Abstract: Systems (100)/methods (1000) for allocating performance of data service tasks (DST-1, . . . , DST-30) of a defined duration or data volume among time frames (2021-1, 2021-2, . . . , 2021-N, . . . , 20217-1, 20217-2, . . . , 20217-N) defined in separate communication channels (2001, . . . , 20017). Each time frame has a predetermined duration and number of time chips (3021-1, 3021-2, . . . , 3021-26624). The methods involve allocating portions of the time frames to synchronous type data service tasks (STDSTs). STDSTs (DTS-1, . . . , DST-14, DST-16, . . . , DST-18, DST-20, . . . , DST-30) must be communicated in consecutive time chips of a single channel. The methods also involve allocating residual channel space portions of the time frames to asynchronous type data service tasks (ATDSTs). ATDSTs (DST-15, DST-19) do not require data to be communicated in consecutive time chips of a single channel.

Abstract: System and method for determining an optimal transmission center frequency for a traffic station (30) in a satellite communication system (100) includes transmitting, by the traffic station (30) in a first uplink channel, a first burst of information in a first uplink TDMA frame to a satellite (10) and receiving, by the traffic station (30) in a first downlink channel, a downlink TDMA frame including a reference burst (210) and the first burst of information. A Doppler offset ratio is calculated based on a measured frequency shift of the received first burst of information. A local oscillator offset ratio is calculated based on a measured frequency shift of the reference burst and the Doppler offset ratio. An adjusted transmission frequency of a second uplink channel is calculated based on the Doppler offset ratio and the local oscillator offset ratio.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for positioning a directional antenna coupled to a radio towards a satellite. The method includes: receiving an input to the radio from an operator of the radio, where the input indicates a desired time period for positioning the antenna; transmitting, during the desired time period, a plurality of burst data transmissions from the radio over a channel associated with the satellite; receiving a plurality of reply data transmissions from the satellite which correspond to the plurality of burst data transmissions sent by the radio; determining a metric indicative of signal quality for each of the reply data transmissions; and outputting from the radio an indicator for each metric. The operator of the radio can use the indicator output by the radio to better position the antenna towards the satellite.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing methods for allocating available service capacity to a plurality of tasks in a data processing system having a plurality of processing channels is provided, where each processing channel is utilized in accordance with a time division multiplex processing scheme. A method can include receiving in the data processing system the plurality of tasks to be allocated to the available service capacity and determining a task from among an unassigned set of the plurality of tasks having a requirement for available service capacity which is greatest. The method can also include identifying at least one of the plurality of processing channels that has an available service capacity greater than or equal to the requirement and selectively assigning the task to the processing channel having a remaining service capacity which least exceeds the requirement.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for positioning a directional antenna coupled to a radio towards a satellite. The method includes: receiving an input to the radio from an operator of the radio, where the input indicates a desired time period for positioning the antenna; transmitting, during the desired time period, a plurality of burst data transmissions from the radio over a channel associated with the satellite; receiving a plurality of reply data transmissions from the satellite which correspond to the plurality of burst data transmissions sent by the radio; determining a metric indicative of signal quality for each of the reply data transmissions; and outputting from the radio an indicator for each metric. The operator of the radio can use the indicator output by the radio to better position the antenna towards the satellite.

Abstract: System and method for determining an optimal transmission center frequency for a traffic station (30) in a satellite communication system (100) includes transmitting, by the traffic station (30) in a first uplink channel, a first burst of information in a first uplink TDMA frame to a satellite (10) and receiving, by the traffic station (30) in a first downlink channel, a downlink TDMA frame including a reference burst (210) and the first burst of information. A Doppler offset ratio is calculated based on a measured frequency shift of the received first burst of information. A local oscillator offset ratio is calculated based on a measured frequency shift of the reference burst and the Doppler offset ratio. An adjusted transmission frequency of a second uplink channel is calculated based on the Doppler offset ratio and the local oscillator offset ratio.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing methods for allocating available service capacity to a plurality of tasks in a data processing system having a plurality of processing channels is provided, where each processing channel is utilized in accordance with a time division multiplex processing scheme. A method can include receiving in the data processing system the plurality of tasks to be allocated to the available service capacity and determining a task from among an unassigned set of the plurality of tasks having a requirement for available service capacity which is greatest. The method can also include identifying at least one of the plurality of processing channels that has an available service capacity greater than or equal to the requirement and selectively assigning the task to the processing channel having a remaining service capacity which least exceeds the requirement.

Abstract: Systems (100)/methods (1000) for allocating performance of data service tasks (DST-1, . . . , DST-30) of a defined duration or data volume among time frames (2021-1, 2021-2, . . . , 2021-N, . . . , 20217-1, 20217-2, . . . , 20217-N) defined in separate communication channels (2001, . . . , 20017). Each time frame has a predetermined duration and number of time chips (3021-1, 3021-2, . . . , 3021-26624). The methods involve allocating portions of the time frames to synchronous type data service tasks (STDSTs). STDSTs (DTS-1, . . . , DST-14, DST-16, . . . , DST-18, DST-20, . . . , DST-30) must be communicated in consecutive time chips of a single channel. The methods also involve allocating residual channel space portions of the time frames to asynchronous type data service tasks (ATDSTs). ATDSTs (DST-15, DST-19) do not require data to be communicated in consecutive time chips of a single channel.