Abstract: A mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office and network system having a satellite antenna for receiving and transmitting a satellite message via a satellite to and from a mobile earth station including a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a central controller receiving and transmitting the satellite message from the mobile earth station to and from the satellite communication switching office via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The mobile communication system includes a user interface system providing a user interface through which a user has access to services supported by the mobile satellite system and an antenna system which provides an interface between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system via the satellite interface system.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a system for providing satellite communication between multiple users in a virtual network arrangement includes first and second mobile earth terminals (METs) responsively connected to and registering with the mobile satellite system. The first MET selects a virtual network identifier (VN ID) representing a virtual network group including the first and second METs to establish voice communication therewith and transmits the VN ID to a central controller. The central controller receives the VN ID from the first MET, validates the first MET for communication, validates the VN ID, allocates a frequency for the virtual network group, and broadcasts the message to the virtual network group including the second MET informing the virtual network group of the allocated frequency and the voice communication associated therewith. The second MET tunes to the frequency in response to the message broadcast by the central controller.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system includes a user interface system, an antenna system, a transceiver system, a logic and signaling system. The logic and signaling system provides a communication function permitting the mobile communication system to roam between the mobile satellite system and a terrestrial based communication system responsive to the user selection of a primary service and an alternate service. The mobile communication system also includes a digital terminal equipment unit initiating setup and release for a data call, and a facsimile interface unit initiating setup and release for a facsimile call. The facsimile interface unit generates a line control packet responsive to a line state transition indicating transmission of information associated with a new line state over a communication channel.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system includes a user interface system, an antenna system, a transceiver system, a logic and signaling system. The logic and signaling system provides a communication function permitting the mobile communication system to roam between the mobile satellite system and a terrestrial based communication system responsive to the user selection of a primary service and an alternate service. The mobile communication system also includes a digital terminal equipment unit initiating setup and release for a data call, and a facsimile interface unit initiating setup and release for a facsimile call. The facsimile interface unit generates a line control packet responsive to a line state transition indicating transmission of information associated with a new line state over a communication channel.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office and network system having a satellite antenna for receiving and transmitting a satellite message via a satellite to and from a mobile earth station including a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a central controller receiving and transmitting the satellite message from the mobile earth station to and from the satellite communication switching office via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The mobile communication system includes a user interface system providing a user interface through which a user has access to services supported by the mobile satellite system and an antenna system which provides an interface between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system via the satellite interface system. The antenna system receives a first satellite message from the satellite and transmits a second satellite message to the satellite.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office and network system having a satellite antenna for receiving and transmitting a satellite message via a satellite to and from a mobile earth station including a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a central controller receiving and transmitting the satellite message from the mobile earth station to and from the satellite communication switching office via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The mobile communication system includes a user interface system providing a user interface through which a user has access to services supported by the mobile satellite system and an antenna system which provides an interface between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system via the satellite interface system. The antenna system receives a first satellite message from the satellite and transmits a second satellite message to the satellite.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a system for providing satellite communication between multiple users in a virtual network arrangement includes first and second mobile earth terminals (METs) responsively connected to and registering with the mobile satellite system. The first MET selects a virtual network identifier (VN ID) representing a virtual network group including the first and second METs to establish voice communication therewith and transmits the VN ID to a central controller. The central controller receives the VN ID from the first MET, validates the first MET for communication, validates the VN ID, allocates a frequency for the virtual network group, and broadcasts the message to the virtual network group including the second MET informing the virtual network group of the allocated frequency and the voice communication associated therewith. The second MET tunes to the frequency in response to the message broadcast by the central controller.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system includes a fraud detection and user validation system and method for commissioning the mobile communication system in the mobile satellite system. The method includes the steps of generating a first input signal by the mobile communication system upon initialization, and transmitting the first input signal from the mobile communication system to the central controller. The method also includes the steps of generating a first security key in the central controller using the first input signal, and generating a second security key in the mobile communication system using the first input signal and transmitting the second security key to the central controller. The central controller verifies the mobile communication system that transmitted the first input signal to commission it in the mobile satellite system. The verification process is responsive to a comparison of the first security key with the second security key.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a method of performing a call setup procedure from a call initiated by a mobile communication system (MCS) to a destination served by a public switched telephone network, includes the steps of initiating the call by the MCS, the MCS formatting and transmitting an access request message via a random access channel, and receiving by the central controller the access request message, and transmitting frequency assignments to the MCS and to the SCSO. The method also includes receiving by the MCS the frequency assignment, transmitting a scrambling vector message to the SCSO, and verifying by the SCSO the identity of the MET responsive to the scrambling vector. Upon successful verification, the method includes the steps of switching by the SCSO and the MCS from call setup mode to voice mode, transmitting by the SCSO voices frames to the MCS and disabling voice activation in the MCS for at least 3 super frames, and transmitting a destination number to the PSTN.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system including a satellite communication switching office and network system having a satellite antenna for receiving and transmitting a satellite message via a satellite to and from a mobile earth station including a mobile communication system, a satellite interface system, a central controller receiving and transmitting the satellite message from the mobile earth station to and from the satellite communication switching office via the satellite and the satellite interface system. The mobile satellite system comprises a network operations center (NOC) which manages and controls the resources of the satellite network system and conducts the administrative functions associated with the management of the satellite network system. The NOC communicates with the various internal and external entities via a control network.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system includes a user interface system, an antenna system, a transceiver system, a logic and signaling system. The logic and signaling system provides a roam function permitting the mobile communication system to roam between the mobile satellite system and a terrestrial based communication system responsive to the user selection of a primary service and an alternate service. The mobile communication system also includes a digital terminal equipment unit initiating setup and release for a data call, and a facsimile interface unit initiating setup and release for a facsimile call. The facsimile interface unit generates a line control packet responsive to a line state transition indicating transmission of information associated with a new line state over a communication channel.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system includes a fraud detection and user validation system and method for commissioning the mobile communication system in the mobile satellite system. The method includes the steps of generating a first input signal by the mobile communication system upon initialization, and transmitting the first input signal from the mobile communication system to the central controller. The method also includes the steps of generating a first security key in the central controller using the first input signal, and generating a second security key in the mobile communication system using the first input signal and transmitting the second security key to the central controller. The central controller verifies the mobile communication system that transmitted the first input signal to commission it in the mobile satellite system. The verification process is responsive to a comparison of the first security key with the second security key.

Abstract: An authentication system authenticates a mobile communication system each time it attempts to register or communication in a mobile satellite system. The authentication system stores a first security key to establish communication in the mobile communication network system. The system generates a second security key having first and second components using a first process having first and second input signals. The first input signal includes the first security key, and the second input signal includes at least one of a transmit frequency and a receive frequency. The system generates a third security key using a second process having third and fourth input signals. The third input signal includes the second component of the second security key and the fourth input signal is a random number. Advantageously, the system verifies that the mobile communication system is authorized to establish communication using at least one of the first, second, third and fourth components of the second and third security keys.