Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing efficient connectivity to the Internet via a satellite communication link. A particularly useful embodiment of the invention comprises a an apparatus and method for webcasting live events over a satellite communication link. Digital multimedia data is converted to a bitstream format by an encoder. The encoder supplies the bitstream data to an uplink subsystem for transmission to a satellite. The satellite retransmits the data to a ground-based facility which makes the content available to subscribers over the Internet, either directly or through an independent Content Delivery Network. A novel TCP proxy process adjusts for propagation delays associated with the satellite path. Preferably, the TCP proxy resides in the uplink and the ground-based receiver that receives the bitstream data that is transported by the satellite, or by a router configured to provide such a TCP proxy process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that uses GPS synchronization pulses in a communications system to provide synchronization of the transmission of data during assigned time slots. In addition, mobile units can calculate the distance from a base station based upon GPS coordinates that are provided by the GPS system. The distance of the mobile unit from the base station is then used to calculate the time required to transmit data from the mobile unit to the base station so that data from the mobile unit arrives at the base station during the assigned time slot for that particular mobile unit. Additionally, base station synchronization pulses are transmitted by the base station to the mobile units to empirically synchronize the internal bit clocks of the mobile units to insure proper sampling of data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for using an antenna array in conjunction with a GPS receiver to receive GPS satellite transmissions. A switching circuit, under the control of a GPS controller, can vary the sampling rate of multiple antennas in the antenna array to ensure that multiple satellite information is acquired. The device of the present invention can be implemented in handheld cell phones, personal data assistants, telemetric devices or any device using a GPS receiver that may be used in various orientations so as to receive GPS satellite transmissions from multiple directions. More highly directional antennas can be employed having higher gain since the antenna array can receive satellite data from multiple orientations.