Abstract: A communication system for a mobile platform satellite service (MPSS) system includes a receiver subsystem (RS) and a transmitter subsystem (TS). A satellite transponder is in communication with the RS and the TS of the mobile platform. A satellite service ground station includes a transmitter subsystem (TS) and a receiver subsystem (RS). A communication link is established between the MPSS system and the ground station, via the satellite transponder. The communications link includes fixed satellite service (FSS) data superimposed on MPSS data in the same frequency band to thereby maximize both satellite transponder utilization and interference budget usage.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a time architecture of a mobile network that includes a plurality of network components, each having a time subsystem clock that is updated using a network time protocol (NTP) program. The method includes operating the components in a hierarchical fashion and booting up all the network components such that execution of a NTP sub-program for making small incremental changes to the each component time subsystem clock is delayed. Additionally, the method includes iteratively executing a NTP sub-program for making large changes to each component time system clock until each component time sub-system clock establishes an initial synchronization with a parent component time sub-system clock. Furthermore, the method includes iteratively executing the NTP sub-program for making small incremental changes once initial synchronization is established such that each component time sub-system clock maintains synchronization with the parent component time sub-system clock.

Abstract: A method is provided for asymmetrically encrypting data communicated between a ground platform and multiple airborne platforms. The method includes packet encrypting ground-based data so as to preserve routing information while encrypting the remaining data. The packet-encrypted data is then transmitted to the airborne platforms. The method also includes bulk encrypting airborne-based data so as to maximize security. The bulk-encrypted data is then transmitted to the ground platform.

Abstract: A polling system and method for establishing forward and return communication links with a plurality of mobile platforms operating within a given coverage region, and further which provides preliminary return channel assignments with each polling message. Each polling message further has an associated ID code designating a particular mobile platform which is registered with a network operations center (NOC) of the system. If the mobile platform does not respond on its designated preliminary return channel within a given time period (e.g., 5 seconds) than the preliminary return channel is returned to a database of available return channels. Polling is carried out more expeditiously because groups of mobile platforms are polled simultaneously and provided with preliminary return channels which accompany the polling messages, and which direct each mobile platform to a designated return channel to use in establishing a return communications link.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out a hand-off of a satellite-based communications link with a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, leaving a first coverage region and entering a second coverage region. A land-based communications link connects ground stations in each of the coverage regions for communications with one another and also with a network operations center (NOC). As the aircraft enters an area of overlap between the two coverage regions, a sequence of communications is initiated between the ground stations and also between each of the ground stations and the aircraft to ensure that new forward link and return link assignments are received by the aircraft before the aircraft relinquishes its communications link with the first ground station to begin communicating with the second ground station.

Abstract: A communication system for a mobile platform satellite service (MPSS) system includes a receiver subsystem (RS) and a transmitter subsystem (TS). A satellite transponder is in communication with the RS and the TS of the mobile platform. A satellite service ground station includes a transmitter subsystem (TS) and a receiver subsystem (RS). A communication link is established between the MPSS system and the ground station, via the satellite transponder. The communications link includes fixed satellite service (FSS) data superimposed on MPSS data in the same frequency band to thereby maximize both satellite transponder utilization and interference budget usage.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly detecting and remedying an interference incident caused by one of a plurality of mobile terminals in communication with a transponded satellite. The method makes use of a time line constructed from communications of each of the mobile terminals. The time line forms a real time, sequential record of events wherein various mobile terminals have made contact with the transponded satellite. The method extrapolates from the time line which one of the mobile terminals has caused an interfering event by determining which mobile terminal accessed the communication system just prior to the interference event arising.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out a hand-off of a satellite-based communications link with a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, leaving a first coverage region and entering a second coverage region. A land-based communications link connects ground stations in each of the coverage regions for communications with one another and also with a network operations center (NOC). As the aircraft enters an area of overlap between the two coverage regions, a sequence of communications is initiated between the ground stations and also between each of the ground stations and the aircraft to ensure that new forward link and return link assignments are received by the aircraft before the aircraft relinquishes its communications link with the first ground station to begin communicating with the second ground station.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a time architecture of a mobile network that includes a plurality of network components, each having a time subsystem clock that is updated using a network time protocol (NTP) program. The method includes operating the components in a hierarchical fashion and booting up all the network components such that execution of a NTP sub-program for making small incremental changes to the each component time subsystem clock is delayed. Additionally, the method includes iteratively executing a NTP sub-program for making large changes to each component time system clock until each component time sub-system clock establishes an initial synchronization with a parent component time sub-system clock. Furthermore, the method includes iteratively executing the NTP sub-program for making small incremental changes once initial synchronization is established such that each component time sub-system clock maintains synchronization with the parent component time sub-system clock.

Abstract: A network for a mobile platform includes first and second servers that provide first and second services and include a first and second configuration databases, respectively. If both of the first and second servers successfully boot up and complete self-testing, the first and second servers compare the first and second configuration databases. If the first and second configuration databases do not match, one of the first and second configuration databases having an older update date is replaced with the other of the first and second configuration databases having a newer update date. The first server to boot up and complete self-testing is designated a primary server that tracks network status. If the first (or second) server does not boot up and complete self-testing, the second (or first) server performs a subset of the first (or second) service.

Abstract: A polling system and method for establishing forward and return communication links with a plurality of mobile platforms operating within a given coverage region, and further which provides preliminary return channel assignments with each polling message. Each polling message further has an associated ID code designating a particular mobile platform which is registered with a network operations center (NOC) of the system. If the mobile platform does not respond on its designated preliminary return channel within a given time period (e.g., 5 seconds) than the preliminary return channel is returned to a database of available return channels. Polling is carried out more expeditiously because groups of mobile platforms are polled simultaneously and provided with preliminary return channels which accompany the polling messages, and which direct each mobile platform to a designated return channel to use in establishing a return communications link.

Abstract: A method is provided for asymmetrically encrypting data communicated between a ground platform and multiple airborne platforms. The method includes packet encrypting ground-based data so as to preserve routing information while encrypting the remaining data. The packet-encrypted data is then transmitted to the airborne platforms. The method also includes bulk encrypting airborne-based data so as to maximize security. The bulk-encrypted data is then transmitted to the ground platform.

Abstract: A method is provided for asymmetrically compressing data communicated between a ground platform and multiple airborne platforms. The method includes packet compressing ground-based data so as to preserve routing information while compressing the remaining data. The packet-compressed data is then transmitted to the airborne platforms. The method also includes bulk compressing airborne-based data so as to maximize compression and minimize use of available bandwidth. The bulk-compressed data is then transmitted to the ground platform.

Abstract: A communication system for mobile platforms includes a receiver subsystem (RS) and a transmitter subsystem (TS). A satellite is in communication with the RS and the TS of the mobile platform. A ground station includes a transmitter subsystem (TS) and a receiver subsystem (RS). The TS of the ground station transmits a forward link to the satellite and receives a return link from the satellite. The forward and return links include Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) data and Mobile Platform Satellite Service (MPSS) data in the same frequency band. The frequency band is the Ku frequency band between 10.7 and 15.0 GHz.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly detecting and remedying an interference incident caused by one of a plurality of mobile terminals in communication with a transponded satellite. The method makes use of a time line constructed from communications of each of the mobile terminals. The time line forms a real time, sequential record of events wherein various mobile terminals have made contact with the transponded satellite. The method extrapolates from the time line which one of the mobile terminals has caused an interfering event by determining which mobile terminal accessed the communication system just prior to the interference event arising.