Abstract: A single, large-scale satellite access communication network may be configured as infrastructure for many small-scale subnets, wherein each subnet may be configured to serve a different organization (e.g. an SME) as a private network. Each subnet may be configured as a small star and/or mesh satellite data access network from the end-user perspective, yet all subnets may be configured to be part of the total large-scale network and share satellite bandwidth resources. Such configuration may yield significantly higher bandwidth efficiency, lower operation and equipment costs, minimized latency and ease of network operations for each of the small organizations sharing the large-scale network.

Abstract: In a satellite communication system, comprising a hub, a satellite and plurality of remote terminals (e.g., VSATs), a method for allocating timeslots over a return channel to VSATs in real time, without a reference to a predefined time-frequency map, for at least the purpose of optimizing return channel utilization. Also presented are a method for dividing a return channel to transmission channels in real time, a method for determining a most suitable timeslot type for a VSAT per allocation period and a tiling algorithm for mapping allocated capacity onto return channel bandwidth.

Abstract: A service level agreement may be imposed by a service provider that may include, e.g., a volume limitation and a bandwidth limitation. One or more limitations of the service level agreement may be enforced or modified in response to a triggering event. For example, a bandwidth limitation on a network subscriber may be enforced or modified based on how much data is consumed by the subscriber.

Abstract: Providing quality of service (QoS) for applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and enforcing service level agreements (SLA) are major requirement in any current and future communication networks. On the other hand, more communication networks are employing adaptive transmission mechanisms, such as DVB-S2 ACM in satellite communication networks. In non-adaptive networks, QoS enforcers use static bit rate configurations. However, using a static bit rate configuration in an adaptive network may result in underflow situations, during which it may not be possible to utilize the full capacity of the transmission channel and expensive resources may therefore be wasted, In addition, using a static bit rate configuration in an adaptive network may result in overflow situations, during which it may be necessary to drop user traffic packets and therefore quality of service may not be maintained. It is therefore imperative that QoS enforcers have knowledge of the network's available bit rate at all times.

Abstract: In a satellite communication network, comprised of a central hub and a plurality of remote terminals, a multi-layered return channel (inbound) bandwidth design, for at least the purpose of mitigating rain fade effects. In addition, an allocation algorithm for allocating timeslots against capacity requests from remote terminals over a multi-layered return channel bandwidth design on a burst-by-burst basis.

Abstract: This a satellite communication system comprised of a hub and plurality of remote terminals, wherein the system is configured for frequency reuse, a method and apparatus for signal cancellation are disclosed. The disclosed method and apparatus enable the hub to extract return link signals overlaying a transmitted forward link signal, wherein the forward link signal is transmitted at a power level higher than that of the overlaying return link signals.

Abstract: In a communication network comprised of a central management entity and plurality of terminals, methods and systems for remotely binding terminals to the network and for unbinding already bind terminals when necessary. Once bind to a network, a terminal may not operate in another network, unless the two networks share a secret.

Abstract: In a satellite-based communication network comprised of a central hub and plurality of remote terminals configured to transmit data to and receive data from the central hub in accordance with EN 301 790 (DVB-RCS), and where one or more of these remote terminals may be configured to include an additional receiver module configured to receive MF-TDMA transmission of other remote terminals, a mesh receiver and methods for coupling the mesh receiver with the host remote terminal. In addition, described herein are methods for synchronizing the mesh receiver on the network's timing and frequency and for utilizing the available link power for achieving efficient connectivity.

Abstract: In a satellite communication network, a link between a remote terminal and a traffic processor located at the hub may be used for providing services over a satellite link, such as traffic routing, protocol acceleration, data compression and data encryption. Aspects of this invention relate to methods and apparatus for automatically and dynamically associating remote terminals with traffic processors. These methods may be used for simplifying the satellite network's configuring process, especially for large scale networks, for offering load balancing between traffic processors and for offering an efficient automatic redundancy mechanism when a traffic processor malfunctions.

Abstract: An earth station interface architecture provides full mesh connectivity for a relatively small number of network stations. A component of the architecture is a switch, which employs' a network interface standard to ‘define the multiplexing of multiple virtual ports across single physical communications port. Through address and control fields of its connectivity control software, the switch can be dynamically configured to provide multilayer addressing, and device selectivity, thereby enabling point-to-point connectivity of multiple terminal devices, such as a plurality of audio circuits, to be effected via a single port. Dial codes on the station side of an audio signal multiplexer link are translated into frame relay addresses (data link connection identifiers) that are added to each frame of data for routing through the network. With this additional layer of routing information, audio (voice) connectivity is now available between any two audio circuits (e.g. trunks) in the network.

Abstract: A method of classifying, scheduling, prioritizing, and optimizing data to provide a final data packet ready for transmission by the modem to the head end. Additionally, a feedback loop is provided to improve scheduling, prioritizing and optimizing data by providing real-time bandwidth availability related information and maximum packet size to be sent over the physical layer.

Abstract: A satellite system is packed into and transported via a backpack whereby the backpack integrally accommodates and supports the satellite antenna system as a single unit. The satellite antenna system expands or telescopes from the backpack as a complete working unit without the assembly of parts or minimal assembly such as the connection of cables. The backpack itself becomes the base to support the satellite antenna system in a stable position.

Abstract: An earth station interface architecture provides full mesh connectivity for a relatively small number of network stations. A component of the architecture is a switch, which employs' a network interface standard to 'define the multiplexing of multiple virtual ports across single physical communications port. Through address and control fields of its connectivity control software, the switch can be dynamically configured to provide multilayer addressing, and device selectivity, thereby enabling point-to-point connectivity of multiple terminal devices, such as a plurality of audio circuits, to be effected via a single port. Dial codes on the station side of an audio signal multiplexer link are translated into frame relay addresses (data link connection identifiers) that are added to each frame of data for routing through the network. With this additional layer of routing information, audio (voice) connectivity is now available between any two audio circuits (e.g. trunks) in the network.

Abstract: A system includes a method for automatically reconfiguring a satellite network with a high accuracy in order to enable system reconfiguration very quickly and at a low cost. The system employs a single axis steering mechanism.

Abstract: A collection of methods, which when combined together provide suitable bandwidth resources for real-time content exchange over a satellite-based network, wherein the network employs a reservation-based access scheme, such as but not limited to DVB-RCS. Furthermore, the methods provide suitable bandwidth wherein transmission conditions deteriorate while real-time content is being exchanged and the already allocated resources can no longer be used.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dynamically optimizing the transmission level of each remote terminal in a satellite-based communication network. Each remote terminal maintains quasi-error-free communication at the highest efficiency level available under changing link conditions and network configurations, without requiring the reservation of substantial power margins, which results in a much more efficient satellite network.

Abstract: To allocate a VSAT to a MODCOD in a DVB-S2 ACM system, the HUB periodically transmits pilot frames of alternating MODCODs, which is identified by the VSAT. An FPGA at a VSAT site maintains telemetry of good and bad frames. A processor polls this telemetry to determine the optimal MODCOD to be allocated to the VSAT.

Abstract: A system and method for packing data over User Packets and packing the User Packets over DVB-S2 Frames, using the DVB-S2-ACM satellite transmission standard.

Abstract: A frame relay protocol-based earth station interface architecture provides full mesh connectivity for a relatively small number of network stations. The fundamental component of the architecture is a frame relay protocol-based switch, which employs a network interface ‘frame relay’ standard to define the multiplexing of multiple virtual ports across single physical communications port. Through address and control fields of its connectivity control software, the frame relay protocol-based switch can be dynamically configured to provide multilayer addressing and device selectivity, thereby enabling point-to-point connectivity of multiple terminal devices, such as a plurality of audio circuits, to be effected via a single port. Dial codes on the station side of an audio signal multiplexer link are translated into frame relay addresses (data link connection identifiers) that are added to each frame of data for routing through the network.

Abstract: A demand-based connection management satellite communication network includes a plurality of geographically distributed earth stations, each earth station having a frame relay protocol-based switch for interfacing message signals between terminal devices and modem unit. One of the earth stations is a hub station whose modem unit includes plural demodulators tuned to carrier frequencies transmitted from other, remote stations. Each remote station has at least one hub-programmable demodulator and/or a programmable modulator. When an originating station receives a request from a terminal device for connectivity with a terminal device at a destination station, it transmits a connectivity request message to the hub station. In response, the hub station checks a demodulator and/or modulator frequency assignment database for demodulator availability.