Multiple return link

• US 20060291409A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SkyBitz, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brosius, Jay, Battista, Rich, Shankar, Uday
• Granted Patent: US 7,782,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/320
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18539 Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18543 for adaptation of transmission parameters, e.g. power control for detecting or preventing errors in the information received H04L1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18545 Arrangements for managing station mobility, i.e. for station registration or localisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18554 using the position provided by an existing geolocalisation system

Abstract

A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, multiple return links are associated with a single forward link to reduce communications costs.

Claims

1. A satellite communications method, comprising:

a. transmitting a message to a plurality of mobile terminals via one of a plurality of slots on a single forward satellite link, said transmitted message communicating an inquiry to each of said plurality of mobile terminals; and

b. receiving a response from each of said plurality of mobile terminals, each of said plurality of responses being carried on a corresponding slot on a separate return satellite link and including information generated in response to said inquiry.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said slots are time division multiple access slots.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said response includes positioning information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said response includes code phase information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said response includes sensor information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each forward link and return link is on a different frequencies.

7. A satellite communications system, comprising:

a. a transmitter that transmits a message to a plurality of mobile terminals via one of a plurality of slots on a single forward satellite link, said transmitted message communicating an inquiry to each of said plurality of mobile terminals; and

b. a receiver that receives a response from each of said plurality of mobile terminals, each of said plurality of responses being carried on a corresponding slot on a separate return satellite link and including information generated in response to said inquiry.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said slots are time division multiple access slots.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said response includes positioning information.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said response includes code phase information.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said response includes sensor information.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein each forward link and return link is on a different frequencies.

13. A satellite communications method that reduces communications cost, comprising:

a. identifying an imbalance in cost between opposing directions of satellite communication; and

b. pairing a plurality of communications in a first direction having a lower communication cost with a single communication in a second direction having a higher communication cost, wherein said pairing eliminates unnecessary communications in said second direction, thereby improving cost efficiencies in said satellite communication.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction are on a plurality of different frequencies.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction originate at a respective plurality of mobile terminals.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction are in response to a single communication in said second direction.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction occur after a fixed delay after a single communication in said second direction.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction include positioning information.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction include code phase information.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of communications in said first direction include sensor information.