Abstract: The present invention relates to one- or two-way Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite communications systems which broadcast high bit rate wideband television and multimedia content to user terminals located within a desired coverage area and, more specifically, a single or multi-transponder Direct-To-Home satellite communications system in which a high bit rate wideband data stream is comprised of real-time, statistically multiplexed information and non-real-time information that is transmitted to a subscriber media gateway device for storage and later use. The user terminal contains a specially designed receiving system and may contain a transmitter for transmission of a return data channel to the Broadcast Center.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one- or two-way Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite communications systems which broadcast high bit rate wideband television and multimedia content to user terminals located within a desired coverage area and, more specifically, a single or multi-transponder Direct-To-Home satellite communications system in which a high bit rate wideband data stream is comprised of real-time, statistically multiplexed information and non-real-time information that is transmitted to a subscriber media gateway device for storage and later-use. The user terminal contains a specially designed receiving system and may contain a transmitter for transmission of a return data channel to the Broadcast Center.

Abstract: A spot beam satellite communications system and method for delivering information to user terminals at a high data rate. In a hub, a high data rate serial data stream is separated into parallel data streams that are modulated onto respective uplink transponders. The uplink transponders are transmitted by the hub to an earth-orbiting satellite, which translates the uplink signals to downlink frequencies. The satellite broadcasts the transponders to user terminals located in the desired beam coverage areas on the earth. The user terminal separates the downlink transponders and demodulates each of the downlink transponder signals to regenerate the parallel data streams. The parallel data streams are combined to reproduce the original serial data stream. By dedicating multiple transponders to a particular data stream, data can be relayed at a very high data rate by a communications satellite that employs a standard transponder frequency assignment scheme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one- or two-way Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite communications systems which broadcast high bit rate wideband television and multimedia content to user terminals located within a desired coverage area and, more specifically, a single or multi-transponder Direct-To-Home satellite communications system in which a high bit rate wideband data stream is comprised of real-time, statistically multiplexed information and non-real-time information that is transmitted to a subscriber media gateway device for storage and later-use. The user terminal contains a specially designed receiving system and may contain a transmitter for transmission of a return data channel to the Broadcast Center.

Abstract: Apparatus for using a low earth orbit satellite for reverse path communication in a subscription information service delivery system comprises a receiver adapted to receive a subscription information service signal at frequencies exceeding 1 GHz via a first path. Responsive to a poll, the receiver is adapted to transmit a response signal to the poll at frequencies under 1 GHz via a second path to a low earth orbit satellite. The polling request may be transmitted with the subscription information service signal or through the low earth orbit satellite. Preferably, the polling request is addressed and comprises a response message length field. The response comprises a service provider identifier and a subscriber identifier and further, preferably comprises response data encrypted by a key known to the service provider.