Abstract: A system and method for beamforming includes providing an antenna including feeds, a coverage area including service areas and data streams for each of the service areas; selecting a cluster of M feeds from the feeds; computing, with a GBBF processor (ground based beam former), M×N weights; generating M feed excitations by distributing the N data streams per the M×N weights; switching an array to transfer a respective one of the M feed excitations to a respective one of the M feeds; and beamforming, with the M feeds of the antenna, N beams. In the method, the N beams are each focused on a respective service area of each of the N data streams, the M×N weights improve the transmitting into the respective service area of each of the N data streams, and at least one of the N beams includes a portion of a plurality of the M feed excitations.

Abstract: A terminal computer includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine an initial power back-off value for establishing a communication link to a satellite as a function of a distance of a location of a satellite terminal antenna within a satellite beam footprint from a specified reference point within the satellite beam footprint, and to initiate communication with the satellite based on the determined initial power back-off value.

Abstract: A terrestrial terminal enables communications, over a network connection, between a local host of one or more connected local hosts and a remote host. The terrestrial terminal is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving, from the remote host, a network packet for the local host; obtaining, from the network packet, an included TCP segment; determining, from the TCP segment, a receive window size advertised by the remote host; computing, using one or more characteristics of the network connection, a target receive window size; comparing the target receive window size with the advertised receive window size; and in response to determining that the target receive window size is different from the advertised receive window size: modifying the TCP segment by replacing the advertised receive window size with the target receive window size, and forwarding the network packet with the modified TCP segment to the local host.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between user terminals and core network through satellite network and ground network are disclosed herein. The system facilitates connectivity through inter-satellite links in the satellite network. The system provides an air interface based on 5G protocols with satellite specific enhancements at lower layers, low latency, standards based physical layer design on both user and feeder links, beam-hopping design that minimizes end-to-end delay, software defined networking for route management to minimize payload complexity, efficient flow control between ground network and satellite to minimize buffering requirements in satellite payload, differentiated quality of service, advanced scheduler designs to cater to traffic types and full/half duplex terminals, end-to-end Layer 2 transport, direct user terminal to user terminal communications, adaptive modulation and coding, scalable gateway, and the like.

Abstract: A method and system for determining inroute frame timing for a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) includes receiving an appointment to transmit, on an inroute, at a start of a slot X of a frame number M; establishing, at a VSAT, an arrival time of a super frame numbering packet (SFNP) including a satellite ephemeris vector and a frame number N; calculating, at the VSAT, a timing offset (TRO) to be applied to the arrival time to compensate for a time varying gateway-satellite-terminal propagation delay (THS+TSR); setting a transmit instant as an end of the TRO after the arrival time; adding to the transmit instant a duration of X slots and a duration of (M-N) frames; and transmitting a burst, on the inroute from the VSAT, at the transmit instant. In the method, the calculating is based on computing THS+TSR from the satellite ephemeris vector, a gateway transmits the SFNP and receives the burst in the slot X within the frame number M of the inroute, and N is greater than or equal to M.

Abstract: A system includes a satellite communications terminal including a computer programmed to provide communications for user devices with a destination network. The computer detects a physical state or change in a physical state specified as a trigger to transfer the communications for the user devices with the destination network from a satellite communications channel to a cellular communications channel. Upon detecting the trigger event, the computer establishes a communications link with a cellular device and provides communications for the user devices with the destination network via the cellular device and the cellular communications channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for machine learning models for adjusting communication parameters. In some implementations, data for each device in a set of multiple communication devices is obtained. A machine learning model is trained based on the obtained data. The model can be trained to receive an indication of a geographic location and predict a communication setting capable of providing at least a minimum level of efficiency. After training the machine learning model, an indication of a predicted communication setting for a particular communication device is generated. A determination is then made whether to change a current communication setting for the particular communication device based on the predicted communication setting.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a geolocation The method includes subdividing the camping cell into grid points where each grid point of the grid points has an associated relative offset from a camping beam center; illuminating the camping cell with a camping beam and each of the adjacent cells with adjacent beams; receiving a camping beam signal strength and adjacent beams signal strengths for each grid point of the grid points; profiling, at each grid point of the grid points, ratios of the camping beam signal strength to each one of the adjacent beams signal strengths; mapping the ratios and the associated relative offset of each grid point of the grid points; and estimating a relative geolocation of a User Terminal (UT) from the camping beam center based on a UT camping beam signal strength and UT adjacent beams signal strengths.

Abstract: A user terminal and a method of using the user terminal disclosed. The method may comprise: storing, at a user terminal (UT), a dataset that comprises a plurality of elements, wherein each of the plurality of elements is associated with a unique predetermined terrestrial location; using the dataset, determining an element (Ek) from among the plurality of elements based on a proximity of the UT to the respective unique, predetermined terrestrial location of the element (Ek); and then determining one of the plurality of satellite beams with which to utilize satellite communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for mitigating pointing errors resulting from satellite antennas. Reports are received from terminals in a beam hopping satellite communication system, and a pointing error associated with a satellite antenna is determined. The best beam for communicating with each terminal is selected based on the pointing error. A beam list containing the instantaneous traffic demand of terminals for each beam in the system is generated. An active beam set is then selected from the beam list for transmitting data during the next hop in the satellite communication system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for balancing traffic loads on beam outroutes that contain both multicast and unicast traffic. An outroute is designated for supplying at least multicast traffic within a beam of a satellite communication system. Terminals interested in receiving the multicast traffic are moved to the designated outroute. Traffic loads on all outroutes within the beam, including the designated outroute, are compared to determine if variations in the traffic loads exceed a predetermined threshold. A load balancing routine is performed to redistribute the traffic loads on all outroutes, while excluding any terminal that is actively receiving the multicast traffic from the load balancing routine.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a transmit power of a terminal includes dividing a spectrum into frequency bins and an inroute layout including inroutes; mapping at least one of the frequency bins with each of the inroute; determining a respective normalized Transmit Power (TP) for each of the frequency bins; calculating a transmission TP based on the respective normalized TP of one or more of the frequency bins mapped to a selected inroute; and transmitting a radio signal with the transmission TP on the selected inroute. A first frequency bin is adjacent a second frequency bin, a respective normalized TP of the first frequency bin compared to a respective normalized TP of the second frequency bin varies no more than a threshold power delta, a count of frequency bins is greater than one and unequal to a count of the inroute layout.

Abstract: A satellite-communications gateway includes a hub and an antenna configured for satellite communications. The antenna is mounted to the hub and supported by the hub. The antenna includes a plurality of panels forming a parabolic dish. The panels are carbon fiber-reinforce polymer. The parabolic dish has a diameter in a range of 9 to 13 meters.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a set of transmit parameters capable of improving and/or optimizing data throughput to a destination device. The apparatus includes an input circuit that receives a signal containing a plurality of data blocks for use by a plurality of devices. At least one of the data blocks is associated with the apparatus and encoded using a first set of transmit parameters. A transmit parameter processor determines a signal to noise ratio value for the received signal and a block error rate value for the at least one data block and at least one other data block encoded using a different set of transmit parameters. A processor generates a request for encoding subsequent data blocks destined to the apparatus using a second set of transmit parameters. A method and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating handover reduction in satellite systems are disclosed. A system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to detect a user terminal that is selected for a handover procedure. The handover procedure may facilitate a switch from a source beam to a target beam. Based on input data, the processor may evaluate an ideal time value pertaining to a pre-defined time instance at which a scheduled handover is to be performed. The scheduled handover may correspond to at least one of a scheduled change in operating frequency within same beam or a scheduled feeder link handover due to a change in gateway communicating with the satellite. Based on the evaluation and the input data, the processor may estimate an optimized time value that pertains to an optimized time instance associated with an expected handover reduction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for uplink power control of a terminal in a satellite communication system. Calibration data that includes output backoff values corresponding to input backoff values for each of a first set of calibration frequencies is initially stored in the terminal. A normalized transmit power for the terminal is determined for multiple transmit frequencies based on the calibration data. Upon receiving an assigned frequency for communicating, the terminal selects one of the normalized transmit power previously determined and begins transmitting.

Abstract: A network device for providing configurable reference frequencies in a satellite communication system is disclosed. The network device may be any of a satellite modem, satellite transceiver, or satellite router. The network device may receive information pertaining to a type of an Outdoor Unit (ODU), determine the type of ODU based on the received information, and provide a plurality of configurable reference frequencies based on the type of the Outdoor Unit (ODU) such that the plurality of configurable reference frequencies may be used with different combinations of low noise block converters (LNBs) and block-up converters (BUCs).

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating handover reduction in satellite systems are disclosed. A system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to detect a user terminal that is selected for a handover procedure. The handover procedure may facilitate a switch from a source beam to a target beam. Based on input data, the processor may evaluate an ideal time value pertaining to a pre-defined time instance at which a scheduled handover is to be performed. The scheduled handover may correspond to at least one of a scheduled change in operating frequency within same beam or a scheduled feeder link handover due to a change in gateway communicating with the satellite. Based on the evaluation and the input data, the processor may estimate an optimized time value that pertains to an optimized time instance associated with an expected handover reduction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for differentiated application of an Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) to enhance link performance in satellite communication systems are disclosed. A system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to dynamically compute bandwidth capacity of a terminal from a plurality of terminals. Based on the computed bandwidth capacity of the terminal, the processor may automatically determine a ModCod to be applied for transmission to or from the terminal to optimize bit error rate (BER) performance. The to processor may determine the ModCod using an ACM technique. For the plurality of terminals, the processor may dynamically determine aggregate bandwidth availability and congestion within the ACM technique to optimize sharing of available bandwidth.

Abstract: A satellite-communications gateway includes a pedestal, a hub movably coupled to the pedestal and supported by the pedestal, an antenna configured for satellite communications, first electronics positioned inside the hub, and second electronics communicatively coupled to the first electronics and positioned inside the pedestal. The antenna is mounted to the hub and supported by the pedestal via the hub. The first electronics is arranged to convert a radio-frequency signal from the antenna to an intermediate-frequency signal and transmit the intermediate-frequency signal to the second electronics. The second electronics is arranged to convert the intermediate-frequency signal to a digital signal.