Abstract: An approach is provided for encoding information bits to output a coded signal using turbo code encoding with a low code rate.

Abstract: An approach for supporting security in a communications network is disclosed. A network device includes a security peer that establishes a secure tunnel over a data network (e.g., satellite network) for transport of encrypted traffic. The device also includes a performance peer for establishing a connection supported by the secure tunnel. The performance peer includes a plurality of modules for providing respective performance enhancing functions to minimize performance impact of latency of the network.

Abstract: An approach for routing over a radio network is provided. A terminal receives a packet over the radio network, which supports meshed connectivity, wherein the packet is destined for a destination host. The terminal determines whether the destination host is reachable by a communication interface based upon a route table, and selectively redirects the packet over the radio network according to the route table. A route server is provided to collect routes from the terminal as well as other terminals within the radio network. The route server then disseminates the collect routes to the terminals for updating of their respective route tables. The present invention has particular applicability to a fully meshed satellite network.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting retrieval of a web page over a data network from a web site is disclosed. A downstream proxy communicating with a host executing a browser receives a request message from a browser to retrieve the web page. An upstream proxy parses the web page to determine an object embedded in the web page, wherein a promise list is generated specifying the embedded object that is to be pre-fetched according to a criterion. The promise list is transmitted to the downstream proxy, wherein the upstream proxy pre-fetches the embedded object from the web site. The upstream proxy determines whether to forward one of the pre-fetched embedded object to the downstream proxy based on a comparison of cookies associated with one of the pre-fetched objects supplied, respectively, by the browser and the web site. This approach as particular applicability in relatively high latency networks, such as a satellite communications system.

Abstract: An approach for adaptively providing network performance enhancing functions in a secure environment, such as a virtual private network, is disclosed. Traffic, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, is received for transport over an access network (e.g., satellite network). Next, characteristics (e.g., latency) of the access network are determined. A connection (which supports the performance enhancing functions) is selectively established based on the determined characteristics for transport the received packets over the access network. An encrypted tunnel is provided over the established connection to transmit the received packets.

Abstract: A satellite communications system having a fallback mode of operation, during which uplink signals are transmitted at a reduced data rate, is provided with a novel fallback mode ingress/egress mechanism utilizing a combination of a feedback-based fade detection scheme and fade detection based on parameters independent of the uplink signal transmission. The fallback mode ingress/egress mechanism is responsive to a satellite beacon signal independent of the uplink signals and to feedback signals produced by the satellite in response to the uplink signals, for requesting a satellite terminal to switch into the fallback mode when either the feedback signals indicate an increase in a fade level or in response to a first value of a selected parameter of the satellite beacon signal. The fallback mode ingress/egress mechanism requests the satellite terminal to switch out of the fallback mode in response to a second value of the satellite beacon signal parameter.

Abstract: An approach for minimizing queuing delay of packets is disclosed. M number of queues are configured to store packets. A memory stores a search order table that has table entries corresponding to the M queues. Specifically, the table entries store values that correspond to relative positions of the M queues and that are selected based upon a transmission constraint of the communication system. A scheduler is coupled to the memory and is configured to schedule transmission of the packets stored in the M queues based upon the search order table. According to one embodiment of the present invention, this queuing mechanism is applied in a satellite communication system with transmission constraints to the downlink cells.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing bandwidth in a data network. Capacity is allocated on a communication channel, which can be utilized for transporting data traffic or support network administrative functions (e.g., ranging), for a terminal to transmit data over the communication channel. In anticipation of the terminal having to transmit additional data, additional capacity is allocated on the communication channel for the terminal prior to receiving a request for bandwidth by the terminal. The anticipatory allocation is determined according to loading of the data network. This approach as particular applicability to shared capacity systems, such as a satellite communication system.

Abstract: A method for enabling synchronization of a communications terminal in a wireless communication system, and a corresponding acquisition system of the communications terminal, wherein the method consists of the steps of: receiving a burst at a receiver of the communications terminal, the burst containing a composite waveform including two or more component waveforms, wherein each of the two or more waveforms has a known frequency variation throughout the burst; detecting the presence of the composite waveform; and estimating a frequency offset and a timing offset of the composite waveform as received into the receiver, whereby synchronization is achieved.

Abstract: An approach for providing stateless compression is disclosed. A message (such as an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) GET request message or a Domain Name Service (DNS) message) is received from a host. A stateful compressor is initialized with a prescribed sequence to yield a primed state. The message is input into a stateful compressor, which outputs a compressed message based upon the primed state. The stateless compression scheme has particular applicability to networks with high latency—e.g., a satellite network.

Abstract: A network apparatus for performing functions to enhance performance of a communication network is provided. The network apparatus includes a spoofing module that is configured to selectively spoof a multiple connections associated with a multiple hosts based upon corresponding spoofing criteria and to provide local acknowledgement of received messages over the connections. Additionally, the network apparatus includes a connection module that multiplexes the connections over a common backbone connection, and a prioritization module that prioritizes access to the backbone connection based upon prioritization criteria. Further, the network apparatus includes a path selection module that determines a path to transmit the received messages based upon path selection criteria. The spoofing module allocates a connection control block corresponding to a spoofed connection. Each of the connection control blocks stores information related to the connections.

Abstract: A system and method for the efficient use of satellite radio modems and satellite bandwidth is disclosed. In the system and method, a satellite radio modem is used for PRACH requests, each PRACH request occupying 31.25 kHz in a packet data transfer channel. The packet data transfer channels can be either 125.0 kHz or 156.25 kHz. Therefore, four PRACH requests can be transmitted in any one packet data transfer channel. The packet data transfer channels are broken into eight time slots, and one time slot in each channel (either the odd frame or even frame) is dedicated to a PRACH request. A satellite radio modem for PDCH transfers is dedicated for each channel. The satellite radio modem assigned to receive the four PRACH requests is timeshared over 16 channels, thereby reducing the amount of satellite radio modems that would otherwise have been needed, had the PRACH request transmissions utilized a dedicated modem for each PRACH request, for each channel.

Abstract: A two-way satellite communication system is disclosed. A transceiver transmit signals over a return channel to a satellite and receives signals over a downlink channel from the satellite. A hub communicates with the transceiver over the return channel, wherein the hub provides connectivity between the transceiver and a packet switched network.

Abstract: An approach for scheduling packets within a terminal used in a satellite communications system is disclosed. A hub, in conjunction with a satellite, controls bandwidth allocations to a plurality of terminals, which are configured to issue bandwidth allocation requests to the satellite. Each of the terminals comprises a plurality of queues that are configured to store the packets; these queues are prioritized. A bandwidth-on-demand control logic prepares a schedule plan for transmitting the stored packets based upon current bandwidth allocations and the prioritization of the queues. The current bandwidth allocations are based upon prior bandwidth allocation and the stored packets. The schedule plan assigns the stored packets to packet transmission opportunities associated with the current bandwidth allocations.

Abstract: A state transition diagram is presented for a user's access terminal for a satellite telecommunication system, showing the state of the access terminal's mobility management software layer, in response to various stimuli and conditions as the user enters into and out of various modes of operations, including deactivation, activation and illumination of a dark beam of a spot beam that is a shared resource.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring a time division multiplexed synchronization signal in a satellite communication system is provided. The signal is provided as a series of frames with beacon signals time division multiplexed into at least one time slot of each frame. The beacon signal in each frame comprises a unique word sequence, which is the same in each frame, and a portion of a PN sequence. The entire PN sequence is distributed into a plurality of frames forming a superframe. Initially, the power level of the incoming signal is determined by locating the maximum power received in half time slot intervals. Next a series of frames are correlated against the expected unique word, each at one of a plurality of possible frequencies. The frequency generating the maximum correlation with the unique word is selected.

Abstract: An uplink power control system for terminals in a satellite communication system provides closed loop power control using feedback signals generated at a satellite. The satellite performs inter-beam routing of uplink signals from satellite terminals, and processing of uplink signals to generate terminal transmission-specific feedback information that is transmitted in downlink signals to the terminals. The satellite also generates a beacon signal. An uplink power control algorithm at each terminal uses the beacon signal and feedback data to adjust transmit power.

Abstract: An approach for processing packets for transmission over a satellite communications network is disclosed. A communication system includes a satellite terminal that provides connectivity for a host. The satellite terminal includes a user interface that receives a packet associated with an application from the host, and classification logic that classifies the packet into one of a plurality of transport services based upon the corresponding application. The satellite terminal also includes a mapping logic that maps the one transport service to one of a plurality of packet delivery services, wherein the one packet delivery service provides transmission of the packet to the satellite. The system also includes a hub that is configured to communicate with the satellite terminal over the satellite to provide the plurality of packet delivery services.

Abstract: Filtering loop and method for maintaining synchronization between a receiver and a transmitter reduces overhead and enables more robust operation. The method includes the step of receiving an error signal corresponding to a synchronization parameter. A first order filter is applied to the error signal such that a residual signal results. The method further provides for compensating the residual signal for drift such that the compensated residual signal estimates a rate of change in the residual signal. By compensating the residual signal for drift, difficulties associated with time lag and signal degradation are obviated.

Abstract: An approach is provided for compensating for non-linearity in an overlaid radio communication system, such as a satellite network, wherein a terminal and a hub station communicates bi-directionally using a composite signal that is transmitted from a relay station and includes an inbound signal overlaid with an outbound signal. A look-up table stores information used to determine an inverse of a function associated with a non-linear effect of a received composite signal. The inbound signal has a predetermined spectral configuration. The device also includes a multiplier configured to generate a product of the look-up table and the received composite signal. Also, the device includes an estimation module configured to output an estimate of the inbound signal based upon the product.