Switching VSAT transmitter with smart stand-by mode

• US 20050272365A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gilat Satellite Networks Limited
• Original Assignee: Gilat Satellite Networks Limited
• Inventors: Nordenberg, Ido, Meirzon, Tal
• Granted Patent: US 9,112,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18517 Transmission equipment in earth stations
• 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: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A VSAT terminal including an antenna, a microwave power amplifier, a microwave low noise amplifier, a transmitter coupled via the microwave power amplifier to the antenna, a receiver coupled via the microwave low noise amplifier to the antenna, a user VSAT interface, and a controller in communication with the user VSAT interface and in electrical connection with the microwave power amplifier and the microwave low noise amplifier for supplying power thereto, the controller being operative to provide a less-than-full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the absence of a communication session and operative to provide a full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the presence of a communication session. A smart stand by mode is employed in which the transmitter and receiver are turned off simultaneously to conserve power. The receiver turns on periodically to determine if it is to receive a call. After the VSAT turns on it will lock on the signal received from the hub and then wait for a special activation list message. The special activation list message is broadcast continuously and contains a list of all VSATs that are presently powered own but which should switch to active mode since they have an incoming call. After a VSAT receives the special activation list message, it checks whether its ID is in the list. If not, the VSAT returns to power down mode.

Claims

1. A VSAT for communicating to a hub, comprising:

a receiver intermittently tuning to and waiting for a lock on signal from the hub, the receiver waiting for an activation signal when the lock on signal is received, and powering down when an activation signal does not contain the ID of the VSAT.

2. A VSAT as recited in claim 1, further comprising a transmitter.

3. A VSAT as recited in claim 1, wherein the time the VSAT waits for a lock on signal from the hub is an unfixed period of time.

4. A VSAT as recited in claim 1, wherein the time the VSAT waits for an activation signal is an unfixed period of time.

5. A VSAT as recited in claim 3, wherein the time the VSAT waits for an activation signal is an unfixed period of time.

6. A VSAT as recited in claim 2, wherein said receiver and transmitter are powered down the majority of the time.

7. A VSAT as recited in claim 1, wherein said hub transmits periodic activation list messages indicating which VSATs have an incoming message.

8. A VSAT as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiver returns to powered down mode after receiving a message indicated by the ID of VSAT in the activation list.

9. A VSAT as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiver powers down after receiving the activation list that does not contain the ID of the VSAT.

11. A method of controlling the power supply to a VSAT as recited in claim 9, wherein the time the VSAT waits for a lock on signal from the hub is an unfixed period of time.

12. A method of controlling the power supply to a VSAT as recited in claim 9, wherein the time the VSAT waits for an activation signal is an unfixed period of time.

13. A method of controlling the power supply to a VSAT as recited in claim 12, wherein the time the VSAT waits for an activation signal is an unfixed period of time.

14. A method of controlling the power supply to a VSAT as recited in claim 11, wherein said receiver and transmitter are powered down the majority of the time.

10. A method of controlling the power supply to a VSAT communicating with a hub, comprising:

intermittently tuning to and waiting for a lock in a receiver to signal from the hub,

waiting for an activation signal when the lock on signal is received, and

powering down when the activation signal does not contain the ID of the VSAT.

15. A method of controlling the power supply to a VSAT as recited in claim 10, wherein said hub transmits periodic activation list messages indicating which VSATs have an incoming message.

16. A system for controlling the power supply to a VSAT, comprising:

a VSAT;

a hub, said VSAT and said hub communicating with one another;

said hub transmitting an activation signal, the activation signal including a list of IDs for VSATs that have incoming communications,

said VSAT comprising a receiver that intermittently tunes to a lock on signal from the hub, the receiver waiting for the activation signal when the lock on signal is received, and powering down when an activation signal does not contain the ID of the VSAT.

17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein said activation signal is transmitted periodically.

18. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein said activation signal is transmitted continuously.

19. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the receiver powers down after receiving a message indicated by the ID of VSAT in the activation list.

20. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein said receiver powers down after receiving the activation list that does not contain the ID of the VSAT.