Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting data using a satellite communication network are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a satellite communication network includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a base station. The first terminal is configured to collect first target data. The second terminal is configured to receive a first data packet including the first target data from the first terminal via a local connection. The base station is in communication with the first terminal and the second terminal via at least one satellite. The base station is configured to: (i) receive copies of the first data packet from each of the first and second terminals via the at least one satellite; (ii) process a first copy of the first data packet; and (iii) delete a second copy of the first data packet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating handover reduction in satellite systems are disclosed. A system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to detect a user terminal that is selected for a handover procedure. The handover procedure may facilitate a switch from a source beam to a target beam. Based on input data, the processor may evaluate an ideal time value pertaining to a pre-defined time instance at which a scheduled handover is to be performed. The scheduled handover may correspond to at least one of a scheduled change in operating frequency within same beam or a scheduled feeder link handover due to a change in gateway communicating with the satellite. Based on the evaluation and the input data, the processor may estimate an optimized time value that pertains to an optimized time instance associated with an expected handover reduction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating handover reduction in satellite systems are disclosed. A system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to detect a user terminal that is selected for a handover procedure. The handover procedure may facilitate a switch from a source beam to a target beam. Based on input data, the processor may evaluate an ideal time value pertaining to a pre-defined time instance at which a scheduled handover is to be performed. The scheduled handover may correspond to at least one of a scheduled change in operating frequency within same beam or a scheduled feeder link handover due to a change in gateway communicating with the satellite. Based on the evaluation and the input data, the processor may estimate an optimized time value that pertains to an optimized time instance associated with an expected handover reduction.

Abstract: Aspects of the present application comprise an edge-based polymorphic network and associated agentless security solutions. Present systems and methods may effectively shapeshift the network through network topology management, node templates, link templates, and network packet manipulation. Using agentless techniques, the network may be reshaped when attacks are detected in a manner that impacts only the attacker, and an agentless color theory security solution may be used to dynamically protect network traffic.

Abstract: A communication method includes receiving, by a first node of a satellite communications network, a stream of terrestrial data packets that are encapsulated in accordance with a predetermined protocol, de-encapsulating, by the first node, the terrestrial data packets to extract user plane context and QoS parameters for a user session in accordance with the predetermined protocol, encapsulating, by the first node, the user plane context within satellite data packets, and transmitting, by the first node, the satellite data packets to a second node of the satellite communications network via a satellite communications link between the first node and the second node by scheduling the satellite data packets using the QoS parameters in accordance with the predetermined protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting data using a satellite communication network are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a satellite communication network includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a base station. The first terminal is configured to collect first target data. The second terminal is configured to receive a first data packet including the first target data from the first terminal via a local connection. The base station is in communication with the first terminal and the second terminal via at least one satellite. The base station is configured to: (i) receive copies of the first data packet from each of the first and second terminals via the at least one satellite; (ii) process a first copy of the first data packet; and (iii) delete a second copy of the first data packet.

Abstract: A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter may include a rotor. The spreader may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of the rotor in a horizontal position. A generally cylindrical rotor housing with a pair of closed, axial ends may be coaxial with the rotor. Entrance and exit apertures for the particulate matter may be formed in the surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends. A rotor driver may be coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor. An intake housing may include a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter. A gate may be provided for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing. An agitator may be coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing.

Abstract: A method for prediction of UT handovers in a satellite communications network is provided. Optimal characteristics regarding the beams of satellites and regarding a one UT are determined. For each of a plurality of the satellite beams, for each of a plurality of instants of time tn, an estimated signal strength as seen at the UT is determined, wherein each estimated signal strength is determined based on the optimal at the respective time tn. A next instant of time tm is determined at which the estimated signal strength for a candidate beam that is within the view of the UT is greater than or equal to the estimated signal strength for the satellite beam that is currently servicing the UT. A handover of the UT, at the time tm, from the satellite beam that is currently servicing the one UT to the candidate beam is determined.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for provisioning OTT internet services are provided. A system includes a user device associated with a first customer, a first physical customer local area network, and an enhanced network gateway. The enhanced network gateway may be configured to instantiate a virtual gateway associated with the first physical customer local area network, create a secure domain associated with the first physical customer local area network, determine whether a subscriber account is associated with the first customer. Responsive to determining that a subscriber account is not associated with the first customer, the enhanced network gateway may further provide a consumer portal to the user device, receive a selection of one or more services through the consumer portal, establish a connection to a service provider network associated with the one or more services, and provision the one or more services over the first physical customer local area network.

Abstract: A communication method includes receiving, by a first node of a satellite communications network, a stream of terrestrial data packets that are encapsulated in accordance with a predetermined protocol, de-encapsulating, by the first node, the terrestrial data packets to extract user plane context and QoS parameters for a user session in accordance with the predetermined protocol, encapsulating, by the first node, the user plane context within satellite data packets, and transmitting, by the first node, the satellite data packets to a second node of the satellite communications network via a satellite communications link between the first node and the second node by scheduling the satellite data packets using the QoS parameters in accordance with the predetermined protocol.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing Internet of Things (“IoT”) functionality. In some embodiments, a wearable control device (“WCD”) might receive first user input comprising one or more of touch, gesture, and/or voice input from the user. The WCD (and/or a remote computing system (“RCS”)) might analyze the first user input to identify a user device of a plurality of user devices to remotely control. The WCD might establish wireless communications with the identified user device, and might reconfigure its user interface to provide the user with command options to control the user device. The WCD might receive second user input. The WCD (and/or the RCS) might analyze the second user input to identify one or more functionalities of the user device to invoke, and might generate first command instructions, which might be sent by the WCD to the user device, via the wireless communications.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for OTT access to local resources are provided. A system includes a user device associated with a first customer, a first physical customer local area network including at least part of a physical circuit from the user device to a first network edge, at least one local resource on a second customer local area network, and an enhanced network gateway. The enhanced network gateway may be configured to instantiate a virtual gateway associated with the first physical customer local area network, create a secure domain associated with the first customer, and provide access to the at least one local resource of the second physical customer local area network associated with the first customer. The at least one local resource of the second physical customer local area network may be coupled to the secure domain via a second virtual gateway of a second enhanced network gateway.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for provisioning OTT internet services are provided. A system includes a user device associated with a first customer, a first physical customer local area network, and an enhanced network gateway. The enhanced network gateway may be configured to instantiate a virtual gateway associated with the first physical customer local area network, create a secure domain associated with the first physical customer local area network, determine whether a subscriber account is associated with the first customer. Responsive to determining that a subscriber account is not associated with the first customer, the enhanced network gateway may further provide a consumer portal to the user device, receive a selection of one or more services through the consumer portal, establish a connection to a service provider network associated with the one or more services, and provision the one or more services over the first physical customer local area network.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing consumer WiFi sharing. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a user device of an end user, a request to access at least one wireless access point that is available for wireless communication sharing; might determine a location of the user device and a location of each wireless access point (“WAP”) among a compiled list of WAPs; might identify at least one WAP among the WAPs that are within wireless communication range of the user device, based at least in part on the determined location of the user device and the location of each of the WAPs, and that are available for sharing, based on the compiled list of WAPs; and might provide the user device with access to the identified at least one WAP.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing wireless communications, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing consumer WiFi sharing. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a user device of an end user, a request to access at least one wireless access point that is available for wireless communication sharing; might determine a location of the user device and a location of each wireless access point (“WAP”) among a compiled list of WAPs; might identify at least one WAP among the WAPs that are within wireless communication range of the user device, based at least in part on the determined location of the user device and the location of each of the WAPs, and that are available for sharing, based on the compiled list of WAPs; and might provide the user device with access to the identified at least one WAP.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for a meter collar system for powerline communications are provided. The system includes a meter socket coupled to a utility power cable and a supply cable of the customer premises, and a meter collar device coupled to the meter socket. The meter collar device may include a powerline interface coupled to one or more load lines of the subscriber cable, and a line transceiver, coupled to the powerline interface. A physical layer transceiver may be coupled to a subscriber line. The meter collar device may be configured to receive, from the physical layer transceiver, a first data signal from the subscriber line, and convert the first data signal into a powerline data signal for transmission over the one or more load lines, and transmit the powerline data signal, via the line transceiver, over the one or more load lines.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing a User Equipment (UE) to a Core Network (CN) is disclosed. The method including: providing a high latency connection; providing a satellite network portal (SNP) to connect to the UE via a satellite link, wherein the SNP includes a Media Access Control (MAC) layer for managing the satellite link and a Radio Layer Control (RLC) layer of the UE; interfacing the UE to the CN with a Point of Presence (POP) including a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer of the UE and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer of the UE; and establishing a session between the CN and the UE via the RRC layer, the PDCP layer and the RLC layer. In the method, network traffic, between the SNP and the POP, over the high latency connection has a latency greater than 10 milliseconds (ms), the session does not timeout due to the latency of the high latency connection, and the MAC layer schedules bandwidth for the establishing over the satellite link.

Abstract: A method for prediction of UT handovers in a satellite communications network is provided. Optimal characteristics regarding the beams of satellites and regarding a one UT are determined. For each of a plurality of the satellite beams, for each of a plurality of instants of time tn, an estimated signal strength as seen at the UT is determined, wherein each estimated signal strength is determined based on the optimal at the respective time tn. A next instant of time tm is determined at which the estimated signal strength for a candidate beam that is within the view of the UT is greater than or equal to the estimated signal strength for the satellite beam that is currently servicing the UT. A handover of the UT, at the time tm, from the satellite beam that is currently servicing the one UT to the candidate beam is determined.

Abstract: A golf ball retrieval device is disclosed that includes a plurality of claws are disposed adjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of the plurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least one pivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members extend transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws and are arranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, in which the plurality of claws are movable relative to one another between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the locking mechanism in a first position, and to secure the plurality of claws in the expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in a second position.

Abstract: A gravity-feed spreader for particulate matter may include a rotor. The spreader may be operable for gravity-feed operation with the longitudinal axis of the rotor in a horizontal position. A generally cylindrical rotor housing with a pair of closed, axial ends may be coaxial with the rotor. Entrance and exit apertures for the particulate matter may be formed in the surface of the rotor housing between the closed, axial ends. A rotor driver may be coupled to the rotor shaft for rotating the rotor. An intake housing may include a passageway therethrough for the particulate matter. A gate may be provided for selectively opening and closing the particulate matter passageway in the intake housing. An agitator may be coupled to the rotor shaft for facilitating movement of particulate matter through the passageway in the intake housing.