Abstract: A satellite-based communications system operating at high data rates includes a plurality of satellites each having uplink and downlink antennas for transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals utilizing a plurality of spot beams to and from a plurality of coverage areas at a predetermined range of frequencies. The system can include, or be combined with, other systems to enable increased capacity over high population areas and ubiquitous coverage over lower population areas. A portable antenna assembly can be coupled to a user's portable or mobile electronic device for coupling the electronic device directly to a satellite. A routing switch provides routing and switching on-board the satellite and routes signals according to their desired destination.

Abstract: A broadband system wherein a mobile user terminal determines a cell set connection with a communications platform using location information provided by a navigation device on said mobile user terminal and a stored database containing a current cell topology for the communications platform.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a dish antenna having a plurality of low noise block converters for the simultaneous reception of signals from a plurality of satellites in a direct broadcast satellite system. An integrated receiver/decoder alternately powers at least two low noise block converters to sample signals for comparison to a threshold value to detect a peak signal for each of the low noise block converters. When the peak signals are detected, they are compared to a master threshold to indicate a master lock for the system.

Abstract: A terrestrial communication system using satellite uplink and downlink frequencies is disclosed. A terrestrial cell site produces a signal at a satellite uplink frequency that is transmitted to a terrestrial user terminal. The terrestrial cell site receives a signal at a satellite downlink frequency that was transmitted by a terrestrial user terminal. The terrestrial cell site may include a signal nulling means in the direction of a satellite producing signals at the uplink and downlink frequencies.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for encoding and decoding data over a communications channel, including receiving input data to be encoded; generating compressed codes from the input data using a Lempel-Ziv-Jeff-Heath (LZJH) data compression algorithm; and applying a minimum redundancy coding algorithm on the compressed codes to generate compressed data.

Abstract: The method for the automatic configuration of a DSL modem, comprises connecting a DSL modem to an analog telephone line, automatically determining available communication resources on the analog telephone line, and thereafter automatically configuring the DSL modem based on the available communication resources. Automatic configuration of the DSL modem is essentially undertaken by (i) automatically ascertaining if a circuit capable of communicating DSL signals is available by automatically detecting if a DSL communication circuit exists on the analog telephone line, and thereafter (ii) automatically configuring the DSL modem for a virtual communication route that is confirmed to be working by automatically identifying a virtual communication route for communications between the DSL modem and a communications network. A DSL modem which performs this methods is also provided.

Abstract: Space-time codes for use with layered architectures with arbitrary numbers of antennas are provided such as rate k/n convolutional codes (e.g., rates higher than or equal to 1/n where n is the number of transmit antennas). Convolutional codes for layered space-time architectures are generated using matrices over the ring F[[D]] of formal power series in variable D.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that outputs a message signal. The transmitter also includes an encoder that generates a code word in response to the message signal. The code word has a construction that defines a plurality of paths associated with an intersymbol interference (ISI) environment of the communication channel, wherein the code word achieves a diversity based upon the number of transmit antennas and the number of ISI paths. Further, the transmitter includes a modulator that modulates the code word for transmission over the communication channel, and multiple antennas that transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system encompasses a receiver that receives the transmitted code word via a number of receive antennas.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that is configured to output a message signal, and an encoder that is configured to generate a code word in response to the message signal. The code word has a construction that is based upon a single dimensional binary code and that specifies a space-time overlay having a predetermined constraint. The transmitter also includes a modulator that is configured to modulate the code word for transmission over the communication channel. Further, the transmitter includes multiple transmit antennas that are configured to transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system also includes a receiver, which may include multiple receive antennas. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted code word via the multiple receive antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners receiving the CAI from a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining if the CAI is of a first type that is transmitted by all of a plurality of transponders or of a second type that is transmitted by fewer than all of the plurality of transponders; passing, to a conditional access module, only CAI from the first tuner and rejecting CAI from any other tuner if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by all transponders; and passing, to the conditional access module, all CAI from any of the plurality of tuners if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by fewer than all transponders.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an Internet user that has no pre-conceived notion of the specific subject matter he or she wishes to initially view, with a graphical user interface which assists the user in locating a web site of interest by first displaying a variety of general categories, each corresponding to a plurality of content-related web sites, and gradually guiding the user to a web page of interest. The system allows an Internet user to review information that has been acquired solely to stimulate their imagination. The invention utilizes an “Imagination Guide”, which presents, on the use's computer screen, a plurality of subject category headings, each heading identifying a unique area of interest. The user can select a preferred language, and is then presented by the list of subject categories corresponding to the selected language.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention utilize a receiver as a terminal to enable commercial transactions to take place that may or may not be coupled with programming that is being broadcast and to provide customers with the option of having their pay-TV bills charged directly to a credit card. The pay-TV provider could allow the customer to activate their pay-TV systems, with the programming package of their choice, without having to call the pay-TV customer service. Utilizing the fact that receivers may have built in modems that are connected to phone lines, connections can be made through that phone line to initiate, transfer, and purchase services and merchandise. If the receiver can successfully establish a secure connection with the pay-TV service provider, vendor, or credit card provider and the billing information is successfully transferred, then the merchandise can be shipped or the appropriate signals can be sent to the receiver to activate the service that the customer has selected.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a satellite constellation consisting of a plurality of satellites. Each of the plurality of satellites is in an orbit whose eccentricity and inclination are perturbed relative to the same geosynchronous orbit. Each of the satellites in the constellation is capable of relaying signals in either direction between a central ground hub and a plurality of mobile user terminals. The plurality of satellites are configured such that the period of their geosynchronous orbit remains substantially constant at one sidereal day.

Abstract: A first transmitting device is used to transmit a first signal on a first carrier frequency to a relay device. The relay device receives the signal by demodulating the first carrier frequency. Subsequently, the relay device retransmits the signal by modulating a second and/or a third carrier frequency. The signal is then recovered at one or more receiving devices by demodulating the second and/or third carrier frequencies. Further, a second transmitting device transmits a second signal on a fourth carrier frequency and the relay device retransmits the signal by modulating a fifth and/or a sixth carrier frequency. The signal is then recovered at one or more receiving devices by demodulating the fifth and/or sixth carrier frequencies. The transmitting and/or receiving devices are preferably voice terminals, such as a wireless telephones or data terminals, such as portable computers.

Abstract: An integrated receiver decoder is provided for allowing simultaneous transmission of compressed and uncompressed signals for an audio/video program. The integrated receiver decoder includes a demodulator for receiving a modulated carrier signal and extracting a baseband signal therefrom. The demodulator transmits the baseband signal to a demultiplexor. The demultiplexor extracts a selected compressed signal from the baseband signal. The demultiplexor then transmits the selected compressed signal to a compression decoder for converting the selected compressed signal into a selected uncompressed signal. The compression decoder then transmits the selected uncompressed signal to a graphics overlay device for blending the selected uncompressed signal with user interface graphics. Thereafter, a digital transport device combines the selected compressed signals with a blended uncompressed signal so as to produce a multiplexed signal for transmission through a universal interface output.

Abstract: A system for determining which of several satellites to tune an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) to for receiving electronic program guide data is described. The system scans a plurality of multi-switch ports attempting to acquire a digital marker associated with a predetermined network identifier and polarity. The acquired marker contains information representing a satellite network and a satellite transponder number. In this manner, the system automatically configures the IRD to present electronic program guide information associated with available satellites while excluding guide information associated with unavailable satellites.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a computer implemented method for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network. A PPPoE session is established, and a username is randomly chosen from a list of usernames stored on a modem. An authentication request is then transmitted from the modem to a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) over a PPPoE network. The BRAS subsequently load balances the authentication request between the multiple Broadband Service Nodes (BSNs) and transmits the authentication request to one of the multiple BSNs determined by the load balancing. The modem then receives authorization from at least one of the multiple BSNs. The authorization preferably comprises a temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address. Full configuration details, including a static IP address, are then obtained from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The invention also provides a system and computer program product for performing the above.

Abstract: A multimode transmission system using TDMA provides a plurality of satellite services to a ground station terminal. These services include timing beacon synchronization, multi-cast/broadcast data service, calibration data, and point-to-point data service. The multimode transmission system uses a TDM switch to generate a TDMA signal having a plurality of TDMA transmission frames. Each TDMA transmission frame includes a plurality of downlink frame time slots. Each time slot may be of variable length and is dynamically allocated to an individual satellite service based upon demand. The TDMA signal is then broadcast using an advanced transmit antenna system, which requires beam-shaping and beam power control features, to enable TDMA switching between shaped beams and spot beam modes of the antenna. These antenna features allow for the dynamic partitioning of satellite system capacity between wide-area broadcasts and localized point-to-point service and efficient utilization of the satellite transmission power.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing interference between communications systems sharing at a portion of at least some allocated frequency bands is described. The system comprises a first communication system broadcasting on a first set of broadcast bands having guard bands therebetween, and a second communications system broadcasting on a second set of broadcast bands substantially spanning the guard bands of the first communications system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for communicating data from a first node to a second node has been described. The method comprises the steps of receiving input data at the first node, transmitting a resource request having a resource metric from the first node to an allocating agent, receiving an allocation of resource units according to the resource metric, the resource units comprising at least one DAMA channel resource metric and at least one RA channel resource unit, queuing the input data into the DAMA channel buffer, dequeuing input data from the DAMA channel buffer into the RA channel buffer according to a comparison between a predicted transmission delay and a delay threshold, and transmitting the dequeued input data in the RA channel buffer via the RA resource units. The article of manufacture comprises a data storage device tangibly embodying instructions to perform the method steps described above.