Abstract: A base station computer that includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor is described. The processor may be programmed to: determine a geographic position of a user terminal (UT); store the position in the memory; determine to page the UT; correlate a satellite beam based on the position; and page the UT via the satellite beam.

Abstract: A system and a method for directing a handover of communications in Radio Frequency (RF) networks at a UT. The method includes servicing a user terminal (UT) via a first network having a first coverage area; receiving, from the UT via the first network, a measurement report for a second network having a second coverage area based on a measurement configuration of the second network; sending, to the UT via the first network, a handover order for obtaining service from the second network; and establishing, via a second network RAN (radio access network), a service for the UT via the second network per the handover order. In the method, the first network may include either a terrestrial network (TN) or a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the second network may include other of the TN or the NTN, and the TN and the NTN are RF networks.

Abstract: A system to provide second generation (2G) voice services over internet protocol, the system including: a voice gateway (VGW) including a 2G stack to communicate control plane information and user plane information with a 2G user terminal (UT) via a circuit-switched network without modifications to the 2G-UT, an Iu-CS IP stack, and a relay to map the control plane information between the 2G stack and the Iu-CS IP stack, and vice-versa; a mobile switching center (MSC), connected to the VGW via the Iu-CS IP stack, to manage and establish the voice services between the 2G-UT and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) based on the mapped control plane information; and a media gateway (MGW) connected to the VGW via the Iu-CS IP stack, where the MGW communicates the user plane information between the 2G-UT and the PSTN after the MSC 2-G UT vocoder, e.g. AMBE, has established voice services.

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 method is provided for network equipment and resource sharing amongst service providers within a communications network. Parameters are determined, each associated with a an SP(ID) identifying a respective service provider. The Parameters relate to network parameters of a that are utilized for standard network processes unrelated to service provider identification. A control message is received, including a UT-ID associated with a user terminal (UT). The UT is associated with one service provider. The control message is received as part of configuration of network services for the UT. One of the Parameters is determined that is associated with the UT-ID, and one SP(ID) is determined that is associated with the determined Parameter. Communications channels are provided to the UT for network services. The communications channels are configured based on share parameters defining a share of network resources allocated to the service provider to which the determined SP(ID) corresponds.

Abstract: A data communications system, includes a data communications device (DCD), and at least one wireless access network, which includes a base station. The DCD generates a narrowband message which includes user-plane data of the DCD. The DCD transmits the narrowband message to the base station via a random access control-plane channel of the wireless access network, prior to any request for or establishment of a wireless or radio resource connection, or establishment of any dedicated radio bearers or wireless channels, between the DCD and the base station.

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: An apparatus for establishing communication between a base station and different generation terminals includes a multi-protocol stack capable of processing user traffic received from different generation terminals. The apparatus also includes a common physical layer that receives user traffic from different generation terminals and identifies the generation of the terminal sending the user traffic. The user traffic is then processed and routed based on the terminal generation. Traffic can be prioritized across current and legacy terminal types based on a variety of factors.

Abstract: A base station computer that includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor is described. The processor may be programmed to: determine a geographic position of a user terminal (UT); store the position in the memory; determine to page the UT; correlate a satellite beam based on the position; and page the UT via the satellite beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing communication between a base station and different generation terminals includes a multi-protocol stack capable of processing user traffic received from different generation terminals. The apparatus also includes a common physical layer that receives user traffic from different generation terminals and identifies the generation of the terminal sending the user traffic. The user traffic is then processed and routed based on the terminal generation. Traffic can be prioritized across current and legacy terminal types based on a variety of factors.

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 carrying Voice over LTE network (VoLTE) is described. The method includes: providing a dedicated channel between a user terminal and a gateway; associating the dedicated channel of a voice communication with a header context; receiving a packet comprising a voice payload of the voice communication over the dedicated channel, wherein the packet does not include the header context; selecting an associated header context based on the dedicated channel; generating a header based on the header context; and sending an IP standard packet comprising the header and the voice payload to a terrestrial network device. Another method receives a voice payload with a header and forwards the voice payload without the header over a dedicated channel associated with information in the header.

Abstract: A user terminal (UT) for a mobile satellite communications system, and an associated method for managing tracking areas for such a UT is provided. When initiating establishment of a radio connection, the UT transmits a connection request message to a satellite gateway (SGW) of the mobile satellite communications system, where the connection request message includes position information identifying a current location of the UT. The UT processes a connection setup message received in response to the connection request message, where the connection setup message includes a first tracking area identifier (TAID) that identifies a one of a plurality of tracking areas that is associated with the current location of the UT. The UT transmits a connection complete message to the SGW, together with an attach request message for a core network of the mobile satellite communications system, which includes the first TAID.

Abstract: Enhanced paging for an LTE mobile satellite system (MSS-LTE) network, including determining that a user terminal (UT) is in a second state in which the UT has established a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol signaling connection with the network and an active Radio Resource Control protocol (RRC) connection with the network; determining, as a result of the UT being inactive while the UT is in the second state, that the UT is in a third state in which the UT maintains the NAS connection and releases or suspends the RRC connection; receiving a request to establish a multimedia session with the UT; transmitting, in response to receiving the request and the UT being in the third state, an E-RAB SETUP REQUEST including a priority value indicating the session is suitable for a high penetration alerting procedure; receiving the E-RAB SETUP REQUEST; and in response to receiving the E-RAB SETUP REQUEST, transmitting a high penetration alert signal to the UT.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating calibration parameters and locating a Calibration Earth Station (CES) is described. The method may be performed offline. The method includes: providing LxM pilot signal measurements in a matrix R from L CESs and the M feed elements, wherein the matrix R comprises a set of channel coefficients c={c1, c2, . . . , cM}, and k={k1, k2, . . . , kL} perturbations; linking a subset of channel coefficients {c1, c2, . . . , cM} using each of the L CESs; and estimating a relative estimate of the k={k1, k2, . . . , kL} pertubations across the L CESs by using each of the L CESs as a bridging element. In the method, the bridging element provides a strong pilot signal for at least two of the L CESs. A set of criteria for determining locations of CESs have been described. A set of desirable properties for the solution set of L CESs have been disclosed. A combination of inner loop and outer loop methods for determining the final set of optimal locations have been described.

Abstract: A satellite system comprises LEO satellites and MEO satellites, and a control plane protocol architecture. The PHY, MAC, MAC/RLC and RRC layers are optimized for satellite environment. When the satellites are not processing satellites, eNB functions are implemented in a satellite gateway, and, when the satellites are processing satellites, protocol architecture in the control plane differ from LTE, as follows: PHY layer is moved to the communicating LEO/MEO satellite on the user link, MAC/RLC, RRC and PDCP are be located in satellite or gateway depending on satellite complexity, and the need to have mesh connectivity between UTs. When the RRC is implemented in the satellite, the RRC is divided into RRC-Lower and RRC-Upper layers. The RRC-L is satellite-based, and handles UT handover. The RRC-U is eNB-based, and handles resource management functions. The RRC-U communicates with the PDCP layer in the eNB to configure security, header and data compression.

Abstract: A satellite system comprises LEO satellites and MEO satellites, and a control plane protocol architecture. The PHY, MAC, MAC/RLC and RRC layers are optimized for satellite environment. When the satellites are not processing satellites, eNB functions are implemented in a satellite gateway, and, when the satellites are processing satellites, protocol architecture in the control plane differ from LTE, as follows: PHY layer is moved to the communicating LEO/MEO satellite on the user link, MAC/RLC, RRC and PDCP are be located in satellite or gateway depending on satellite complexity, and the need to have mesh connectivity between UTs. When the RRC is implemented in the satellite, the RRC is divided into RRC-Lower and RRC-Upper layers. The RRC-L is satellite-based, and handles UT handover. The RRC-U is eNB-based, and handles resource management functions. The RRC-U communicates with the PDCP layer in the eNB to configure security, header and data compression.

Abstract: A method is provided for network equipment and resource sharing amongst service providers within a communications network. Parameters are determined, each associated with a an SP(ID) identifying a respective service provider. The Parameters relate to network parameters of a that are utilized for standard network processes unrelated to service provider identification. A control message is received, including a UT-ID associated with a user terminal (UT). The UT is associated with one service provider. The control message is received as part of configuration of network services for the UT. One of the Parameters is determined that is associated with the UT-ID, and one SP(ID) is determined that is associated with the determined Parameter. Communications channels are provided to the UT for network services. The communications channels are configured based on share parameters defining a share of network resources allocated to the service provider to which the determined SP(ID) corresponds.

Abstract: Enhanced paging for an LTE mobile satellite system (MSS-LTE) network, including determining that a user terminal (UT) is in a second state in which the UT has established a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol signaling connection with the network and an active Radio Resource Control protocol (RRC) connection with the network; determining, as a result of the UT being inactive while the UT is in the second state, that the UT is in a third state in which the UT maintains the NAS connection and releases or suspends the RRC connection; receiving a request to establish a multimedia session with the UT; transmitting, in response to receiving the request and the UT being in the third state, an E-RAB SETUP REQUEST including a priority value indicating the session is suitable for a high penetration alerting procedure; receiving the E-RAB SETUP REQUEST; and in response to receiving the E-RAB SETUP REQUEST, transmitting a high penetration alert signal to the UT.

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.