Abstract: A method for communicating with a legacy terminal supporting a legacy air interface and a new terminal supporting a next generation air interface including: assigning a same carrier to the legacy terminal and the new terminal; receiving a terminal identifier and an optional payload for transmission at a MAC/RLC layer; determining if the terminal identifier is associated with the legacy terminal or the new terminal; composing, based on the determining, a burst header; formatting, a burst including the burst header and the optional payload; and transmitting the burst. In the method, the burst header is set to one of the one or more valid burst headers when the burst is associated with the legacy terminal, and the burst header is set to one of the one or more undefined burst headers when the burst is associated with the new terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for terminal-to-terminal communication in satellite networks. In some implementations, a system includes an application server that enables a communication session that routes user data between a first terminal and a second terminal over a satellite communication network without routing the user data through any intermediate ground stations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing network and protocol architectures to achieve efficient high speed data services in an integrated terrestrial-non-terrestrial network (iTNTN). The iTNTN can include at least a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system and terrestrial radio access and core network infrastructures based on cellular standards (e.g., 5G). Embodiments specially configure packet-based routing and dynamic cell-CU-DU (cell to centralized unit to distributed unit) association to accommodate dynamically changing LEO satellite locations and other iTNTN characteristics. These and other configurations are used to enable features, including end-to-end IP data and Layer 2 data services, integrated LEO-GEO (low-Earth orbit and geosynchronous Earth orbit) and LEO-MEO (low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit) services, direct UT-UT (user terminal to user terminal) services, and resource efficient multicast services.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing network and protocol architectures to achieve efficient high speed data services in an integrated terrestrial-non-terrestrial network (iTNTN). The iTNTN can include at least a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system and terrestrial radio access and core network infrastructures based on cellular standards (e.g., 5G). Embodiments specially configure packet-based routing and dynamic cell-CU-DU (cell to centralized unit to distributed unit) association to accommodate dynamically changing LEO satellite locations and other iTNTN characteristics. These and other configurations are used to enable features, including end-to-end IP data and Layer 2 data services, integrated LEO-GEO (low-Earth orbit and geosynchronous Earth orbit) and LEO-MEO (low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit) services, direct UT-UT (user terminal to user terminal) services, and resource efficient multicast services.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing usage of satellite channelizers including dividing a frequency spectrum into sub-bands; providing a satellite channelizer for each of the sub-bands, where each of the sub-bands may include channels; multiplexing service channels into the channels of one of the sub-bands, where the service channels convey data for a plurality of MSSs. A system and method for obtaining high throughput on a satellite network. A system and method for providing a Fair Access Policy (FAP) in a 4G system.

Abstract: Techniques described herein provide transmit power density limit normalization for electronically steerable antenna subsystems in user terminals having scan angle varying power spectral density limits. Embodiments can further simplify or eliminate impacts on UT modem and/or satellite ground networks, and can remove dependencies on the UT antenna type and its antenna performance characterization.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for dynamic communication parameter selection. In some implementations, a system determines a number of resource blocks to use for one or more communications between a terminal and a gateway in a satellite communication network. The system determines a characteristic of a wireless channel used for communication, and selects a table that specifies transmission parameters to use for different combinations of numbers of resource blocks and wireless channel characteristics. The system determines transmission parameters based on an entry, retrieved from the identified table, that corresponds to the determined number of resource blocks and the determined characteristic of the wireless channel.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing usage of satellite channelizers including dividing a frequency spectrum into sub-bands; providing a satellite channelizer for each of the sub-bands, where each of the sub-bands may include channels; multiplexing service channels into the channels of one of the sub-bands, where the service channels convey data for a plurality of MSSs. A system and method for obtaining high throughput on a satellite network. A system and method for providing a Fair Access Policy (FAP) in a 4G system.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a legacy terminal supporting a legacy air interface and a new terminal supporting a next generation air interface including: assigning a same carrier to the legacy terminal and the new terminal; receiving a terminal identifier and an optional payload for transmission at a MAC/RLC layer; determining if the terminal identifier is associated with the legacy terminal or the new terminal; composing, based on the determining, a burst header; formatting, a burst including the burst header and the optional payload; and transmitting the burst. In the method, the burst header is set to one of the one or more valid burst headers when the burst is associated with the legacy terminal, and the burst header is set to one of the one or more undefined burst headers when the burst is associated with the new terminal.

Abstract: An adaptive transmit power control process enables the uplink transmit power of a user terminal to be adjusted based on a scan angle of the antenna for the user terminal. The antenna periodically reports the scan angle to the user terminal, and a current maximum transmit power for the user terminal is determined based on the scan angle. The current maximum transmit power is then used as the basis for determining an allocation of resources to the user terminal. The transmit power control process enables resources to be assigned as needed across multiple carriers and enables a power spectral density of a user terminal to be adjusted based on nominal and offset transmit power parameters.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a legacy terminal supporting a legacy air interface and a new terminal supporting a next generation air interface including: assigning a same carrier to the legacy terminal and the new terminal; receiving a terminal identifier and an optional payload for transmission at a MAC/RLC layer; determining if the terminal identifier is associated with the legacy terminal or the new terminal; composing, based on the determining, a burst header; formatting, a burst including the burst header and the optional payload; and transmitting the burst. In the method, the burst header is set to one of the one or more valid burst headers when the burst is associated with the legacy terminal, and the burst header is set to one of the one or more undefined burst headers when the burst is associated with the new terminal.

Abstract: Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a satellite communication system includes a user terminal and a gateway. The user terminal includes a terminal antenna and a terminal controller. The terminal antenna enables the user terminal to communicate via each of a first satellite and a second satellite. The gateway includes a gateway antenna and a gateway controller. The gateway antenna enables the gateway to communicate with the user terminal via each of the first satellite and the second satellite. At least one of the terminal controller and the gateway controller is configured to adjust a queue management policy during a handover operation from the first satellite to the second satellite.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication between user terminals and core network through satellite network and ground network are disclosed herein. The system facilitates connectivity through inter-satellite links in the satellite network. The system provides an air interface based on 5G protocols with satellite specific enhancements at lower layers, low latency, standards based physical layer design on both user and feeder links, beam-hopping design that minimizes end-to-end delay, software defined networking for route management to minimize payload complexity, efficient flow control between ground network and satellite to minimize buffering requirements in satellite payload, differentiated quality of service, advanced scheduler designs to cater to traffic types and full/half duplex terminals, end-to-end Layer 2 transport, direct user terminal to user terminal communications, adaptive modulation and coding, scalable gateway, and the like.

Abstract: Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a satellite communication system includes a user terminal and a gateway. The user terminal includes a terminal antenna and a terminal controller. The terminal antenna enables the user terminal to communicate via each of a first satellite and a second satellite. The gateway includes a gateway antenna and a gateway controller. The gateway antenna enables the gateway to communicate with the user terminal via each of the first satellite and the second satellite. At least one of the terminal controller and the gateway controller is configured to adjust a queue management policy during a handover operation from the first satellite to the second satellite.

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: A system and method for reducing usage of satellite channelizers including dividing a frequency spectrum into sub-bands; providing a satellite channelizer for each of the sub-bands, where each of the sub-bands may include channels; multiplexing service channels into the channels of one of the sub-bands, where the service channels convey data for a plurality of MSSs. A system and method for obtaining high throughput on a satellite network. A system and method for providing a Fair Access Policy (FAP) in a 4G system.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.