Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for signaling control information in a communication of data. The method includes the steps of channel coding the data to form channel coded data, interleaving the channel coded data to form interleaved data, segmenting the interleaved data into a sequence of frames, and overwriting a portion of a frame in the sequence of frames with the control information. The control information has a low bit size, and the overwriting is performed at a frequency of less than about 20% of the frames in the sequence of frames. The system includes a spread spectrum transmitter for signaling control information in a communication of data. The spread spectrum transmitter includes a channel coder, an interleaver and framer unit having an input coupled to the channel coder, and an insertion unit coupled to an output of the interleaver and framer unit. The channel coder is configured to apply forward error correction to the communication of data and produce channel coded data therefrom.

Abstract: User Equipment (UE) and methods for UE synchronization are provided in accordance with the present invention. The UE is configured for operation in a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) that has satellites that are configured to couple the UE to a ground station. The UE includes a transceiver that is configured to couple the UE to at least one of the plurality of satellites and a controller coupled to the transceiver. The controller is configured to perform one or more operations that result in an adjustment of the UE timing reference.