Abstract: Automatically diagnosing operation of a communication network, including collecting, during a plurality of time periods, a plurality of Layer-4 and/or Layer-1/-2 statistics for network activity on the communication network; determining a network performance indicator, based on the statistics collected during a first time period included in the time periods and the statistics collected during a second time period included in the time periods and neither overlapping nor consecutive with the first time period; determining whether the communication network has experienced a performance issue based on the network performance indicator; and causing a diagnostic action, a corrective action, or a maintenance action to be performed based on the determination whether the communication network has experienced a performance issue.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively using different gateways with a diverse terminal includes assigning a diverse channel set to each of a plurality of diverse terminals, and designating a primary gateway and a secondary gateway as either a home gateway or a foreign gateway for the each diverse terminal. During normal operations, link conditions for the channel between each diverse terminal and its home gateway are monitored. Diverse terminals can be reconfigured to communicate with a different their link conditions fall below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system to maximize efficiency as a mobile terminal receives data signals transmitted through multiple satellite spot beams. The multiple spot beams can be broadcast via a single satellite or multiple satellites. As a mobile terminal travels throughout a region, the system determines which spot beam would delivers data in the most efficient manner possible. This system takes into account multiple factors, including but not limited to velocity of the mobile terminal, traffic within a spot beam, business affiliations, etc. Once the system takes into account the various factors, an embodiment of the present invention generates a relative weighted factor that is subsequently associated with various available spot beams. Based on rankings of the weighted factors associated with each spot beam, the system may choose to receive data from a different spot beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously shifting the phase of an input signal includes a quadrature hybrid having an input/output port for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal and outputting a phase shifted RF signal. An analog shifting unit is connected to the quadrature hybrid for performing an intermediate phase shift on the input RF signal. An additional analog shifting unit is connected to an isolation port of the quadrature hybrid to receive an intermediate output signal based on the intermediate phase shift, and shifting a phase of the intermediate output signal to produce an intermediate input signal. The analog shifting unit performs a final phase shift of the intermediate input signal and the final phase shifted intermediate input signal is output, at the input/output port, as the phase shifted RF signal.

Abstract: A system and method for determining hierarchical link quality metrics in a communication system, and performing different routines to optimize operation of the communication system based on the link quality metrics. Data is collected for a predetermined interval, and a carrier link quality is determined for each terminal utilizing different carriers in the communication system. A link quality is determined for each terminal type, and a beam link quality is determined for each beam in the system. Different thresholds are set so that optimization routines can be performed based on the current link quality values.

Abstract: A computer for a communications terminal includes a memory and a processor. The computer is programmed to identify a spectrum analysis test triggering event. The computer specifies a set of test parameters that include a test frequency range. The computer further sets a receiver to receive sequentially a plurality of signals. Each signal is received in one of a plurality of frequency bands within the frequency range. The computer measures, via the receiver, at least one characteristic of the signal received in each frequency band.

Abstract: A satellite communications system comprises multiple satellites (e.g., a combination of LEO/MEO/GEO satellites). Multiple satellite gateways communicate over channels of the satellites with remote mobile user terminals. The mobile user terminals communicate with the satellite gateways via associated satellite terminals that interface with the satellites, or directly with the satellites. Each mobile user terminal of a first group communicates with a satellite gateway, over satellite channels, via an associated satellite terminal. Each mobile user terminal of a second group (e.g., in a remote rural area) communicates with a satellite gateway directly over satellite channels. The mobile user terminals of the first communicate with the satellite terminals locally via S-band. The mobile user terminals of the second group communicate directly over the satellite channels via Ku band or Ka Band. Each of the satellite gateways communicates over satellite channels via Ka band, Ku band, V-band or L-band.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide bandwidth management on the inroute of a satellite network. Inroute group managers (IGMs) monitor bandwidth usage in each terminal group (TG) under each of the IGMs, and report this bandwidth usage to a bandwidth manager. Upon receipt of the reported bandwidth usage from each of the IGMs, the bandwidth manager compares the bandwidth usage and minimum/maximum throughput rates associated with each TG. The bandwidth manager calculates scaling factors that it transmits to each of the IGMs to allow the IGMs to allocate bandwidth accordingly.

Abstract: A communications terminal comprises an encoder configured to encode a digital data signal to generate an encoded signal, a scrambler configured to scramble the encoded signal based on a scrambling signature, and a modulator configured to modulate resulting data frames for transmission via a random access communications channel. Each frame comprises a data payload, including a block of the scrambled signal, and a header, including a start of frame (SOF) sequence associated with the scrambling signature. Use of the SOF sequence for each frame provides a synchronization reference and serves to designate the associated scrambling signature for decoding the respective data payload. Use of the SOF sequence for each frame further serves to distinguish between the data frame and data frame(s) originating from further communications terminal(s), transmitted via a common time slot of the channel, for which different scrambling signature(s) were used to scramble respective encoded signal(s) thereof.

Abstract: A method for satellite to satellite handover of a user terminal in a satellite communications network is provided. The UT receives an initial handover message, from a RAN node, including a target frequency for receiving downlink transmissions from the RAN node via a target satellite and a timing correction, and reconfigures its receiver for receipt of the downlink transmissions via the target frequency. The UT decodes the downlink transmissions to determine allocations for a PRACH of the target satellite provided by the downlink transmissions, and transmits a reply handover message to the RAN node, via the PRACH channel, using the timing correction. The UT receives a flow assignment message from the RAN. The UT reactivates hand-over data flows for the target satellite, and transmits a channel configuration complete message to the RAN node, via the PRACH channel, using the timing correction.

Abstract: An approach for optimizing power utilization of a satellite transponder, and thereby optimizing achievable modulation/coding schemes and data rates for terminals across the transponder beam, is provided. A signal power level is allocated to each of a plurality of carriers. The plurality of carriers are to be transmitted within a downlink beam via a transponder, each of the carriers is associated with a region of the beam, and the total power allocated to the carriers does not exceed a desired aggregate power level for the transponder. The signal power allocated to each carrier is determined relative to a gain realizable by satellite terminals within the respective beam region and assigned to receive the respective carrier, and the realizable gain of the terminals is based on locations within the beam. The signal power level allocated to each carrier is different from the power allocated to the other carriers.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for centralizing common gateway operations in a satellite communication system. One or more distributed GWs establish a first Layer-3 connection to the plurality of terminals over a satellite network. A second Layer-3 connection is established between a data center and the distributed GWs over backhaul network. A network management system is provided for managing access to the external networks by the plurality of terminals. The system also includes a deep packet inspection unit, within the data center, for inspecting all traffic between the plurality of terminals and the external networks. The data center establishes a connection with external networks, and enable communication between the plurality of terminals and the external private networks. Multiple data centers can be used to balance traffic load, and to provide system redundancy.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a satellite receiver programmed to estimate a Doppler frequency associated with a satellite signal. Estimating the Doppler frequency includes sampling the satellite signal, resampling the sampled satellite signal, and compensating for a frequency offset associated with the satellite signal. An example satellite receiver includes a sampling device programmed to sample the satellite signal, a resampling device programmed to sample the sampled satellite signal and output a resampled satellite signal, and an incremental phase modulator programmed to filter a frequency offset from the resampled satellite signal.

Abstract: Dynamic history multistream long range compression (DHC) techniques are described for efficiently compressing multiple, prioritized data streams received over a channel. A history buffer is associated with each received stream and a DHC compressor dynamically allocates fixed sized history sections to and from each history buffer. In implementations, the DHC compressor makes stream history size adjustments prior to compressing a block of data and sends information identifying the change in history size to a DHC decompressor. The DHC decompressor sends signaling information to the DHC compressor that is used to ensure that the DHC decompressor can operate with a fixed amount of total history memory.

Abstract: A method of operating an RF system, the method including controlling coupling and uncoupling of RF ports included in an M by N radio frequency (RF) switch matrix including N first-side RF ports and M second-side RF ports, wherein each of the first-side RF ports may be selectively coupled to at least one of two or more of the second-side RF ports, such that RF signals are carried between selectively coupled ports; identifying one or more of the second-side RF ports as active ports, the active ports including a first active port; causing the RF switch matrix to couple the first active port to a first signal port included in the first-side RF ports; obtaining a first indication of reduced performance for a first piece of RF communication equipment coupled to the first active port; and causing, in response to the first indication, the RF switch matrix to couple the first signal port to a first spare port, wherein the first spare port is included in the second-side RF ports and is not included in the active ports.

Abstract: A very small aperture terminal (VSAT) installation tool is provided having the ability to measure cable loss along an interfacility link (IFL) between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit of the VSAT. Radio frequency (RF) signals can be transmitted from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, where the RF signals are intercepted along the IFL prior to reaching the outdoor unit, and the output power is determined. The determined output power is compared to an expected output power at the indoor unit. The delta between the determined output power and the expected output power can be used to adjust the power of the indoor unit such that the outdoor unit can operate without reaching its compression point.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing latency data collection from space-based sensor satellites. A mobile vehicle platform, configured to travel around the Earth, includes a sensor module and a relay satellite terminal. The sensor module monitors certain conditions, circumstances, environments and/or situations occurring on or around, or associated with, the Earth, and generates sensor data resulting from the monitoring. The relay satellite terminal executes data communications with a first of a plurality of satellites while the mobile vehicle platform is in a first area within a communications range of the first satellite, and, upon moving to a second area within a communications range of a second of the plurality of satellites, the relay satellite terminal switches the data communications to the second satellite. The data communications relay the sensor data, via the satellites, to a central processing facility for aggregation, processing, analysis and/or dissemination of the data.

Abstract: A transmitter is set to time division multiple access (TDMA) mode and allocated a first TDMA channel. In the TDMA mode, the additional TDMA channels are allocated to and deallocated from the transmitter, according a traffic demand at the transmitter, until all TDMA channels are assigned and the traffic demand reaches a threshold, whereupon the transmitter is switched to a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) mode, and assigned an FDMA channel. In response to traffic levels, the transmitter is switched to larger bandwidth FDMA channels and, optionally, to a concurrent FDMA-TDMA mode having a large bandwidth FDMA channel in addition to a number of TDMA channels. Optionally, switching the transmitter among TDMA mode, FDMA mode, and concurrent FDMA-TDMA mode is based, at least in part, on QoS, or time of day, or user statistics, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An approach is provided for the application of network acceleration technologies to remote node traffic over GPRS tunneling protocols (GTP) in terrestrial mobile communications networks. A proxy device of a first network node receives a stream of data packets that are encapsulated in accordance with GTP. Each GTP packet is de-encapsulated by stripping GTP header from the packet, identifying the TEID (reflecting a respective GTP flow with which the GTP packet is associated), and maintaining a respective GTP payload (PDU). Acceleration functions are applied to the GTP PDUs, and the resulting acceleration packets are transmitted communications network link(s) to a proxy of a second network node. The second node proxy device receives the transmitted packets, and re-encapsulates each packet, in accordance with the GTP protocol, based at least in part on the respective TEID of the packet.

Abstract: An approach for cached content identification for adaptive data streaming. A first request is received, requesting a current segment from a sequence of segments from a data file of a streaming data session. A NewVideoFlag is determined as indicating that the sequence of segments associated with the first request is not currently being cached. The first request is forwarded to a content server, and a first response message is received. A SegmentID of the received content segment is determined as not matching that of cached content segments. The NewVideoFlag is set to indicate that the segments from the streaming data session file are currently being cached. A global cVideoFileID is generated identifying the streaming session data file being cached. The content segment is cached, and cache bookkeeping is updated to associate the segment with the SegmentID and the cVideoFileID. The first response message is provided to the client device.