Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving multiple services utilizing a single receiver in a broadband satellite system

• US 20060045038A1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Morris, Adrian, Kay, Stanley, Clewer, Richard, Schmid, John, Garner, William, Steber, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/927,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20060045038A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20

Abstract

A satellite-based communications network employing at least one satellite and a plurality of user terminals adapted for use with the communications network. The network includes a transmitter for transmitting data to the plurality of user terminals, where the data includes a plurality of broadcast modes and/or services. The transmitter transmits data in a packetized format in which a predetermined number of data packets are transmitted in a frame, where the frame is defined as a predetermined period of time. Further, the transmitter transmits each of the plurality of broadcast modes utilizing a single carrier frequency. Each of the plurality of user terminals includes a receiver for receiving the transmitted data and for regenerating the data so that the data is made available to a device coupled to the user terminal.

Claims

1. A satellite-based communications network employing at least one satellite and a plurality of user terminals adapted for use with said communications network, said network comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting data to said plurality of user terminals, said data comprising a plurality of broadcast modes, said transmitter transmitting said data in a packetized format in which a predetermined number of data packets are transmitted in a frame, said frame being defined as a predetermined period of time, said transmitter transmitting each of said plurality of broadcast modes utilizing a single carrier frequency;

wherein each of said plurality of user terminals includes a single receiver for receiving said transmitted data and for regenerating said data so that said data is made available to a device coupled to said user terminal.

2. The satellite-based communications network of claim 1, wherein said plurality of broadcast modes include a localized broadcast in which said data is transmitted to only a subset of said plurality of user terminals, and a non-localized broadcast in which the data is transmitted to all of said plurality of user terminals.

3. A satellite-based communications network of claim 1, wherein at least two different broadcast modes are transmitted within a given frame utilizing the same carrier frequency.

4. A satellite-based communications network of claim 3, wherein the portion of said given frame allocated to each of said two different broadcast modes is dynamically adjustable.

5. A satellite-based communications network of claim 4, wherein said at least two different broadcast modes include a point-to-point mode, and a CONUS mode, said point-to-point mode utilized for transmitting said data to select ones of said plurality of user terminals, said CONUS mode utilized for transmitting data to all of said user terminals.

6. A satellite-based communication network of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is capable of transmitting data originating from multiple sources, which are located at geographically distinct locations, within a single frame utilizing said single carrier frequency.

7. A satellite-based communication network of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is resident in said satellite.

8. A method for transmitting data within a satellite-based communications network including at least one satellite and a plurality of user terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting data to said plurality of user terminals, said data comprising a plurality of broadcast modes, said data being transmitted in a packetized format in which a predetermined number of data packets are transmitted in a frame, said frame being defined as a predetermined period of time, said plurality of broadcast modes be transmitted utilizing a single carrier frequency;

receiving said transmitted data; and

regenerating said data so that said data is made available to a device coupled to said user terminal.

9. The method for transmitting data within a satellite-based communications network of claim 8, wherein said plurality of broadcast modes include a localized broadcast in which the data is transmitted to only a subset of said plurality of user terminals, and a non-localized broadcast in which the data is transmitted to all of said plurality of user terminals.

10. The method for transmitting data within a satellite-based communications network of claim 8, wherein at least two different broadcast modes are transmitted within a given frame.

11. The method for transmitting data within a satellite-based communications network of claim 10, wherein the portion of said given frame allocated to each of said two different broadcast modes is dynamically adjustable.

12. The method for transmitting data within a satellite-based communications network of claim 11, wherein said at least two different broadcast modes include a point-to-point mode, and a CONUS mode, said point-to-point mode utilized for transmitting said data to select ones of said plurality of user terminals, said CONUS mode utilized for transmitting data to all of said user terminals.

13. The method for transmitting data within a satellite-based communications network of claim 8, wherein said transmitted data contained within a single frame originates from multiple sources, which are located at geographically distinct locations.

14. A receiver for use in a satellite-based communications network employing at least one satellite and a transmitter for transmitting data to said receiver, said data comprising a plurality of broadcast modes, said transmitter transmitting said data in a packetized format in which a predetermined number of data packets are transmitted in a frame, said frame being defined as a predetermined period of time, said transmitter transmitting each of said plurality of broadcast modes utilizing a single carrier frequency;

said receiver comprising a single receiver for receiving said transmitted data and for regenerating said data so that said data is made available to a user terminal coupled to said receiver,

wherein said receiver determines the portion of a given frame allocated to a given one of said plurality of broadcast modes on the basis of information provided by said transmitter.

15. The receiver for use in a satellite-based communications network of claim 14, wherein said plurality of broadcast modes include a localized broadcast and a non-localized broadcast.

16. The receiver for use in a satellite-based communications network of claim 14, wherein at least two different broadcast modes are transmitted within a given frame utilizing the same carrier frequency.

17. The receiver for use in a satellite-based communications network of claim 16, wherein the portion of said given frame allocated to each of said two different broadcast modes is dynamically adjustable.

18. The receiver for use in a satellite-based communications network of claim 14, wherein said at least two different broadcast modes include a point-to-point mode, and a CONUS mode.

19. The receiver for use in a satellite-based communications network of claim 14, wherein said transmitter is capable of transmitting data originating from multiple sources, which are located at geographically distinct locations, within a single frame utilizing said single carrier frequency.