Systems and methods for satellite communications with mobile terrestrial terminals

A method of initiating satellite communications service, comprising the steps of:

• entering an authorization code into an initiating terrestrial terminal;
• searching for the nearest satellite in the network;
• and
• authorizing communication to the nearest satellite in the network.

A method of using a satellite communications service to transmit a communication between two terrestrial terminals, comprising the steps of:

• sending a communication via an uplink frequency from an initiating terrestrial terminal located in an earth segment to a satellite in a satellite communications network located in a space segment;
• assembling a request signal that requests service from the space segment via the satellite;
• analyzing alternate routes to reach a target terrestrial terminal;
• creating a request signal packet;
• searching for, acquiring, and lining up an antenna to transmit communication parameters to a chosen satellite;
• sending a request signal to the chosen satellite;
• receiving the request signal;
• initiating a connection between the initiating terrestrial terminal and the target terrestrial terminal;
• repackaging the request signal into a downlink signal;
• passing the downlink signal to an on-board software engine;
• sending the downlink signal to the target terrestrial terminal;
• checking the target terrestrial terminal for traffic;
• and
• allocating channels and channel parameters for communication between the initiating terrestrial terminal and the target terrestrial terminal.

A method of monitoring an incident of an unauthorized satellite signal from an accessing terminal, comprising the steps of:

• logging the origin of the signal;
• sending a message to a network and a sub-network administrator;
• and
• sending an access denied message back on a command channel of the accessing terminal.

A method of authenticating a signal on-board a satellite via an on-board software engine to generate an appropriate authentication code, comprising the steps of:

• combining a routing address and authentication code to make a confirmation of service signal packet;
• forming a second confirmation of service signal packet for a target terrestrial terminal;
• generating two denial of service signal packets if the target terrestrial terminal is busy;
• and
• sending all service signal packets to a transmitter.

A method for enabling terminal to terminal communication, comprising the steps of:

• configuring a communication channel and sending a start of communication service signal packet to a chosen satellite;
• receiving the start of communication service signal packet, authenticating it, and routing it appropriately to other satellites or other target terrestrial terminals;
• having the target terrestrial terminals perform at least one of the steps of (i) entering a listening mode and (ii) submitting a return request signal;
• receiving, unpacking, authenticating, and interpreting a start of the service signal;
• sending a channel open handshaking signal back to the initiating terrestrial via the chosen satellite;
• receiving, authenticating, and routing the channel open handshaking signal;
• and
• beginning transmission from the initiating terrestrial terminal after receiving, unpacking, authenticating, and interpreting the channel open handshaking signal.

A method for ending transmission between terminals, comprising the steps of:

• sending a termination signal from a transmitting terrestrial terminal to a satellite;
• receiving the termination signal and terminating the connection from the satellite;
• transmitting the termination from the satellite to the target terrestrial terminal;
• and
• closing a configured channel via the target terrestrial terminal.

A method of multiple point-to-point communications, comprising the steps of:

• identifying a need for two-way communications from an on-board software engine;
• directing a confirmation of service signal, which includes instructions to allocate both receive and transmit channels, at target terrestrial terminals;
• and
• starting a broadcast from a terrestrial terminal.