Abstract: A method and system for testing a Local Area Network (LAN) coupled to a satellite network through a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is disclosed. The method includes: providing a LAN diagnostics tool disposed on the CPE for executing a plurality of tests; receiving, at the LAN diagnostics tool, a test request comprising an execution environment indicator; selecting a test agent based on the execution environment indicator; sending in response to the test request, from the LAN diagnostics tool, the selected test agent; and testing the LAN with communications between the LAN diagnostics tool and the selected test agent being executed on a device connected to the LAN.

Abstract: A method is provided for interleaving frequency reuse plans of multiple satellites to form an aggregate frequency reuse cell plan. A first plurality of spot beams is generated by a first satellite for a first frequency reuse plan based on radio frequency (RF) spectrum bands. A second plurality of spot beams is generated by a second satellite for a second frequency reuse plan based on the RF spectrum bands. The first and second plurality of spot beams are interleaved to generate an aggregate frequency reuse cell plan. According to the aggregate frequency reuse plan, each of a first plurality of cells is covered by a combination of at least two of the plurality of spot beams of the first satellite, and each of a first plurality of cells is covered by a combination of at least two of the plurality of spot beams of the second satellite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically balancing traffic loads in a communications system (such as satellite communications systems), based on a control of collision rates via the real-time control of throughput of channels of the communications system (such as a real time throughput of random access channels in a satellite network). The method and apparatus generates and transmits to remote nodes or terminals an operating probability based on the determined throughput for transmission using the communications channel. Also, the method and apparatus includes receiving by at least one terminal the generated operating probability and determining by the at least one terminal a transmission probability for the communications channel based upon the received operating probability, which can further be adjusted by one or more of a received upper or lower limit of the generated operating probability or a collision rate for the communications channel.

Abstract: A method comprises monitoring, by a control module of a wireless communications terminal, factors related to a first data path for transmission/reception of data communications by the wireless communications terminal over a wireless data communications network. The control module then determines that the first data path is affected by condition(s), by determining that at least one of the factors satisfies a predetermined state reflecting the condition(s) affecting the first data path. The control module then determines a second data path, wherein the second data path is not affected by the conditions affecting the first data path. The control module then switches from the first data path to the second data path for the transmission/reception of the data communications by the wireless communications terminal over the wireless data communications network.

Abstract: A communications terminal comprises data interface, a transport selection processor and a plurality of communications modems. The data interface receives input data from application sessions for transmission over a data communications network. Each of the application sessions imposes respective transmission requirements for transmission of the data over the data communications network. Each of the communications modems transmits the input data over the data communications network via a respective transmission platform, wherein each transmission platform exhibits respective transmission characteristics based on a transmission technology of the transmission platform. The modems are configured to transmit the input data simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for channel bonding in an adaptive coding and modulation mode. In some implementations, a system receives packets of a data stream for transmission in a satellite communications system. The system determines a modulation and coding arrangement for the received packets. The system generates code blocks that include data from the packets of the data stream. The system assigns the generated code blocks for transmission on different carriers. One or more of the different carriers is operated in an adaptive coding and modulation mode to support multiple modulation and coding arrangements within a single carrier. The system transmits the code blocks on the different carriers using the determined one or more modulation and coding arrangements.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include transmitting an OFDM signal including a succession of frames spaced apart by a set of training symbols that are symmetric in time and each formed by a plurality of even-frequency sub-carriers, spaced by odd frequency zeros. The OFDM signal is received and sampled and timing metrics are determined. Local maximums, or peaks of the timing metrics are detected, and from the peaks a coarse time offset is determined. A correlation metric, at sample indexes within a region determined by the coarse time offset, is applied and, based on a peak, an estimated time offset is generated. A correlation metric of the estimated time offset is determined and, based on the correlation metric, an estimated frequency offset is generated.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a computer programmed: for each of a plurality of terminals, to receive inroute data via one of a plurality of respective inroute channels; using the plurality of respective inroute channels, to determine a first super inroute group (SIG) and a second SIG based on symbol rates of respective inroute channels; to determine a channel quality value of a first inroute channel, of a first terminal, wherein the first inroute channel is one of the plurality of respective inroute channels; to determine a backlog volume of one of the first SIG or the second SIG; and based on determining the channel quality value of the first terminal and the backlog volume of the first or second SIGs, to transmit, to the first terminal, outroute data comprising an instruction to change to a different inroute channel of the first or second SIG.

Abstract: A User Equipment and method for transmitting a random-access radio frequency (RF) signal by applying Asynchronous Coded Multiple Access (ACMA) in a communication system employing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is described. The method including: encoding an information stream as OFDM symbols using a low rate Forward Error Correction (FEC) coding suitable for Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) to form a payload; generating a burst, including symbols, by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform on a unique word (UW) multiplexed with the payload; and synchronizing a transmission of each of the symbols of the burst with consecutive symbol-start instants. The UW includes a plurality of Zadoff-Chu (ZC) like sequences disposed in a subset of consecutive symbol-start instants of the burst. A receiver detects burst arrival by searching for consecutive ZC-like sequences. Channel state estimation can be performed by using the UW with additional ZC-like sequences in the burst.

Abstract: A terminal receives a first request by a client for a slice of a data stream, and transmits the request to a streaming server. The terminal receives a first request by another client for the slice of the data stream and, in response, transmits the first request by the other client to the streaming server. The terminal receives a multicast packet that encapsulates the slice of the data stream, and extracts the slice. The terminal, then responds to the first request, by sending the client the extracted slice.

Abstract: A high capacity satellite communications system including a satellite with a beam for a forward downlink focused on a geographic area for which disproportionately higher capacity is desired, a hub located in a geographic area for which disproportionately lower capacity is desired, compared to the location of a VSAT, and the VSAT located in area where a beam for a forward downlink received by the VSAT from the satellite does not overlap with a beam for a return downlink received by the hub from a satellite.

Abstract: An approach is provided for delivering high throughput inroute bandwidth to a terminal in a shared bandwidth satellite communications system. A backlog level of each of a number of remote terminals is monitored, wherein the backlog level of each terminal reflects an amount of data traffic awaiting transmission via an inroute channel of the communications system. When it is determined that the backlog level of one terminal meets a first threshold level, the terminal is assigned to an express priority bandwidth allocation stage. The backlog level of the terminal is monitored while assigned to the express priority stage. When it is determined that the backlog level of the terminal has fallen below a second threshold level, the terminal is removed from the express priority stage. Further, a probability is applied to a qualifying terminal, where the probability controls whether the terminal is assigned to the express priority bandwidth stage.

Abstract: An approach for classification of a data traffic session over a data communications network is provided. A network device receives data packets of the data traffic session. The network device determines a plurality statistical factors that characterize the data traffic session based on the received data packets. The network device analyzes the determined statistical factors in relation to a plurality of classification variables, and classifies the data traffic session as being one of a plurality of session priority types based on the analysis, wherein each of a plurality of subsets of the classification variables delineates the plurality of session priority types over a continuum with respect to a corresponding one of the statistical factors.

Abstract: A system comprises a first computing device including a processor programmed to define a plurality of download slots during a download session, each of the download slots being a predetermined period of time. The processor further selects download slots from the plurality of download slots during which a first amount of data in the download buffer remained greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold. For each of the selected download slots, the processor determines a first download throughput rate. The processor calculates a session download throughput rate based on the first download throughput rates, and reports the session download throughput rates to a second computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for timing synchronization of satellite switching instants with gateway switching instants is described.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code which when executed by an apparatus causes the apparatus to effect the method, for pre-fetching web content. Preferably, a proxy server performs the pre-fetching. Techniques such, for example, as executing Javascript in pre-fetched pages, modifying pre-fetched pages to address URL generation involving random numbers or dates, using cookie information or browser specifics when performing pre-fetching of pages, and injecting Javascript to measure response time may be performed, by way of example.

Abstract: An RF communications transmitter system comprising a processor, a switch and a plurality of feedhorns. The switch is configured to receive a feed signal of a frequency bandwidth. The processor is configured to control the switch to provide the feed signal to each of at least two of the feedhorns for a respective time period. Each of the at least two feedhorns is configured to generate a beam during the respective time period that the feed signal is provided thereto, wherein the beam is formed based on the feed signal and is transmitted to cover a geographic area of the Earth. The formation and transmission of the beams by the feedhorns is controlled by the processor to provide a time-based allocation of bandwidth amongst the beams based on the time period that the feed signal is provided to each of the feedhorns and a respective frequency/polarization reuse scheme.

Abstract: A telecommunications platform comprises an antenna configured to generate a plurality of communications beams within a respective footprint on the surface of the Earth, wherein each communications beam provides data communications services over a respective cell coverage area on the surface of the Earth. The telecommunications platform further comprises a processor configured to control the plurality of communications beams of the antenna to form the respective cell coverage areas in a fixed cell pattern that remains essentially fixed relative to the surface of the Earth, such that, as the telecommunications platform travels through an orbit around the Earth, the footprint of the antenna sweeps across the fixed cell pattern and provides the communications services via the cell coverage areas of the fixed cell pattern that are within the footprint of the antenna at any given point in time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for bonding of satellite terminals. In some implementations, a first satellite terminal with a first satellite communication link determines that it is in communication with a second satellite terminal that has a second satellite communication link. The first satellite terminal receives packet data from a data source and selects first packet data for transmission over the first satellite communication link and second packet data for transmission over the second satellite communication link. The first satellite terminal transmits the first packet data over the first satellite communication link, and provides the second packet data to the second satellite terminal for transmission over the second satellite communication link.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying Voice over LTE network (VoLTE) is described. The method includes: providing a dedicated channel between a user terminal and a gateway; associating the dedicated channel of a voice communication with a header context; receiving a packet comprising a voice payload of the voice communication over the dedicated channel, wherein the packet does not include the header context; selecting an associated header context based on the dedicated channel; generating a header based on the header context; and sending an IP standard packet comprising the header and the voice payload to a terrestrial network device. Another method receives a voice payload with a header and forwards the voice payload without the header over a dedicated channel associated with information in the header.