Abstract: Wireless communications transceivers include a transmitter that is configured to selectively frequency shift and transmit portions of broadband information over multiple non-contiguous narrowband frequency bands/segments, each of which is too narrow to carry the broadband information. A receiver also is configured to receive and selectively frequency shift portions of broadband information from multiple non-contiguous narrowband frequency bands/segments, each of which is too narrow to carry the second broadband information. Broadband information thereby may be transmitted and received in a regulated communications environment, even though a given provider may only be assigned discontinuous frequency bands/segments, none of which is wide enough to carry the entire broadband information.

Abstract: Wireless communications are transmitted from at least two radioterminals to a base station co-channel over a return link using a return link alphabet. Wireless communications are also transmitted from the base station to the at least two radioterminals over a forward link using a forward link alphabet that has more symbols than the return link alphabet. The co-channel signals are deciphered at the receiver, while the radioterminals can use a smaller return link alphabet, which can reduce the power dissipation at the radioterminals.

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 satellite communications system includes a plurality of feeder link antennas, a primary satellite, and an auxiliary satellite. The feeder link antennas are substantially co-located relative to one another. The primary satellite is configured to receive information over a plurality of return service links from radioterminals, to communicate a first portion of the information over at least one return feeder link directly to a first one of the feeder link antennas, and to communicate a second portion of the information over at least one inter-satellite link. The auxiliary satellite is spaced apart from the primary satellite, and configured to receive the second portion of the information from the primary satellite via the at least one inter-satellite link, and to communicate the second portion of the information across at least one return feeder link to a second one of the feeder link antennas.

Abstract: Methods of forming a downlink beam in an adaptive antenna system of a communications system that may reduce inter-system and/or intra-system interference include receiving vectors of signals including signals transmitted by user terminals of the communications system and signals transmitted by transceivers of an independent communications system, obtaining spatial information for the user terminals of the communications system and the transceivers of the independent communications system, generating complex transmitting weights that form spatial nulls directed at the transceivers of the independent communications system, and transmitting a downlink communications signal using the complex transmitting weights. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Satellite communications methods include receiving communications signals including co-channel interference at a space-based component from a plurality of wireless terminals in a satellite footprint over a satellite frequency band and reducing interference in the communication signals by (a) performing co-channel interference reduction on the communications signals to generate a plurality of interference reduced signals and (b) performing multiple access interference cancellation on the interference reduced signals. An interference reducing detector for a satellite communications system includes an interference reducer configured to perform co-channel interference reduction on communications signals to generate a plurality of interference reduced signals, and a detector configured to perform multiple access interference cancellation on the interference reduced signals. Satellite communications systems and satellite gateways including interference reducing detectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Space-based wireless radiotelephone communications are provided in a satellite footprint over a satellite radiotelephone frequency band. The satellite footprint is divided into satellite cells in which satellite radiotelephone frequencies of the satellite radiotelephone frequency band are spatially reused. At least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is assigned to a given satellite cell in the satellite footprint is terrestrially reused outside the given satellite cell. A radiation pattern of at least the given satellite cell is modified to reduce interference with the at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies that is terrestrially reused outside the given satellite cell.

Abstract: Information content is nonidentically mapped between service link carriers and feeder link carriers at a cellular satellite. A reduced number of satellite feeder link carriers compared to the number of satellite service link carriers and/or a reduced total bandwidth of the satellite feeder link carriers compared to the satellite service link carriers thereby may be obtained.

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 wireless communications system includes a terrestrial network that is configured to receive wireless communications from radiotelephones over satellite band frequencies that are divided into channels that are separated by one of frequency or code (e.g., OFDMA or CDMA). The terrestrial network is also configured to transmit wireless communications to radiotelephones over satellite band frequencies that are divided into channels that are separated by a different one of frequency or code (e.g., CDM or OFDM). Related devices and methods are also disclosed.

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 satellite radiotelephone system includes a space-based component and an ancillary terrestrial component that are configured to receive wireless communications from radiotelephones. The radiotelephones are configured to transmit wireless communications to the ancillary terrestrial component over a range of satellite band forward link frequencies. The radiotelephone outputs are gated to cease transmissions periodically over a period of time. Related systems, methods, components and devices are described.

Abstract: A method of providing communications can be provided by at least one space-based and/or terrestrial component of a first system/operator transmitting/receiving information using spectrum allocated to a second system/operator at an aggregate interference level at a space-based component of the second system/operator that is less than or substantially equal to a predetermined threshold. Related other methods, systems, and radioterminals are also disclosed.

Abstract: A level of interference to a wireless receiver may be controlled by determining a set of frequencies to be assigned to a wireless transmitter, responsive to an activity factor associated with the wireless transmitter, other than a transmission power level of the wireless transmitter. The set of frequencies is then assigned to the wireless transmitter. Related systems, methods and devices are also described.

Abstract: Communications device may include a plurality of antenna elements, an ancillary control receiver, and a primary receiver. The plurality of antenna elements may provide respective fixed beams. The ancillary control receiver may be coupled to each of the antenna elements, and the ancillary control receiver may be configured to measure a signal strength from each of the antenna elements and to select one of the antenna elements responsive to the measured signal strengths. The primary receiver may be configured to receive communications using the selected antenna element. Related methods are also discussed.

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: Methods are provided to operate a communications system including a satellite and a satellite gateway. In particular, a feeder link may be provided between the satellite and the satellite gateway over a feeder link frequency band for communication of information between the satellite gateway and the satellite. A service link may be provided between the satellite and at least one radioterminal in a coverage area of the satellite over a service link frequency band. Moreover, the feeder link and service link frequency bands may be different. In addition, a frequency segment of the feeder link may be linearly translated from the feeder link frequency band to the service link frequency band to provide a frequency segment of the service link. Related satellites are also discussed.

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 satellite radiotelephone system includes a space-based component that is configured to communicate with multiple radiotelephones over multiple frequency bands and/or multiple air interfaces. An ancillary terrestrial network is configured to communicate terrestrially with the multiple radiotelephones over substantially the multiple frequency bands and/or substantially the multiple air interfaces. An aggregate radiated power controller is configured to limit an aggregate radiated power by the multiple radiotelephones to a maximum aggregate radiated power.

Abstract: A radioterminal includes a wireless communications transmitter, a wireless communications receiver and a GPS receiver. A controller is configured to enable the GPS receiver when the wireless communications receiver is receiving wireless communications, and to disable the GPS receiver when the wireless communications transmitter is transmitting wireless communications. Related methods also are described.