Transceiver in a two-way satellite system

• US 20010043574A1
• Filed: 02/22/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Dillon, Doughlas, Kelly, Frank, Nguyen, Khai, Harris, Cliff, Gaske, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1257 using the received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18528 Satellite systems for providing two-way communications service to a network of fixed stations, i.e. fixed satellite service or very small aperture terminal [VSAT] system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1858 Arrangements for data transmission on the physical system, i.e. for data bit transmission between network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18582 Arrangements for data linking, i.e. for data framing, for error recovery, for multiple access
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18597 Arrangements for system physical machines management, i.e. for construction, operations control, administration, maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2125 Synchronisation

Abstract

An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way satellite communication system is disclosed. A receiving unit receives data from a user terminal. A transmitting unit is coupled to the receiving unit and transmits the data to an antenna. The data is transmitted over a return channel that is established over the satellite to a hub; the hub has connectivity to a packet switched network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way satellite communication system, comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive data from a user terminal; and

a transmitting unit coupled to the receiving unit and configured to transmit the data to an antenna,

wherein the data is transmitted over a return channel that is established over a satellite to a hub, the hub having connectivity to a packet switched network.

2. The apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the receiving unit is dynamically connected to the user terminal via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.

3. The apparatus according to

claim 1

, further comprising:

a power supply configured to provide power to the receiving unit.

4. The apparatus according to

claim 3

, wherein the receiving unit forwards the data to the transmitting unit via a cable, the cable providing power to the transmitting unit.

5. The apparatus according to

claim 4

, wherein the cable is a serial data link.

6. The apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are connected to a low noise block via a common cable, the low noise block being mounted on an elliptical antenna.

7. The apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the transmitting unit is a peripheral device to the receiving unit.

8. The apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the packet switched network is an IP (Internet Protocol) network.

9. A system for exchanging signals over a two-way satellite network, comprising:

an indoor receiving unit (IRU) configured to receive data from a user terminal;

an indoor transmitting unit (ITU) selectively coupled to the receiving unit and configured to transmit the data; and

an outdoor unit (ODU) coupled to the IRU and ITU and configured to receive the data for transmission over a return channel that is established over a satellite to a hub, the hub having connectivity to a packet switched network.

10. The system according to

claim 9

, wherein the IRU is dynamically connected to the user terminal via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.

11. The system according to

claim 9

, further comprising:

a power supply configured to provide power to the IRU.

12. The system according to

claim 11

, wherein the IRU forwards the data to the ITU via a cable, the cable providing power to the ITU.

13. The system according to

claim 12

, wherein the cable is a serial data link.

14. The system according to

claim 9

, wherein the ITU and the IRU are connected to the ODU via a common cable.

15. The system according to

claim 9

, wherein the ITU is a peripheral device to the ITU, the ITU being contained in a housing that is separate housing from the IRU.

16. The system according to

claim 9

, wherein the ODU comprises:

an antenna configured to transmit and receive signals from the satellite;

a low noise block mounted on the antenna; and

a radio coupled to the low noise block and configured to receive the data from the ITU and to transmit signals to the IRU.

17. The system according to

claim 9

, wherein the packet switched network is an IP (Internet Protocol) network.

18. An receiver apparatus for receiving signals over a two-way satellite communication system, comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive data from a user terminal; and

a power supply configured to provide power to the receiving unit,

wherein the receiving unit is selectively connected to a transmitting unit that is configured to transmit the data over a return channel that is established over a satellite to a hub.

19. The apparatus according to

claim 18

, wherein the receiving unit is dynamically connected to the user terminal via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.

20. The apparatus according to

claim 18

, wherein the receiving unit forwards the data to the transmitting unit via a cable, the cable providing power to the transmitting unit.

21. The apparatus according to

claim 20

, wherein the cable is a serial data link.

22. The apparatus according to

claim 18

, wherein the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are connected to a low noise block via a common cable, the low noise block being mounted on an elliptical antenna.

23. The apparatus according to

claim 18

, wherein the transmitting unit is a peripheral device to the receiving unit.