Satellite assisted push-to-send radioterminal systems and methods
First Claim
1. A push-to-send radioterminal communication method comprising:
- using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite is used to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations. Reduced push-to-send delays thereby may be provided, when a source push-to-send radioterminal is widely separated from a destination push-to-send radioterminal. Satellite routing only may be used when the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are not communicating with a single terrestrial base station or with a group of terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another. A destination base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal may be determined at the satellite, at a satellite gateway and/or at a central server.
275 Citations
134 Claims
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1. A push-to-send radioterminal communication method comprising:
using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations. - 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, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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2. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
using a satellite of a satellite radioterminal communication system to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations.
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3. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
using a satellite to at least partially bypass terrestrial routing of push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations.
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4. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations.
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5. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and a destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with a single terrestrial base station; and
using the satellite to route a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are not communicating with a single terrestrial base station.
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6. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and a destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another; and
using the satellite to route a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are not communicating with terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another.
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7. A method according to claim 5 wherein determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and a destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with a single terrestrial base station comprises:
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accessing a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
determining from the listing whether the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with a single terrestrial base station.
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8. A method according to claim 7 wherein accessing is preceded by:
registering the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal with the listing.
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9. A method according to claim 7 wherein the listing is associated with a satellite gateway for the satellite.
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10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the listing is associated with the single terrestrial base station.
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11. A method according to claim 8 wherein registering is performed upon power-on of the source push-to-send radioterminal or the destination push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of the source push-to-send radioterminal or the destination push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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12. A method according to claim 6 wherein determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and a destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another comprises:
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accessing a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
determining from the listing whether the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another.
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13. A method according to claim 12 wherein accessing is preceded by:
registering the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal with the listing.
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14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the listing is associated with a satellite gateway for the satellite.
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15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the listing is associated with at least one of the terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another.
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16. A method according to claim 13 wherein registering is performed upon power-on of the source push-to-send radioterminal or the destination push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of the source push-to-send radioterminal or the destination push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the terrestrial base stations communicate with push-to-send radioterminals using at least one satellite band frequency.
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18. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith;
sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite;
sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to a satellite gateway that is associated with the satellite;
determining by the satellite gateway, a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal;
sending the push-to-send message from the satellite gateway back to the satellite along with routing information that identifies the second terrestrial base station;
sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the second terrestrial base station; and
sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the following is performed between sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith and sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite:
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determining whether the destination push-to-send radioterminal is also communicating with the first terrestrial base station; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the destination push-to-send radioterminal is not communicating with the first terrestrial base station.
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20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the following is performed between sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith and sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite:
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determining whether the second terrestrial base station is proximate the first terrestrial base station; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the second terrestrial base station is not proximate the first terrestrial base station.
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21. A method according to claim 18 wherein determining by the satellite gateway, a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal comprises:
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accessing a listing, that is located at the satellite gateway and/or outside the satellite gateway, of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
identifying from the listing the second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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22. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite comprises:
concentrating the push-to-send message with other communications from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite.
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23. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the destination radioterminals comprises:
deconcentrating the push-to-send message from other communications from the satellite to the second terrestrial base station.
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24. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the push-to-send message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal comprises:
sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to a plurality of destination radioterminals.
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25. A method according to claim 18:
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wherein sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the second terrestrial base station comprises sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to a plurality of the second terrestrial base stations; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the destination radioterminal comprises sending the push-to-send message from the plurality of second base stations to a plurality of destination radioterminals that communicate therewith.
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26. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
using a satellite to route push-to-send signaling messages and/or push-to-send communications messages among terrestrial base stations.
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27. A method according to claim 18 wherein determining by the satellite gateway, a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal is selectively performed for a first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal and is not performed for subsequent push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal that are closely spaced in time to the first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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28. A method according to claim 18 wherein the following is performed between determining by the satellite gateway, a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal and sending the push-to-send message from the satellite gateway back to the satellite along with routing information that identifies the second terrestrial base station:
interrogating the destination push-to-send-radioterminal to determine whether it is capable of receiving the push-to-send message.
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29. A method according to claim 28 wherein interrogating is selectively performed for a first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal and is not performed for subsequent push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal that are closely spaced in time to the first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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30. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the second terrestrial base station comprises sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the second terrestrial base station using a satellite spot beam that covers a plurality of terrestrial base stations including the second terrestrial base station.
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31. A method according to claim 30 further comprising ignoring the push-to-send message at the plurality of terrestrial base stations that are covered by the satellite spot beam, except for the second terrestrial base station.
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32. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and at least one of a plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals are not communicating with a single terrestrial base station; and
using the satellite to route a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals if the source push-to-send radioterminal and at least one of the plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals are not communicating with the single terrestrial base station.
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33. A method according to claim 4 wherein using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and at least one of a plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals are not communicating with a plurality of terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another; and
using the satellite to route a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals if the source push-to-send radioterminal and at least one of the plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals are not communicating with the terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another.
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34. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith comprises:
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seizing an uplink channel of the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal;
receiving confirmation from the first terrestrial base station in response to the seizing the uplink channel; and
sending the push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the first terrestrial base station over the uplink channel in response to receiving the confirmation.
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35. A method according to claim 18 wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith comprises:
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requesting an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal;
receiving assignment of an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station in response to the requesting; and
sending the push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the first terrestrial base station over the uplink channel in response to receiving the assignment.
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36. A method according to claim 18:
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wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith is performed over a return link using a return link alphabet; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal is performed over a forward link using a forward link alphabet that has more symbols than the return link alphabet.
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37. A method according to claim 36 wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith is performed over a channel of the return link in a manner that collides with at least one other message from a radioterminal to the first terrestrial base station, and wherein the first terrestrial base station is configured to decode both the push-to-send message and the at least one other message.
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38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the push-to-send message comprises a push-to-send signaling message and/or push-to-send communication message and wherein the first terrestrial base station is configured to decode both the at least one other message and the push-to-send signaling message and/or push-to-send communication message.
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39. A method according to claim 34 wherein the following is performed by the first terrestrial base station between seizing an uplink channel of the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal and receiving confirmation from the first terrestrial base station in response to the seizing the uplink channel:
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determining at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal based upon a listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal;
determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message; and
sending the confirmation to the source push-to-send radioterminal upon determining that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message;
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40. A method according to claim 39 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises determining whether the listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal indicates that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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41. A method according to claim 39 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises interrogating the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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42. A method according to claim 35 wherein the following is performed by the first terrestrial base station between requesting an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal and receiving assignment of an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station in response to the requesting:
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determining at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal based upon a listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal;
determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message; and
sending the assignment of an uplink channel to the source push-to-send radioterminal upon determining that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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43. A method according to claim 42 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises determining whether the listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal indicates that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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44. A method according to claim 42 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises interrogating the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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45. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith;
sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite;
determining at the satellite, a satellite spot beam that covers a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal;
sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the second terrestrial base station over the spot beam that was determined; and
sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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46. A method according to claim 45 wherein the following is performed between sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith and sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite:
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determining whether the destination push-to-send radioterminal is also communicating with the first terrestrial base station; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the destination push-to-send radioterminal is not communicating with the first terrestrial base station.
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47. A method according to claim 45 wherein the following is performed between sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith and sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite:
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determining whether the second terrestrial base station is proximate the first terrestrial base station; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite is selectively performed if the second terrestrial base station is not proximate the first terrestrial base station.
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48. A method according to claim 45 wherein determining at the satellite, a satellite spot beam that covers a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal comprises:
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accessing a listing that is located at the satellite, of terrestrial base stations, push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith and spot beams that are associated therewith; and
identifying from the listing the satellite spot beam that covers the second terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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49. A method according to claim 45 wherein sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the destination radioterminal comprises:
sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to a plurality of destination radioterminals.
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50. A method according to claim 45 wherein the satellite spot beam that was determined covers a plurality of base stations including the second terrestrial base station.
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51. A method according to claim 50 further comprising ignoring the push-to-send message at the plurality of terrestrial base stations that are covered by the satellite spot beam, except for the second terrestrial base station.
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52. A method according to claim 45 wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith comprises:
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seizing an uplink channel of the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal;
receiving confirmation from the first terrestrial base station in response to the seizing the uplink channel; and
sending the push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the first terrestrial base station over the uplink channel in response to receiving the confirmation.
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53. A method according to claim 45 wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith comprises:
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requesting an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal;
receiving assignment of an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station in response to the seizing the requesting; and
sending the push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the first terrestrial base station over the uplink channel in response to receiving the assignment.
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54. A method according to claim 45:
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wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith is performed over a return link using a return link alphabet; and
wherein sending the push-to-send message from the second base station to the destination radioterminal is performed over a forward link using a forward link alphabet that has more symbols than the return link alphabet.
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55. A method according to claim 54 wherein sending a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith is performed over a channel of the return link in a manner that collides with at least one other message from a radioterminal to the first terrestrial base station, and wherein the first terrestrial base station is configured to decode both the push-to-send message and the at least one other message.
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56. A method according to claim 55 wherein the push-to-send message comprises a push-to-send signaling message and/or push-to-send communication message and wherein the first terrestrial base station is configured to decode both the at least one other message and the push-to-send signaling message and/or push-to-send communication message.
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57. A method according to claim 52 wherein the following is performed by the first terrestrial base station between seizing an uplink channel of the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal and receiving confirmation from the first terrestrial base station in response to the seizing the uplink channel:
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determining at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal based upon a listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal;
determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message; and
sending the confirmation to the source push-to-send radioterminal upon determining that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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58. A method according to claim 57 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises determining whether the listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal indicates that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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59. A method according to claim 57 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises interrogating the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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60. A method according to claim 53 wherein the following is performed by the first terrestrial base station between requesting an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station by the source push-to-send radioterminal and receiving assignment of an uplink channel from the first terrestrial base station in response to the requesting:
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determining at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal based upon a listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal;
determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message; and
sending the assignment of an uplink channel to the source push-to-send radioterminal upon determining that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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61. A method according to claim 60 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises determining whether the listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with the source push-to-send radioterminal indicates that the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message.
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62. A method according to claim 60 wherein determining whether the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal is able to receive the push-to-send message comprises interrogating the at least one likely destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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63. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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configuring a first multimode radioterminal to use a first communication protocol and/or a first air interface in response to activation of a push-to-send mode;
sending a push-to-send message from the first multimode radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith using the first communication protocol and/or the first air interface;
sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite;
sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with a second multimode radioterminal;
configuring the second multimode radioterminal to use the first communication protocol and/or the first air interface in response to the second terrestrial base station; and
sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the second multimode radioterminal using the first communication protocol and/or air interface.
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64. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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configuring a first multimode radioterminal to use a first communication protocol and/or a first air interface in response to activation of a push-to-send mode;
sending a push-to-send message from the first multimode radioterminal to a first terrestrial base station communicating therewith using the first communication protocol and/or the first air interface;
sending the push-to-send message from the first terrestrial base station to the satellite;
sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to a second terrestrial base station that is communicating with a second multimode radioterminal;
configuring the second multimode radioterminal to use a second communication protocol and/or a second air interface that is different from the first communication protocol and/or the first air interface in response to the second terrestrial base station; and
sending the push-to-send message from the second terrestrial base station to the second multimode radioterminal using the second communication protocol and/or air interface.
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2. A method according to claim 1 wherein using a satellite to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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65. A push-to-send radioterminal communication method comprising:
transmitting push-to-send messages over a terrestrial wireless network using a satellite frequency band. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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66. A method according to claim 65 wherein transmitting push-to-send messages over a terrestrial wireless network using a satellite frequency band comprises:
transmitting push-to-send messages among push-to-send radioterminals and terrestrial base stations using the satellite frequency band.
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67. A method according to claim 66 further comprising:
using a satellite to route the push-to-send messages among the terrestrial base stations.
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68. A method according to claim 67 wherein using a satellite to route the push-to-send messages among the terrestrial base stations comprises:
using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations.
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69. A method according to claim 68 wherein using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and a destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with a single terrestrial base station; and
using the satellite to route a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are not communicating with a single terrestrial base station.
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70. A method according to claim 68 wherein using a satellite to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations comprises:
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determining whether a source push-to-send radioterminal and a destination push-to-send radioterminal are communicating with terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another; and
using the satellite to route a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source push-to-send radioterminal and the destination push-to-send radioterminal are not communicating with terrestrial base stations that are proximate one another.
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66. A method according to claim 65 wherein transmitting push-to-send messages over a terrestrial wireless network using a satellite frequency band comprises:
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71. A push-to-send radioterminal communication system comprising:
a terrestrial base station that is configured to transmit push-to-send messages from source push-to-send radioterminals to a satellite and to transmit push-to-send messages that are received from the satellite to destination push-to-send radioterminals. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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72. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to transmit selected push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminals to the satellite.
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73. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to determine whether a destination push-to-send radioterminal is communicating with the terrestrial base station and to transmit the push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the satellite if the destination push-to-send radioterminal is not communicating with the terrestrial base station.
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74. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to determine whether a destination push-to-send radioterminal is communicating with another terrestrial base station that is proximate the terrestrial base station and to transmit the push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the satellite if the destination push-to-send radioterminal is not communicating with another terrestrial base station that is proximate the terrestrial base station.
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75. A system according to claim 73 wherein the terrestrial base station further comprises:
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a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to determine from the listing whether the destination push-to-send radioterminal is communicating with the terrestrial base station.
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76. A system according to claim 75 wherein the base station is further configured to register push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith in the listing.
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77. A system according to claim 74 wherein the terrestrial base station further comprises:
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a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to determine from the listing whether the destination push-to-send radioterminal is communicating with another terrestrial base station that is proximate the terrestrial base station.
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78. A system according to claim 77 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to register push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith in the listing.
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79. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station communicates with push-to-send radioterminals using at least one satellite band frequency.
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80. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to concentrate the push-to-send messages from source push-to-send radioterminals with other communications from the terrestrial base station to the satellite.
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81. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to deconcentrate the push-to-send messages from the satellite from other communications from the satellite.
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82. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to send a push-to-send message that is received from the satellite to a plurality of destination radioterminals that are communicating therewith.
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83. A system according to claim 71 wherein the push-to-send messages comprise push-to-send signaling messages and/or push-to-send communications messages.
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84. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to ignore a push-to-send message that is received from the satellite but that does not apply to a push-to-send radioterminal that is communicating with the terrestrial base station.
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85. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to determine whether at least one of a plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals is not communicating with the terrestrial base station and to transmit a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the satellite if at least one of the plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals is not communicating with the terrestrial base station.
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86. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is further configured to determine whether at least one of a plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals is not communicating with another terrestrial base station that is proximate the terrestrial base station and to transmit a push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the satellite if at least one of the plurality of destination push-to-send radioterminals is not communicating with another terrestrial base station that is proximate the terrestrial base station.
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87. A method according to claim 71:
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wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to receive a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal communicating therewith over a return link using a return link alphabet; and
wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to send a push-to-send message to a destination radioterminal over a forward link using a forward link alphabet that has more symbols than the return link alphabet.
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88. A system according to claim 87 wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to receive a push-to-send message from a source push-to-send radioterminal communicating therewith over the return link in a manner that collides with at least one other message from a radioterminal to the terrestrial base station, and wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to decode both the push-to-send message and the at least one other message.
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72. A system according to claim 71 wherein the terrestrial base station is configured to transmit selected push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminals to the satellite.
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89. A push-to-send radioterminal communication system comprising:
a satellite gateway that is configured to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations via a satellite. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102)
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90. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations via a satellite.
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91. A system according to claim 90 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations via a satellite by routing a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station that is communicating with a source push-to-send radioterminal to a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with a destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source terrestrial base station and the destination terrestrial base station are not identical.
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92. A system according to claim 90 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations via a satellite by routing a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station that is communicating with a source push-to-send radioterminal to a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with a destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source terrestrial base station and the destination terrestrial base station are not proximate one another.
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93. A system according to claim 91 wherein the satellite gateway further comprises:
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a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
wherein the satellite gateway is configured to determine the destination terrestrial base station from the listing.
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94. A system according to claim 93 wherein the satellite gateway is further configured to register the push-to-send radioterminals with the listing.
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95. A system according to claim 94 wherein the registering is performed upon power-on of a push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of a push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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96. A system according to claim 92 wherein the satellite gateway further comprises:
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a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
wherein the gateway is configured to determine the destination base station from the listing.
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97. A system according to claim 96 wherein the satellite gateway is further configured to register the push-to-send radioterminals with the listing.
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98. A system according to claim 97 wherein the registering is performed upon power-on of a push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of a push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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99. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route push-to-send message among terrestrial base stations by receiving a push-to-send message from the satellite including identification of a destination push-to-send terminal, determining a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal, and sending the push-to-send message back to the satellite along with the routing information that identifies the destination terrestrial base station.
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100. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations by routing push-to-send signaling messages and/or push-to-send communications messages among the terrestrial base stations.
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101. A system according to claim 99 wherein the following is performed between determining a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal and sending the push-to-send message back to the satellite along with routing information that identifies the destination terrestrial base station:
interrogating the destination push-to-send-radioterminal to determine whether it is capable of receiving the push-to-send message.
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102. A system according to claim 101 wherein interrogating is selectively performed for a first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal and is not performed for subsequent push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal that are closely spaced in time to the first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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90. A system according to claim 89 wherein the satellite gateway is configured to route selected push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations via a satellite.
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103. A push-to-send radioterminal communication system comprising:
a satellite that is configured to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations. - View Dependent Claims (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124)
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104. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite comprises a space-based component of a satellite radioterminal communication system.
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105. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations by routing a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station that is communicating with a source push-to-send radioterminal to a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with a destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source terrestrial base station and the destination terrestrial base station are not identical.
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106. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations by routing a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station that is communicating with a source push-to-send radioterminal to a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with a destination push-to-send radioterminal if the source terrestrial base station and the destination terrestrial base station are not proximate one another.
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107. A system according to claim 105 wherein the satellite further comprises:
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a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
wherein the satellite is configured to determine the destination terrestrial base station from the listing.
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108. A system according to claim 107 wherein the satellite is further configured to register the push-to-send radioterminals with the listing.
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109. A system according to claim 108 wherein registering is performed upon power-on of a push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of a push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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110. A system according to claim 106 wherein the satellite further comprises:
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a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith; and
wherein the satellite is configured to determine the destination terrestrial base station from the listing.
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111. A system according to claim 110 wherein the satellite is further configured to register the push-to-send radioterminals with the listing.
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112. A system according to claim 111 wherein registering is performed upon power-on of a push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of a push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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113. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is further configured to receive a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station including identification of a destination push-to-send radioterminal, and to send the push-to-send message from the satellite to a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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114. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is further configured to receive the push-to-send message along with other communications from the first terrestrial base station.
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115. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is configured to send the push-to-send message to the second terrestrial base station along with other communications from the satellite.
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116. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is further configured to send the push-to-send message to a plurality of destination terrestrial base stations.
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117. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to route push-to-send signaling messages and/or push-to-send communications messages among terrestrial base stations.
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118. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is configured to selectively determine a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal for a first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal but not for subsequent push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal that are closely spaced in time to the first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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119. A system according to claim 113 wherein the following is performed between receiving a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station and sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the destination terrestrial base station:
interrogating the destination push-to-send radioterminal to determine whether it is capable of receiving the push-to-send message.
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120. A system according to claim 119 wherein interrogating is selectively performed for a first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal and is not performed for subsequent push-to-send messages from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal that are closely spaced in time to the first push-to-send message from the source push-to-send radioterminal to the destination push-to-send radioterminal.
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121. A system according to claim 113 wherein the satellite is configured to send the push-to-send message from the satellite to the destination terrestrial base station by sending the push-to-send message from the satellite to the destination terrestrial base station using a satellite spot beam that covers a plurality of terrestrial base stations including the destination terrestrial base station.
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122. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite is configured to route push-to-send messages among terrestrial base stations by receiving a push-to-send message from a source terrestrial base station that is communicating with a source push-to-send radioterminal, determining a satellite spot beam that covers a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with a destination push-to-send radioterminal, and sending the push-to-send message to the destination terrestrial base station over the spot beam that was determined.
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123. A system according to claim 122 wherein the satellite is configured to determine the satellite spot beam that covers a destination terrestrial base station that is communicating with the destination push-to-send radioterminal by accessing a listing that is located at the satellite, of terrestrial base stations, push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith and spot beams that are associated therewith, and by identifying from the listing the satellite spot beam that covers the destination terrestrial base station.
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124. A system according to claim 122 wherein the satellite spot beam that was determined covers a plurality of base stations including the destination terrestrial base station.
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104. A system according to claim 103 wherein the satellite comprises a space-based component of a satellite radioterminal communication system.
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125. A push-to-send radioterminal system comprising:
a central server that comprises registration information for all push-to-send radioterminals in the push-to-send radioterminal system. - View Dependent Claims (126, 127, 128, 129, 130)
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126. A system according to claim 125 wherein the registration information comprises:
a listing of terrestrial base stations and push-to-send radioterminals that are communicating therewith.
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127. A system according to claim 126 wherein the central server is configured to register the push-to-send radioterminals with the listing.
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128. A system according to claim 127 wherein the central server is configured to register a push-to-send radioterminal with the listing upon power-on of the push-to-send radioterminal and/or upon movement of the push-to-send radioterminal among terrestrial base stations.
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129. A system according to claim 126 wherein the listing further comprises a listing of likely destination push-to-send radioterminals that is associated with a source push-to-send radioterminal.
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130. A system according to claim 129 wherein the listing further comprises a listing of spot beams that are associated with the terrestrial base stations.
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126. A system according to claim 125 wherein the registration information comprises:
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131. A push-to-send radioterminal comprising:
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a receiver that is configured to receive push-to-send communications using a forward link alphabet; and
a transmitter that is configured to transmit push-to-send communications using a return link alphabet that has fewer symbols than the forward link alphabet. - View Dependent Claims (132, 133, 134)
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132. A radioterminal according to claim 131 wherein the receiver and transmitter are configured to communicate using at least one satellite band frequency.
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133. A radioterminal according to claim 131:
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wherein the receiver is configured to use a first communication protocol and/or a first air interface in response to activation of a push-to-send mode; and
wherein the transmitter is configured to use the first communication protocol and/or air interface in response to activating of the push-to-send mode.
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134. A radioterminal according to claim 131:
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wherein the receiver is configured to use a first communication protocol and/or a first air interface in response to activating of a push-to-send mode; and
wherein the transmitter is configured to use a second communication protocol and/or air interface that is different form the first communication protocol and/or the first air interface in response to activating of the push-to-send mode.
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132. A radioterminal according to claim 131 wherein the receiver and transmitter are configured to communicate using at least one satellite band frequency.
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Specification
- Resources
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Current AssigneeATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
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Original AssigneeATC Technology Corporation (FedEx Corporation)
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InventorsBogatin, Boris, Karabinis, Peter D., Dutta, Santanu, Deobald, Brian M.
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current455/12.1
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CPC Class CodesH04B 7/026 Co-operative diversity, e.g...H04B 7/0491 using two or more sectors, ...H04B 7/0837 using pre-detection combini...H04B 7/0854 using error minimizing algo...H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Dir...H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data netwo...H04W 52/38 TPC being performed in part...H04W 52/42 in systems with time, space...