Abstract: A system and method in a mobile communication device for providing and/or utilizing multiple independent optimized physical layers to provide communication services. As a non-limiting example, a mobile communication device may comprising a first PHY layer comprising first circuitry operable to provide any of at least a first plurality of communication services through one or more types of communication network, and a second PHY layer comprising second circuitry operable, independent of the first PHY layer, to provide at least one communication service through one or more types of communication network. For example, operation of the first circuitry may be optimizable in a first manner for providing a first communication service of the first plurality of communication services and optimizable in a second manner, different from the first manner, for providing a second communication service of the first plurality of communication services.

Abstract: A portable data link integration and communication unit and method that integrates and communicates data link information from an aircraft to a ground station is disclosed. The portable data link integration and communication unit a communication interface that facilitates communications with communication devices, and an integration and communication processing module that receives data link message information from one or more communication devices through the communication interface, integrates the received data link message information, converts integrated data link information into internet protocol information, and transmits the internet protocol information using the communication interface over a satellite network to the ground station for display to a user over a communications network.

Abstract: A communication system for supporting communications with a target market area. The system includes one or more solar-powered aircraft maintained in, or successively passing through, flight stations or flight patterns around the market area. Each of the aircraft targets limited beamwidth communication antennas on a substantial portion of the target market area. The control system is configured to fly selective flight patterns depending on the aircraft characteristics and the flight conditions. The flight patterns may emphasize high-power-generation patterns such as flying away from the sun for aircraft with wing-mounted solar cells.

Abstract: The present receive antenna interface for an RF (radio frequency) transceiver includes a transmitting and receiving antenna. The receive antenna interface also includes a relay and an electrically-isolated transmit-ground connector that are configured such that the receiving antenna is not capable of being used by the transceiver unless the transmit-ground connector is connected to a ground-on-transmit connector provided by the transceiver. As a result, damage from the accidental transmission of RF signals into the receiving circuitry of the transceiver is prevented.

Abstract: Provided are a non geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) communication apparatus that extends an operation time using an ancillary territory component (ATC) and reduces a number of satellites, and an ATC and an operating method thereof. The NGSO communication apparatus extends an operation time using an ATC and reduces a number of satellites from a first ATC that communicates with a mobile earth station (MES), and a second ATC that communicates with the first ATC to relay data between the MES and the satellite when the first ATC is unable to communication with the satellite revolving along an orbit.

Abstract: A device (D) is dedicated to transmitting and/or receiving signals representative of data in a communication satellite (SAT) having a fixed frequency bandwidth. This device (D) comprises transmission and/or reception means (MER) responsible for sending and/or receiving signals in multiple beams, and control means (MC) responsible for defining a chosen number of cells of chosen dimensions and positions, and configuring the transmission and/or reception means (MER) so as to define beams each associated with at least one of the defined cells, with a chosen carrier frequency based on the requirements of each of the cells and taking into account the frequency bandwidth available on the satellite (SAT).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating different size coded blocks of information in a wireless sectorized communications cell are described. Information may be categorized and formed into large, medium, and small coded blocks which may include error correction code bits based on the number of bits representing the information, time criticality of the information, and tolerable level of interference. Channels with full tone overlap between adjacent sectors, channels with no tone overlap between adjacent sectors, and channels with partial tone overlap between adjacent sectors are used for different size blocks. Some tones corresponding to a channel with less than full tone overlap are left unused in an adjacent sector thereby achieving less than full transmission tone overlap.

Abstract: A method for controlling power in a communication system is disclosed. The power control method includes the steps of calculating a first offset according to traffic information of a mobile station and data transmission channel quality information of the mobile station, determining a second offset according to received channel quality information of the mobile station, received from the mobile station, determining a third offset according to interference information received from other base stations neighboring the base station, and transmitting, to the mobile station, power control information determined based on the first offset, the second offset and the third offset.

Abstract: A network for establishing RF links between a main ground station connected to a NOC center and ground terminals via a multispot satellite, the network being composed of a coverage area composed of a plurality of cells in which terminals are located, each cell being associated with at least one link spot beam with the satellite to which a frequency band is allocated, the center including a determination module to determine the transmission parameters characteristic of the position of terminals in the coverage area, the parameters covering the entire coverage area and a transmitter to transmit all parameters to each of the terminals. Each of the terminals includes a storage device to store at least part of all the parameters, a positioning device to determine its geographic position in the coverage area and a processor to determine, from the parameters and its geographic position, the transmission parameters to be utilized.

Abstract: The Aircraft IP Subnet System provides wireless communication services to passengers located onboard an aircraft by storing data indicative of individually identified wireless devices that are located onboard the aircraft. The Aircraft IP Subnet System assigns a single IP address to each Point-to-Point Protocol link connecting the aircraft network to the ground-based communication network and creates an IP subnet onboard the aircraft. The IP subnet utilizes a plurality of IP addresses for each Point-to-Point link, thereby to enable each passenger wireless device to be uniquely identified with their own IP address. This is enabled since both Point-to-Point Protocol IPCP endpoints have pre-defined IP address pools and/or topology configured, so each Point-to-Point Protocol endpoint can utilize a greater number of IP addresses than one per link. Such an approach does not change IPCP or other EVDO protocols/messaging but allows this address to be directly visible to the ground-based communication network.

Abstract: The Aircraft Air-To-Ground IP Tunnel System provides wireless communication services to passengers located onboard an aircraft by storing data indicative of the individually identified passenger wireless devices located onboard the aircraft. The Aircraft Air-To-Ground IP Tunnel System assigns a single IP address to each Point-to-Point Protocol link connecting the aircraft network to the ground-based communication network and creates an IP subnet onboard the aircraft. The IP subnet utilizes a plurality of IP addresses for each Point-to-Point link, enabling each passenger wireless device to be uniquely identified with their own IP address. This is enabled since both Point-to-Point Protocol IPCP endpoints have pre-defined IP address pools and/or topology configured, so each Point-to-Point Protocol endpoint can utilize a greater number of IP addresses than one per link.

Abstract: A space-based component, such as a satellite, is configured to receive wireless communications from radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over an uplink satellite radiotelephone frequency, and to transmit wireless communications to the radiotelephones over a downlink radiotelephone frequency. An ancillary terrestrial network, that may include one or more ancillary terrestrial components, is configured to transmit wireless communications to, and receive wireless communications from, the radiotelephones over the uplink satellite radiotelephone frequency in a time-division duplex mode.

Abstract: The SIP Number Portability System disables the cellular radios in the wireless device and enables a WiFi 802.11 protocol-based radio. In the airborne mode, it activates a call forwarding registration process which has calls to the subscriber's publicly available phone number forwarded to the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol client through a SIP-based Public Switched Telephone Network access number and incoming communication sessions directed to the subscriber's wireless service provider user address routed to the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol client through a SIP-based data gateway on the Internet or the Public Switched Data Network. On outbound calls, the Airborne Session Initiated Protocol Client populates the Calling Number field with the wireless subscriber device phone number so that the caller ID display located at the called party's subscriber device shows the subscriber's publicly available phone number.

Abstract: The Customized Electronic Services Delivery System provides customized electronic services to passengers who are located onboard an aircraft by storing data indicative of a plurality of electronic services that are available to passengers who are located onboard an aircraft, as well as data indicative of preferences of passengers for the plurality of electronic services. Once a correspondence is made between the electronic services and an identified passenger, the Customized Electronic Services Delivery System advises the passenger of the availability of the customized services and establishes wireless communications between the passenger's electronic device and the selected electronic service. The electronic services include in-flight entertainment services as well as destination-based services which link the passenger's existing travel plans with offers for additional services that are available to the passenger at their nominal destination and their planned travel schedule.

Abstract: The Aircraft Emergency Services Call Management System enables the unique identification of each passenger wireless device in use in an aircraft and the corresponding identification of the passenger associated with the passenger wireless device. This passenger wireless device registration data is stored as database entries in a ground-based Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database which associates each aircraft with its registered passenger wireless devices. The origination of an emergency services call by any registered passenger wireless device results in the call being routed to a serving Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) where the passenger is connected to an emergency services operator. Since the aircraft flight crew and cabin crew are the only personnel on site that can be relied upon to provide some sort of emergency services response, they are included in the emergency services call.

Abstract: A communication system and method of communicating signals to a plurality of different types of receivers is provided. The communication system includes at least one transmitter that transmits high priority and low priority signals as a single frequency network. At least one satellite receives and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. At least one terrestrial repeater is in communication with the at least one transmitter, and receives from the at least one transmitter and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. A plurality of receivers includes at least a first receiver configured to process the high priority signal to emit an output signal based upon the high priority signal, and a second receiver configured to process the high priority and low priority signals to emit an output signal based upon the high priority and low priority signals.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for transmitting MPEG frames between a DOCSIS based satellite modem termination system (SMTS) and a corresponding satellite modem (SM) system. The method includes identifying at least one data stream requiring transmission between the SMTS and the SM, the data stream including one or more MPEG frames. Next, the MPEG frames are organized within SMTS data queues based upon predetermined parameters and then transmitted based upon their organization within the data queues.

Abstract: A remote, a communications system, and a method in which the remote communicates with another remote via a repeater and also communicates with a hub. The remote includes a transceiver configured to receive a signal from the another remote, a measuring unit configured to measure a first offset, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a frequency offset for the signal based on (i) the first offset measured at the measuring unit, and (ii) a second offset measured at the hub.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for intercepting and monitoring communications between target mobiles and a main station of a satellite communication system, wherein communication between the mobiles and a satellite is achieved by using a first-band spot beams, chosen by the mobiles and wherein communication between the satellite and the main station is achieved by using a wideband second-band link, and wherein the satellite is operable to change the mapping scheme of the first-band frequencies to the second-band frequencies, the apparatus comprises: at least one RF second-band and at least one RF first-band receive antenna which transmits the received signals to at least one RF second-band and at least one first-band receiver respectively; an intermediate frequency RF distributor which receives signals from said RF second-band and RF first-band receivers and splits the transmission into groups of frequencies; a plurality of demodulators which are tuned to cover sequentially the first-b

Abstract: A relay terminal for relaying communication signals from originator user terminals to destination user terminals stores relay-authorization-and-priority data for a plurality of user terminals having respective identification codes; detects the identification codes in communication signals sent from a plurality of originator terminals; processes the detected identification codes in combination with the stored data to determine if immediate relaying of the received communication signals to respective identified destination terminals is authorized; and relays the received communication signals immediately to only those of the identified destination terminals to which immediate relaying is so authorized. Directional-position data associated with a given originator terminal derived by processing portions of a signal received from such originator terminal is processed to form a beam path for communications with the given originator terminal.

Abstract: A method of processing an LNB power supply output signal comprising providing an LNB selection signal to select a first of the plurality of LNB signals as the input signal, superimposing a tone onto the LNB selection signal to select a second of the plurality of LNB signals as the input signal, providing a first transponder selection voltage to select a first set of transponders within the input signal, providing a second transponder selection voltage to select a second set of transponders within the input signal, and activating an adaptive load to preserve the tone if the second of the plurality of LNB signals is selected.

Abstract: A sender of a message can transmit a message to an unspecified user merely by specifying a condition of space without specifying a recipient of the message, using an information processing terminal transmitting a message not with a user address to specify a user but with an area address (a condition of space) to specify an area within an electric wave reachable range of a radio base station; and a server converting the area address to a user address which specifies a PHS terminal currently located in the area represented by said area address and transmitting the message with a converted address to a switching equipment.

Abstract: A system to provide narrowcast communications uses adaptive data rate control to individual subscribers such that the effects of precipitation or other link conditions, which are not common to all subscribers, is mitigated. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the narrowcast data consist of packets which are individually addressed to specific subscribers, or groups of subscribers. The narrowcast data is communicated on a plurality of channels, each of potentially differing data rates. The subscribers are assigned a particular channel, based upon their link quality, to receive packets addressed to them. The lower data rate channel will be less affected by adverse link conditions and are hence assigned to subscribers most likely to incur adverse link conditions.

Abstract: A cellular communications system comprising a space based system comprising a first set of cells, and a ground based system comprising a second set of cells. The space and ground systems can optionally function substantially autonomously, with each using spectrum from at least one predetermined frequency band.

Abstract: A signal is received at a component of the wireless CDMA communications system, such as a base station or satellite gateway. A plurality of data sets is generated from the received signal, respective ones of the plurality of data sets corresponding to respective access probes received, for example, over the reverse access channel (R-ACH) or reverse enhanced access channel (R-EACH). At least some of the plurality of data sets are jointly decoded to recover an access probe payload.

Abstract: A communication system has a stratospheric platform with a payload controller and a phased array antenna having a plurality of main array elements for generating a plurality of communication beams and a plurality of auxiliary elements for canceling interference between the communication beams. A gateway station communicates with the stratospheric platform. The gateway station scales the plurality of elements to form a reconfigurable plurality of beams. The gateway station communicates an embedded control signal to the stratospheric platform to communicate a scaling of elements to form the communication beams and the auxiliary element output. The auxiliary element output is used to provide interference canceling.

Abstract: Provided are a beacon signal generating apparatus and a phase synchronizing apparatus using the same for establishing a phase synchronization while tracking a phase variation of a Timing Source Oscillator (TSO) of a satellite using a simpler scheme at an earth station, in making a phase synchronization between a clock signal of an On board Switch (OBS) embedded in the satellite and that of the earth station in a Satellite Switched Time Division Multiple Access (SS-TDMA) satellite communication system. The inventive beacon signal generating apparatus embedded in a satellite comprises a frequency oscillator for creating a TSO frequency, a beacon signal generator for multiplying the TSO frequency to be matched with a beacon signal frequency to generate a beacon signal synchronized with the TSO frequency, and a transmitter for transmitting the beacon signal to each of earth stations to recovery a frequency synchronized with the TSO frequency.

Abstract: A method, apparatus for providing at least near continuous broadcast services to one or more terrestrial receiver stations is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of satellites, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical geosynchronous orbit, each satellite providing a portion of the at least near continuous broadcast service to the terrestrial receiver. In one embodiment, the system also comprises a receiver station having an legacy antenna modified so as to include a sensitivity pattern substantially matched to the track of the apparent position of the satellites actively broadcasting information to the receiver stations. The present invention is also embodied in a method for receiving at least near continuous broadcast service from at least one of a plurality of satellites at a time, each satellite in an inclined, elliptical, geosynchronous orbit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating a voltage standing wave ratio in a transmitter are disclosed and may comprise calibrating an output power of a power amplifier integrated within a chip using a resistor that models an impedance of an antenna that is externally coupled to the amplifier while the antenna is decoupled. The gain and output power of the amplifier may be determined utilizing the known resistance and a voltage that is measured at an input of the power amplifier, or at a number of points prior to the power amplifier. When the antenna may be coupled to the transmitter, the transmitter output power may then be controlled utilizing the voltage measurements prior to the power amplifier to avoid measuring reflected waves in instances when the antenna impedance may vary. The power amplifier may be of a design that comprises reverse isolation to reduce reflected waves from the antenna.

Abstract: A cellular communications system comprising a space based system comprising a first set of cells, and a ground based system comprising a second set of cells. The space and ground systems can optionally function substantially autonomously, with each using spectrum from at least one predetermined frequency band.

Abstract: A method of disrupting communications reception of a target radio receiver. A plurality of transmitters transmit a noise signal toward the target radio transceiver. Each of the plurality of transmitters has a receiver associated therewith A first transmitter ceases transmitting a noise signal at a pre-determined time. A receiver associated with the first transmitter receives information from another of the plurality of transmitters when the first transmitter has ceased transmitting the noise signal. The first transmitter resumes the transmission of the noise signal after the information has been transmitted.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement, method, and cellular communications system for transmitting and receiving signals between a base station tower, ground-based mobile subscribers, and an aircraft. The antenna arrangement includes a vertically oriented array of antenna elements, and a feedline arrangement that feeds the antenna elements with progressively phase-retarded signals, thereby generating an elevated antenna beam directed upward toward the aircraft and away from the ground-based mobile subscribers. In one embodiment, the antenna arrangement also generates a horizontal antenna beam for communicating with the ground-based subscribers. The horizontal beam and the elevated beam are sufficiently separated in elevation to prevent mutual interference when using the same frequency spectrum.

Abstract: Methods of compensating for interference in communications in a satellite communications system are provided. At a first radioterminal, a measure of an error in communications received through a first service down-link from a satellite is generated. A communications waveform is identified which causes interference to communications through the first service down-link to the first radioterminal when it is transmitted to a second radioterminal at a frequency that is substantially the same as a frequency of the first service down-link. The measure of the error and a measure of the interfering communications waveform are processed to obtain at least one interference compensation value. The at least one interference compensation value is combined with a waveform that is to be transmitted to the first radioterminal to obtain an interference compensated waveform. The interference compensated waveform is transmitted to the first radioterminal through the first service down-link.

Abstract: A signal strength that is associated with a first wireless communications channel is detected. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted over the first wireless communications channel in response to the signal strength being sufficiently weak. A determination is made whether a handoff should be made to a second wireless communications channel having a signal that is weaker than a signal of the first wireless communications channel. Related systems and methods are described.

Abstract: A remote mobile network part (2, 11, 12) may be on an aircraft, a ship, or in a geographically remote location. It comprises a gateway (6) which communicates with a central gateway (9) via a satellite link. The two gateways (6, 9) together are a base station controller (BSC), the satellite link being used for BSC-internal communication. Such communication can be optimised to make best use of the limited bandwidth available on the satellite link.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for use in managing satellite communications includes: receiving, at a first earth-based gateway antenna system, one or more microwave communication signals from a substantially geostationary satellite; monitoring for a performance change in at least one signal from the satellite; and, in response to detecting a performance change in the at least one signal, transmitting instructions to the satellite to transmit at least a portion of the one or more microwave communication signals to a second earth-based gateway antenna system.

Abstract: A method and system for receiving a beacon signal includes a splitter that divides a beacon signal into a first beacon signal and a second beacon signal. The system includes a pair of downconverters down converting the beacon signals into down converted signals. A pair of beacon receivers receives the two downconverted signals and a controller communicates with the first beacon receiver and the second beacon receiver through a first connection and a second connection. Upon interruption of the first connection, the second connection is used for communicating the beacon signals.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal for providing a content and its method are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal for providing content includes a transceiver for receiving a content from a server; a display unit for displaying the content received from the transceiver on a pre-set region; and a controller for controlling the transceiver to receive the displayed content and controlling the display unit.

Abstract: The present non-terrestrial feature transparency system spoofs the Air-to-Ground Network and the ground-based cellular communication network into thinking that the wireless subscriber devices have no special considerations associated with their operation, even though the wireless subscriber devices are located on an aircraft in flight. This architecture requires that the non-terrestrial feature transparency system on board the aircraft replicate the full functionality of a given wireless subscriber device, that has a certain predetermined feature set from a ground-based wireless service provider, at another wireless subscriber device located within the aircraft. This mirroring of wireless subscriber device attributes enables a localized cell for in-cabin communication yet retains the same wireless subscriber device attributes for the air-to-ground link.

Abstract: Methods of providing a feeder link between a first substantially geo-stationary satellite and a satellite gateway include establishing a communications link between the satellite gateway and a second substantially geo-stationary satellite, establishing an inter-satellite communications link between the first substantially geo-stationary satellite and the second substantially geo-stationary satellite, and communicating between the first substantially geo-stationary satellite and the satellite gateway via the inter-satellite communications link and the communications link.

Abstract: An airborne cell phone system comprises a cabin-based system for communicating with a ground station over a satellite link. A base station transceiver is in the ground station and an air interface (Um) is extended to a cabin-based mobile as if the cabin-based mobile is ground-based. The cabin-based system includes the cabin-based mobile for communicating over the Um interface. A custom device emulates the Um interface and communicates with the cabin-based mobile. A cabin transceiver connected to the custom device communicates with the custom device and the satellite link. The ground station further comprises a ground transceiver for communicating with the satellite link. A handset emulator connected the ground transceiver emulates a handset and communicates with the ground transceiver. A ground Um interface communicates with the handset emulator and the base station transceiver communicates with the ground Um interface.

Abstract: A system has a stratospheric platform with a payload controller and a phased array antenna having a plurality of elements. A gateway station communicates with the stratospheric platform. The gateway station scales the plurality of elements to form a reconfigurable plurality of beams. The gateway station communicates a control signal to the stratospheric platform to communicate a scaling of the elements. The stratospheric platform configures the elements of the phased array antenna according to the scaling using adaptive interference rejections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an aircraft-based wireless communications service is disclosed. An exemplary system includes a plurality of aircraft each including on-board equipment for supporting wireless communications with one or more dual mode handsets and for exchanging wireless communication traffic and control information. One or more ground stations communicate with the plurality of commercial aircraft using feeder communications links exchanging the wireless communication traffic and control information and providing interfaces with a terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. A control center manages the one or more ground stations and the on-board equipment of the commercial aircraft and dynamically assigns resources to the on-board equipment of the plurality of aircraft using an overlapped set of coverage patterns.

Abstract: One embodiment of a radio device, in which a specialized receiver and antenna (10 and 11), an input mechanism (14), a storage area (12), a timer/multiplexer (16) and timer/multiplexer switch (17), control signals (13, 15, 18, and 19), low power transmitter (20) and low power transmitter antenna (21), under FCC Part 15 low power transmitter rules, provide aircraft communications to the general public on commercial AM and FM bands.

Abstract: A cellular communications system comprising a space based system comprising a first set of cells, and a ground based system comprising a second set of cells. The space and ground systems can optionally function substantially autonomously, with each using spectrum from at least one predetermined frequency band.

Abstract: A data switching system for a satellite in a satellite data transmission system which relays from a terrestrial sending area to a terrestrial receiving area via the satellite data including payload data and associated control data which constitutes respective switching requests and provides data on the switching of the payload data. The system analyzes data on the basis of a signal conveying the control data and switches the payload data as a function of the result of the analysis of the associated control data to at least one of a plurality of sending ports for sending it to the receiving area. Only the control data is analyzed. The payload data is not analyzed.

Abstract: A space-based component, such as a satellite, is configured to receive wireless communications from radiotelephones in a satellite footprint over an uplink satellite radiotelephone frequency, and to transmit wireless communications to the radiotelephones over a downlink radiotelephone frequency. An ancillary terrestrial network, that may include one or more ancillary terrestrial components, is configured to transmit wireless communications to, and receive wireless communications from, the radiotelephones over the uplink satellite radiotelephone frequency in a time-division duplex mode.

Abstract: A system and method for mobile ground-to-air and air-to-ground communication network acceleration. The system and method can reduce the cost of airborne communication services by creating a faster connection and thus increasing data throughput. In one embodiment, the communication network acceleration system and method provide as much as a four-fold increase over standard high-speed data rates. This increase is made possible in part through the integration, implementation, and use of acceleration and compression technologies in the ground system that supports communications to and from an airborne terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively transmitting an uplink signal comprising information from a ground station to a satellite is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a transmitted downlink signal at a ground station from the satellite; measuring the quality of the transmitted signal; computing a prediction of a degradation of the uplink signal using the quality of the received signal, and transmitting the uplink signal according to the predicted degradation of the uplink signal.

Abstract: A shared satellite gateway can be configured to process at least first and second communications signals associated with respective at least first and second space-based components. The at least first and second communications signals are provided to/from the shared satellite gateway by respective at least first and second service links and respective at least first and second feeder links of the respective at least first and second space-based components.