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 VSAT terminal including an antenna, a microwave power amplifier, a microwave low noise amplifier, a transmitter coupled via the microwave power amplifier to the antenna, a receiver coupled via the microwave low noise amplifier to the antenna, a user VSAT interface, and a controller in communication with the user VSAT interface and in electrical connection with the microwave power amplifier and the microwave low noise amplifier for supplying power thereto, the controller being operative to provide a less-than-full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the absence of a communication session and operative to provide a full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the presence of a communication session. A smart stand by mode is employed in which the transmitter and receiver are turned off simultaneously to conserve power. The receiver turns on periodically to determine if it is to receive a call.

Abstract: Burst transmissions in a burst-type communication system include a preamble synchronization sequence which allows detection and synchronization a burst transmission while at the same time providing information to a receiver, for example, on the subsequent burst payload data. Each burst transmission includes a preamble synchronization sequence which is one of a plurality of predetermined allowed preamble sequences in the system, according to the information desired to be transmitted. The system may also use differential encoding and decoding to eliminate the effects of frequency uncertainty. In that case, the allowed preamble sequences may be such that, after differential decoding, they differ from one another only by a polarity inversion such that a single matched filter may be used to detect two preamble sequences.

Abstract: A broadband communication system with improved latency is disclosed. The system employs distributed caching techniques to assemble data objects at locations proximate to a source to avoid latency over delayed links. The assembled data objects are then multicast to one or more remote terminals in response to a request for the objects, thus reducing unnecessary data flow across the satellite link.

Abstract: A VSAT terminal including an antenna, a microwave power amplifier, a microwave low noise amplifier, a transmitter coupled via the microwave power amplifier to the antenna, a receiver coupled via the microwave low noise amplifier to the antenna, a user VSAT interface, and a controller in communication with the user VSAT interface and in electrical connection with the microwave power amplifier and the microwave low noise amplifier for supplying power thereto, the controller being operative to provide a less-than-full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the absence of a communication session and operative to provide a full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the presence of a communication session.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to packetization techniques for satellite transmission of data, such as telephony data. Some embodiments use the MPEG2 standard in connection with the ETSI DVB data piping profile for arranging the data. Embodiments also relate to method for receiving, demultiplexing and managing incoming telephony data to support a variety of telephony applications including voice, facsimile, Internet and other data.

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: An outgoing transmission carrier frequency at, for example, a remote terminal, may be adjusted based on a feature rate of an incoming transmission. The adjustment may compensate for error in the outgoing transmission carrier frequency. The incoming transmission may be from a satellite or hub, for example. The outgoing transmission may be the signal that is transmitted by an antenna, or the outgoing transmission may be converted to be at another carrier frequency such as a higher carrier frequency for ultimate transmission by an antenna. Also, a remote terminal may be synchronized to a satellite network with or without knowledge of the remote terminals' geographical location and with or without time stamps.

Abstract: A service level agreement may be imposed by a service provider, such as an Internet 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: 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: Efficient utilization of a shared pool of time-frequency slot resources in a return channel among a plurality of remote terminals in a satellite communication system. Within the shared pool of time-frequency slot resources for data, allowing access through circuit-switched TDM allocations, reservation allocations, or random access. Within the shared pool of time-frequency resources for control, allowing duplicate control burst transmissions in random access. Other improvements in the control channel include self-allocation by the remote terminals or hub-allocation to the remote terminals.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector having a first axis, a second axis, a focal zone that is about parallel to the first axis, and a focal point located within the focal zone. A transmit feed is located at the focal point, and at least one receive feed is located within the focal zone. The transmit feed is part of a bidirectional feed that includes an integral receive feed. The bidirectional feed transmits and receives an RF signal carrying digital information signals to and from a first satellite, such as an FSS satellite, and each respective receive feed receives a signal from satellite, such as a DBS satellite.

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: An antenna includes a reflector having a first axis, a second axis, a focal zone that is about parallel to the first axis, and a focal point located within the focal zone. A transmit feed is located at the focal point, and at least one receive feed is located within the focal zone. The transmit feed is part of a bidirectional feed that includes an integral receive feed. The bidirectional feed transmits and receives an RF signal carrying digital information signals to and from a first satellite, such as an FSS satellite, and each respective receive feed receives a signal from satellite, such as a DBS satellite.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically positioning/directing satellite antennas towards a satellite with which it is to communicate. The system and method may use characteristics of symmetry of mutually exclusive orthogonal axes. By using the symmetry of the antenna main beams, the ideal direction of the antenna can be attained and, at the same time, maximum cross-polarization may be achieved. The cross polarization may be required in order not to interfere with the orthogonal polarization. The system and method may position the Antenna on three mutually exclusive orthogonal planes, including the azimuth plane, the elevation plane, and the polarization plane. The system and method may include an indoor unit, which may include a satellite receiver, a telemetric transmission, and supply of voltage to a control system and which may control a drive motor and/or an electronic search device; and an outdoor unit, which may include a supervisory unit, a motor, and a control unit.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector having a first axis, a second axis, a focal zone that is about parallel to the first axis, and a focal point located within the focal zone. A transmit feed is located at the focal point, and at least one receive feed is located within the focal zone. The transmit feed is part of a bidirectional feed that includes an integral receive feed. The bidirectional feed transmits and receives an RF signal carrying digital information signals to and from a first satellite, such as an FSS satellite, and each respective receive feed receives a signal from satellite, such as a DBS satellite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, device and method for managing satellite communication transmission. Transmission management is accomplished without intervention from a central processing unit (CPU) to improve overhead. Transmission parameters from a first data buffer may be stored to configure transmission of data in a time slot without CPU intervention.

Abstract: VSAT networks may support one or more transaction terminals without modification to the transaction terminals. The VSAT indoor unit may include a reverse modem which emulates the local loop of a PSTN. Thus, the VSAT network may be connected directly to the transaction terminal without modification or recertification of the transaction terminal. Alternatively, the VSAT indoor unit may include a wireless LAN. This provides a cost effective interface to support credit, ATM, or other applications in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In this manner, the VSAT local retailer may retrofit existing terminals and/or ATM machines which may render obsolete the retailer's need to have any services from the local phone company. The VSAT indoor unit may also provide the local retailer with telephone access, Internet access, and broadband mass media services such as music and streaming video.

Abstract: A method and system for delayed random access is provided. In order to attempt to capture a channel, each VSAT randomly chooses when to load and where to transmit. Each of the VSAT schedules the transmission of data when the data that needs to be sent, utilizes more than a preset percentage of the channel and/or when a predetermined delay has elapsed. When multiple sources transmit data through a single VSAT, the system may withhold transmission until it aggregates enough data to efficiently utilize the channel. Alternatively, when there is a time out, the VSAT transmits the data regardless of the utilization of the channel. Blocking of a channel by a VSAT can be prevented so that the channel can be used by another VSAT in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: A VSAT telecommunications system including a satellite, first and second VSAT terminals, and a hub communicating via the satellite with the first and second VSAT terminals, the transmissions from the hub are generally continuous, while transmissions from the VSAT terminals are generally in bursts, and the at least one first VSAT terminal has the capability of receiving transmissions from the hub but lacks the capability of receiving transmissions from another VSAT terminal, and the at least one second VSAT terminal has the capability of receiving transmissions from the hub and also has the capability of receiving transmissions from another VSAT terminal.