Abstract: A satellite-based digital broadcast system is used to provide real-time news, entertainment and informational programs to aircraft passengers in flight. Transmissions from the satellite occur on a time division multiplex (TDM) downlink with different broadcast programs being transmitted on different TDM channels. A broadcast receiver is carried on board the aircraft, and includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the TDM channels to reproduce the original broadcast programs. The broadcast receiver may be adapted to receive and reproduce both audio and video broadcasts, as well as to provide other types of information delivery services. Encryption of the broadcast programs may be used to restrict their use to a specific aircraft or airline company.

Abstract: A satellite payload processing system for processing an uplink signal consisting of a plurality of single-channel-per-carrier, frequency division multiple access carriers comprises a polyphase demultiplexer processor for separating the uplink signal into a time division multiplexed data stream of symbols. The polyphase demultiplexer processor presents the symbols corresponding to each of a plurality of carriers at respective ones of the frequencies in the uplink signal sequentially to an output of the polyphase demultiplexer processor. A phase shift keying demodulator and differential decoder demodulates the stream of symbols into corresponding time division multiplexed stream of digital baseband bits, which are then rate-aligned with respect to an on-board clock.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching symbols in parallel broadcast channels to time division multiplexed data streams comprises first and second ping-pong buffers. The first ping-pong buffer is configured to store a first plurality of the parallel broadcast channels therein. The second ping-pong buffer is operable to store a second plurality of the broadcast channels therein. The second plurality of broadcast channels arrive at the second ping-pong buffer prior to the arrival of the first plurality of broadcast channels at the first ping pong buffer. The apparatus also comprises a routing switch connected to the outputs of the first and second ping-pong buffers, and a first frame assembler connected to the routing switch. The routing switch controls the writing of the contents of the second ping-pong buffer to the first frame assembler.

Abstract: A system for managing a satellite and a number of broadcast stations, which generate programs for transmission to remote radio receivers on broadcast channels via the satellite, comprises a satellite control system for controlling the attitude and orbit of the satellite and on-board processing of the programs uplinked to the satellite. A broadcast control system is connected to the satellite control center and to the broadcast stations. The broadcast control system assigns selected ones of the broadcast channels to service providers desiring to uplink at least one of the programs to the satellite, to store channel data relating to the assignments of the broadcast channels and provide the channel data to the satellite control system, and to bill the service providers according to the number of the broadcast channels assigned thereto.

Abstract: A system for providing global and portable Internet access to low cost user terminals comprises an Internet service provider gateway and a broadcast station for providing multimedia information from the gateway to the user terminals via a direct radio broadcast geostationary satellite. User terminals each comprise a direct radio broadcast receiver and a transceiver for communicating with a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. User terminals transmit Internet access requests, menu selections and other backhaul signals to the gateway via the transceiver. The broadcast station transmits information requested by the user from the gateway to a specific user terminal by providing identification codes in the broadcast programs. The user terminals are programmable to receive all broadcast programs but to demodulate and demultiplex only those broadcast channels addressed to the user terminal. Internet access is available simultaneously with reception of satellite direct broadcasts of audio programs.

Abstract: A satellite-based digital broadcast system is used to provide real-time news, entertainment and informational programs to aircraft passengers in flight. Transmissions from the satellite occur on a time division multiplex (TDM) downlink with different broadcast programs being transmitted on different TDM channels. A broadcast receiver is carried on board the aircraft, and includes a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the TDM channels to reproduce the original broadcast programs. The broadcast receiver may be adapted to receive and reproduce both audio and video broadcasts, as well as to provide other types of information delivery services. Encryption of the broadcast programs may be used to restrict their use to a specific aircraft or airline company.

Abstract: An FDMA/TDM satellite-based digital broadcast system is used to provide digital maps and other types of data to users at remote locations. User selection of the desired data is achieved by monitoring the TDM downlink channels of the broadcast system in accordance with a predetermined schedule or until a specific identification code is detected. The user terminals are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers which allow the positions of the users to be determined. Based on the user positions, the user terminals are able to convert general data to location-specific data tailored to the needs of the user. The general data may comprise a digital map covering a wide geographic area, and the location-specific data may comprise a map covering a portion of the geographic region where the user is located.