公开(公告)号：US20020123343A1

公开(公告)日：2002-09-05

申请号：US09751765

申请日：2000-12-29

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Robert A. Wiedeman ,  Michael J. Sites ,  Paul A. Monte

IPC: H04Q007/20

CPC classification number: H04W48/04 ,  H04B7/18513 ,  H04W84/06 ,  H04W88/16

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus to control the actions of a user terminal (UT) located at a remote location, possibly far from a gateway (GW), which has an interface to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or to the Internet. A computer generated and stored database of an area (referred to as a Confidence Polygon), a volume (referred to as a Confidence Volume), and/or a plane (referred to as a Confidence Surface) is used to establish a geometric shape located on the earth, above the earth or in space, or combinations thereof. In addition, there is assigned to these areas, volumes and/or planes a static or a variable value referred to as a Confidence Limit (CL) that can be compared to a value of an error (E) in a position location of the UT. The error signal can either be generated by the UT or by the GW. A controller, preferably a part of the GW, acts upon the database of the geometric shapes, and the assigned or derived values of CL and E, to determine if the comparison of CL and E, combined with the current position of the UT, yields a certain result according to the operational mode of the GW controller. There can be many operational modes of the controller. Depending on the operational mode the result of the comparison of the CL assigned to the area, volume or plane is used to affect control of the UT or an external device attached to the UT. By example, the UT may be forbidden or allowed to access the system or to make or receive a call, or some operational characteristic(s) of the UT may be specified, such as transmitter power, frequency, and the like. The end result is an ability to provide protection for a site, such as a radio astronomy site, from UT emissions.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于控制位于远离网关（GW）的远程位置的用户终端（UT）的动作的方法和装置，该网关（GW）具有与公共交换电话网（PSTN）和/或因特网 。 使用计算机生成和存储的区域的数据库（称为置信度多边形），体积（称为置信区域）和/或平面（称为置信区域）来建立几何形状 在地球上，地球上或空间中，或其组合。 另外，将这些区域，体积和/或平面分配给可以与UT的位置位置中的错误值（E）进行比较的称为置信限度（CL）的静态或可变值 。 误差信号可以由UT或GW生成。 控制器，优选地是GW的一部分，作用于几何形状的数据库以及CL和E的分配或导出的值，以确定CL和E的比较结合UT的当前位置是否产生 根据GW控制器的工作模式确定一定的结果。 控制器可以有很多操作模式。 根据操作模式，分配给区域，体积或平面的CL的比较结果用于影响UT或连接到UT的外部设备的控制。 例如，可以禁止或允许UT访问系统或者进行或接收呼叫，或者可以指定UT的某些操作特性，例如发射机功率，频率等。 最终的结果是能够从UT排放中为诸如射电天文站点等场所提供保护。

公开(公告)号：US20020032799A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-14

申请号：US09841358

申请日：2001-04-24

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Robert A. Wiedeman ,  Prashant V. Waknis

IPC: G06F015/16

CPC classification number: H04L29/12066 ,  H04B7/18584 ,  H04L29/12132 ,  H04L61/1511 ,  H04L61/1552

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a satellite telecommunications system, including transmitting a message from a user terminal, the message comprising a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); receiving the message with a satellite, selecting a gateway to receive the message based on the URL, and forwarding the message to the selected gateway; at the selected gateway, performing a Domain Name Service (DNS) query in response to the URL received in the message to obtain an Internet protocol (IP) address of a destination server identified by the URL; and replacing the URL with the IP address and sending the message from the gateway to the destination server having the IP address. The gateway is selected in response to a portion of the URL that identifies a country where the destination server identified by the URL is located, and the message is forwarded to the gateway that serves the identified country. The satellite routes the message to the selected gateway through at least one Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) to at least one further satellite.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于操作卫星电信系统的方法，包括从用户终端发送消息，所述消息包括统一资源定位符（URL）; 使用卫星接收消息，选择网关以基于URL接收消息，并将消息转发到所选择的网关; 在所选择的网关处，响应于在消息中接收到的URL执行域名服务（DNS）查询，以获得由URL标识的目的地服务器的因特网协议（IP）地址; 并用IP地址替换URL，并将该消息从网关发送到具有IP地址的目标服务器。 响应于标识由URL标识的目的地服务器所在的国家的URL的一部分来选择网关，并且该消息被转发到为所识别的国家/地区服务的网关。 卫星通过至少一个卫星间链路（ISL）将消息路由到所选择的网关至少一个卫星。

公开(公告)号：US20040147220A1

公开(公告)日：2004-07-29

申请号：US10353618

申请日：2003-01-29

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Subrahmanyam V. Vaddiparty ,  Brinda T. Shah ,  Paul A. Monte

IPC: H04B007/185

CPC classification number: H04L67/12 ,  H04L69/329

Abstract: A satellite based communication system in a low-earth-orbit (LEO) has multiple beams and FDM channels within each beam for voice/data communication between user terminals and multiple gateways. The satellite based communication system has two links for duplex communication, i.e., a forward link between the gateway and the user terminals through the satellites and a return link between the user terminals and the gateway through the satellites. Low volume telemetry data from remotely located assets, such as liquid petroleum gas tanks, water tanks, oil storage tanks, rail cars is gathered, processed, and transferred to a customer over an Internet link. A remote telemetry unit with a sensor and a simplex transmitting unit transmits remote telemetry data. A gateway receives data and directs the data to a gateway applique for demodulating and decoding. Resulting messages are sent to the customer via a back office over an Internet connection.

Abstract translation: 低地球轨道（LEO）中的基于卫星的通信系统在每个波束内具有用于用户终端和多个网关之间的语音/数据通信的多个波束和FDM信道。 基于卫星的通信系统具有用于双工通信的两个链路，即通过卫星的网关和用户终端之间的前向链路，以及用户终端和通过卫星的网关之间的返回链路。 从液化石油气储罐，水箱，储油罐，轨道车等远距离资产的低体积遥测数据通过互联网链接收集，处理和转移给客户。 具有传感器和单工发射单元的远程遥测单元传输远程遥测数据。 网关接收数据并将数据指向网关贴图以进行解调和解码。 所产生的消息通过Internet连接通过后台发送给客户。

公开(公告)号：US20020031102A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-14

申请号：US09841357

申请日：2001-04-24

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： Robert A. Wiedeman ,  Prashant V. Waknis

IPC: H04B007/185 ,  H04L012/66 ,  H04B007/212

CPC classification number: H04L29/12066 ,  H04B7/18584 ,  H04L61/1511

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a Domain Name Service (DNS) query from a user terminal; receiving the DNS query with at least one satellite in earth orbit; and applying the DNS query to a DNS server that is on-board the at least one satellite to obtain a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address. The method further operates, in the event the DNS server is unable to obtain the corresponding IP address, to transmit the DNS query to another DNS server, which may be located in another satellite, such as a higher altitude satellite, or to a terrestrial DNS server, such as one at a gateway or one reachable through the Internet. The method further operates to update the DNS server database that is on-board the satellite with information received from a terrestrial DNS server and/or from a space-based DNS server. In a further method the user terminal transmits a message containing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); the message is received with at least one satellite in earth orbit; and a processor of the satellite generates, in response to the URL, a DNS query to a DNS server that is on-board the at least one satellite to obtain a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address. In the event the DNS server is unable to obtain the corresponding IP address, the processor transmits the DNS query to another DNS server located on-board another satellite, or to a terrestrially-located DNS server. A further operation performed by the method forwards the message to an Internet destination server having an address that corresponds to the IP address.

Abstract translation: 一种方法包括从用户终端发送域名服务（DNS）查询; 用地球轨道上的至少一颗卫星接收DNS查询; 以及将DNS查询应用于至少一个卫星上的DNS服务器，以获得相应的因特网协议（IP）地址。 该方法还在DNS服务器不能获得相应的IP地址的情况下进一步操作，以将DNS查询传送到另一个DNS服务器，DNS服务器可能位于另一个卫星（如高空卫星）或地面DNS 服务器，例如网关上的一个或通过因特网可访问的一个。 该方法还用于使用从地面DNS服务器和/或基于空间的DNS服务器接收的信息更新卫星上的DNS服务器数据库。 在另一方法中，用户终端发送包含统一资源定位符（URL）的消息; 该信息与地球轨道中的至少一颗卫星一起接收; 并且所述卫星的处理器响应于所述URL生成对所述至少一个卫星上的所述DNS服务器的DNS查询以获得相应的因特网协议（IP）地址。 如果DNS服务器无法获得相应的IP地址，则处理器将DNS查询发送到位于另一个卫星上的另一个DNS服务器，或者发送到位于地理位置的DNS服务器。 该方法执行的另一操作将该消息转发到具有对应于该IP地址的地址的因特网目的地服务器。

公开(公告)号：US20020132619A1

公开(公告)日：2002-09-19

申请号：US09811910

申请日：2001-03-19

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Robert A. Wiedeman ,  Paul A. Monte

IPC: H04Q007/20

CPC classification number: H04B7/1858

Abstract: A satellite-based communications system and a method for operating a satellite-based communications system is disclosed. The system is of a type where communications between a user terminal and a gateway occur using an uplink band of frequencies between the user terminal to at least one satellite and in a downlink band of frequencies between the at least one satellite and the user terminal. The system includes first transceivers in the user terminal, referred to herein as a dual user terminal or dual terminal (10), for transmitting and receiving voice and data in the first and second bands of frequencies using a maximum data rate (e.g., a conventional MSS maximum data rate of 9600 Baud); and further includes second transceivers in the user terminal for transmitting and receiving data in the first and second bands of frequencies using a second data rate that exceeds the maximum data rate. The gateway is a dual gateway (20) that includes a first interface to voice and data signals and circuitry for transmitting and receiving the voice and data signals using the maximum data rate, and further includes a second interface to data signals and circuitry for transmitting and receiving the data signals using the data rate that exceeds the maximum data rate. The first and second interfaces and circuitry, and the first and second transceivers, may operate simultaneously. User terminal registration and control signals are transmitted and received using the first transceiver, for example, using the conventional MSS data rates and signaling protocols. The user terminal may include at least one pointable antenna, and in this case information used for pointing the at least one antenna is received from the gateway using the first transceiver, for example, using the conventional MSS data rates and signaling protocols. The first transceiver is a portion of a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) terminal that is detachable from the user terminal for being operated as a stand-alone unit for transmitting and receiving voice and data signals in the first and second bands of frequencies using the maximum data rate.

公开(公告)号：US20020032002A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-14

申请号：US09846995

申请日：2001-05-01

Applicant: Globalstar L.P.

Inventor： Robert A. Wiedeman ,  Prashant V. Waknis

IPC: H04B007/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/1856

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a mobile satellite telecommunications (MSTS) system, as is a system that operates in accordance with the method. In a MSTS having at least one user terminal, at least one satellite in earth orbit, and at least one gateway bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network, in response to a determination that at least one criterion being met, an indicator of the user terminal is activated for informing a user of a potential for reduced user terminal performance. The least one criterion can include comprised of a number of satellites through which a communication between the user terminal and the gateway is conducted, such as an occurrence of there being only one satellite through which the communication between the user terminal and the gateway is conducted, or a prediction of an occurrence that there will be only one satellite through which the communication between the user terminal and the gateway will be conducted. The criteria can further include an occurrence of an elevation angle between the one satellite and the user terminal falling below a minimum threshold value and/or an occurrence of a signal strength or signal quality of a link between the one satellite and the user terminal falling below a minimum threshold value. The user terminal is preferably responsive to received pilot channel signals for detecting a number of satellites through which a communication between the user terminal and the gateway is conducted. The indicator is preferably at least one of a visual indicator, a tactile indicator and an audible indicator. In one embodiment the determination that the at least one criterion has been met is made in the user terminal, while in another embodiment the determination is made in the gateway, preferably based at least in part on information transmitted to the gateway from the user terminal.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于操作移动卫星电信（MSTS）系统的方法，以及根据该方法操作的系统。 在具有至少一个用户终端，地球轨道中的至少一个卫星和双向耦合到数据通信网络的至少一个网关的MSTS中，响应于确定满足至少一个准则，用户终端的指示符 被激活以通知用户降低用户终端性能的潜力。 至少一个标准可以包括通过用户终端和网关之间的通信进行的多个卫星的组合，例如只有一个卫星的出现，用户终端和网关之间的通信通过该卫星进行， 或者将仅进行用户终端和网关之间的通信将仅进行一个卫星的发生的预测。 该标准还可以包括一个卫星和用户终端之间的仰角出现低于最小阈值和/或一个卫星和用户终端之间的链路的信号强度或信号质量的出现低于 最小阈值。 用户终端优选地响应于接收的导频信道信号，用于检测进行用户终端和网关之间的通信的多个卫星。 指示器优选地是视觉指示器，触觉指示器和可听指示器中的至少一个。 在一个实施例中，在用户终端中进行了满足至少一个准则的确定，而在另一实施例中，优选地至少部分地基于从用户终端发送到网关的信息在网关中进行确定。

公开(公告)号：US20020031103A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-14

申请号：US09841862

申请日：2001-04-25

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： Robert A. Wiedeman ,  Prashant V. Waknis

IPC: H04B007/185

CPC classification number: H04W28/24 ,  H04B7/18584 ,  H04W28/06 ,  H04W40/02 ,  H04W84/06

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a mobile satellite telecommunications system, as is a system that operates in accordance with the methods. A first method has steps of providing at least one user terminal, at least one satellite in earth orbit and at least one gateway bidirectionally coupled to a data communications network and, responsive to applications, selecting with the user terminal individual ones of a plurality of Quality of Service (QoS) modes for servicing different application requirements. The method further includes communicating a request for a selected one of the QoS modes at least to the gateway. Another method operates in response to stored satellite ephemeris information for selecting a path through the satellite constellation to a destination gateway for routing a communication to or from the data communication network and the user terminal, and for transmitting a description of the selected path from the user terminal to at least one of the constellation of satellites. Another method operates so as to reduce an amount of information contained within a packet header after transmitting a first packet to at least one satellite of the constellation of satellites. Preferably the packet header of the first packet contains information that is descriptive of at least an identification of a source address and a destination address of the packet, and a connection identifier identifying a communication connection to which the packet belongs, whereas headers of subsequent packets of the communication connection contain only the connection identifier. The method further extracts and stores the information from the header of the first packet in the satellites, and routes subsequent packets based on the stored information and on the connection identifier. The method further expands the subsequently transmitted packet headers to contain the stored information prior to being transmitted to the data communication network.

公开(公告)号：WO1998027672A1

公开(公告)日：1998-06-25

申请号：PCT/US1997021538

申请日：1997-11-26

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： GLOBALSTAR L.P. ,  WIEDEMAN, Robert, A.

IPC: H04B07/185

CPC classification number: H04B7/18558 ,  H04B7/18515 ,  H04B7/195 ,  H04B7/216

Abstract: A communication system includes at least one low earth orbit first satellite (10), at least one second satellite (11) other than a low earth orbit satellite (10), and a ground segment (12) that includes a plurality of user transceivers (78, 80, 82, 84) and at least one gateway (76) coupled to a publicly-accessible terrestrial communication system, such as a PSTN and/or a fiber optic network.

Abstract translation: 通信系统包括至少一个低地球轨道第一卫星（10），除低地球轨道卫星（10）之外的至少一个第二卫星（11）以及包括多个用户收发机（10）的地面段（12） 78,80,82,84）以及耦合到可公共访问的地面通信系统（例如PSTN和/或光纤网络）的至少一个网关（76）。

公开(公告)号：WO1998026511A1

公开(公告)日：1998-06-18

申请号：PCT/US1997021389

申请日：1997-11-19

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： GLOBALSTAR L.P. ,  GALLAGHER, Vijaya, K. ,  MONTE, Paul, A. ,  WIEDEMAN, Robert, A.

IPC: H04B01/00

CPC classification number: H04W52/40 ,  H04B7/18543

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the transmission power of a user terminal (5) in a satellite communications system. The method includes the steps of: (a) transmitting an uplink signal from the user terminal (5) simultaneously to at least two satellites (2, 3) of a space segment; (b) determining, in the space segment, a difference value representing a difference between the RSSI of the received signal and a desired RSSI for each of the two satellites; (c) transmitting a power control command from the space segment to a user terminal; and (d) adjusting a transmitted power of the uplink signal in accordance with the power control command.

Abstract translation: 一种用于控制卫星通信系统中的用户终端（5）的发射功率的系统和方法。 该方法包括以下步骤：（a）将来自用户终端（5）的上行链路信号同时发送到空间段的至少两个卫星（2,3）; （b）在所述空间段中确定表示所述接收信号的RSSI与所述两颗卫星中的每一个的期望RSSI之差的差值; （c）从所述空间段向用户终端发送功率控制命令; 和（d）根据功率控制命令来调整上行链路信号的发射功率。

公开(公告)号：WO1998010521A2

公开(公告)日：1998-03-12

申请号：PCT/US1997015073

申请日：1997-08-27

Applicant: GLOBALSTAR L.P.

Inventor： GLOBALSTAR L.P. ,  WIEDEMAN, Robert, A. ,  SITES, Michael, J.

IPC: H04B00/00

CPC classification number: H04B7/18563

Abstract: A communications system includes a satellite communications component having at least one satellite and at least one terrestrial gateway, and also a wireless terrestrial communications component having at least one repeater and at least one mobile switching center. The at least one gateway and the at least one mobile switching center are coupled together by a first mobile applications part (MAP) network, such as an IS-41 or GSM MAP network. The at least one gateway and the at least one mobile switching center are further coupled to a terrestrial communications network (PSTN). The system further includes at least one dual mode or higher user terminal having a first transceiver for bidirectionally communicating with the gateway through the satellite, a second transceiver for bidirectionally communicating with the mobile switching center through the repeater, and a controller, responsive to one of a user selected or a gateway selected protocol, for selectively enabling either the first or the second transceiver for conveying a user communication to the terrestrial communications network.

Abstract translation: 通信系统包括具有至少一个卫星和至少一个地面网关的卫星通信组件，以及具有至少一个中继器和至少一个移动交换中心的无线地面通信组件。 所述至少一个网关和所述至少一个移动交换中心由诸如IS-41或GSM MAP网络的第一移动应用部分（MAP）网络耦合在一起。 所述至少一个网关和所述至少一个移动交换中心进一步耦合到地面通信网络（PSTN）。 该系统还包括至少一个双模式或更高用户终端，其具有用于通过卫星与网关双向通信的第一收发器，用于通过中继器与移动交换中心双向通信的第二收发器，以及响应于 用户选择的协议或网关选择的协议，用于选择性地启用第一或第二收发信机将用户通信传送到地面通信网络。