A first transmitting device is used to transmit a first signal on a first
carrier frequency to a relay device. The relay device receives the signal
by demodulating the first carrier frequency. Subsequently, the relay
device retransmits the signal by modulating a second and/or a third
carrier frequency. The signal is then recovered at one or more receiving
devices by demodulating the second and/or third carrier frequencies.
Further, a second transmitting device transmits a second signal on a
fourth carrier frequency and the relay device retransmits the signal by
modulating a fifth and/or a sixth carrier frequency. The signal is then
recovered at one or more receiving devices by demodulating the fifth
and/or sixth carrier frequencies. The transmitting and/or receiving
devices are preferably voice terminals, such as a wireless telephones or
data terminals, such as portable computers. The transmitting and/or
receiving devices are optionally coupled to a communications network, such
as a public switched telephone network or the Internet. The relay device
is preferably a multiple beam satellite and/or a ground station covering
several distinct geographical regions.
