Systems and methods of communicating between satellite and terrestrial networks

• US 8,190,084 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Nextel Communications (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Gunasekara, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US12/170,485
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455/427, 455/428, 455/429
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1851 Systems using a satellite or space-based relay H04B7/18508, H04B7/18521 take precedence; providing specific services H04B7/18523 - H04B7/18576
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18582 Arrangements for data linking, i.e. for data framing, for error recovery, for multiple access
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2425 for supporting services specification, e.g. SLA
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/26 using explicit feedback to the source, e.g. choke packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]

Abstract

Systems and methods of supporting a communication session are provided. A first endpoint is authenticated with a terrestrial wireless communication network, wherein the first endpoint is in wireless communication with a satellite communication network. A quality of service is determined for communications exchanged between the first endpoint and a second endpoint supported by the terrestrial communication network. Communications are exchanged between the first and second endpoints in accordance with the determined quality of service.

Claims

1. A method of supporting a communication session comprising the acts of:

authenticating a first endpoint with a terrestrial wireless communication network, wherein the first endpoint is in wireless communication with a satellite communication network;

determining a quality of service for communications exchanged between the first endpoint and a second endpoint supported by the terrestrial communication network;

exchanging communications, in accordance with the determined quality of service, between the first and second endpoints, wherein the exchange of communications comprises queuing and scheduling the exchanged communications based on the determined quality of service;

receiving service performance feedback from the first endpoint; and

adjusting the queuing and scheduling based on the received service performance feedback to conform with the determined quality of service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the quality of service is based on a service profile, the method further comprising the act of:

obtaining, by a component of the satellite communication network, the service profile.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the service profile is associated with the first endpoint.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein communications are provided to the first endpoint using Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the communications are provided to the second endpoint in Internet Protocol (IP) packets.

6. A system of supporting a communication session comprising:

a satellite communication network;

a terrestrial-based wireless communication network;

a satellite processor coupled to the satellite communication network; and

a base station coupled to the satellite processor and the terrestrial-based wireless communication network,

wherein the base station includes an authentication module that authenticates a first endpoint with a terrestrial wireless communication network, wherein the first endpoint is in wireless communication with a satellite communication network,

wherein the satellite processor includes a session control module that determines a quality of service for communications exchanged between the first endpoint and a second endpoint supported by the terrestrial communication network and controls communications exchanged between the first and second endpoints in accordance with the determined quality of service,

wherein the satellite processor includes a queuing and scheduling module that queues and schedules the exchanged communications based on the determined quality of service, and

wherein the session control module receives service performance feedback from the first endpoint, and sends a message to the queuing and scheduling module to adjust the queuing and scheduling based on the received service performance feedback to conform with the determined quality of service.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the satellite processor includes a buffering and delay correction module that buffers and performs delay correction based on the determined quality of service.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the session control module receives service performance feedback from the first endpoint, and sends a message to the buffering and delay correction module to adjust the buffering and delay correction based on the received service performance feedback to conform with the determined quality of service.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the quality of service is based on a service profile that is obtained by the session control module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the service profile is associated with the first endpoint.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein communications are provided to the first endpoint using Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the communications are provided to the second endpoint in Internet Protocol (IP) packets.

13. A method of supporting a communication session comprising the acts of:

authenticating a first endpoint with a terrestrial wireless communication network, wherein the first endpoint is in wireless communication with a satellite communication network;

determining a quality of service for communications exchanged between the first endpoint and a second endpoint supported by the terrestrial communication network;

exchanging communications, in accordance with the determined quality of service, between the first and second endpoints, wherein the exchange of communications comprises buffering and delay correction based on the determined quality of service;

receiving service performance feedback from the first endpoint; and

adjusting the buffering and delay correction based on the received service performance feedback to conform with the determined quality of service.