT AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EA EE EP ES FI GB GE GH GM GW HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK
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Family: | Show 6 known family members
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First Claim: | Show all 27 claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication system for space-borne data devices, comprising:
- a. a platform containing a laser beam source;
- b. a data device spaced from said platform and containing a corner reflector receiving and reflecting a laser beam emanating from said source, and a source of data to be transmitted; and
- c. a modulator on said data device arranged to transmit said data by varying the surface position of said corner reflector when reflecting said laser beam to modulate the amplitude, phase or frequency of said laser beam.
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Background / Summary: | Show background / summary
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Drawing Descriptions: | Show drawing descriptions
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Description: | Show description
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