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A communication system (10), and a method executed by same, for allocating communications traffic through a plurality of satellites (12) of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites. Each of the plurality of satellites is oriented, at any given time when in view of a ground station (18), at a pa

A communication system (10), and a method executed by same, for allocating communications traffic through a plurality of satellites (12) of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites. Each of the plurality of satellites is oriented, at any given time when in view of a ground station (18), at a particular elevation angle. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing each of the plurality of satellites with a receiver for receiving communication links from the ground station and a transmitter for transmitting communication links to user terminals; (b) in response to a request for service, determining if a highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; (c) if yes, assigning a new communication link to the highest elevation angle satellite; (d) if no, determining if a second highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; and (e) if yes, assigning a new communication link to the second highest elevation angle satellite. A number of different criteria can be employed in determining if a satellite can be assigned a new communication link, including: determining if the associated satellite has already been assigned a predetermined maximum number of communication links; and determining if the associated satellite, or a particular beam, is transmitting at or near to a power level that corresponds to a maximum peak flux density at the surface of the earth. Each of the steps of assigning is preferably accomplished such that the communication link is simultaneously established through at least two of the satellites to provide for diversity reception at a user\s terminal (13).

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A method for allocating communications traffic amongst a plurality of satellites of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites, each of the plurality of satellites being oriented, at any given time when in view of a ground station and a user terminal, at a particular elevation angle, comprising t

A method for allocating communications traffic amongst a plurality of satellites of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites, each of the plurality of satellites being oriented, at any given time when in view of a ground station and a user terminal, at a particular elevation angle, comprising the steps of: providing each of the plurality of satellites with a receiver for receiving communication links from the ground station, a transmitter for transmitting communication links to user terminals, a receiver for receiving communication links from user terminals, and a transmitter for transmitting communication links to the ground station; in response to a request for service, determining if a highest elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; if yes, assigning a new communication link to the highest elevation angle satellite; if no, determining if a lower elevation angle satellite can be assigned a new communications link; and if yes, assigning a new communication link to a lower elevation angle satellite; wherein the steps of determining each include a step of determining if the satellite will be in view of both the user terminal and the ground station for a predetermined period of time and, if not, the satellite is not accepted for being assigned the new communication link.