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 method for communicating with a legacy terminal supporting a legacy air interface and a new terminal supporting a next generation air interface including: assigning a same carrier to the legacy terminal and the new terminal; receiving a terminal identifier and an optional payload for transmission at a MAC/RLC layer; determining if the terminal identifier is associated with the legacy terminal or the new terminal; composing, based on the determining, a burst header; formatting, a burst including the burst header and the optional payload; and transmitting the burst. In the method, the burst header is set to one of the one or more valid burst headers when the burst is associated with the legacy terminal, and the burst header is set to one of the one or more undefined burst headers when the burst is associated with the new terminal.

Abstract: An adaptive transmit power control process enables the uplink transmit power of a user terminal to be adjusted based on a scan angle of the antenna for the user terminal. The antenna periodically reports the scan angle to the user terminal, and a current maximum transmit power for the user terminal is determined based on the scan angle. The current maximum transmit power is then used as the basis for determining an allocation of resources to the user terminal. The transmit power control process enables resources to be assigned as needed across multiple carriers and enables a power spectral density of a user terminal to be adjusted based on nominal and offset transmit power parameters.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a legacy terminal supporting a legacy air interface and a new terminal supporting a next generation air interface including: assigning a same carrier to the legacy terminal and the new terminal; receiving a terminal identifier and an optional payload for transmission at a MAC/RLC layer; determining if the terminal identifier is associated with the legacy terminal or the new terminal; composing, based on the determining, a burst header; formatting, a burst including the burst header and the optional payload; and transmitting the burst. In the method, the burst header is set to one of the one or more valid burst headers when the burst is associated with the legacy terminal, and the burst header is set to one of the one or more undefined burst headers when the burst is associated with the new terminal.

Abstract: Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a satellite communication system includes a user terminal and a gateway. The user terminal includes a terminal antenna and a terminal controller. The terminal antenna enables the user terminal to communicate via each of a first satellite and a second satellite. The gateway includes a gateway antenna and a gateway controller. The gateway antenna enables the gateway to communicate with the user terminal via each of the first satellite and the second satellite. At least one of the terminal controller and the gateway controller is configured to adjust a queue management policy during a handover operation from the first satellite to the second satellite.

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: Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a satellite communication system includes a user terminal and a gateway. The user terminal includes a terminal antenna and a terminal controller. The terminal antenna enables the user terminal to communicate via each of a first satellite and a second satellite. The gateway includes a gateway antenna and a gateway controller. The gateway antenna enables the gateway to communicate with the user terminal via each of the first satellite and the second satellite. At least one of the terminal controller and the gateway controller is configured to adjust a queue management policy during a handover operation from the first satellite to the second satellite.

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: 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 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 method for communicating with a legacy terminal supporting a legacy air interface and a new terminal supporting a next generation air interface including: assigning a same carrier to the legacy terminal and the new terminal; receiving a terminal identifier and an optional payload for transmission at a MAC/RLC layer; determining if the terminal identifier is associated with the legacy terminal or the new terminal; composing, based on the determining, a burst header; formatting, a burst including the burst header and the optional payload; and transmitting the burst. In the method, the burst header is set to one of the one or more valid burst headers when the burst is associated with the legacy terminal, and the burst header is set to one of the one or more undefined burst headers when the burst is associated with the new terminal.

Abstract: A method for prediction of UT handovers in a satellite communications network is provided. Optimal characteristics regarding the beams of satellites and regarding a one UT are determined. For each of a plurality of the satellite beams, for each of a plurality of instants of time tn, an estimated signal strength as seen at the UT is determined, wherein each estimated signal strength is determined based on the optimal at the respective time tn. A next instant of time tm is determined at which the estimated signal strength for a candidate beam that is within the view of the UT is greater than or equal to the estimated signal strength for the satellite beam that is currently servicing the UT. A handover of the UT, at the time tm, from the satellite beam that is currently servicing the one UT to the candidate beam is determined.

Abstract: An orchestrator server and a terminal are disclosed. The server can include a computer that executes instructions which include, to: instruct a first terminal to communicate wirelessly via a carrier frequency using a first long-range wireless communication (LRWC) mode; determine that, relative to the first terminal, a subtended angle between a satellite and a cellular node is less than an alignment threshold; and based on the determination, transmit a command to the first terminal to communicate wirelessly via the carrier frequency using a second LRWC mode, wherein the first LRWC mode is different that the second LRWC mode.

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: 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 method for networked scheduling is disclosed. The method includes: providing a gateway; a plurality of channels assigned to a color reuse scheme including colors, wherein some of the plurality of channels assigned to one of the colors comprise a set of co-channels; associating the set of co-channels with the gateway; generating a traffic pattern for the set of co-channels for an upcoming allocation slot; determining a channel state of each co-channel in the set of co-channels per the traffic pattern; and setting a Modulation and Coding scheme (MODCOD) of each co-channel in the set of co-channels based on the respective channel state.

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.

Abstract: A method for reporting backlog in a LTE-like environment is disclosed. The method includes: providing a pending allocation for transferring a pending request data; receiving a new request for transferring data prior to completion of transferring the pending request data; generating a backlog report for the new request; sending the backlog report within the pending allocation; and receiving a new allocation for the new request data.

Abstract: A method is provided for network equipment and resource sharing amongst service providers within a communications network. Parameters are determined, each associated with a an SP(ID) identifying a respective service provider. The Parameters relate to network parameters of a that are utilized for standard network processes unrelated to service provider identification. A control message is received, including a UT-ID associated with a user terminal (UT). The UT is associated with one service provider. The control message is received as part of configuration of network services for the UT. One of the Parameters is determined that is associated with the UT-ID, and one SP(ID) is determined that is associated with the determined Parameter. Communications channels are provided to the UT for network services. The communications channels are configured based on share parameters defining a share of network resources allocated to the service provider to which the determined SP(ID) corresponds.

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.