Abstract: A method of scheduling a transmission with a multi-beam satellite system receives, at a dynamic pricer, a request parameter that is associated with a request to transmit data via a multi-beam satellite system. The method determines a plurality of transmission solutions that satisfy the request parameter. The plurality of transmission solutions are transmitted, from the dynamic pricer, to a transmission requesting device. An indication is received, at the dynamic pricer, as to which particular transmission solution is selected by the transmission requesting device. The multi-beam satellite system is scheduled to transmit a payload in accordance with the selected particular transmission solution. A system is provided that operates the method.

Abstract: A method is provided that enhances the throughput of data broadcasts in a multi-beam satellite communication system by taking advantage of target users whose normal environment or equipment provide a better channel performance than that of the nominal environment or equipment for which the system is tuned, which enables a larger coverage area per beam than the nominal design supports. A system is provided that operates the method. A preferred embodiment is described using the Iridium Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) system as a basis.

Abstract: A method is provided that enhances the throughput of data broadcasts in a multi-beam satellite communication system by taking advantage of target users whose normal environment or equipment provide a better channel performance than that of the nominal environment or equipment for which the system is tuned, which enables a larger coverage area per beam than the nominal design supports. A system is provided that operates the method. A preferred embodiment is described using the Iridium Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) system as a basis.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a transmission with a multi-beam satellite system receives, at a dynamic pricer, a request parameter that is associated with a request to transmit data via a multi-beam satellite system. The method determines a plurality of transmission solutions that satisfy the request parameter. The plurality of transmission solutions are transmitted, from the dynamic pricer, to a transmission requesting device. An indication is received, at the dynamic pricer, as to which particular transmission solution is selected by the transmission requesting device. The multi-beam satellite system is scheduled to transmit a payload in accordance with the selected particular transmission solution. A system is provided that operates the method.

Abstract: A global message delivery system (100) transmits messages to messaging devices (130) using a plurality of satellites (110). In order to facilitate message delivery, the surface of the earth is divided into a number of logical delivery areas (202) (LDAs). Each satellite provides at least one beam (210) which spans one or more LDAs (202). When a request is received (704) to deliver a message to a messaging device (130), an Opportunity Table (600) is used to quickly determine which beam (210) to use to deliver the message. The Opportunity Table (600) correlates the messaging device's location and upcoming activation times with which beams (210) are covering which LDAs (202).

Abstract: A hand-portable position locating radio has a geolocation (e.g. GPS) receiver providing local position and timing information from geolocation means (e.g. GPS or IRIDIUM satellites) and a local transceiver for sending local position and other information to a communication system (e.g., an IRIDIUM or MILSAT satellite). A data processor coupled to the local transceiver and receiver controls operation of the device, including storing local position information and separating signals broadcast by the communication system into those intended or not intended for the device. The radio prepares an emergency access message which it sends to the satellite communication system in a manner to insure rapid detection of the emergency signal and allocation of a clear channel and time slot for further communication.

Abstract: A slave station, such as an orbiting satellite, and a master station, such as a ground control station, have their own lists of random pads. The master and slave station lists are identical. When the master station sends a critical command to the slave station, a selected one of the pads is combined with the command and transmitted to the slave station as a data communication message. Each pad is used only once. The slave station evaluates the received pad value using its version of the same selected pad. If the evaluation detects correspondence, then the command is authenticated and the slave station acts upon the command. The random pads are generated by the slave station. They are encrypted using an asymmetric encryption process and transmitted to the master station so that the master and slave stations will operate on common sets of pads.