Abstract: A system and method for providing community-based broadband access are disclosed. The system is configured to provide private LTE based broadband access at remote areas that are served by satellite backhaul. The system is also configured to provide a community-based Wi-Fi like broadband service where users can purchase hourly, weekly, or monthly data packs as and when desired. The LTE base station, LTE core network, and satellite terminal included in the system are all deployed at the remote location to efficiently connect users to the internet over satellite backhaul. The system architecture further expands broadband reach for users in remote areas as compared to coverage with current satellite-based Community Wi-Fi hot spots, and provides an integrated backend system for LTE and Wi-Fi based access.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling data and voice communications via a satellite network are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method of enabling data and voice communications for a user terminal includes establishing a local connection between the user terminal and a first core network operated by a first network provider, routing data communications received by the first core network from the user terminal to a satellite terminal operated by the first network provider for further transmission via a satellite, and routing voice communications received by the first core network from the user terminal to a second core network operated by a second network provider.

Abstract: A system and method for providing community-based broadband access are disclosed. The system is configured to provide private LTE based broadband access at remote areas that are served by satellite backhaul. The system is also configured to provide a community-based Wi-Fi like broadband service where users can purchase hourly, weekly, or monthly data packs as and when desired. The LTE base station, LTE core network, and satellite terminal included in the system are all deployed at the remote location to efficiently connect users to the internet over satellite backhaul. The system architecture further expands broadband reach for users in remote areas as compared to coverage with current satellite-based Community Wi-Fi hot spots, and provides an integrated backend system for LTE and Wi-Fi based access.

Abstract: A cellular system and method to provide voice and data services to a user terminal are disclosed. The cellular system includes a cellular base station; a satellite backhaul including a first satellite link and a second satellite link; and a traffic classifier to classify traffic from the cellular base station as voice traffic for transportation via the first satellite link and as data traffic for transportation via the second satellite link.

Abstract: A method and system for providing GTP acceleration for secure cellular backhaul over satellite (CBoS). A satellite terminal receives request from a first entity to establish a security association with a second entity, and establishes a first secure tunnel to a gateway. A second secure tunnel is then established between the gateway and the second entity based on a certificate belonging to the first entity. A third secure tunnel is established between the satellite terminal and the first entity based on a certificate belonging to the second entity. The contents of encrypted traffic between the first entity and the second entity are examined so that GTP acceleration may be applied to eligible traffic transmitted over the first secure tunnel.

Abstract: A Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and cellular system to provide backhaul satellite communications for a cellular base station are disclosed. The VSAT including an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Core Network (CN) device; and a satellite modem connected to the EPC CN device and to communicate over a satellite link, wherein the EPC CN device manages communication of user traffic from the cellular base station to the satellite modem.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and addressing silent failures in a satellite communication system includes a satellite, one or more test terminals deployed within coverage beams of the satellite, and a central station configured to communicate with the test terminals. The test terminals are configured to establish a communication link over the satellite communication system, perform a plurality of tests, and transmit the test results to the central station. The central station: determines if system performance is below specified levels, and initiates at least one solution to improve system performance.

Abstract: An approach for monitoring operations in a satellite communication system includes selecting different types of beams that can be used to represent a satellite coverage area, and retrieving metrics from at least one subsystem in a satellite communication system. A map of the satellite coverage area is overlaid with a plurality of coverage beams in accordance with their respective coverage portions of the satellite coverage area. A color scheme can then be applied to provide status information for each coverage beam corresponding to retrieved metrics.

Abstract: A method and system for providing GTP acceleration for secure cellular backhaul over satellite (CBoS). A satellite terminal receives request from a first entity to establish a security association with a second entity, and establishes a first secure tunnel to a gateway. A second secure tunnel is then established between the gateway and the second entity based on a certificate belonging to the first entity. A third secure tunnel is established between the satellite terminal and the first entity based on a certificate belonging to the second entity. The contents of encrypted traffic between the first entity and the second entity are examined so that GTP acceleration may be applied to eligible traffic transmitted over the first secure tunnel.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and addressing silent failures in a satellite communication system includes a satellite, one or more test terminals deployed within coverage beams of the satellite, and a central station configured to communicate with the test terminals. The test terminals are configured to establish a communication link over the satellite communication system, perform a plurality of tests, and transmit the test results to the central station. The central station: determines if system performance is below specified levels, and initiates at least one solution to improve system performance.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for admission control of mobile conversational user sessions by a satellite network is described. When a request to admit a new session over a satellite network is received, the radio access bearer setup request is transmitted to a remote terminal of the satellite network. The system determines if a requested guaranteed bit rate for the new session is available from the remote terminal. If the requested guaranteed bit rate is available, the terminal forwards the request to a gateway of the satellite network. The new session is subsequently admitted over the satellite network and allocated the requested guaranteed bit rate.

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 system and method are disclosed for admission control of mobile conversational user sessions by a satellite network is described. When a request to admit a new session over a satellite network is received, the radio access bearer setup request is transmitted to a remote terminal of the satellite network. The system determines if a requested guaranteed bit rate for the new session is available from the remote terminal. If the requested guaranteed bit rate is available, the terminal forwards the request to a gateway of the satellite network. The new session is subsequently admitted over the satellite network and allocated the requested guaranteed bit rate.

Abstract: A Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and cellular system to provide backhaul satellite communications for a cellular base station are disclosed. The VSAT including an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Core Network (CN) device; and a satellite modem connected to the EPC CN device and to communicate over a satellite link, wherein the EPC CN device manages communication of user traffic from the cellular base station to the satellite modem.

Abstract: A cellular system and method to provide voice and data services to a user terminal are disclosed. The cellular system includes a cellular base station; a satellite backhaul including a first satellite link and a second satellite link; and a traffic classifier to classify traffic from the cellular base station as voice traffic for transportation via the first satellite link and as data traffic for transportation via the second satellite link.

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: An approach for monitoring operations in a satellite communication system includes selecting different types of beams that can be used to represent a satellite coverage area, and retrieving metrics from at least one subsystem in a satellite communication system. A map of the satellite coverage area is overlaid with a plurality of coverage beams in accordance with their respective coverage portions of the satellite coverage area. A color scheme can then be applied to provide status information for each coverage beam corresponding to retrieved metrics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring problematic transmission channels in a cellular telephone system are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the channel monitoring method or apparatus keeps track of a defined number of calls M. After channel selection, the channel monitoring process determines whether the channel assignment was successful. The number of calls M defines the window in which the process tracks channel failures. The disclosed monitoring process can be used in either an analog embodiment or a time division multiple access (TDMA) digital embodiment having multiple channels for each frequency, such as TDMA-3. After every frequency selection, whether call assignment is successful or unsuccessful, channel information is monitored. If the monitored channel information exceeds placement thresholds, the selected frequency is placed into an alarm subpool. Preferably, the channel monitoring process has at least one alarm subpool.