Space Satellite Patents (Class 455/427)
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Patent number: 8914022Abstract: The present Broadband Link System supplements the existing Air-To-Ground Radio Frequency communications link with an additional, separate high speed Broadband Ground-To-Air Data Channel to provide additional data communication capacity for aircraft. This Broadband Ground-To-Air Data Channel is typically a uni-directional (Ground-To-Air) link directed via a focused beam to selected aircraft which are operational in the coverage area of the Broadband Ground-To-Air Data Channel. The routing of the various data transmissions on both the Air-To-Ground Radio Frequency communications link and the Broadband Ground-To-Air Data Channel are managed in a unified manner to maximize the utilization of the two transmission facilities.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Gogo LLCInventors: Ivica Kostanic, Vahid Tarokh, Harold Grant Saroka, Joseph M. Cruz, William James Gordon, Anand K. Chari
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Patent number: 8909220Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a global bandwidth enforcer that allocates bandwidth from the global bandwidth pool in accordance with a group service plan having a predetermined geographic scope. The system further includes an allocation of bandwidth from the one or more channels of the one or more beams of a first satellite in accordance with the group service plan. The system further includes a second satellite access station that receives an allocation of bandwidth from the one or more channels of the one or more beams of the second satellite in accordance with the group service plan. The system further includes a first sub-network associated with the first satellite access having a coverage area in the predetermined geographic scope of the group service plan, where the first sub-network receives an allocation of bandwidth from the first satellite access station in accordance with the group service plan.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: VT iDirect, Inc.Inventors: Sima Aftahi, Antoine Raymond Naaman, Joseph Jude Boone, Peng Zhao
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Patent number: 8897769Abstract: A method, satellite and system utilizes non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) frequency spectrum in geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) satellite communication in a non-interfering manner. A ground station transmits signals to a GSO satellite using a GSO frequency band and an extended frequency spectrum including the NGSO frequency band whenever a noninterference situation exists, i.e., when an NGSO satellite is not in-line between the earth terminal and the GSO satellite or when the NGSO satellite is not utilizing the NGSO band of interest. A command module is provided to instruct the ground station to transmit signals to the GSO satellite using the GSO frequency band and the extended frequency spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Miller, John C. Tchorz
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Patent number: 8892064Abstract: A method is provided that comprises tuning a radio system to a frequency band that contains a locally-broadcast terrestrial radio signal. The locally-broadcast terrestrial radio signal comprising a main signal component and a side data component is thereby received. In response to receiving the locally-broadcast terrestrial radio signal a determination is made as to a permissible time for processing the side data component using a time slot schedule. The side data component is processed at the permissible time. A message corresponding to the side data component is outputted to an output device. In some instances, the side data component includes the message. In other instances, the method further includes searching a message lookup list using a code included in the side data component. When a stored code is found that matches the code, the message corresponding to the matching stored code is outputted.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: E-Radio USA, Inc.Inventor: Jackson Kit Wang
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Patent number: 8885800Abstract: A method of accessing a dedicated phone or Internet service at a remote location includes providing a system having a terminal, a phone, and a USB stick that is adapted to be used with a data-only communication device. The terminal has a phone jack that is coupled to a dedicated phone service line for use with the phone, a data jack that is coupled to a dedicated Internet service, and a connector that is adapted to receive a cable that is connected to a satellite dish for uplink and downlink communication with an orbiting satellite. Each of the phone and the USB stick are provided with an identification footprint that is unique to the terminal. The terminal is positioned at a first location. When the phone and/or the USB stick are moved to a remote location, voice and data signals corresponding to the dedicated phone service line and the dedicated Internet service can be communicated from the terminal to the phone and/or USB stick at the remote location via an antenna and the orbiting satellite.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Inventor: Arthur Green
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Patent number: 8880001Abstract: A method for providing collaborative PNT for a plurality of nodes in a distributed sensing system is disclosed. The method may include receiving carrier phase and pseudorange measurements from a first node and a second node of the plurality of nodes; providing a process model for each node, where the process model for each node is configured for modeling error characteristics associated with that node; determining an error covariance between the first node and the second node; and estimating a PNT solution for the first node and a PNT solution for the second node based on: the carrier phase and pseudorange measurements received from the first node, the carrier phase and pseudorange measurements received from the second node, the process model for the first node, the process model for the second node, and the error covariance between the first node and the second node.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Y. Hwang, Gary A. McGraw
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Patent number: 8879982Abstract: A system and method for performing automatic uplink power control (AUPC), using interference cancellation, to compensate for signal attenuation in a satellite communication system in which uplink path attenuation, forward channel attenuation, or both are estimated at a hub station without requiring signal quality reports from a remote station, and without requiring a satellite beacon. Estimates of uplink path attenuation or forward channel attenuation are used by the hub station to control the output power of a transmitted signal, thereby compensating for the estimated attenuation.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: EMC Satcom Technologies, LLCInventors: Sriram Jayasimha, Praveen K. Tangutoori, Jyothendar Paladugula
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Patent number: 8874041Abstract: An electronic device may contain wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to multiple antennas. The electronic device may use the multiple antennas to make received signal power measurements. The signal power measurements may be made for each frequency in a list of frequencies used most recently by the electronic device in conveying data traffic between the electronic device and a wireless network. Based on received signal power measurements, the electronic device may select which frequency to use in performing system acquisition operations to attempt to establish a wireless communications link between the electronic device and the wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Gaurav Nukala, Johnson O. Sebeni, Longda Xing, Venkatasubramanian Ramasamy, Sachin J. Sane, Tahir Shamim
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Patent number: 8862122Abstract: A system for surveying aircraft present in an area covered by at least one communication satellite, the aircraft transmitting signals conveying surveillance messages. The coverage area consists of multiple spots, the satellite is configured to periodically apply a switching sequence, the sequence consisting of multiple switching phases, a switching phase corresponding to a duration during which the signals transmitted by the aircraft present in at least one spot are processed by the satellite in such a way as to detect surveillance messages, and the sequence is adapted to allow for the detection, during a predetermined period Tup, of at least one surveillance message by aircraft present in the coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: THALESInventors: Arnaud Barthere, Erwan Corbel, Thibaut Calmettes
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Patent number: 8855552Abstract: A method is presented for transmitting data in a satellite system having multiple spot beams comprising (1) sending a broadband signal in a forward direction from a gateway terminal to a communications satellite for relay to at least one subscriber terminal, (2) receiving the broadband signal at the communications satellite, wherein the communications satellite comprises a bent pipe repeater having a plurality of satellite-based transmission amplifiers, (3) using one of the plurality of satellite-based transmission amplifiers to amplify the broadband signal and no other broadband signal from the gateway terminal, to produce an amplified broadband signal, (4) sending the amplified broadband signal as one of a plurality of service spot beams to the at least one subscriber terminal, and (5) receiving and retrieving data from the amplified broadband signal at the at least one subscriber terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Dankberg, Mark J. Miller, Steven R. Hart, Kristi Jaska, Robert Wilson
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Patent number: 8849313Abstract: A camera for generating in a first mobile device a video signal, for viewing by a user, on the first mobile device, the camera generated video signal. The first mobile device has a connector and a cable, to connect the first mobile device camera generated video signal, by cable, to a second mobile device or to a television (TV) set, for viewing the first mobile device camera generated video signal on the second mobile device or on a television (TV) set. The first mobile device has a receiver, demodulator and processor for receiving, demodulating and processing OFDM modulated signals used in a Wi-Fi network and has a second receiver, demodulator and processor for receiving, demodulating and processing CDMA modulated signals used in a cellular system. The first mobile device receives, demodulates and processes location finder signals, such as GPS signals and has a touch screen generated control signal to control use of the first mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Kamilo Feher
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Patent number: 8848605Abstract: The disclosure relates to a ground-based wireless cellular communication system providing in-flight broadband mobile communication services. The system includes at least one ground-based base station adapted for generating at least one cell defining a solid angle of space surrounding the base station. The ground-based base station includes an antenna array using two-dimensional-beamforming for generating at least one beam for serving at least one airplane in the space covered by the at least one cell using spatial-division multiple access (SDMA). The disclosure also relates to an airplane equipment for providing in-flight broadband mobile communication services.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Michael Ohm, Thorsten Wild, Michael Schmidt
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Patent number: 8849192Abstract: A method of determining reliability of a received signal is provided, which includes correlating a received signal from a satellite to a replica code, determining reliability of the received signal according to a predetermined reference using a first value and a second value, the first value being a correlation value of a peak phase obtained from the correlating and the second value being a correlation value of a phase delayed for a predetermined phase from the peak phase and changing the reference according to the satellite.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Tsuchimoto, Hiroki Yoshioka, Fumikazu Sano
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Patent number: 8849208Abstract: An apparatus is provided to include a detector. The detector can detect that an interfering communications connection to a received satellite system signal in a mobile terminal is to be established by the mobile terminal. The apparatus include a processor that can prevent interference to the received satellite system signal due to the interfering communications connection by controlling uplink resource allocation of the mobile terminal based on the detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Petri Vasenkari, Mikko Pesola
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Patent number: 8849274Abstract: A system and method of communication disclosed which may include establishing a telephone call for a cell phone at a first end of the call to a second end of the call, the cell phone receiving communication service from a cellular phone network; substantially continuously detecting a signal level of the cellular phone network available to the cell phone; and transferring the telephone call from the cellular phone service to a second network having a link back to a core network of said cellular phone network only if the detected signal level of the cellular phone service falls below a specified threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Gregory Thane Wyler
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Patent number: 8831525Abstract: An electronic device may contain wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to multiple antennas. The electronic device may use the multiple antennas to make received signal power measurements. The signal power measurements may be made for each frequency in a list of frequencies used most recently by the electronic device in conveying data traffic between the electronic device and a wireless network. Based on received signal power measurements, the electronic device may select which frequency to use in performing system acquisition operations to attempt to establish a wireless communications link between the electronic device and the wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Gaurav Nukala, Johnson O. Sebeni, Longda Xing, Venkatasubramanian Ramasamy, Sachin J. Sane, Tahir Shamim
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Patent number: 8831598Abstract: A method of communicating via a satellite using a remote apparatus includes determining a geographical location of the remote apparatus, and determining a local data set corresponding to the geographical location. The data set includes communication parameters for a communication conducted by the remote apparatus from the geographical location. The method also includes retrieving the local data set from a global data set stored entirely in a memory of the remote apparatus, and conducting the communication via the satellite by the remote apparatus according to the communication parameters. The global data set includes local data sets corresponding to every geographical location in the world. A corresponding apparatus, a method and apparatus for generating a global data set, and a satellite communication system are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: VT IDirect, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Clemmensen, Sadaf Fardeen
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Patent number: 8824989Abstract: Implementations are directed to predicting signal degradation at receivers used to display a programming service. The receivers capture signal strength data that is then transmitted to a processing location, which may be associated with a provider of the programming service. A signal degradation detector at the provider operates to predict whether or not a future unacceptable signal quality will occur within a time interval. The prediction may be based on a test quantity calculated from signals captured at the receiver and based on a figure of merit for the geographic locale in which the receiver is located. A maintenance call may be initiated for those receivers that have such a poor signal quality.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Robert J.V. Jackson, Tianhua Zhang, Moutaz Elkaissi, Hao Nguyen, Jorge Sotelo, Wendell Blackman, Greg Goldey
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Patent number: 8804605Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for feeder link configurations to layered modulation. One feeder link system employs feeder link spot beam to antennas in distinct coverage areas to enable frequency reuse. Another system employs narrow beam width feeder link antenna to illuminate individual satellites also enabling frequency reuse. Yet another system uses layered modulation in the feeder link. Another feeder link system employs a higher order synchronous modulation for the satellite feeder link than is used in the layered modulation downlink signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Anderson, Joseph Santoru, Ernest C. Chen
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Patent number: 8805275Abstract: Systems and methods are described for robust scheduling of beam switching patterns in satellite communications systems. Embodiments operate in context of a hub-spoke satellite communications architecture having a number of gateway terminals servicing large numbers of user terminals over a number of spot beams. The satellite includes switching subsystems that distribute capacity to the user beams from multiple of the gateway terminals in a shared manner according to a beam group switching pattern. The beam group switching pattern is robustly formulated to continue distributing capacity during gateway outages (e.g., when one or two gateway terminals are temporarily non-operational due to rain fade, equipment failure, etc.). For example, the beam group switching pattern can be formulated to minimize worst-case degradation of capacity across user beams, to prioritize certain beams or beam groups, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Viasat Inc.Inventors: John Hai O'Neill, Donald W. Becker, Mark J. Miller
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Patent number: 8797223Abstract: An antenna system is able to cover a geographical zone with two grids of spots with nested meshes, shifted one with respect to the other. The multi-beam system covers a geographical zone decomposed into a plurality of spots, the antennas each comprising an array of radiating elements able to receive and/or to transmit radioelectric signals, and being configured so as to cover, in reception and/or in transmission, the zone with two grids of spots, several spots of the first grid, generated by a first antenna, being positioned according to a first geometric pattern, so that points are situated substantially equidistantly from several adjacent spots, several spots of the second grid, that are generated by a second antenna, being positioned according to a second geometric pattern chosen as a function of the first geometric pattern, such that several spots of the second grid are centered on the points.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: ThalesInventors: GĂ©rard Raguenet, Thierry Youssefi, Michel Salomon, Etienne Barritault, Didier Le Boulch
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Patent number: 8792821Abstract: A method for providing satellite communications coverage for a geographical area includes operating a plurality of gateways including a first gateway and a second gateway. The first gateway is configured to utilize at least one first spot beam associated with at least one first coverage area, and the second gateway is configured to utilize at least one second spot beam associated with at least one second coverage area. As part of a phased deployment, the at least one second coverage area is expanded to include at least one third coverage area, and the second gateway is configured to provide relayed satellite communications to the plurality of second subscriber terminals located in the at least one second coverage area and to a plurality of third subscriber terminals located in the at least one third coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventors: Frederick Treesh, Mark J. Miller
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Patent number: 8792820Abstract: A transceiver receives linearly polarized signals from two geostationary satellites. The transceiver includes a first and second waveguide to form two receiving beam patterns with a maximum gain in angular directions different from each other. At one end of each waveguide, two receiving elements orthogonal to each other are provided. Four converting units convert, using a common local oscillator, the carrier frequency of the four signal components received from the two pairs of receiving elements into an intermediate frequency. A combining unit linearly combines the converted signal components, based on weights representing phase shifting and/or amplification of signal components. A weight input unit receives the weights to be used in the combining unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: SES Astra S.A.Inventor: Joel Grotz
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Patent number: 8792822Abstract: A system for protecting a power unit on a spacecraft may include a ground station. The ground station may include a power unit loading estimation and monitoring module for estimating a power loading level on a power unit of the spacecraft power unit. The ground station may also include a ground station power limiter to regulate a power of a signal for transmission from the ground station to the spacecraft to prevent overloading the spacecraft power unit. The power of the signal for transmission to the spacecraft may be regulated based at least in part on an estimated power loading level on the power unit of the spacecraft.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Weizheng W. Wang, Bruce A. Tomei, Stephen F. Sichi
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Patent number: 8787903Abstract: A hybrid cellular radiocommunication system includes base stations defining terrestrial cells covered by satellite umbrella cells. The base stations are distributed so as to be distinguishable by the satellite cell according to a time-invariant distribution function, and the system includes a device for maintaining, permanently and in the same link direction, congruence of the coverage of each satellite cell with respect to coverage of the terrestrial cells associated with the base stations contained in the satellite cell, with coverage of a satellite cell being congruent with a predetermined terrestrial coverage set when the predetermined coverage set is included in the satellite coverage.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Centre National d'Etudes SpatialesInventors: Christelle Boustie, Gael Scot
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Patent number: 8768274Abstract: A cellular phone comprises a first wireless transceiver that receives radio frequency (RF) signals, which include frequency modulated (FM) signals that have been tuned by a remote device. An FM processing module receives the RF signals, converts the RF signals to baseband signals and generates processed FM signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventor: Paramesh Gopi
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Patent number: 8768347Abstract: The present invention is a wireless communication system for establishing wireless communication between a wireless base station installed at the upper part of a communication area in a moving vehicle and a wireless terminal in the communication area, comprising a space surrounded by wall surfaces rising vertically in the communication area, wherein the space has an opening opened by specified width in a plane direction, and the wireless base station is installed in a region extended from the opening of the space by specified width outwardly of the wall surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Ezaki, Masaaki Higashida
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Patent number: 8768244Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing and coordinating the delivery of information content in a manner that makes efficient use of the bandwidth of satellite based transponders being used to relay the information content to the mobile platforms. The apparatus makes use of a content management coordinator system having a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI interfaces with one or more mobile platform operators to allow each of the operators to define the criteria by which various types of information content to be supplied to the mobile platforms. The apparatus further includes a file spaced storage monitoring subsystem which allows the file storage space available on each mobile platform to be monitored, and files deleted therefrom if necessary, to ensure that newly requested information content can be stored by the mobile platform.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Scott P. Taylor
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Publication number: 20140171068Abstract: A mobile device can be in multiple states of location determination. In each state, the mobile device can use a distinct subsystem to determine a location. A state machine of the mobile device can manage the states, including determining which state the mobile device is in and whether a transition between the states has occurred. A transition can be triggered by a sensor of the mobile device and confirmed by another sensor of the mobile device. When the state machine detects a transition, the mobile device can switch location determination from one subsystem to another subsystem, and change a map user interface to one that is best suited for the new subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Lukas M. Marti, Robert Mayor, Shannon M. Ma
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Patent number: 8755741Abstract: A satellite receive unit for receiving a plurality of satellite signals from a plurality of satellites, the satellite receive unit including: a plurality of low noise blocks each for receiving one or more of the satellite signals and providing a received signal, at least one of the low noise blocks receiving a plurality of the satellite signals; and a satellite signal processing unit including a plurality of branches each arranged to receive a corresponding one of the received signals from the plurality of low noise blocks, each branch having a multiplier arranged to weight the received signal by multiplying by a corresponding coefficient; and an adder arranged to add the weighted signals of each branch to generate an output satellite signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventor: Pierre Busson
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Patent number: 8750248Abstract: Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network. A method includes generating a handoff table that comprises RF channels of current and neighboring local operations infrastructures (LOIs) carrying the same content as a current RF channel; detecting a handoff event; disqualifying one or more of the RF channels from the handoff table based on disqualification criteria; selecting a selected RF channel from remaining RF channels in the handoff table that have not been disqualified; and performing a handoff from the current RF channel to the selected RF channel. Another method includes detecting a handoff event; identifying a start of a handoff time interval; determining if RSSI measurements are available at the start of the handoff time interval for RF channels carrying desired content; and performing a handoff to a selected RF channel having a greatest RSSI measurement.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Binita Gupta, Ralph Akram Gholmieh, Ying Gao
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Patent number: 8731463Abstract: A technique for configuring, in real time, an equipment item receiving and processing primary signals which are transmitted to it by satellite link, the technique including transmitting secondary signals with frequencies spread over a band at least partially overlapping a frequency band occupied by the primary signals, the secondary signals including signalling parameters which are used, in real time, by the equipment item to configure processing applied to the primary signals. The technique is applicable to dynamic switching of beams in a multi-beam satellite and to dynamic switching of frames, for example in a time-division multiple access system.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: ThalesInventors: Erwan Corbel, CĂ©dric Baudoin, Mathieu Dervin, Zakariya Faraj
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Patent number: 8725068Abstract: The performance of a repeater path may be predicted by identifying the parameters of a transmitting earth, a receiving earth station, and the component performance parameters of at least one of the gain, loss and noise figure of at least one of repeater components in the repeater path. The component performance parameters, the transmitting and receiving earth station parameters, and the predicted repeater performance may be communicated and/or displayed via a graphical user interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Samuel Almonte
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Patent number: 8726318Abstract: A multimedia information receiving apparatus receives multimedia information which is transmitted by a broadcast system and receives multimedia information which is simultaneously transmitted by another transmission system such as IP communications, and generates one received information by selecting elements having a few errors from elements of demodulated broadcast system information and elements of demodulated other transmission system information and then arranging the selected elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yasuaki Takimoto, Masahiro Abukawa, Shinji Akatsu
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Patent number: 8718569Abstract: A method of provisioning a communications link between remote terminals within a hub-spoke network comprising receiving, by a first remote terminal, information about a second remote terminal from a hub, selecting, by the first remote terminal, a modulation factor, coding rate, symbol rate, center frequency, and power level based on the information received about the second remote terminal, transmitting, by the first remote terminal, a signal using at least one of the selected modulation factor, coding rate, symbol rate, center frequency, and power level, to the second remote terminal such that a communications link is created, and adjusting the modulation factor, coding rate, symbol rate, center frequency, or power level of the transmitted signal such that performance of the link is increased while maintaining a presence of the link.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Comtech EF Data Corp.Inventors: Vasile Manea, Michael Beeler, Frederick Morris, Jeffery Harig
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Patent number: 8712322Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to enable a fixed or a mobile ground based slave stations (VSAT: Very Small Aperture Terminal) in a communication network to receive TDM transmissions from and transmit TDMA burst transmissions to one or more ground-based gateway stations in a networking system that employs one or more geosynchronous satellites. Each gateway station transmits on one or more forward TDM channels to the slave stations; however, one primary gateway acts as the master station at any given time which transmits the network control messages to the slave stations (VSATs) that control their TDMA transmission behavior on the network.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Emerging Markets Communications LLCInventors: Emil Youssefzadeh, Richard Rebert Forberg, Hans Peter Lexow
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Patent number: 8713324Abstract: System and methods provide tracking capabilities by one or a plurality of satellites for a mobile terrestrial terminal. A user requests that a satellite track a particular mobile terrestrial terminal. If the user privilege level allows for this level of control, the satellite adjusts to track the identified terminal. One method for tracking involves the use of a steerable antenna in which the antenna steers to maintain a footprint over the identified mobile terminal. Another method for tracking involves moving the satellite itself to maintain a footprint over the identified mobile terminal. The tracking functionality may utilize a closed loop tracking method.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: OverHorizon (Cyprus) PLCInventors: Per Wahlberg, Kennet Lejnell
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Patent number: 8712321Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing satellite communications through the deployment of a fleet of multi-beam satellites serving overlapping and non-overlapping spot beams. In these methods, systems, and devices, a first communication service associated with a relatively wider spot beam of a first satellite is provided to a first coverage area having multiple terminals. A second communication service associated with a relatively narrower spot beam (e.g., high-gain spot beam) of a second satellite is provided to a second coverage area located within the first coverage area. A subset of terminals located within the second coverage area is identified, and the terminals of the identified subset are transitioned from the first communication service of the wide spot beam of the first satellite to the second communication service of the high-gain spot beam of the second satellite.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventor: Mark Dankberg
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Publication number: 20140112241Abstract: A satellite telecommunications system has a global coverage area and a plurality of user terminals distributed in the global coverage area. The global coverage area is covered by a first set of spots which form a regular cellular mesh, and by at least a second set of local spots, irregularly distributed and superimposed geographically on spots of the first set. The spots of the first set of spots have allocated channels with the same frequency capacity, the same channel being re-used by a plurality of different spots, and the local spots of the second set of spots have a special allocated channel having an increased frequency capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Inventors: Jean-Didier GAYRARD, Didier LE BOULC'H, Eric Melet
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Patent number: 8706025Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for determining link performance metrics for satellite communication terminals. Using link performance metrics and link performance difference metrics, signal modulation and coding may be decided. Link performance metrics may be determined for individual terminal uplinks and downlinks. Fixed and dynamic link adaptation mechanisms are also disclosed that utilize link performance metrics and link performance difference metrics determined under clear sky and dynamic conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.Inventor: Punit Mukhija
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Patent number: 8705436Abstract: Satellite broadcasting methods include providing a cellular satellite communications system configured to transmit information separately to a plurality of different geographic locations defined by a respective plurality of cellular satellite spotbeams, and concurrently transmitting a program signal on a plurality of different spotbeams. The plurality of different spotbeams may include less than a total number of spotbeams of the cellular satellite communications system. The plurality of different spotbeams may be selected adaptively from an available pool of spotbeams based on locations of users requesting the broadcast program signal. Corresponding satellite gateways, broadcast controllers and wireless user terminals are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: ATC Technologies, LLCInventors: Santanu Dutta, Peter D. Karabinis
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Patent number: 8700031Abstract: A method for providing wireless communication services via efficient management of frequency bands includes transmitting uplink communications to a first system on a first frequency. The method also includes receiving downlink communications from the first system on a second frequency. The method may also include transmitting uplink communications to a second system by re-using the second frequency. The method further includes receiving downlink communications from the second system by re-using the first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Samir S. Soliman
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Patent number: 8693946Abstract: A satellite broadcasting system for communication between a satellite hub and a range of ground stations in which a set having a predetermined number of modulation-codings (MODCODs) is available for data transmission from the satellite hub to the ground stations. Each MODCOD in use in the hub requires additional hub resources, and the system uses a MODCOD limiter for limiting the number of MODCODs in operation at a given time to a subset smaller than said predetermined number of MODCODS, thereby reducing overall resource usage.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Elbit Systems Land and C41—Tadiran Ltd.Inventor: Shaul Laufer
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Patent number: 8694782Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with wireless authentication using beacon messages are described. According to one embodiment, an access point controller includes a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a beacon message. The beacon message is configured to announce to a remote device that a wireless access point is available to provide access to a network. The beacon message includes a security identifier that identifies a public key for the wireless access point.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.Inventor: Paul A. Lambert
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Patent number: 8687645Abstract: A wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a temperature-compensated clock circuit carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing for receiving timing signals, when available, from a wireless network, and a satellite positioning clock circuit carried by the portable housing. A clock correction circuit may be carried by the portable housing for correcting the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon timing signals from the wireless network when available, and storing historical correction values for corresponding temperatures. The clock correction circuit may also correct the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon the stored historical correction values when timing signals are unavailable from the wireless network, and correct the satellite positioning clock based upon the temperature-compensated clock circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Michael Andrew Goldsmith
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Patent number: 8688142Abstract: A modulated video signal, received from a satellite, in a transceiver of a ship and of other water based communication devices, is demodulated and processed in a processor into a baseband processed video signal. The baseband video signal is processed and modulated into a Gaussian Minimum Shift Keyed (GMSK) or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or a Orthogonal Division Multiple Access (OFDM) modulated video signal. Receiving in a receiver a location finder information signal. Receiving and transmitting in a cellular phone one or more OFDM modulated signals in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system. Processing, cross-correlating and modulating, in a processor, a cross-correlator and a modulator of a cellular phone, an input signal into a processed, cross-correlated and modulated signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Kamilo Feher
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Publication number: 20140087724Abstract: A communication system including Satellite Communication apparatus providing communication services to at least a first set of communicants, the first set of communicants including a first plurality of communicants, wherein the communication services are provided to each of the communicants in accordance with a spectrum allocation corresponding thereto, thereby to define a first plurality of spectrum allocations apportioning a first predefined spectrum portion among the first set of communicants; and Dynamic Spectrum Allocations apparatus operative to dynamically modify at least one spectrum allocation corresponding to at least one of the first plurality of communicants without exceeding the spectrum portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: ELTA SYSTEMS LTD.Inventors: Yossef Yanai, Ehud Levy
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Patent number: 8675486Abstract: An approach for providing flow control in a radio communication system is disclosed. A request from a non-satellite system specific side of a transport interface is made to a system specific side of the transport interface for a flow control allocation that specifies an amount of data to be stored in a queue of the system specific side of the transport interface. The system specific side supports a signaling function that is based on a transmission characteristic of the radio communication system. The flow control allocation is generated based upon availability of the queue, wherein the destination address is a link layer address of the satellite communication system. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network (e.g., Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) network) that provides data communication services.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLCInventors: Daniel Friedman, Robert Torres, Patrick Stevens, Craig Schweinhart, Mangala Kannan, Deepak Arur, Peter Lin, Matthew Butehorn, Ken Burrell
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Patent number: 8675543Abstract: Routes stored by routers in a network that uses the border gateway protocol may be limited to a default route. A device may set, a first route in a routing table, advertised using BGP by a first predetermined network, to be a default route for the device. The device may block forwarding of second routes, advertised using BGP, when the second routes do not correspond to the default route.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Danny M. Fleeman, Matthew R. Donley, Richard D. Hieb, Joseph F. Thomasson
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Patent number: RE45107Abstract: A satellite radiotelephone system includes a space-based component, a plurality of ancillary terrestrial components, and a plurality of radiotelephones. The space-based component is configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications using satellite radiotelephone frequencies. The plurality of ancillary terrestrial components include a plurality of ancillary terrestrial component antennas configured to provide wireless radiotelephone communications using at least one of the satellite radiotelephone frequencies in a radiation pattern that increases radiation below the horizon compared to above the horizon. The plurality of radiotelephones are configured to communicate with the space-based component and with the plurality of ancillary terrestrial components. Each radiotelephone also includes a GPS signal processor and a GPS mode filter that is configured to suppress energy at (1575.42??) MHz, where 0<??16.42 MHz. Related radiotelephones and methods are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: ATC Technologies, LLCInventor: Peter D. Karabinis