Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a plurality of satellites, such as low earth orbit satellites, and a plurality of gateways. The satellite communication system is bidirectionally coupled to a terrestrial communication system through at least the plurality of gateways. The satellite communication system and the terrestrial communications system together form a data communication network having a plurality of nodes including source nodes, destination nodes and intermediate nodes. Multiple copies of a packet can coexist within the data communication network, and the packet and its one or more copies are routed, using at least in part satellite-resident routers and gateway-resident routers, over a plurality of different paths between a particular source node and a particular destination node. At least one duplicate copy of a given packet is simply not used during the execution of a packet reordering procedure in the destination node, or at an intermediate node.

Abstract: A satellite-based communications system and a method for operating a satellite-based communications system is disclosed. The system is of a type where communications between a user terminal and a gateway occur using an uplink band of frequencies between the user terminal to at least one satellite and in a downlink band of frequencies between the at least one satellite and the user terminal. The system includes first transceivers in the user terminal, referred to herein as a dual user terminal or dual terminal (10), for transmitting and receiving voice and data in the first and second bands of frequencies using a maximum data rate (e.g., a conventional MSS maximum data rate of 9600 Baud); and further includes second transceivers in the user terminal for transmitting and receiving data in the first and second bands of frequencies using a second data rate that exceeds the maximum data rate.

Abstract: A method includes steps of (a) establishing a call connection between a terrestrial telecommunications network and a user terminal via a first gateway and at least one satellite, (b) while the call connection is established, selecting at least one further satellite, and (c) maintaining the call connection to the terrestrial telecommunications network via a second gateway, the least one further satellite, and the first gateway. The at least one further satellite is selected, at least in part, based on information transmitted from the second gateway to the first gateway through an inter-gateway communications link, and can be based on signal quality indications determined at the user terminal, signal quality indications determined at the gateway(s), or path gains calculated at the gateway(s).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a satellite communications system for coupling a user terminal to a data communications network.

Abstract: A satellite based communication system in a low-earth-orbit (LEO) has multiple beams and FDM channels within each beam for voice/data communication between user terminals and multiple gateways. The satellite based communication system has two links for duplex communication, i.e., a forward link between the gateway and the user terminals through the satellites and a return link between the user terminals and the gateway through the satellites. Low volume telemetry data from remotely located assets, such as liquid petroleum gas tanks, water tanks, oil storage tanks, rail cars is gathered, processed, and transferred to a customer over an Internet link. A remote telemetry unit with a sensor and a simplex transmitting unit transmits remote telemetry data. A gateway receives data and directs the data to a gateway applique for demodulating and decoding. Resulting messages are sent to the customer via a back office over an Internet connection.

Abstract: A method is provided for routing a message through a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving an identifying number (eg: a MIN or ESN) from a wireless terminal and prepending at least one character to the identifying number to form a pseudo-global title. The message is then routed through the telecommunications network to a destination determined by the pseudo-global title. Upon arrival at the destination, the method further includes converting the pseudo-global title to a home location register address. The message is then routed to a home location register having the home location register address.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and an apparatus for extending the effective service regions of gateways and virtual gateways through a gateway-to-gateway diversity technique. The gateways are interconnected for providing user terminal traffic and signalling information between themselves at call setup and during a call.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for operating a satellite communications system as well as a method for providing a larger effective gateway coverage area, and a system that operates in accordance with the methods. The methods include steps of (a) establishing a call connection between a terrestrial telecommunications network and a user terminal via a first gateway and at least one satellite; and (b) while the call connection is established, coupling the user terminal to the terrestrial telecommunications network via a second gateway and at least one further satellite. The step of coupling includes a step of conveying call speech or data information between the first gateway and the second gateway over an inter-gateway communications link. By so linking multiple gateways each gateway experiences an increase in its effective coverage area, as an on-going call can be continued even after a user terminal moves from a first gateway's coverage area into a second gateway's coverage area.

Abstract: A satellite communications system (10) has a controller for improving and optimizing the delivery of path diversity in a satellite repeater-based communication system, thereby conserving both FDM channels and satellite power utilization. The reception of communications is improved, when one or more orbiting satellite repeater (12) transmitters is blocked or severely faded, by recognizing the need for satellite path diversity on a real-time or near real-time basis. A user terminal (13) is thus enabled to receive sufficient signal strength to avoid having an ongoing call automatically terminated. The system optimizes satellite path diversity applied to (a) classes (types) of user terminals and/or (b) to individual user terminals as a function of location and also a local RF propagation environment of the user terminal.

Abstract: The satellite communication system comprises a plurality of satellites. The frequency bandwidth of the return link to each satellite is subdivided into a plurality of channels. The method includes steps of finding a total interference in each channel, calculating a predicted total interference from addition of a first user terminal to each channel, determining if the predicted total interference is a minimum, and allocating the first channel to the first user terminal. The predicted total interference is calculated for each channel of the plurality of channels in the return link to each of at least two satellites. The first channel is allocated to the first user terminal if the predicted total interference in the first channel is the minimum value.

Abstract: In a communication satellite constellation which uses CDMA and multiple spot beams for point-to-point communication, a system is provided for broadcasting regionally related information within a spot beam by establishing a Frequency/Walsh Code Tiling over the Earth's surface, and enabling a user terminal at a given position to tune to an appropriate frequency and Walsh Code to receive the information broadcast from a satellite over a forward beam downlink. The information, e.g. regional messages such as local weather or traffic, is transmitted to the satellite from a ground station or gateway that receives the information from a Broadcast Processing Center. In a preferred embodiment a dedicated Frequency Division Multiplex (FDM) channel within each spot beam transmits the regional broadcast messages at the Tiles in accordance with the Walsh Code designations of the Tiles.

Abstract: The teaching of this invention pertains particularly to satellite communications systems using GSO or NGSO satellites. This invention employs data derived from signals of various types to derive a mathematical model of propagation related attenuation-inducing events so as to plan system resource allocation to minimize an amount of power required to close communication links between user terminals and the satellites. Disclosed are methods for modelling gateway to satellite links, as well as methods for modeling the user terminal to satellite links. This invention overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art by providing a direct measurement of severe path attenuation potential.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile satellite telecommunications system has steps of (a) providing a user terminal that is operable to simultaneously receive a communication signal from a gateway via a plurality of satellites; and, (b) at the gateway, selectively transmitting the communication to one satellite or a plurality of satellites each having a coverage area that includes a current location of the user terminal. The step of selectively transmitting includes a step of considering a plurality of factors, including a current reception state of the user terminal, a current state of satellite power of at least one of the plurality of satellites, and a predicted required state of satellite power of the at least one satellite. The current reception state of the user terminal is indicated by a received signal quality indicator, which in the preferred embodiment is expressed as the Frame Error Rate (FER).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (system) for providing forward-link channel-frequency allocation for multiple-satellite cellular communications networks is disclosed. The system has a centralized ground-operations control center that provides bi-weekly minute-by-minute allocation plans for geographically-defined service areas. This enables each service area to set its diversity policy in accordance with the requirements of the government regulators and customer preferences within the service area. The system has a user model having a frequency re-use pattern, a channel allocation model for modelling the power allocated to each channel, and a gateway channel model for allocating channels in accordance with the user model and the channel allocation model. The allocation is made for each satellite of the plurality of satellites. The traffic allocation induces an operating frequency for each of the one or more links in each satellite of the plurality of satellites.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a gateway will service a user terminal in a satellite communication system comprises the steps of (1) determining whether a position of the user terminal is ambiguous, and (2) if the position is ambiguous, then (a) determining whether a previous registration of a service provider for the user terminal matches a current service provider accessible via the gateway, and (b) if the previous registration matches the current service provider, then accepting the user terminal for service by the gateway. Alternate methods involve determining that the user terminal is at either of two ambiguous positions, and (1) determining whether both of the two ambiguous positions are within a service area of the gateway, (2) determining whether at least one of the two ambiguous positions is within a restricted area for which the gateway does not provide service, or (3) determining a parameter of a beam transmitted from the user terminal to a satellite of the satellite communication system.

Abstract: A satellite-based communications system and a method for operating a satellite-based communications system is disclosed. The system is of a type where communications between a user terminal and a gateway occur using an uplink band of frequencies between the user terminal to at least one satellite and in a downlink band of frequencies between the at least one satellite and the user terminal. The system includes first transceivers in the user terminal, referred to herein as a dual user terminal or dual terminal (10), for transmitting and receiving voice and data in the first and second bands of frequencies using a maximum data rate (e.g., a conventional MSS maximum data rate of 9600 Baud); and further includes second transceivers in the user terminal for transmitting and receiving data in the first and second bands of frequencies using a second data rate that exceeds the maximum data rate.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus to control the actions of a user terminal (UT) located at a remote location, possibly far from a gateway (GW), which has an interface to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or to the Internet. A computer generated and stored database of an area (referred to as a Confidence Polygon), a volume (referred to as a Confidence Volume), and/or a plane (referred to as a Confidence Surface) is used to establish a geometric shape located on the earth, above the earth or in space, or combinations thereof. In addition, there is assigned to these areas, volumes and/or planes a static or a variable value referred to as a Confidence Limit (CL) that can be compared to a value of an error (E) in a position location of the UT. The error signal can either be generated by the UT or by the GW.

Abstract: A method for operating a communication system includes steps of: (a) receiving a call for a user terminal at a satellite system gateway, the call originating from another user terminal; (b) examining a database to determine if the called user terminal is located within a coverage area of the satellite system gateway; and (c) if yes, formulating a paging message and transmitting the paging message to the called user terminal via at least one satellite. Upon the called user terminal responding to the page, the method further: (d) establishes the call using satellite system resources, (e) designates one of the calling or called user terminals as a call manager for the duration of the call, and (f) makes a temporary assignment of satellite system resources to the call manager user terminal for use in managing the remainder of the call. The step of establishing the call includes a step of assigning at least an initial channel/circuit pair to each of the user terminals.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a satellite telecommunications system, including transmitting a message from a user terminal, the message comprising a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); receiving the message with a satellite, selecting a gateway to receive the message based on the URL, and forwarding the message to the selected gateway; at the selected gateway, performing a Domain Name Service (DNS) query in response to the URL received in the message to obtain an Internet protocol (IP) address of a destination server identified by the URL; and replacing the URL with the IP address and sending the message from the gateway to the destination server having the IP address. The gateway is selected in response to a portion of the URL that identifies a country where the destination server identified by the URL is located, and the message is forwarded to the gateway that serves the identified country.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a Domain Name Service (DNS) query from a user terminal; receiving the DNS query with at least one satellite in earth orbit; and applying the DNS query to a DNS server that is on-board the at least one satellite to obtain a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address. The method further operates, in the event the DNS server is unable to obtain the corresponding IP address, to transmit the DNS query to another DNS server, which may be located in another satellite, such as a higher altitude satellite, or to a terrestrial DNS server, such as one at a gateway or one reachable through the Internet. The method further operates to update the DNS server database that is on-board the satellite with information received from a terrestrial DNS server and/or from a space-based DNS server.