Providing control-function data in communication-data channel of a full-mesh satellite communication network by dynamic time-slot assignment in TDMA-frame communication channel
First Claim
1. A communication system includinga plurality of user terminals in a full mesh network;
- a network-control-station terminal;
first means for causing control-function data to be communicated between the network-control-station terminal and a first user terminal within control-function time slots of a given TDMA-frame communication channel; and
second means for causing user-communication data to be communicated between the first user terminal and a second user terminal within user-communication time slots of the given TDMA-frame communication channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a communication system including a plurality of user terminals in a full-mesh network and a network-control-station terminal, control-function data is communicated between an individual user terminal and the network-control-station terminal in a given TDMA-frame communication channel while the given TDMA-frame communication channel is also being used for communicating user-communication data between user terminals. The control-function data and the user-communication data are communicated within control-function time slots and user-communication time slots respectively of the given TDMA-frame communication channel. The time slots for such communications are dynamically assigned in response to time-slot assignment signals communicated from the network-control-station terminal when the communication link between the user terminals is established. Control-function data is communicated from the user terminals to the network-control-station terminal in even-numbered control-function time slots of different given TDMA-frame communication channels; and control-function data is communicated from the network-control-station to the user terminals in odd-numbered control-function time slots of different given TDMA-frame communication channels.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication system including
a plurality of user terminals in a full mesh network; -
a network-control-station terminal; first means for causing control-function data to be communicated between the network-control-station terminal and a first user terminal within control-function time slots of a given TDMA-frame communication channel; and second means for causing user-communication data to be communicated between the first user terminal and a second user terminal within user-communication time slots of the given TDMA-frame communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of communicating within a communication system that includes a plurality of user terminals in a full-mesh network and a network-control-station terminal, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) communicating control-function data between the network-control-station terminal and a first user terminal within control-function time slots of a given TDMA-frame communication channel; and (b) communicating user-communication data between the first user terminal and a second user terminal within user-communication time slots of the given TDMA-frame communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A user communication terminal, comprising
first means for processing control-function data and user-communication data provided within control-function time slots and user-communication time slots respectively of a given TDMA-frame communication channel; - and
second means for dynamically assigning the control-function time slots and the user-communication time slots within the TDMA-frame communicated channel in response to a received time-slot assignment signal; wherein the first means is adapted for processing user-communication data received within user-communication time slots of one said TDMA-frame communication channel and for processing user-communication data for transmission within user-communication time slots of another said TDMA-frame communication channel; and wherein the second means is adapted for assigning odd-numbered control-function time slots of the one said TDMA-frame communication channel for receipt of control-function data in response to a first said time-slot assignment signal and for assigning even-numbered control-function time slots of the other said TDMA-frame communication channel for transmission of control-function data in response to a second said time-slot assignment signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification