Methods and systems for reducing location update procedures in satellite communications systems
First Claim
1. A method of registering a user terminal with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of two adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining that the user terminal is alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams;
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
storing the spot beam pair registration in memory;
terminating communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system;
reestablishing communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system; and
reregistering the user terminal with the stored spot beam pair registration from memory.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user terminal is registered with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters; wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam. A periodic oscillation of two adjacent satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary. Upon determining that the user terminal is alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams, the user terminal is registered with a spot beam pair for both the first and second adjacent spot beams and the spot beam pair registration is stored in the user terminal memory. Communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system may be terminated and later re-established, whereupon the user terminal reregisters with the spot beam pair registration stored in memory. Related user terminals are also discussed.
24 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of registering a user terminal with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of two adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining that the user terminal is alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams;
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
storing the spot beam pair registration in memory;
terminating communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system;
reestablishing communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system; and
reregistering the user terminal with the stored spot beam pair registration from memory. - View Dependent Claims (2)
determining a match between the stored spot beam pair registration and one of a plurality of spot beam pairs for a spot beam currently covering the user terminal.
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3. A method of registering a user terminal with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of two adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining that the user terminal is alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams, wherein the step of determining that the user terminal is alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams comprises the steps of;
detecting a change at the user terminal of coverage from the first spot beam to the second adjacent spot beam;
comparing a list of spot beam pairs for the first spot beam with a list of spot beam pairs for the second spot beam;
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
initiating a beam pair location update timer wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters; and
registering the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when the beam pair location update timer times out; and
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
storing the spot beam pair registration in memory;
terminating communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system;
reestablishing communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system; and
reregistering the user terminal with the stored spot beam pair registration from memory. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
resetting the beam pair location update timer when communications between the user terminal and the satellite communications system are terminated.
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5. A method according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of:
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initiating a periodic update timer wherein a duration of said periodic update timer is greater than a duration of said beam pair location update timer;
performing a periodic location update when said periodic update timer times out; and
reinitiating the periodic update timer when the beam pair location update timer times out.
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6. A method of registering a user terminal with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of two adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a change at the user terminal of coverage from the first spot beam to the second adjacent spot beam;
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
initiating a beam pair location update timer wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters;
registering the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when the beam pair location update timer times out;
initiating a periodic update timer wherein a duration of said periodic update timer is greater than a duration of said beam pair location update timer;
performing a periodic location update when said periodic update timer times out; and
reinitiating the periodic update timer when the beam pair location update timer times out. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
resetting the beam pair location update timer when communications between the user terminal and the satellite communications system are terminated.
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9. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the steps of:
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storing the spot beam pair registration in memory;
terminating communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system;
reestablishing communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system; and
reregistering the user terminal with the stored spot beam pair registration from memory.
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10. A method of registering a user terminal with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of a first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a change at the user terminal of coverage from the first spot beam to the second adjacent spot beam, wherein the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary;
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
initiating a beam pair location update timer wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters;
registering the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when the beam pair location update timer times out; and
resetting the beam pair location update timer when communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system are terminated. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20)
maintaining the spot beam pair registration for the user terminal when a change of the user terminal coverage is detected during the duration of the beam pair location update timer; and
reinitiating the beam pair location update timer.
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16. A method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of:
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storing the spot beam pair registration in a user terminal memory before terminating communications operations;
reestablishing communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system after terminating communications operations; and
reregistering the user terminal with the stored spot beam pair registration.
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17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said reregistering step is preceded by the steps of:
determining a match between the stored spot beam pair registration and one of a plurality of spot beam pairs for a spot beam currently covering the user terminal.
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20. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of comparing a list of spot beam pairs for the first spot beam with a list of spot beam pairs for the second spot beam.
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18. A method of registering a user terminal with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of a first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for the respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a change at the user terminal of coverage from the first spot beam to the second adjacent spot beam;
registering the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams;
initiating a beam pair location update timer wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters;
registering the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when the beam pair location update timer times out;
resetting the beam pair location update timer when communications operations between the user terminal and the satellite communications system are terminated, wherein the method further comprises the steps of;
initiating a periodic update timer wherein a duration of said periodic update timer is greater than a duration of said beam pair location update timer;
performing a periodic location update when said periodic update timer times out; and
reinitiating the periodic update timer when the beam pair location update timer times out. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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21. A mobile user terminal for communicating with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam receivers and a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for first and second respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said user terminal comprising:
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a transceiver which receives satellite communications from one of the spot beam transmitters and which transmits communications to one of the satellite spot beam receivers;
a detector coupled to said transceiver wherein said detector detects a change of coverage from the first spot beam to the second adjacent spot beam, wherein the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary;
a processor coupled to said detector wherein said processor registers the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second spot beams;
a beam pair location update timer coupled to said processor wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters, wherein said beam pair location update timer is initiated responsive to said registration with said spot beam pair, wherein said beam pair location update timer triggers said processor to register the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when said beam pair location update timer times out, and wherein said beam pair location update timer is reset when communications between said user terminal and the satellite communications system are terminated. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A mobile user terminal for communicating with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam receivers and a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for first and second respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said user terminal comprising:
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a transceiver which receives satellite communications from one of the spot beam transmitters and which transmits communications to one of the satellite spot beam receivers;
a detector coupled to said transceiver, wherein said detector detects a change of coverage from the first spot beam to the second adjacent spot beam and wherein said detector compares a list of spot beam pairs for the first spot beam with a list of spot beam pairs for the second spot beam;
a processor coupled to said detector wherein said processor registers the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second spot beams;
a beam pair location update timer coupled to said processor wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters, wherein said beam pair location update timer is initiated responsive to said registration with said spot beam pair, wherein said beam pair location update timer triggers said processor to register the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when said beam pair location update timer times out, and wherein said beam pair location update timer is reset when communications between said user terminal and the satellite communications system are terminated.
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28. A user terminal for communicating with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam receivers and a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for first and second respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said user terminal comprising:
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a transceiver which receives satellite communications from one of the spot beam transmitters and which transmits communications to one of the satellite spot beam receivers;
a detector coupled to said transceiver wherein said detector detects that said user terminal is alternatingly covered by one of the first and second spot beams;
a processor coupled to said detector wherein said processor registers the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams responsive to detection of said alternating coverage; and
user terminal memory which stores said spot beam pair registration wherein upon termination of communications operations between said user terminal and said satellite communications system followed by reestablishing communications operations between said user terminal and the satellite communications system, said processor reregisters said user terminal with said spot beam pair registration stored in said memory. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A user terminal for communicating with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam receivers and a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for first and second respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said user terminal comprising:
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a transceiver which receives satellite communications from one of the spot beam transmitters and which transmits communications to one of the satellite spot beam receivers;
a detector coupled to said transceiver wherein said detector detects that said user terminal is alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams;
a processor coupled to said detector wherein said processor registers the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams responsive to detection of said alternating coverage;
user terminal memory which stores said spot beam pair registration wherein upon termination of communications operations between said user terminal and said satellite communications system followed by reestablishing communications operations between said user terminal and the satellite communications system, said processor reregisters said user terminal with said spot beam pair registration stored in said memory; and
the user terminal further comprising a periodic update timer wherein a duration of said periodic update timer is greater than a duration of a beam pair location update timer, wherein said periodic update timer triggers said processor to perform a periodic location update when said periodic update timer times out, and wherein said periodic update timer is reinitiated responsive to said time out of said beam pair location update timer.
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32. A mobile user terminal for communicating with a satellite communications system including a plurality of satellite spot beam receivers and a plurality of satellite spot beam transmitters wherein each of the satellite spot beam transmitters defines a respective spot beam wherein a periodic oscillation of first and second adjacent ones of the satellite spot beam transmitters results in a change of geographic coverage for first and second respective adjacent spot beams so that the user terminal can be alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams when the user terminal is stationary, said user terminal comprising:
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a transceiver which receives satellite communications from one of the spot beam transmitters and which transmits communications to one of the satellite spot beam receivers;
a detector coupled to said transceiver wherein said detector detects that said user terminal is alternatingly covered by the first and second spot beams;
a processor coupled to said detector wherein said processor registers the user terminal with a spot beam pair registration for both the first and second adjacent spot beams responsive to detection of said alternating coverage;
a beam pair location update timer coupled to said processor wherein said beam pair location update timer has a duration longer than the period of oscillation of the satellite spot beam transmitters, wherein said beam pair location update timer is initiated responsive to said registration with said spot beam pair, and wherein said beam pair location update timer triggers said processor to register the user terminal with a single spot beam registration when said beam pair location update timer times out; and
a periodic update timer wherein a duration of said periodic update timer is greater than a duration of said beam pair location update timer, wherein said periodic update timer triggers said processor to perform a periodic location update when said periodic update timer times out, and wherein said periodic update timer is reinitiated responsive to said time out of said beam pair location update timer. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification