Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.

Abstract: MAC layer enhancements in protocol stacks of a user terminal of a satellite communication system such as a 5G based system. The MAC layer may include a scheduler that allows resource aggregation by allocating additional radio resources to users on one beam using carriers allocated to an adjacent beam. The MAC layer enhancements may also provide user terminals the ability to report their battery status to the scheduler which can then send signals to the user terminal that allow the terminal to shut down electronics to conserve power resources based on the battery status.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between user terminals and core network through satellite network and ground network are disclosed herein. The system facilitates connectivity through inter-satellite links in the satellite network. The system provides an air interface based on 5G protocols with satellite specific enhancements at lower layers, low latency, standards based physical layer design on both user and feeder links, beam-hopping design that minimizes end-to-end delay, software defined networking for route management to minimize payload complexity, efficient flow control between ground network and satellite to minimize buffering requirements in satellite payload, differentiated quality of service, advanced scheduler designs to cater to traffic types and full/half duplex terminals, end-to-end Layer 2 transport, direct user terminal to user terminal communications, adaptive modulation and coding, scalable gateway, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling data and voice communications via a satellite network are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method of enabling data and voice communications for a user terminal includes establishing a local connection between the user terminal and a first core network operated by a first network provider, routing data communications received by the first core network from the user terminal to a satellite terminal operated by the first network provider for further transmission via a satellite, and routing voice communications received by the first core network from the user terminal to a second core network operated by a second network provider.

Abstract: An improved air interface for satellite systems such as a 5G-based non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite system. The air interface includes an improved physical interface for efficient operation over NGSO satellite systems. The air interface includes an improved forward link for communicating from the satellite gateway to the user terminal and a return link for communicating from the user terminal to the satellite gateway.

Abstract: A user terminal (UT) for a mobile satellite communications system, and an associated method for managing tracking areas for such a UT is provided. When initiating establishment of a radio connection, the UT transmits a connection request message to a satellite gateway (SGW) of the mobile satellite communications system, where the connection request message includes position information identifying a current location of the UT. The UT processes a connection setup message received in response to the connection request message, where the connection setup message includes a first tracking area identifier (TAID) that identifies a one of a plurality of tracking areas that is associated with the current location of the UT. The UT transmits a connection complete message to the SGW, together with an attach request message for a core network of the mobile satellite communications system, which includes the first TAID.

Abstract: Systems and methods implementing a satellite radio access network (SRAN) receiving a registration request from a user terminal (UT), determining a current tracking area (TA) of the UT, forwarding the registration request and the current TA to an access and mobility management function (AMF), and receiving a registration accept from the AMF that indicates a UT registration area. An implementation receives a UT page command from the AMF and, in response, determines a satellite beam for paging the UT, from among a plurality of satellite beams using the identifier of the current TA, and pages the UT on the satellite beam.

Abstract: A system to provide second generation (2G) voice services over internet protocol, the system including: a voice gateway (VGW) including a 2G stack to communicate control plane information and user plane information with a 2G user terminal (UT) via a circuit-switched network without modifications to the 2G-UT, an Iu-CS IP stack, and a relay to map the control plane information between the 2G stack and the Iu-CS IP stack, and vice-versa; a mobile switching center (MSC), connected to the VGW via the Iu-CS IP stack, to manage and establish the voice services between the 2G-UT and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) based on the mapped control plane information; and a media gateway (MGW) connected to the VGW via the Iu-CS IP stack, where the MGW communicates the user plane information between the 2G-UT and the PSTN after the MSC 2-G UT vocoder, e.g. AMBE, has established voice services.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing usage of satellite channelizers including dividing a frequency spectrum into sub-bands; providing a satellite channelizer for each of the sub-bands, where each of the sub-bands may include channels; multiplexing service channels into the channels of one of the sub-bands, where the service channels convey data for a plurality of MSSs. A system and method for obtaining high throughput on a satellite network. A system and method for providing a Fair Access Policy (FAP) in a 4G system.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with an Internet of Things (IoT) User Terminal (UT) population. The method includes storing UT parameters for each UT of the UT population with a security and repository server (SRS), where the UT parameters include a UT identifier, a UT IP address, and an application server IP address; communicating from the UT population using a one-shot transmission via an over-the-air (OTA) link; receiving the one-shot transmission from a sender UT of a UT population; and sending an IP packet including a portion of the one-shot transmission to an application server. In the method, the one-shot transmission includes an unscheduled transmission between the GW and UT, the one-shot transmission includes a sender UT identifier, and the UT identifier for each UT of the UT population is unique.

Abstract: A cellular system and method to provide voice and data services to a user terminal are disclosed. The cellular system includes a cellular base station; a satellite backhaul including a first satellite link and a second satellite link; and a traffic classifier to classify traffic from the cellular base station as voice traffic for transportation via the first satellite link and as data traffic for transportation via the second satellite link.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with an Internet of Things (IoT) User Terminal (UT) population. The method includes storing UT parameters for each UT of the UT population with a security and repository server (SRS), where the UT parameters include a UT identifier, a UT IP address, and an application server IP address; communicating from the UT population using a one-shot transmission via an over-the-air (OTA) link; receiving the one-shot transmission from a sender UT of a UT population; and sending an IP packet including a portion of the one-shot transmission to an application server. In the method, the one-shot transmission includes an unscheduled transmission between the GW and UT, the one-shot transmission includes a sender UT identifier, and the UT identifier for each UT of the UT population is unique.

Abstract: Systems and methods implementing a satellite radio access network (SRAN) receiving a registration request from a user terminal (UT), determining a current tracking area (TA) of the UT, forwarding the registration request and the current TA to an access and mobility management function (AMF), and receiving a registration accept from the AMF that indicates a UT registration area. An implementation receives a UT page command from the AMF and, in response, determines a satellite beam for paging the UT, from among a plurality of satellite beams using the identifier of the current TA, and pages the UT on the satellite beam.

Abstract: A system for providing communication using a plurality of radio access technologies is disclosed. The system utilizes terminals capable of communicating with the plurality of radio access technologies. The terminals are capable of selecting the most suitable radio access technology for different types traffic. Different radios access technologies are further capable of cross-communication in order to route traffic over the most efficient paths.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing communication between a base station and different generation terminals includes a multi-protocol stack capable of processing user traffic received from different generation terminals. The apparatus also includes a common physical layer that receives user traffic from different generation terminals and identifies the generation of the terminal sending the user traffic. The user traffic is then processed and routed based on the terminal generation. Traffic can be prioritized across current and legacy terminal types based on a variety of factors.

Abstract: A data communications system, includes a data communications device (DCD), and at least one wireless access network, which includes a base station. The DCD generates a narrowband message which includes user-plane data of the DCD. The DCD transmits the narrowband message to the base station via a random access control-plane channel of the wireless access network, prior to any request for or establishment of a wireless or radio resource connection, or establishment of any dedicated radio bearers or wireless channels, between the DCD and the base station.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating calibration parameters and locating a Calibration Earth Station (CES) is described. The method may be performed offline. The method includes: providing L×M pilot signal measurements in a matrix R from L CESs and the M feed elements, wherein the matrix R comprises a set of channel coefficients c={c1, c2, . . . , cM}, and k={k1, k2, . . . , kL} perturbations; linking a subset of channel coefficients {c1, c2, . . . , cM} using each of the L CESs; and estimating a relative estimate of the k={k1, k2, . . . , kL} pertubations across the L CESs by using each of the L CESs as a bridging element. In the method, the bridging element provides a strong pilot signal for at least two of the L CESs. A set of criteria for determining locations of CESs have been described. A set of desirable properties for the solution set of L CESs have been disclosed. A combination of inner loop and outer loop methods for determining the final set of optimal locations have been described.

Abstract: A base station computer that includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor is described. The processor may be programmed to: determine a geographic position of a user terminal (UT); store the position in the memory; determine to page the UT; correlate a satellite beam based on the position; and page the UT via the satellite beam.

Abstract: A system and a method for directing a handover of communications in Radio Frequency (RF) networks at a UT. The method includes servicing a user terminal (UT) via a first network having a first coverage area; receiving, from the UT via the first network, a measurement report for a second network having a second coverage area based on a measurement configuration of the second network; sending, to the UT via the first network, a handover order for obtaining service from the second network; and establishing, via a second network RAN (radio access network), a service for the UT via the second network per the handover order. In the method, the first network may include either a terrestrial network (TN) or a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the second network may include other of the TN or the NTN, and the TN and the NTN are RF networks.