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Satellite communication system with gateway switch networks

  • US 6,898,428 B2
  • Filed: 05/31/2001
  • Issued: 05/24/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A communication system comprising:

  • one or more gateways coupled to a terrestrial network;

    one or more subscriber terminals that are to be coupled to the terrestrial network;

    a communication satellite providing forward and return communication links between the one or more gateways and the one or more subscriber terminals that each comprise a switching network that selectively couples signals between selected gateways and selected subscriber terminals using predetermined beams wherein the forward communication link implemented in the communication satellite comprises;

    a plurality of first switches that receives data transmitted from a respective plurality of gateways;

    one or more forward channel gateway multiplexers selectively coupled to one of the plurality of first switches;

    a plurality of second switches selectively coupled to outputs of the plurality of first switches and selectively coupled to outputs of the one or more forward channel gateway multiplexers; and

    one or more regional multiplexers selectively coupled to the plurality of second switches that output data to a plurality of regions servicing the one or more subscriber terminals.

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