Abstract: A priority and preemption method for performing a priority and preemption process includes the steps of satisfying a resource acquisition request from a reserve pool for an external system, and when the resource acquisition request cannot be satisfied from the reserve pool, requesting additional unused frequencies, and when the additional unused frequencies are not available, requesting to preempt active calls. The method also includes the step of replenishing the power and the frequencies received from the frequency controller, the data hub and/or the independent operations controller when the frequencies are no longer needed by the priority and preemption system.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system includes at least one satellite and at least one network engineering/systems engineering (NE/SE) system. The NE/SE system performs at least one of the processes of comparing expected traffic loads with capability and availability of space and ground resources in the mobile satellite system; formulating tactical plans to maximize available resources of the at least one satellite, and producing frequency plans for different geographical regions; performing the processes of defining contingency plans for failure situations, including failure in the at least one satellite or a ground-based equipment outage; configuring the mobile satellite system including logical resources and physical components; and configuring communication paths to external organizations operatively connected to the mobile satellite system.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system includes a satellite communication switching office having a satellite antenna for providing communication of satellite messages via a satellite. The mobile satellite system also includes a mobile communication system transmitting to and receiving messages from the mobile satellite system, and a computer aided dispatch (CAD) system sending to and receiving customer messages from the mobile communication system via the mobile satellite system. A central controller controls communication in the mobile satellite system. A customer premises gateway (CPG) system provides an interface between the CAD system and the central controller, enabling the mobile communication system to transmit the messages to the CAD system and enabling the CAD system to transmit the customer messages to the mobile communication 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 communication system, a system for providing communication between multiple users in a closed user group arrangement includes first and second mobile earth terminals (METs) registering with the mobile satellite system. The first MET selects a closed user group network identifier (NET ID) representing a NET group to establish voice communication therewith and transmits the NET ID to a central controller. The central controller receives the NET ID from the first MET, validates the first MET for communication, validates the NET ID, allocates a frequency for the NET group, and broadcasts the message to the NET group informing the NET group of the allocated frequency. The second MET tunes to the frequency in response to the message broadcast by the central controller. A full service dispatch (FSD) system monitors and displays detailed conference activity.

Abstract: A priority and preemption method for performing a priority and preemption process includes the steps of satisfying a resource acquisition request from a reserve pool for an external system, and when the resource acquisition request cannot be satisfied from the reserve pool, requesting additional unused frequencies, and when the additional unused frequencies are not available, requesting to preempt active calls. The method also includes the step of replenishing the power and the frequencies received from the frequency controller, the data hub and/or the independent operations controller when the frequencies are no longer needed by the priority and preemption system.

Abstract: A bracing system protects and secures the internal components of a mobile communication system. The bracing system includes an upper housing comprised of a shock resistant material. The upper housing includes a monitor cavity, elevated portions surrounding the monitor cavity and formed in the upper housing, and elastomer sections disposed on the elevated portions. In addition, the upper housing includes a breakage resistant transparent material placed on the elastomer sections and in conformity with the monitor cavity, a display monitor being protected by the breakage resistant material, and a shock absorbing material disposed around the peripheries of the breakage resistant transparent material and the display monitor. The shock absorbing material is mounted to at least one of the breakage resistant transparent material and the display monitor.

Abstract: Data transfer efficiencies of a frequency division and/or time division multiple access (FDMA/TDMA) communication systems are improved over prior art systems by distributing signalling and messaging activities over all return channels of a channel group, by varying forward to return channel data rate ratios, and by reducing message transport delays with respect to prior art communication systems, based on message traffic over such channel group. Return channels of a defined channel group are time division controlled and are generic to operate either in a signalling mode or in a messaging mode. Data rates for the forward channel and the return channels may be selected from predefined combinations of forward and return channel data rates.

Abstract: In a communication system in which a transmitter transmits data over a communication channel of a fixed bandwidth to a receiver, the method according to which the transmit data rate is continuously adjusted to a rate which is substantially equal to a short-term average data rate. The channel capacity and/or other characteristics of the system, is continuously adjusted, through changes in transmit power, symbol rate and modulation format, to a level at which the ratio of received signal energy per bit to noise spectral density (E.sub.b /N.sub.o) at the receiver is close to but above its minimum acceptable level, thereby matching the channel capacity and/or other characteristics of the system to the traffic. The system has further attributes which adjust the transmit data rate responsive to conditions involving at least one of data traffic levels, power reserve emergency, thermal load and message priority.

Abstract: A packet switched multi-mode mobile communication network and fixed and mobile devices for use therewith are disclosed. Each of the mobile vehicle equipment and a base station packet switch are coupled to respective data terminal equipment which generates packet data messages. The packet data messages have message characteristics associated therewith. Each of the mobile vehicle equipment and the base station packet switch have an intelligent switching node incorporated therein for selecting which of a plurality of radio frequency transmission paths to use in transmitting the packet data message to the other of the mobile vehicle equipment and the base station packet switch. Each of the plurality of radio frequency transmission paths has transmission path characteristics associated therewith.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system includes 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. A central controller receives and transmits the satellite message from the mobile earth station to and from the satellite communication switching office. The mobile communication system includes a user interface system 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. The mobile satellite system comprises a network operations center (NOC) that 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: Data transfer efficiencies of a frequency division and/or time division multiple access (FDMA/TDMA) communication systems are improved over prior art systems by distributing signalling and messaging activities over all return channels of a channel group, by varying forward to return channel data rate ratios, and by reducing message transport delays with respect to prior art communication systems, based on message traffic over such channel group. Return channels of a defined channel group are time division controlled and are generic to operate either in a signalling mode or in a messaging mode. Data rates for the forward channel and the return channels may by selected from predefined combinations of forward and return channel data rates.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system includes a system for managing a mobile satellite system and a mobile communication system responsively connected thereto for registration. The system includes a management system (CMIS) requesting registration of the mobile communication system in the satellite communication system and creating a CMIS record responsive thereto, and a protocol conversion system (DM). The DM performs the functions of receiving and converting the CMIS record to a common record, and transmitting the registration request to the central controller of the CGS. The DM also receives a registration acknowledgement from the central controller indicating that the registration request was completed by the CGS, converts the registration acknowledgement into the common record, and transmits the registration acknowledgement to the CMIS.

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: A system for mapping occurrences of conditions along a transport route is provided. The transport route is travelled by a vehicle storing cargo. The system includes at least one mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing the transport route. The mobile sensing station detects occurrences of the conditions along the transport route to the vehicle. At least one of the conditions indicates that the vehicle is influenced by the conditions. The sensing station receives positional data, correlates the positional data with corresponding occurrences of the conditions, and transmits the correlated data.

Abstract: In a mobile communication system, a system for providing communication between multiple users in a closed user group arrangement includes first and second mobile earth terminals (METs) registering with the mobile satellite system. The first MET selects a closed user group network identifier (NET ID) representing a NET group to establish voice communication therewith and transmits the NET ID to a central controller. The central controller receives the NET ID from the first MET, validates the first MET for communication, validates the NET ID, allocates a frequency for the NET group, and broadcasts the message to the NET group informing the NET group of the allocated frequency. The second MET tunes to the frequency in response, to the message broadcast by the central controller. The closed user group arrangement provides security measures to ensure only authorized METs gain access to the NET group, dual standby mode of operation, and priority default operation.

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.