Apparatus and method for efficient TDMA bandwidth allocation for TCP/IP satellite-based networks
First Claim
1. A control station for two-way satellite communication, comprising:
- an RF section for transmitting a broadcast signal and receiving a return channel from a remote user, the broadcast signal including a non-real time frame marker, a timing message and a return channel control message; and
a return channel subsystem including a return channel controller to process return channel information and set a user bandwidth in the return channel.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication system balances message traffic between return channel groups and within the groups, so that the user does not control the specific transmission frequency used. Uplink frequencies and bandwidths for the return channels are set by the system in a return channel control message in the broadcast signal so as to account for system and return channel group loading, and to account for user message backlogs. An initial transmission from a remote user may be made using an ALOHA-type burst signal that provides a message backlog to the control station, and is made on a frequency determined from a randomly weighted, load-based frequency selection process. The system, and not the individual users determine the frequency and channel allocations. For large backlogs or priority users, periodic bandwidth is provided. A method for balancing loads among and between groups of return channels in the communication system includes requesting return channel bandwidth in an uplink message from a remote user to a control station. The uplink message may include a both a backlog indicator and a bandwidth allocation request provided to a Network Operations Center (NOC) which can be used to set the return channel bandwidth and frequency for the remote uplink. A user message is transmitted on the designated return channel frequency using bandwidth allocated in accordance with the backlog indicator and a bandwidth allocation request so that traffic loads are maintained in balance between established return channel frequency groups, and within each return channel frequency group.
8 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A control station for two-way satellite communication, comprising:
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an RF section for transmitting a broadcast signal and receiving a return channel from a remote user, the broadcast signal including a non-real time frame marker, a timing message and a return channel control message; and a return channel subsystem including a return channel controller to process return channel information and set a user bandwidth in the return channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for controlling a return channel from a control station, comprising:
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transmitting a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal including a non-real time frame marker, a timing message and a return channel control message; receiving a return channel uplink from a remote user; and setting a return channel bandwidth with a return channel controller which provides a bandwidth allocation message in the broadcast signal. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification