Abstract: In one implementation, a communications satellite includes a main antenna system and a communications controller. The main antenna system is configured to send communications to and receive communications from one or more terrestrial terminal devices. The communications controller has a memory storing a plurality of terminal attribute sets, each of which specifies attributes for communicating with a corresponding class of terrestrial terminal devices.

Abstract: In one implementation, a communications satellite includes a main antenna system and a communications controller. The main antenna system is configured to send communications to and receive communications from one or more terrestrial terminal devices. The communications controller has a memory storing a plurality of terminal attribute sets, each of which specifies attributes for communicating with a corresponding class of terrestrial terminal devices.

Abstract: In one implementation, congestion in a satellite communications network is managed based on current resource usage information received for a primary satellite servicing a terminal that is requesting to initiate a communications session. The current resource usage information is received within a communications session setup procedure that identifies a type of the communications session being requested by the terminal. Resources for serving the communications session are determined based on the type of the communications session being requested by the terminal. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether sufficient resources are available at the primary satellite for servicing the communications session. In response to determining that sufficient resources are not available at the primary satellite for servicing the communications session, a congestion mitigation strategy is determined for servicing the communications session and sent to the primary satellite for implementation.

Abstract: In one implementation, congestion in a satellite communications network is managed based on current resource usage information received for a primary satellite servicing a terminal that is requesting to initiate a communications session. The current resource usage information is received within a communications session setup procedure that identifies a type of the communications session being requested by the terminal. Resources for serving the communications session are determined based on the type of the communications session being requested by the terminal. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether sufficient resources are available at the primary satellite for servicing the communications session. In response to determining that sufficient resources are not available at the primary satellite for servicing the communications session, a congestion mitigation strategy is determined for servicing the communications session and sent to the primary satellite for implementation.

Abstract: In one implementation, congestion in a satellite communications network is managed based on current resource usage information received for a primary satellite servicing a terminal that is requesting to initiate a communications session. The current resource usage information is received within a communications session setup procedure that identifies a type of the communications session being requested by the terminal. Resources for serving the communications session are determined based on the type of the communications session being requested by the terminal. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether sufficient resources are available at the primary satellite for servicing the communications session. In response to determining that sufficient resources are not available at the primary satellite for servicing the communications session, a congestion mitigation strategy is determined for servicing the communications session and sent to the primary satellite for implementation.

Abstract: In one implementation, a communications satellite includes a main antenna system and a communications controller. The main antenna system is configured to send communications to and receive communications from one or more terrestrial terminal devices. The communications controller has a memory storing a plurality of terminal attribute sets, each of which specifies attributes for communicating with a corresponding class of terrestrial terminal devices.

Abstract: A method for routing bearer traffic (70?) between 3G networks (32, 42) and 2G networks (12, 22) and vice versa uses voice signaling gateways (VSGW)(14, 24, 34, 44). The method determines a VSGW nearest the calling party (11). The nearest VSGW directly routes (86) the bearer traffic through the inter-network (50) to the called party (31) and avoids the “tromboning” effect of always sending bearer traffic to the called party's home location.

Abstract: The voice signaling gateway (10) converts signaling and bearer traffic information between iDEN network (20) and various other networks (30–60). The voice signaling gateway includes a signaling portion (14) and a bearer traffic portion (12). The voice signaling gateway interfaces with any networks which support session initiation protocol (SIP). Further, the voice signaling gateway is capable of. interworking with both 3G and 2G type networks.

Abstract: A method for routing bearer traffic (70?) between 3G networks (32, 42) and 2G networks (12, 22) and vice versa uses voice signaling gateways (VSGW)(14, 24, 34, 44). The method determines a VSGW nearest the calling party (11). The nearest VSGW directly routes (86) the bearer traffic through the inter-network (50) to the called party (31) and avoids the “tromboning” effect of always sending bearer traffic to the called party's home location.

Abstract: The voice signaling gateway (10) provides group call and call back services among iDEN network (20) users (21) and a number of other various networks (30-60) users (31-62). The voice signaling gateway has packet data interface (17) and web interface (16) In an alternate embodiment of the invention, an integrated applications server (70) is added to the voice signaling gateway (100) to provide group call services. The integrated applications server has the functions for supporting group calls which were within the voice signaling gateway (10) and forms a stand-alone special feature system.

Abstract: The voice signaling gateway (10) provides group call and call back services among iDEN network (20) users (21) and a number of other various networks (30-60) users (31-62). The voice signaling gateway has packet data interface (17) and web interface (16) In an alternate embodiment of the invention, an integrated applications server (70) is added to the voice signaling gateway (100) to provide group call services. The integrated applications server has the functions for supporting group calls which were within the voice signaling gateway (10) and forms a stand-alone special feature system.

Abstract: The voice signaling gateway (10) converts signaling and bearer traffic information between iDEN network (20) and various other networks (30-60). The voice signaling gateway includes a signaling portion (14) and a bearer traffic portion (12). The voice signaling gateway interfaces with any networks which support session initiation protocol (SIP). Further, the voice signaling gateway is capable of. interworking with both 3G and 2G type networks.

Abstract: Methods (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900) and a multi-layer service management system (300) enable mutilayer service management in a global network environment in a communication system (100) which includes a core network (230) and multiple Distributed Virtual Network Segments (DVNSs) (240). The system (300) includes a network service manager (315) capable of managing a set of services for operating the core network, DVNS service managers (DVNSMs) (345, 347) residing within a core side (340) and a product side (335) of each item of DVNS equipment (330) for managing a first and second set of services associated with the DVNS and also a set of value added services (352) provided through the DVNS equipment (330), and a processor/server 385 residing within customer premises equipment (CPE) (370) for enabling provision of value added services to the CPE.