Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time signal validation are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a subset of terminals in a peer group of satellite terminals is determined. Operational statistics of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is measured. Operational statistics of each of the satellite terminals in the subset of terminals is compared to a prior measurement of the same operational statistics. An offset between a current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined. An average offset of the current measurement of the operational statistics and the prior measurement of the same operational statistics is determined for the subset of terminals. The average offset for the subset of terminals is merged with a previously determined peer group operational statistic. A signal validation of a terminal is performed using an updated deviation value.

Abstract: A high capacity communication system and method, and a high capacity communications configuration system are provided. The high capacity communication system includes a transmitter. The transmitter includes a signal generator to generate a signal including, wherein for a first frame portion extending from zero to ? time the signal is generated per a first color reuse plan of a frequency spectrum and one or more polarizations, and for a second frame portion extending from ? to T the signal is generated per a second color reuse plan of the frequency spectrum and the one or more polarizations; and an RF system to beam the signal concurrently to a first geographic area and a second geographic area.

Abstract: A method for efficient retransmission over a satellite network including transmitting data packets to VSATs, receiving retransmission requests for at least one of the data packets from the VSATs, generating a retransmission packet based on the retransmission requests using XOR summing, transmitting the retransmission packet to the plurality of VSATs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing or decreasing the transmission speed of a VSAT used in a satellite network. A VSAT may include an ASIC and an FPGA in a transmission block of the VSAT. The ASIC includes an ASIC transmit modulator configured to modulate an input information signal, and circuitry for bypassing at least a portion of the ASIC transmit modulator. The FPGA includes circuitry for receiving a signal bypassing at least a portion of the ASIC transmit modulator, and an FPGA transmit modulator configured to modulate the bypassed signal. In implementations, the system uses the ASIC to burst format an input information signal with a payload burst segment; bypasses a transmit modulator of the ASIC after burst formatting the input information signal with the ASIC; and uses an FPGA to insert additional burst segments into the ASIC burst-formatted signal.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for an SDSN that employs a satellite network nodes, where central L2 network nodes are controlled via a centralized Controller. Link status information is obtained regarding links of each L2 node. Global routing constraints, satellite ephemeris data, and resource allocation information are obtained. A constellation topology of the network nodes is determined based on the ephemeris data. Network routes between pairs of endpoints are determined. Each route includes links based on the link status information regarding the links, the global routing constraints, the bandwidth resources of the links and the current allocation of bandwidth resources, and/or the constellation topology. A forwarding table is generated for each network node, wherein each forwarding table includes route entries providing a next hop indicating a destination for data packets, wherein the destination is associated with a link of the respective network node that represents a link of a respective route.

Abstract: A method of providing data via radio transmissions, the method including identifying a first content item as being of potential interest to multiple remote radio terminals; and in response to the identification of the first content item, cause a first portion of the first content item to be transmitted to a first plurality of remote radio terminals via a first multicast radio transmission, wherein the first transmission identifies the first portion of the first content as data which may be cached by the first plurality of remote radio terminals.

Abstract: An approach is provided for bandwidth allocation on a per terminal utilization and per inroute/inroute group basis, which optimizes bandwidth utilization. An aggregate average bandwidth usage of a plurality of remote terminals over a wireless communications channel is determined. A maximum rate for bandwidth allocations to each of the remote terminals for respective data transmissions over the channel is determined. A utilization metric reflecting a bandwidth utilization by one of the remote terminals for data transmissions over the channel is determined. An updated rate for bandwidth allocations to the one terminal is determined based on the utilization metric for the terminal, a target bandwidth utilization and tolerance range for the one terminal, and the maximum rate for the data allocations to each of the remote terminals. The updated rate for the bandwidth allocations to the one terminal is applied to subsequent bandwidth allocations for the one terminal.

Abstract: A TCP/IP packet decoder fetches, from a packet received via a satellite communication system, IP version information, which is provided to version comparators. When a version comparator indicates a match, protocol information is provided to a TCP comparator. If the TCP comparator determines that the packet is a TCP data packet, a flag is raised causing generation of a TCP acknowledgment for transmission to a source device. In another embodiment, a layer 3 switch or router includes a TCP hardware filter to determine whether the received packet is a TCP data packet, thereby causing the TCP data packet to be mirrored for transmission to a modem. In a third embodiment, a TCP hardware filter, provides an indication to a layer 2 switch when a TCP data packet is received causing the TCP data packet to be mirrored for transmission to a modem, which generates and transmits a TCP acknowledgment.

Abstract: A synchronization approach is provided that compensates for the large Doppler offset of the satellites in a LEO satellite system by exploiting the predictable and deterministic nature of the Doppler component, and thereby simplifies the delay and the Doppler domain uncertainty ranges that the physical layer receivers have to resolve. The compensation is based on the known ephemeris information of the LEO satellite and the known positions of the gateway (GW) and the user terminal (UT) on the ground. Utilizing the deterministic component of the LEO Doppler, the synchronization process continually tracks and compensates for the time-varying offsets between the GW and UT frame timing, frame numbering (FN), symbol timings, and Doppler-induced scaling of center frequency and the signal bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for satellite noise and interference calibration using satellite terminal measurements. In one implementation, a method includes partitioning a satellite network into a first partition including a plurality of terminals and a plurality of inroute frequency channels (IFCs); instructing the plurality of terminals of the partition to measure the SINR of the plurality of IFCs; processing the plurality of SINR measurements to compute normalized IFC measurements for each of the plurality of terminals; processing the normalized IFC measurements for each terminal to compute final calibrated IFC SINR offsets for each IFC of the partition; and normalizing the final calibrated IFC SINR offsets with respect to a lowest SINR offset IFC. The normalized final calibration offsets may be made available to each of the satellite terminals. During subsequent operation, the satellite terminals may consider the amount of interference present in an IFC before switching to the channel.

Abstract: Approaches for efficient, dynamic and continuous handover processes, which encompass selection of an optimal path (consisting of a satellite, a satellite beam and carrier frequency set) over which a mobile user terminal (UT) communicates with the radio access network in a mobile satellite communications system, are provided. A set of path factors are determined regarding each of a plurality of communications paths for the UT. A path selection metric (PSM) for each communications path is determined, wherein the PSM for each communications path is determined via a weighted calculation based on the respective set of path factors for the communications path. A decision is made as to whether to perform a handover of the UT from a first of the communications paths to a second of the communications paths, wherein the determination is based on an evaluation performed based at least in part on the PSM.

Abstract: New partial response signaling systems and methods for high spectral efficiency communications are described. In a first implementation, a communication system includes a partial response signaling transmitter and a nonlinear satellite transponder. The partial response signaling transmitter includes a partial response transmit filter configured to convert complex-valued data symbols to a transmit signal using a partial response pulse shaping function; and a modulator configured to modulate the transmit signal onto a carrier wave. The transponder receives and non-linearly amplifies the modulated transmit signal for broadcast to receivers.

Abstract: An approach for improved security protocols in a mobile satellite system is provided. A remote terminal performs a key establishment function, including determination of a first encryption key for encrypting data for transmission over the satellite communications channels, and determination of an authentication key for authenticating entities communicating over the communications channels. The remote terminal receives a security mode command including a key indicator, and determines a second encryption key for enhanced session data security over communications channels. The second encryption key is determined based on the key indicator and a key generation algorithm. The remote terminal further determines a key indicator response and transmits a security mode complete command including the key indicator response to a satellite base station subsystem (SBSS).

Abstract: An approach for increasing transmission throughput of a non-linear wireless channel, and efficient decoding of the transmitted signal via a simplified receiver, is provided. A signal reflects a source signal, and includes linear inter-symbol interference based on a faster-than-Nyquist signaling rate and a tight frequency roll-off, and non-linear interference based on high-power amplification for transmission over the wireless channel. The signal is received over a non-linear wireless channel, and is processed via a plurality of decoding iterations. A set of soft information of a current decoding iteration is generated based on a current estimate of the source signal and a final set of soft information from a previous decoding iteration. The current estimate of the source signal is based on an estimate of the linear ISI and the non-linear interference, which is based on the final set of soft information from the previous decoding iteration.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for use with streaming blocks of data, each of the streaming blocks of data including a number bits of data. The system includes a first compressor and a second compressor. The first compressor can receive and store a number n blocks of the streaming blocks of data, can receive and store a block of data to be compressed of the streaming blocks of data, can compress consecutive bits within the block of data to be compressed based on the n blocks of the streaming blocks of data, can output a match descriptor and a literal segment. The match descriptor is based on the compressed consecutive bits. The literal segment is based on a remainder of the number of bits of the data to be compressed not including the consecutive bits. The second compressor can compress the literal segment and can output a compressed data block including the match descriptor and a compressed string of data based on the compressed literal segment.

Abstract: Approaches are provided for efficient bandwidth allocation for real-time service traffic flows, providing for assured QoS and efficient spectrum utilization. A terminal of a wireless communications network receives data from one or more associated interface devices. A snooper captures a session request message from one of the interface devices for initiation of a setup process to establish a communications session over the communications network, and parses the session request message to obtain associated session parameters. Inroute bandwidth requirements for the communications session are determined based on the session parameters. A bandwidth reservation process is initiated to obtain bandwidth allocations to satisfy the inroute bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for satellite selection within a multi-satellite communication system, comprising an antenna, receiver, and transmitter, and a processing module configured to calculate a normalized distance metric for the plurality of user spot beams of a first and second satellite, select the user spot beam with the lowest normalized distance metric, and determine which of the at least first or second satellite is transmitting the selected user spot beam. Further, a method for increasing the aggregate capacity of a satellite communications network, comprising identifying high traffic regions within a coverage area of a first satellite, determining which user spot beams of the first satellite are available to each of the identified regions, determining a normalized distance metric for each user spot beam identified, and plotting a second beam pattern of a second satellite to produce at least one user spot beam with a lower normalized distance metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for quality of service over broadband networks. A network device performs a probe transaction over a tunnel of a broadband network. Based on the probe transaction, parameters are determined reflecting tunnel performance, and, based on the parameters, target transmit and receive rates are determined for data communications over the tunnel. Based on the target transmit and receive rates, data communications to and from a first node of the network are regulated. When the tunnel comprises a peered tunnel, the regulation of received data communications comprises performing a set rate transaction with a peer second node of the network (the set rate transaction establishes a rate for data transmitted over the tunnel by the peer second node to the first node). When the tunnel comprises a peerless tunnel, the regulation of received data communications comprises shaping data traffic received by the first node over the tunnel.

Abstract: New partial response signaling systems and methods for high spectral efficiency communications are described. In a first implementation, a communication system includes a partial response signaling transmitter and a nonlinear satellite transponder. The partial response signaling transmitter includes a partial response transmit filter configured to convert complex-valued data symbols to a transmit signal using a partial response pulse shaping function; and a modulator configured to modulate the transmit signal onto a carrier wave. The transponder receives and non-linearly amplifies the modulated transmit signal for broadcast to receivers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to achieve traffic flow control in accordance with traffic priority as well as service plan considerations. A weight for flow control and a per service plan minimum flow control meter (FCM) can be defined for different throttle rates for different service plans. An FCM value based upon traffic priority can be converted to a per service plan group FCM value so that each service plan can be assigned/configured with its own FCM for each uplink queue. An average throttled data rate is then calculated to determine whether the traffic in a particular gateway is under or over throttled based on the current per service plan FCM with current input data rates. The per service plan FCM can then be revised for use by an Internet Protocol Gateway sending traffic to a Satellite Gateway.