Transmit authorization

• US 20020164028A1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Parkman, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,940,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service

Abstract

A communications system and method for transmitting authorization messages to mobile platforms is provided. The communications system authorizes the mobile platform to continue transmitting data with a single signal rather than multiple signals. Specifically, the authorization signal comprises a unique address for a path of forward link equipment that transmits data to the mobile platform. The unique address informs the mobile platform which equipment is currently being used for data transmission, and the mobile platform then relays this information back to a ground station. The authorization signal further comprises a return link assignment that informs the mobile platform which transponder is to be used for data transmission back to the ground station. Accordingly, a single signal is used to transmit the required data to the mobile platforms.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting an authorization message to a mobile platform comprising:

at least one ground station having transmit equipment, the transmit equipment further comprising a path having a unique address; and

at least one transponder that transmits data to the mobile platform;

wherein when the transmit equipment transmits the unique address in a signal to the mobile platform via the transponder, the unique address serves as the authorization message, wherein the signal is transmitted to the mobile platform at least every thirty seconds.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transponder is on a satellite.

3. A system for transmitting an authorization message to a mobile platform comprising:

at least one ground station having transmit equipment, the transmit equipment comprising return link assignments; and

at least one transponder that transmits data to the mobile platform

wherein when the transmit equipment transmits the return link assignment in a signal to the mobile platform via the transponder, the return link assignment serves as the authorization message, wherein the signal is transmitted to the mobile platform at least every thirty seconds.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the transponder is on a satellite.

5. A system for transmitting an authorization message to a mobile platform comprising

at least one ground station having transmit equipment, the transmit equipment further comprising a path having a unique address and return link assignments;

and

at least one transponder that transmits data to the mobile platform,

wherein the transmit equipment combines the unique address and the return link assignment into a single signal that serves as the authorization message, wherein the single signal is transmitted to the mobile platform at least every thirty seconds.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the transponder is on a satellite.

7. A method for transmitting an authorization message from a ground station to a mobile platform, the method comprising the step of:

(a) transmitting a signal comprising a unique address from a ground station to a mobile platform via a transponder,

wherein the unique address serves as the authorization message, and the signal is transmitted to the mobile platform at least every thirty seconds, the authorization message authorizing the mobile system to continue transmitting for a predefined time period after receiving the authorization message.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transponder is on a satellite.

9. A method for transmitting an authorization message from a ground station to a mobile platform, the method comprising the step of:

(a) transmitting a signal comprising a return link assignment from a ground station to a mobile platform via a transponder,

wherein the return link assignment serves as the authorization message, and the signal is transmitted to the mobile platform at least every thirty seconds, the authorization message authorizing the mobile system to continue transmitting for a predefined time period after receiving the authorization message.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the transponder is on a satellite.

11. A method for transmitting an authorization message from a ground station to a mobile platform, the method comprising the steps of:

(b) embedding a return link assignment within a signal comprising a unique address; and

(a) transmitting the signal comprising the unique address and the return link assignment from a ground station to a mobile platform via a transponder,

wherein the return link assignment is transmitted to the mobile platform with the unique address signal at least every thirty seconds as an authorization message to authorize the mobile system to continue transmitting for a predefined time period after receiving the authorization message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transponder is on a satellite.