Abstract: A method and system for communicating using satellites in a constellation in LEO, MEO or GEO orbits is disclosed. The system comprises a receive system, a downlink system, and a data processing system. The receive system receives an uplink signal comprising at least one data packet from at least one user in an uplink cell. The ground programmable downlink system transmits the data packet to a specific downlink cell and adjusts a power used to transmit the data packet to the specific downlink cell. The ground programmable data processing system processes and routes the data packet to an input of the downlink system such that the downlink system transmits the data packet to the specified downlink cell.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving channel resources in a random-access, multiple-path communication system utilizes a transmit group addressing arrangement for a reservation packet. A transceiver terminal wanting to transmit a signal must first send a reservation request packet to a packet router. Each reservation request packet includes an address header identifying the entire group of terminals to which the transmitting terminal belongs as the destination for the reservation request packet, and a data segment identifying the terminal and the channel resources to be reserved. After the reservation request packet is transmitted to the packet router, each terminal in the transmit group will determine the order of transmission depending on the sequence in which all reservation packets are received from the router. When a terminal begins transmission, a synchronization packet is sent as an indicator for allowing the remaining terminals to predict the end of transmission.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting collision of transmitted signals in a random-access, multiple-path communication system utilizes a packet coding arrangement where a transmitting transceiver terminal assembles a plurality of packets into a coded transmit block. Each transmit block is coded with an error detection code, or assigned time slots, so that a routing controller will discard an entire transmit block if any of the packets are not properly decoded. Each transmit block further includes a self-addressed packet, wherein receipt of the self-addressed packet by the transmitting terminal indicates that no collision has occurred. Thus, the present invention does not require any additional circuitry or control of the routing controller, nor transmission of an acknowledgement signal in order to detect collision of transmitted signals.