Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a home area in a mobile station, and to a mobile station realizing the invention. According to the invention the home area is detected in the mobile station by comparing (8) data received by the mobile station from the base stations of a cellular network with predetermined (1 to 6) home area data stored in the mobile station. The home area data is determined (1 to 6) based on preferably all of the following data: a) a mobile country code (MCC), b) a mobile network code (MNC), c) a location area code (LAC) and a related cell identity (CI) for all broadcasting channels (BCCH) which the base station is able to receive, d) received signal strengths (RSS) for all broadcasting channels BCCH, e) distances from all base stations (BTS) on the broadcasting channels BCCH, and f) timing advances (TA).

Abstract: A user key validation during a handoff verifies the subscriber using the wireless communication system and prevents fraudulent use of the system. A wireless communication system (10) has a number of satellites (20, 22, 24) with which a subscriber unit (12) establishes a communication link. However, as the quality of the transmitted signal between an active satellite (22) and the subscriber unit (12) degrades, a handoff of the communication link with the subscriber unit (12) will occur if the subscriber (12) meets the authentication requirements of the system (10). The active satellite (22) generates user keys and transmits the user keys to the active subscriber units (12). A request of a handoff is made from the individual subscriber unit (ISU) (12) to the losing SV (22). The losing SV (22) communicates with the gaining SV (20) to establish a handoff. The losing SV (22) sends the user key of the ISU (12) to the gaining SV (20).

Abstract: Routing apparatus for a telecommunication system includes a telecommunications user apparatus arranged to generate a request for a telecommunications delivery service, to receive a plurality of telecommunications delivery service offers and to select one of them. The system also intends a plurality of telecommunication service supply apparatuses each arranged to receive one of the request to generate an offer signal specifying a proposed delivery service and to receive an acceptance signal indicating acceptance thereof and, on receipt thereof, to generate a service provision invitation. The system further provides a plurality of resource supplier apparatuses each representing a communications resource arranged to communicate with each of said service supply apparatuses.

Abstract: A method is provided for discriminating and routing data packets in a satellite-based communication system (10), comprising the steps of: (a) receiving an input data stream from an application residing on a transmitting device (12); (b) selecting either a first spread spectrum code or a second spread spectrum code based on the quality of service (QOS) requirements associated with the first application; (c) applying the selected spread spectrum code to the input data stream, thereby generating a spread spectrum data stream; (d) transmitting the spread spectrum data stream from the transmitting device (12) to a network routing device (14); (e) correlating the spread spectrum data stream with the corresponding selected spread spectrum code to recover the original input data stream; and (f) routing the input data stream to either a low earth orbiting satellite (16) when the first spread spectrum code is used to recover the input data signal or to a geosynchronous orbiting satellite (18) when the second spread spe

Abstract: An approach for managing queues of a terminal operating in satellite communications system is disclosed. A hub controls bandwidth allocations in conjunction with a satellite. A plurality of terminals is configured to issue bandwidth allocation requests to the satellite. Each of the terminals has queues that are configured to store the packets, and a queue control logic that is configured to dynamically change depths of the queues according to a prescribed scheme. The prescribed scheme specifies new depths of the plurality of queues based upon past bandwidth allocations associated with the respective queues.

Abstract: Satellite and terrestrial voice and data communications are included within a communications server system, preferably for an aircraft. The system collects and logs data concerning the aircraft and flight via various sensors. The data may be delivered to a ground facility in real time via a packet data satellite link. Alternatively, the data may be cached and transmitted in bursts via a circuit or short burst message network, or transmitted after an aircraft has landed via a terrestrial or satellite data link. The system includes connections for computers and enables access to databases on the ground and to electronic mail and the Internet. A GPS receiver is included in the system for recording the aircraft location, while approximate altitude information is available using differential GPS. The system includes a satellite voice terminal to facilitate voice communications and interfaces to headsets and to ordinary telephones.

Abstract: A system and method for augmenting a wireless communication network to provide at least a portion of digital data to a user is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving the portion of the digital data in a satellite receiver, providing the received portion of the digital data to at least one of a plurality of terrestrial receivers which form the wireless communication network, and transmitting the received portion of the digital data to a user within a service region using the terrestrial transmitter. The apparatus comprises a satellite antenna, for receiving a signal having at least a portion of the data from a satellite, and a satellite receiver, communicatively coupled to the satellite antenna for detecting and demodulating the signal to produce a portion of the digital data, the satellite receiver communicatively coupled to a terrestrial transmitter in a terrestrial wireless communication network.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between a central site and a remote site includes a central network access device operable to receive a broadcast signal from the central site and to condition the broadcast signal to facilitate its transmission to the remote site using a satellite system. The central network access device further operable to receive from a wide area network an incoming signal originating from the remote site, and to condition the incoming signal for receipt by the central site.

Abstract: A handover processing method in a satellite communications system allowing stable and reliable handover process is disclosed. Schedule information is previously registered in each of the satellites. The schedule information of each satellite includes a radius of a coverage area thereof, a point of time provided thereto, and physical locations of a center point of the coverage area thereof according to the point of time. A handover start time is calculated based on the schedule information and the physical location of a mobile station. A control signal regarding the handover start time is transmitted to an adjacent satellite. Since the handover start time is known in advance at both the first satellite and the adjacent satellite, the handover can be performed and completed between them without sending handover request signal.

Abstract: A GSO satellite constellation (10) and an NGSO constellation (20) may be used to send various types of communication signals and multimedia signals to an aircraft (30). The video signals are demodulated by a demodulator (46) and routed by a router (64) to TV monitors (72 and 74), as well as short-term video storage (78). Data can be received and transmitted by a low gain, narrowband transmitter/receiver (100) in order to provide voice, computer and control communications at all times during the flight of aircraft (30).

Abstract: A satellite digital audio radio receiver system and method. The inventive receiver includes a circuit for down-converting a first ensemble in a received combined signal in a first mode of operation and for down-converting a second ensemble from the received combined signal in a second mode of operation. The first ensemble includes a first signal received from a first transmitter, a second signal received from a second transmitter, and a third signal received from a third transmitter. The second ensemble includes a second signal from the first transmitter, a second signal from the second transmitter, and a second signal from the third transmitter. A controller is included to selectively switch the circuit from the first mode to the second mode. The first ensemble comprises first, second and third frequency slots and the second ensemble comprises fourth, fifth, and sixth frequency slots.

Abstract: A wireless communication system operates a power amplifier (422) in an earth terminal (400) in a non-saturated mode of operation to transmit communication signals over a communication uplink to a communication satellite (100). The satellite operates a power amplifier (186, 188) in a saturated mode of operation to transmit communication signals over a communication downlink to terminal (400). Operating the amplifiers in the different modes of operation increases efficiency.

Abstract: A master routing hub (50, FIG. 1 ) selects a communications path which enables subscriber units (10, 140) using disparate networks to communicate with each other. The master routing hub (50) receives a quality of service indicator (FIG. 4, 410) from a subscriber unit (FIG. 1, 10) as well as cost information from alternate communications networks and terrestrial communications networks. The master routing hub (50) selects an appropriate communications path in accordance with the quality of service indicator and thus provides the best available quality of service at the lowest cost to the subscribers (10, 140). The master routing hub (50) also provides the protocol conversion in order to enable the disparate communications networks to communicate with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved receiver capable of receiving either a satellite broadcast signal or a cable TV signal associated with a TV. The inventive receiver comprises a first BPF for filtering received broadcast signals, a first local oscillator for generating a first oscillation signal, a first mixer for generating a first IF signal, a SAW filter producing a waveformed band signal, a second local oscillator, for generating a second and a third oscillation signal, a second mixer for generating a second and a third IF signal, a switching block for switching the second and the third IF signal, a second BPF for producing a baseband channel signal selected from the cable TV signal, a first LPF for producing a baseband I signal of satellite broadcast channel, a shifter for shifting a phase of the third IF signal, a third mixer for generating a phase-shifted third oscillation signal, and a second LPF for producing a baseband Q signal of satellite broadcast channel.

Abstract: An information delivery system includes terminals receiving data via a satellite-communication system, and a user center having a destination-conversion table which lists a satellite-system receiver ID with respect to each ground-network address of the terminals, and, upon receiving a request for data delivery via an intra-network, obtaining satellite-system receiver IDs from ground-network addresses indicated as destinations of the data delivery by referring to the destination-conversion table so as to deliver requested data and a reception-control program to the destinations via the satellite-communication system. The terminals use the reception-control program to check the data-reception conditions when receiving the requested data and the reception-control program, and send a request for a repeat of the data delivery to the user center via the intra-network if the data-reception conditions are not satisfactory.

Abstract: A polling system and method for establishing forward and return communications links with a plurality of mobile platforms operating within a given coverage region. The system and method combines preliminary return channel information and path discovery information into polling messages transmitted by a ground station. A mobile platform responding to the polling messages relayed from one of a plurality of satellite based transponders transmits a response on the designated preliminary return channel and includes the path discovery information in its response. The path discovery information informs the ground station of the precise route through various components of the forward link communications path that the polling message took in reaching the mobile platform. Combining the path discovery information and the return channel information into the forward link polling messages saves important transponder bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and system for routing call failures in a location-based services system. A remote terminal is connected to a location-based services system and is used to generate a voice-based tailored request for information. The voice-based tailored request for information is interpreted with a voice recognition application and a natural language processing application. If the voice recognition application or the natural language processing application fail to determine the meaning of the tailored request for information to a predetermined level of accuracy then the remote terminal is routed to a call center.

Abstract: A telecommunication system enables communications between terminals distributed over a plurality of different territories constituting micro-networks. For communication between terminal and with at least one operator network, a relay satellite has communication and switching capacities for connecting at least one call and control center connected to an operator network, and a plurality of base station each allocated to a specific territory. Each base has a switching station for setting up local connections between the terminals distributed in its territory and for setting up outside connections with the call center via the satellite. The outside connections are for incoming or outcoming calls, not for calls internal to the territory.

Abstract: A satellite system provides geosynchronous satellites in tundra orbits in respective elliptical orbital planes separated by 120 degrees. The satellites traverse a common figure-eight ground track comprising northern and southern loops. The satellites are controllably switched to operate the satellite currently traversing the northern loop to deliver a selected signal (e.g., a selected frequency signal) to satellite receivers.

Abstract: A signal distributing/synthesizing apparatus includes a 4-terminal hybrid circuit, first and second antennas, a pseudo-antenna, and first to third 4-terminal switches. The 4-terminal hybrid circuit distributes the signal input to the first terminal to the second and third terminals, and synthesizes the signals input to the second and third terminals into a signal to be output to the first terminal. The first and second antennas form a radio transmission channel for an output signal from the signal 4-terminal hybrid circuit. The pseudo-antenna forms a pseudo-radio transmission channel for an output signal from the 4-terminal hybrid circuit. The first switch complementarily switches/connects a first broadcasting unit and the first antenna to the first terminal of the 4-terminal hybrid circuit and the third switch. The second switch complementarily switches/connects a second broadcasting unit and the second antenna to the second terminal of the 4-terminal hybrid circuit and the third switch.

Abstract: Uplink transmission and reception techniques for a processing satellite including one or more earth terminals 400 connected to receive ATM data cells. One or more encoders 418 are connected to coordinate four data cells with an error correction code to generate data bursts and to coordinate the data bursts with synchronizing bursts to generate data frames. One or more modulators 420 are connected to modulate the data frames by frequency division multiple access modulation to enable placement of the modulated data frames into a plurality of channels. One or more antennas 406 transmit the modulated data frames to a satellite 100 over 48 beams with various forms of polarization. In satellite 100, a receiving multibeam antenna and feed 106 responds to one or more beams of radiocarrier signals having one or more forms of polarization. One or more demodulators 138 demodulate the radio carrier signals into data frames from various channels including a plurality of channel types.

Abstract: In an unsolicited page response scenario within a telecommunications network, a control channel access indicator with an unsolicited paging response is set to designate a digital control channel to indicate that a page validation must occur at the VLR connected to the satellite MSC receiving the message. If the indicator is not present or its value is set to designate an analog control channel, the page validation occurs at a BSC connected to the satellite MSC receiving the message. When the network is a TDMA network that has adopted the GPRS technology solution, the control channel access indicator is set to designate an analog control channel to indicate that the page order search should be conducted in the TDMA paging stack of the receiving satellite MSC. If the indicator is set to designate a digital control channel, then the search will be performed in the GPRS stack of the receiving satellite MSC.

Abstract: A message redirection system includes a data protocol detector for detecting an alert message of a particular protocol received by the mobile station, a user interface manager for displaying user-interactive prompts in response to the detected alert message and accepting user input for redirecting the data message to a communications network element, and an encoder for encoding the user input into a modulating signal compatible with a communications channel.

Abstract: The method allocates (302) subclass entries in an ordered list (200) (which may be organized as a table, for example). Each entry (210-214) generally corresponds to one of several predetermined cell subclasses, and the allocation reserves a total number of each subclass entry in the ordered list according to a predetermined amount of bandwidth desired for each cell subclass. The subclasses may be associated with factors such as coding rate, downlink beam area, virtual paths or virtual circuits, quality of service parameters, and the like. The method then examines (304) each subclass entry in the ordered list and selects (306) a cell from a cell memory (which may be a queue) that matches the subclass entry. The matched cell is then transmitted (308). The method may also allocate sets of subclass entries in groups corresponding to a frame size and dynamically update (310) the ordered list during operation of the cell switch.

Abstract: Two-way data communication via satellite, using data communication in a first direction via satellites in geostationary orbit, and a data communication in a second direction via satellites in a below geostationary orbit, either MEO or LEO. The transceiver is particularly useful for providing Internet connections Preferably, a LEO forward link may be used for control signaling, urgent data traffic and the like.

Abstract: A broadband system wherein a mobile user terminal determines a cell set connection with a communications platform using location information provided by a navigation device on said mobile user terminal and a stored database containing a current cell topology for the communications platform.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for providing a more accurate measurement of the cumulative path delay present in a call to enable switches to make an informed decision as to the routing method to use. In one embodiment, the Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP) satellite hop counter field is expanded to include three fields, one for each type of delay: geostationary satellite hops, mid-earth orbit satellite hops and low-earth orbit satellite hops. In an alternative embodiment, a cumulative delay value in milliseconds or centiseconds, instead of the number of satellite hops, can be included in the expanded ISUP satellite hop counter field.

Abstract: A time diversity satellite system provides geosynchronous satellites in tundra orbits in three orbital planes. The satellites traverse a common figure-eight ground track comprising northern and southern loops. Power modes and early and late operating modes of the satellites are selectively switched to select the satellite currently traversing the northern loop be the late satellite delivering a late signal, that is, a delayed early signal, to satellite receivers. A receiver can therefore employ a relatively small buffer for storing the early satellite signal for only the selected channel in a multi-channel TDM content signal without experiencing latency problems when selecting a new channel.

Abstract: The system connects a fixed telephone network (PSTN) to a telephone switch (SW) in an isolated region via a mobile telephone network (PLMN) of a type derived from the GSM type, and including at least one satellite (S), a plurality of fixed user terminals (UT1, . . . , UT100) being connected to that telephone switch. The system includes a plurality of fixed mobile telephone terminals (RTa, . . . , RTn) and a transfer control point (TCP) connecting the fixed network (PSTN) to a mobile services switching center (MSC) to manage dynamically allocation of trunks (Ca, Cb, . . . , Cn) supported by those fixed mobile telephone terminals (RTa, . . . RTn) to telephone calls setup between the fixed telephone network (PSTN) and the user terminals (UT1, . . . , UT100) in the isolated region.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining and enhancing the service efficiency of mobile communications. To assess communication efficiency in each communication region of interest, a signal-fading record is generated for that region and this record is then analyzed to find availability and energy cost for each of a plurality of power-control parameter sets. The results facilitate the selection of power-control parameter sets that enhance system efficiency in each communication region.

Abstract: A communication system (20) utilizing a constellation (22) of satellites (24) is presented. A source ground station (52) transmits an uplink signal (34) containing source payload data (32) to a primary satellite (26) located in an orbit (70) about the Earth (56). The primary satellite (26) conveys the source payload data (32) to a secondary satellite (28) located proximate the primary satellite (26) in the orbit (70), where the source payload data (32) is baseband processed to produce destination payload data (42), which is then conveyed back to the primary satellite (26). The primary satellite (26) transmits a downlink signal (50) containing the destination payload data (42) to a destination ground station (54). The primary satellite (26) and secondary satellites are configured to expend majorities of their energy budgets in downlink transmissions and payload data processing, respectively.

Abstract: A voice activity detector suitable for deployment in a mobile phone apparatus is disclosed. An advantage of the voice activity detector is that it is better able to provide a decision (79) as to whether an input signal (19) consists of noise (which it is not desired to transmit) or comprises speech or information tones (which are required to be transmitted), especially in noisy environments. The voice activity detector includes a number of components, in particular an auxiliary voice activity detector (3). The auxiliary voice activity detector (3) distinguishes between noise and speech on the basis that the spectrum of speech changes more rapidly than that of noise. This results in the auxiliary detector (3) rarely mistaking a speech signal to be a noise signal. Hence, a very reliable noise template (421) is obtained. For this reason, the auxiliary detector (3) is also useful in noise reduction applications. The voice activity detector also uses a neural net classifier (7).

Abstract: A mobile satellite communications system includes a ground station including a first air interface circuit operative to communicate with a satellite according to a first air interface standard and a second air interface circuit operative to communicate with the satellite according to a second air interface standard. The first and second air interface circuit may be included in a gateway that further comprises a telecommunications switch operative to transfer information between the first and second air interface circuits and/or between respective ones of the first and second air interface circuits and an external communications system. For example, the first and second air interface standard may comprise respective first and second time division multiple access (TDMA) air interface standards, such as TDMA standards having different carrier frequency bandwidths and/or slot structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system that will permit for the transmission of vertical and horizontal or left-hand circular and right-hand circular polarization signals simultaneously via a single coaxial cable. The system of the present invention will accommodate two different polarity commands from two or more different sources at the same time. This satellite broadcast receiving and distribution system of the present invention will provide for the signals received from the satellite to be converted to standard frequencies so as to permit for signals to travel via existing wiring which the present day amplifiers can transport in buildings, high-rises, hospitals, and the like so that satellite broadcasting can be viewed by numerous individuals by way of a single satellite antenna.

Abstract: In a portable telephone including a plurality of input buttons 1 for inputting various indications, light emitting elements 7 which emit a light, when any one of the input buttons 1 is pushed on, diffusers 8 which are located under a plurality of input buttons 1 and which diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting element 7, the diffuser 8 has an incidence portion which has a receiving plane positioned near the light emitting elements 7 and receiving the light emitted from the light emitting elements 7, and a projecting portion 6 which has a reflecting plane for reflecting the light received by the incidence portion 5 to an upper side of a plurality of input buttons 1.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting satellite communication signal transmit power for signals transmitted to a localized region within a satellite coverage area utilize real-time information on weather conditions (172) and/or actual path losses (174) within the localized regions to adjust the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of the satellite beams (188) to minimize the total radio frequency (RF) power required for transmission. The transmission system may be realized using a variety of antenna types for transmitting spot beams and/or area coverage beams. Representative antenna implementations include multi-beam antennas having a low-level beamforming network and hybrid matrix amplifier system, phased-array with independent input amplitude control and beamsteering for each beam, and a phased-array feeding a confocal imaging system for single broadcast beam per polarization.

Abstract: In a mobile satellite system, a system for providing satellite communication between multiple users in a virtual network arrangement includes first and second mobile earth terminals (METs) responsively connected to and registering with the mobile satellite system. The first MET selects a virtual network identifier (VN ID) representing a virtual network group including the first and second METs to establish voice communication therewith and transmits the VN ID to a central controller. The central controller receives the VN ID from the first MET, validates the first MET for communication, validates the VN ID, allocates a frequency for the virtual network group, and broadcasts the message to the virtual network group including the second MET informing the virtual network group of the allocated frequency and the voice communication associated therewith. The second MET tunes to the frequency in response to the message broadcast by the central controller.

Abstract: An analog processor for use with digital satellites is disclosed. The analog processor is connected between the receiving circuitry of the satellite and a pool of digital on-board processors, and segments the bandwidth of uplink RF beams into sub-bands that can be processed more readily with standard, low-risk, low-power digital processors. Using the present invention, the risk of employing a particular digital processor technology can be managed and optimized. The present invention also provides for the dynamic allocation and reallocation of the available on-board digital processing bandwidth based on the anticipated traffic pattern and changes in the traffic pattern. In addition, the present invention facilitates the use of standard and non-standard redundancy schemes at minimal hardware expense.

Abstract: A point-to-multipoint (PTM) radio communication system (20`) includes a cellular radio infrastructure (22) having base stations (32) implemented in satellites (34) placed in low earth orbits (38). PTM subscriber radios (24) share common cellular radio infrastructure (22) multipoint channels (52) to engage in a common PTM communication session while the cellular radio infrastructure (22) also conveys point-to-point communications. The shared multipoint channels (52) are operated in according with different protocols to deliver system information to PTM subscriber radios (24), to provide access to PTM subscriber radios (24), to provide synchronization, to originate a PTM monolog and to be one of many targets of a PTM monolog.

Abstract: A system and method is described for managing communications, including telephone calls, to a user. In one embodiment, the user configures a telephone services provider system (TSPS) to handle incoming calls based upon information stored in a contact management software database. The user may provide a handling code in part of an unused data field in the standard contact management software database. The TSPS interfaces with the contact management software using open application programming interfaces (APIs). The user views and manages communications, including incoming calls, caller contact information, and call histories from a user interface. In one embodiment, the user interface is the standard contact management software interface.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for preventing sub-optimal routing of new incoming calls to a mobile station (MS) that has been re-registered at a remote optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) for an optimized call. When the MS is re-registered at the remote optimal MSC/VLR, the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS stores an optimization indication indicating that the MS has been re-registered to the optimal MSC/VLR. Thereafter, when an incoming call to the MS is received during the time that the MS is re-registered, the HLR can handle the call based upon the optimization indication. For example, the HLR can forward the incoming call to a local voice mail box associated with the MS.

Abstract: A threshold value acting as a standard for switching a satellite communication mode and a cellular communication mode is adapted to use preset fixed threshold value. Thus the problem has arisen that a communication mode is switched in response to a signal level and a threshold value and not with reference to the requirements of a terminal user. A menu screen allowing a terminal user to select a communication mode prioritizing use of a satellite communication mode or an earth-based communication mode is displayed. A communication mode input means and a threshold value variation means are provided. The communication mode input means receives input of a desired communication mode selected by a terminal user.

Abstract: A radiocommunication system and method using a combination of a geostationary (GEO) and a plurality of medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites are disclosed. First, a GEO satellite is launched to provide initial system capacity. Next, MEO satellites are successively launched into positions where they can supplement the coverage of the GEO satellite during peak traffic hours. Finally, when a sufficient number of MEO satellites are in place, the GEO satellite can provide the supplementary capacity.

Abstract: In a wireless GSM communication network, caller data can be collected at a central location and centrally stored, regardless of the operating state of the phone being called. The GSM gateway mobile switching center can collect caller data and forward it to the GSM home location register database for subsequent processing. In an alternate embodiment, the terminating mobile switching center can collect the caller data.

Abstract: A satellite ground station (500) mitigates potential interference from a fixed service installation (130, 150) by scanning a field of view and logging potentially interfering transmitters in a data structure (400). The data structure includes fields for azimuth, elevation, and frequency channel, and when complete, forms a map of potentially interfering transmitters within the field of view of the ground station. When a satellite traverses the field of view such that the ground station may interfere with, or be interfered with by, a known potentially interfering transmitter as identified in the map, the ground station takes mitigation measures such as changing frequency channels or handing-off to a different satellite.

Abstract: A communications satellite (201) has an on-board high speed packet switch for switching transmitted data packets. The packet switch (502) is part of a processor subsystem (501) which also includes a number of demodulators (5031 to 503n) demodulating signals received from an uplink downconverter. All of the processors in the processor subsystem (501) are organized into a loosely coupled, distributed, architecture of general purpose computer modules (601) and digital signal processor modules (602) having both primary and redundant processors and being connected to each other by dual redundant PCI buses. Software and firmware is layered and distributed redundantly over the processor modules (601, 602).

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for preventing sub-optimal routing of new incoming calls to a mobile station (MS) that has been re-registered at a remote optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) for an optimized call. When the MS is re-registered at the remote optimal MSC/VLR, the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS stores an optimization indication indicating that the MS has been re-registered to the optimal MSC/VLR. Thereafter, when an incoming call to the MS is received during the time that the MS is re-registered, the HLR can handle the call based upon the optimization indication. For example, the HLR can forward the incoming call to a local voice mail box associated with the MS.

Abstract: A non-geosynchronous satellite telecommunication system provides interactive individual connections and each user of the system has a communication terminal including two data sender/receiver systems each of which is able to exchange data with a satellite independently of the other system and which are used alternately in time with the passage of the satellites so that between two changes of satellite one system is active and the other is held in reserve. In this system collective information is broadcast to all the satellites on at least one dedicated carrier which is received by the system held in reserve of each terminal.

Abstract: In order to be able to control the setting up of telecommunication connections efficiently and reliably in telecommunication subsystems serving as local message transmission loops of telecomunication systems and having network terminations which differ with regard to the transmission channel requirements, a first network termination specifies explicitly, for example in the form of a parameter, the requested transmission channel desired by it in a connection, set-up message of the network termination to the remote station in the telecommunication subsystem.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (26) communicates with a satellite communication system (10) that projects cells. The satellites (12) and cells move relative to the earth. During every other TDMA frame, a subscriber unit (26) measures the signal strength of all candidate hand-off beams. The signal strength of the current beam is compared to the signal strength of the candidate hand-off beams. When the signal strength of the current beam is not the strongest, a counter is incremented (108). A hand-off is requested to the beam with the greatest signal level when the counter exceeds a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, only after the current antenna beam has not been the strongest beam for a certain period of time, is a hand-off requested. A different counter threshold is used for candidate hand-off beams from other satellites (12).