Satellite-based programmable allocation of bandwidth for forward and return links
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a filter parameter at a satellite in orbit;
receiving an input signal at the satellite; and
programming a filter in the satellite to separate a plurality of sub-signals from the input signal based on the filter parameter.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite includes a programmable facility including circuitry responsive to programmable control information. One or more filter parameters, or other forms of instructions for allocating channel capacity (i.e. bits/second/Hz), are received at the satellite in orbit to direct the programmable facility to separate particular sub-signals from an input signal. In one embodiment, the programmable facility can be programmed to change the allocation of channel capacity dedicated to the forward and return links based on the ratio forward and return traffic through a satellite. Changing the allocation of channel capacity may be achieved by changing the portions of the total allocated frequency bandwidth that are used for forward and return links. Alternatively, the changes may be made to the forward and/or return data rates, either alone or in combination with frequency bandwidth allocations.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a filter parameter at a satellite in orbit;
receiving an input signal at the satellite; and
programming a filter in the satellite to separate a plurality of sub-signals from the input signal based on the filter parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a satellite adapted to receive a filter parameter; and
a programmable filter within the satellite to separate a plurality of sub-signals from an input signal based on the filter parameter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A communications device, comprising:
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a receiver and a transmitter, coupled to each other, and each adapted for use in a high altitude environment; and
control circuitry, coupled to the receiver and transmitter, adapted to control operating characteristics of the receiver and transmitter based, at least in part, upon one or more instructions for allocating channel capacity between an uplink and a downlink. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method of operating a communications system, comprising:
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establishing a first portion of a frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by a satellite as a forward uplink, and a second portion of the frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by the satellite as a return uplink, the first and second portions comprising the total of the frequency bandwidth;
monitoring traffic volume on each of the forward and return uplinks;
determining a third portion of the frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by a satellite as a forward uplink, and a fourth portion of the frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by the satellite as a return uplink, the third and fourth portions comprising the total of the frequency bandwidth;
transmitting instructions to the satellite, the satellite including circuitry responsive to the transmitted instructions, such that the amount of frequency bandwidth allocated to the forward and return uplinks is allocated in proportion to the monitored traffic volume on each of the forward and return uplinks.
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27. The method of claim 27, wherein monitoring traffic volume, determining the third and fourth portions, and transmitting instructions, are performed by a gateway.
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28. Apparatus, comprising:
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means for receiving a filter parameter at a satellite in orbit;
means for receiving an input signal at the satellite; and
means for programming a filter in the satellite to separate a plurality of sub-signals from the input signal based on the filter parameter. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. Apparatus for use in operating a communications system, comprising:
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means for establishing a first portion of a frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by a satellite as a forward uplink, and a second portion of the frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by the satellite as a return uplink, the first and second portions comprising the total of the frequency bandwidth;
means for monitoring traffic volume on each of the forward and return uplinks;
means for determining a third portion of the frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by a satellite as a forward uplink, and a fourth portion of the frequency bandwidth to be received and processed by the satellite as a return uplink, the third and fourth portions comprising the total of the frequency bandwidth;
means for transmitting instructions to the satellite, the satellite including circuitry responsive to the transmitted instructions, such that the amount of frequency bandwidth allocated to the forward and return uplinks is allocated in proportion to the monitored traffic volume on each of the forward and return uplinks.
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Specification