High data rate multiplexing satellite stream to low data rate subscriber terminals

• US 8,159,994 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Inventors: Eidenschink, Thomas, Jaska, Kristi Ann, Dankberg, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Tri H
• Application Number:
  US12/411,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20090290536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 370310-350, 375/222, 375240-241, 455 7- 25
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18582 Arrangements for data linking, i.e. for data framing, for error recovery, for multiple access

Abstract

A satellite modem for broadband communication. The satellite modem receives a satellite signal on a single carrier from a satellite. The satellite signal is divided by time division multiplexing into physical sub-channels encapsulating logical downstreams. The satellite modem includes a filter which removes a subset of the physical sub-channels intended for the subscriber terminal. The satellite modem includes a demodulator, a decoder, and a medium access channel. The MAC processes the logical downstreams.

Claims

1. A satellite modem comprising:

an input configured to receive signals from a satellite, the signals forming a forward channel and including first and second sub-channels;

a splitter communicatively coupled to the input and configured to separate headers of the signals from payloads of the signals and to output the headers as a first output and to output the payloads as a second output;

a demodulator communicatively coupled to the splitter to receive the first output and configured to demodulate the headers;

a controller communicatively coupled to the demodulator and configured to analyze demodulated headers from the demodulator and to produce a first indication that an analyzed header corresponds to a sub-channel allocated to the satellite modem; and

a buffer communicatively coupled to the splitter and the controller and configured to store a payload corresponding to the analyzed header in response to the first indication.

2. The modem of claim 1 further comprising a medium access controller coupled to the buffer and configured to process the stored payload.

3. The modem of claim 1 wherein the controller is further configured to produce a second indication that the analyzed header does not correspond to the sub-channel allocated to the satellite modem, the satellite modem further comprising an output communicatively coupled to the splitter and configured to communicatively couple to the a device and to transfer the analyzed header toward the device.