Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with a high-altitude communication platform (110) which combines multiple signals from multiple sources into one signal which is sent to a ground device (120). The ground device (120) can send a combined signal to the platform (110) which the platform (110) can then separate and send to multiple destinations. The ground device (120) also can provide spectral reuse by orienting directional antennas (360-362) toward the communication platform (110) and one or more spatially diverse other wireless devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for responding to a blockage environment (50) in a communication system includes creating (158, 163) a terminal blockage profile and/or a satellite blockage profile with respect to terminal antenna (19) and responding (200) to the terminal blockage profile and/or the satellite blockage profile to prevent fading and/or blocking of communication pathways (15, 18) between one or more satellites (12) and the terminal (16).

Abstract: An intelligent digital beam former (10) in conjunction with a satellite based array antenna (20) provides a plurality of dynamically controllable antenna beams (52) for communication with subscriber units on earth's surface. The location of a subscriber unit (90) requesting communication services is determined and an individual antenna beams is formed and assigned to the subscriber unit. The antenna beam tracks the subscriber units as the satellite and/or the subscriber unit moves. The digital beam forming coefficients are dynamically adjusted and controlled to help maximize the signal quality of communications with the subscriber units.

Abstract: A satellite communication network (10) coordinates multiple steerable satellite beams (28) with user requests for connections requiring varying bandwidth in real-time. A control station (22) gathers user requests for connections (64) and transmits those requests (70) to a satellite (20) over an uplink (70). Requests for bandwidth (72) are processed in the satellite (20) where time slot assignments (74) and steerable beam schedules (84) are determined in response to user requests (74). Steerable beam schedule (84) and time slot assignments (74) are transmitted to subscriber units (24) and control station (22) over a broadcast downlink (86). Subscriber units (24) complete a data transfer interval of a call (62) while a steerable beam schedule (84) is executed in real-time.

Abstract: An intelligent digital beam former (10) in conjunction with a satellite based array antenna (20) provides a plurality of dynamically controllable antenna beams (52) for communication with subscriber units (90) in response to demand for communication services. Geographic portions within the satellite's footprint that have a higher-demand for communication services are dynamically provided additional antenna beams while geographic portions having a lower demand for communication services are provided less antenna beams. When used on a non-geostationary satellite, the digital beam forming coefficients are dynamically adjusted to steer the antenna beams to maintain their ground location. The antenna beams are also shaped to help optimized geographic coverage.

Abstract: An intelligent digital beam former (10) in conjunction with a satellite based array antenna (20) provides a plurality of dynamically controllable antenna beams (52) for communication with subscriber units (90) on earth's surface. Interference is mitigated placing a null in the transmit and receive antenna patterns at the location of the interfering signal by adjusting digital beam forming coefficients. As the interfering signal moves relative to the satellite, the interfering signal is tracked to maintain interference mitigation. The digital beam forming coefficients are also dynamically adjusted to help maximize signal quality of communications with subscriber units.

Abstract: A synchronizer operates to achieve initial synchronization with a TDMA acquisition signal exhibiting a potentially large Doppler. The synchronizer collects samples of a baseband signal during a timing window. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is performed on the samples to generate a set of spectral data. The window is moved to an identical point in a subsequent frame and the FFT repeated until a high-confidence spectral data set is obtained. If the spectral data set indicates energy concentrated around a discrete frequency, then that discrete frequency represents an estimate of the acquisition signal's frequency. The timing window's timing parameters represent a time slot estimate of the acquisition signal. If the spectral data set indicates energy spread more or less uniformly over the spectrum, then no estimates are indicated and a new window is positioned at a different point in subsequent frames.

Abstract: Distortion introduced in phase modulated RF signals by amplifiers and other signal processors is substantially reduced by modifying complex modulating signals I,Q in a way that compensates for the amplifier phase error .phi..sub.e as a function of amplifier power P. In a preferred embodiment, I, Q are combined to calculate the amplifier power level and scaled by a parameter, e.g., K1=-d.phi..sub.e /dP, to provide factor B so that compensated signals I"=AQ+BI and Q"=AI-BQ, where A is a constant, can be determined. When an RF carrier modulated by I", Q" is passed through the distorting amplifier the amplifier induced distortion is cancelled. Substantial reduction in bit error probability is obtained. The method can also be used for post-distortion correction.