Mobility management state transition system and method for handling dark beam scenarios

• US 7,058,403 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Network Systems LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Peters, Tom, Verma, Sandeep, Zhao, Wei, Saha, Abheek, Noerpel, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peaches, Randy
• Application Number:
  US10/185,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20030045289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/13.3, 455/427, 455/428, 455/429, 455/436, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/440, 455/456.1, 455/439, 455/437, 455/13.1, 455/13.2, 370/316, 709/203, 709/105
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18539 Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection

Abstract

A state transition diagram is presented for a user'"'"'s access terminal for a satellite telecommunication system, showing the state of the access terminal'"'"'s mobility management software layer, in response to various stimuli and conditions as the user enters into and out of various modes of operations, including deactivation, activation and illumination of a dark beam of a spot beam that is a shared resource.

Claims

1. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the step of:

entering a deregistered state from power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunication activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam states; and

wherein the step of entering a registered illuminated dark beam state if a dark beam is illuminated comprises;

entering a deregistered illuminated attach needed state from the deregistered illuminated normal service state based on a third set of conditions;

entering an illuminated GMM registered initiated state from the deregistered illuminated attach needed state based on a fourth set of conditions; and

entering into a registered illuminated normal service state from the GMM registered illuminated initiated state based on a fifth set of conditions; and

wherein the third set of conditions comprises;

an attach request is initiated to a second network from the access terminal in a first network.

2. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered illuminated dark beam state if a dark beam is illuminated comprises;

entering a deregistered illuminated attach needed state from the deregistered illuminated normal service state based on a third set of conditions;

entering an illuminated GMM registered initiated state from the deregistered illuminated attach needed state based on a fourth set of conditions; and

entering into a registered illuminated normal service state from the GMM registered illuminated initiated state based on a fifth set of conditions; and

wherein the fourth set of conditions comprises;

the attach request is transmitted from the access terminal in the first network to the second network.

3. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered illuminated dark beam state if a dark beam is illuminated comprises;

entering a deregistered illuminated attach needed state from the deregistered illuminated normal service state based on a third set of conditions;

entering an illuminated GMM registered initiated state from the deregistered illuminated attach needed state based on a fourth set of conditions; and

entering into a registered illuminated normal service state from the GMM registered illuminated initiated state based on a fifth set of conditions; and

wherein the fifth set of conditions comprises;

the attach request is accepted by the second network.

4. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

wherein the step of entering a dark beam deregistered state if the dark beam is not illuminated comprises;

entering into the deregistered dark beam normal service state from the deregistered illuminated attach needed state, based on a sixth set of conditions; and

wherein;

the sixth set of conditions is a condition selected from the group consisting of a beam darkening event, an immediate assignment reject message indicating that the new service is not available, an immediate assignment reject message indicating that the resource is not available and an immediate assignment reject message indicating that the reported position of the access terminal is too old.

5. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam state from a registered illuminated state, and leaving the registered dark beam state to enter the registered illuminated state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam state from a registered illuminated state upon the existence of one or more of a first group of conditions comprises entering a registered dark beam normal service state from a registered illuminated normal service state to based on a seventh set of conditions; and

wherein the seventh set of conditions comprises;

the illuminated beam is darkened.

6. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam state from a registered illuminated state, and leaving the registered dark beam state to enter the registered illuminated state; and

wherein the step of leaving the registered dark beam state to enter the registered illuminated state comprises entering a registered illuminated normal service state from a registered dark beam normal service state based on art eighth set of conditions; and

wherein the eighth set of conditions comprises;

the dark beam is illuminated.

7. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the step of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising leaving the deregistered dark beam state for an deregistered illuminated state; and

wherein the step of leaving me deregistered dark beam state for a deregistered illuminated state comprises entering a deregistered illuminated PLMN search state from a deregistered dark beam normal service state based on a ninth set of conditions; and

wherein the ninth set of conditions comprises;

the dark beam is illuminated.

8. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to art existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state it a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising initiating a position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state; and

wherein;

the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is not performed successfully.

9. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising initiating a position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state; and

wherein the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is performed successfully; and

wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state successfully comprises;

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM muting area update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on a eleventh set of conditions; and

entering the deregistered illuminated normal service state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state based on an twelfth set of conditions; and

wherein the tenth set of conditions comprises;

a routing area update timer has expired or a change in muting area has occurred to the access terminal.

10. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the step of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising initiating a position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state; and

wherein the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is performed successfully; and

wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state successfully comprises;

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on a eleventh set of conditions; and

entering the registered illuminated normal service state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state based on an twelfth set of conditions; and

wherein the eleventh set of conditions comprises;

a routing area update request is transmitted.

11. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising initiating a position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state; and

wherein the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is performed successfully; and

wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state successfully comprises;

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM muting area update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on a eleventh set of conditions; and

entering the registered illuminated normal service state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state based on an twelfth set of conditions; and

wherein the twelfth set of conditions comprises;

the routing area update request is accepted, or a routing are update attempt counter is less than an attempt counter number, a failure case occurs and a current routing area indicator equals a stored routing area indicator.

12. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising initiating a position update, procedure while in a registered illuminated state; and

wherein the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is performed successfully; and

wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is not performed successfully comprises;

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM routing are update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on an eleventh set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated attempting to update state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state;

entering the registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated attempting to update state based on a thirteenth set of conditions; and

repeating these steps until the routing area update request is accepted, or a routing are update attempt counter is less than a attempt counter number, a failure case occurs and a current routing area indicator equals a stored routing area indicator; and

wherein the thirteenth set of conditions comprises

a T3311 timer expires or a T3302 timer expires.

13. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising initiating a position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state; and

wherein the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is performed successfully; and

wherein the step of performing the initiated position update procedure while in a registered illuminated state is not performed successfully comprises;

entering a registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated normal service state based on a tenth set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state from the registered illuminated update needed state based on an eleventh set of conditions;

entering a registered illuminated attempting to update state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state;

entering the registered illuminated update needed state from the registered illuminated attempting to update state based on a thirteenth set of conditions; and

repeating these steps until the routing area update request is accepted, or a routing are update attempt counter is less than an attempt counter number, a failure case occurs and a current routing area indicator equals a stored routing area indicator; and

further comprising;

entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state, the registered illuminated attempting to update state or the registered illuminated update needed state based on a beam darkening event.

14. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises;

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area updated state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of conditions; and

wherein the fourteenth set of conditions comprises;

a user request.

15. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the step of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

wherein the step o entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises;

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area updated state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of conditions; and

wherein the fifteenth set of conditions comprises;

a T3312 timer expiration or a beam reselection.

16. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises;

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area update state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of condition; and

wherein the sixteenth set of conditions comprises;

an illumination failure.

17. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises;

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area update state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of conditions; and

further comprising entering the registered dark beam normal service state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on an seventeenth set of conditions, and entering the registered illuminated normal service state based on a eighteenth set of conditions; and

wherein the seventeenth set of conditions comprises;

an illumination failure.

18. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises;

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area updated state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of conditions; and

further comprising entering the registered dark beam normal service state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on an seventeenth set of conditions, and entering the registered illuminated normal service state based on a eighteenth set of conditions; and

wherein the eighteenth set of conditions comprises;

a beam illumination or a rejection to a new broadcast control channel.

19. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

wherein the step of entering a registered dark beam routing area update state from the registered dark beam state comprises;

entering a registered dark beam illuminated initiated state from the registered dark beam normal service state based on a fourteenth set of conditions;

entering a registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area updated state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated state based on a fifteenth set of conditions; and

entering a registered dark beam normal service dark beam routing area update state based on a sixteenth set of conditions; and

further comprising entering an registered illuminated update needed state from the registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area update state based on a nineteenth set of conditions; and

wherein the nineteenth set of conditions comprises;

a beam illumination or a rejection to a new broadcast control channel.

20. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications system, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping an the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twentieth set of conditions; and

wherein the twentieth set of conditions comprises;

expiration of a T3312 timer or a beam reselection event.

21. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dart beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered illuminated normal service state, and entering a registered dark beam normal service routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service state; and

further comprising entering a registered dark beam normal service state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twentieth set of conditions; and

further comprising entering the registered dark beam illumination initiated routing area update state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twenty-first set of conditions, and entering the registered illuminated update needed state from the registered dark beam normal service routing area update state based on a twenty-second set of conditions; and

wherein the twenty-first set of conditions comprises;

a user request.

22. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-oft state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a deregistered state from a plurality of registered states based on a twenty-third set of conditions; and

wherein the deregistered state comprises;

a GMM deregistered illuminated invalid position state.

23. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a deregistered state from a plurality of registered states based on a twenty-third set of conditions; and

wherein the twenty-third set of conditions comprises;

an invalid position of the access terminal, an invalid position for the access terminal'"'"'s SP, or, an invalid position for selected location area identifies and no additional location area identities are available.

24. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the step of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying an PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a deregistered state from a plurality of registered states based on a twenty-third set of conditions; and

wherein the registered states comprises;

the registered illuminated normal service state and the illuminated GMM routing area update initiated state.

25. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dart beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a deregistered state from the GMM registered initiated state based on a twenty-fourth set of conditions; and

wherein the deregistered state comprises;

a GMM deregistered illuminated invalid position state.

26. A method for operating a software layer in a user'"'"'s access terminal in a satellite based telecommunications systems, comprising the steps of:

entering a deregistered state from a power-off state;

initiating an attach request procedure from an access terminal to an existing network;

identifying a PLMN of a first broadcast channel, camping on the first broadcast channel and establishing deregistered service with a first network through use of the first broadcast channel;

entering a registered illuminated state if a dark beam is illuminated, and entering a deregistered dark beam state if the dark beam is not illuminated; and

engaging in telecommunications activities with a new network while in the registered illuminated dark beam state; and

further comprising entering a deregistered state from the GMM registered initiated state based on a twenty-fourth set of conditions; and

wherein the twenty-fourth set of conditions comprises;

an invalid position of the access terminal, an invalid position for the access terminal'"'"'s SP, or, an invalid position for selected location area identities and no additional location area identities are available.