Abstract: A method of terminating two or more constituent encoders of a turbo encoder employing a turbo code, comprising the step of: generating tail input bits at each of two or more constituent encoders, including deriving the tail input bits from each of the two or more constituent encoders separately from a contents of shift registers within each of the two or more constituent encoders, after an encoding of information bits by the two or more constituent encoders; puncturing one or more tail output bits such that 1/R output tail bits are transmitted for each of a plurality of trellis branches, wherein R is a turbo code rate employed by the turbo encoder during an information bit transmission. In yet another variation, the step of puncturing the tail output bits further comprises the step of: transmitting, during trellis termination, the tail output bits, only if they are sent from an output branch of one of the two or more constituent encoders that are used during information bit transmission.

Abstract: A system for managing return channel bandwidth in a two-way satellite communication network is disclosed. A plurality of transceivers are configured to transmit backlog information over a return channel via a satellite. The backlog information specifies an amount of queued traffic for the respective transceivers. A hub is configured to receive the backlog information and to allocate a predetermined amount of return channel bandwidth to each of the plurality of transceivers. The hub determines whether additional return channel bandwidth is available to accommodate a remaining backlog such that a bandwidth allocation amount is set to a level associated with one of the plurality of transceivers having the largest backlog. The hub selectively identifies a transceiver among the plurality of transceivers having a next largest backlog based upon the determined available return channel bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method employing a rate matching algorithm for providing an optimized pattern for puncturing parity bits of a turbo encoded data word of a given rate to produce a turbo encoded data word of a desired lower rate, to thus eliminate bits from said turbo encoded data word to be transmitted by a transmitter. The system and method determine a final amount of bits to be transmitted in the encoded data word, and determine, based on the final amount of bits in relation to the original number of bits in the encoded data word, the number of parity bits to be eliminated from transmission in the encoded data word. Because the parity bits typically have been inserted into the encoded data word by different encoders, the system and method uses a rate matching algorithm to provide an optimized pattern for puncturing the parity bits so that substantially the same number of parity bits provided by each encoder are punctured.

Abstract: A system and method for pointing a non-tracking antenna in a geo-synchronous satellite-based communication system is provided. A satellite terminal antenna is initially pointed towards the target satellite by any desired method. The antenna bore sight is then aligned towards the center of a satellite station-keeping box for operational use. By pointing the antenna bore sight towards the center of the satellite station-keeping box, the largest excursion between the antenna's bore sight and the actual satellite position is no greater than half the diagonal of the satellite station-keeping box despite the fact that satellite will move within the satellite station-keeping box's outer limits after the installation of the non-tracking antenna.