US 4,625,308 AGranted

All digital IDMA dynamic channel allocated satellite communications system and method

AssigneeAmerican Satellite Company

InventorsKap S. Kim, William R. H. Tisdale, Bruce S. Andrews, T. Randolph Nash, Kathleen J. Kolodgie, Steven S. Eiserike

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Abstract

An all digital TDMA dynamic channel allocated satellite communications system and method provides a satellite communications network between geographically separated nodes. The topology of the network is controlled by an on-line master node in accordance with user demands and operator commands received from the nodes in the network. A frame communication format is employed where each node in the system is allocated a burst within each frame. The length of the bursts is controlled by the on-line master node to provide the communications channels in the network. Control information to and from the on-line master node is conveyed in the network via the satellite link in selected frame bursts. In this way, the on-line master node dynamically controls the topology of the satellite communications network.

Claims66

Dependent claims

A communication system, comprising:

(a) transmission means for transmitting a radio frequency signal in accordance with a first IF signal, and for providing a second IF signal in accordance with a received radio frequency signal;
(b) time division multiple access means for generating said first IF signal by assembling frames of first serial data, and for providing second serial data by disassembling said second IF signal;
(c) switch multiplexer means for supplying said first serial data from stored first parallel data under control of first control signals, and for providing second parallel data from said second serial data under control of second control signals;
(d) bus extension means for providing said stored first parallel data by storing first parallel data, and for providing stored second parallel data by storing said second parallel data;
(e) digital input/output means for supplying said first parallel data in accordance with first digital data, and for supplying second digital data in accordance with said stored second parallel data;
(f) conversion means for providing said first digital data in accordance with first analog signals, and for providing second analog signals in accordance with said second digital data;
and
(g) control means for providing said first and second control signals in accordance with input signals and a stored program.

5 more elements

A communications system, for use with a satellite, comprising a plurality of nodes, each of said nodes comprising:

(a) transmission means for transmitting a first radio frequency signal to the satellite in accordance wih a first IF signal, and for providing a second IF signal in accordance with a second radio frequency signal received from the satellite;
(b) TDMA means, coupled to said transmission means, for generating said first IF signal by providing bursts of first serial data, and for providing second serial data by disassembling said second IF signal;
(c) first bit map means for storing first routing data;
(d) second bit map means for storing second routing data;
(e) routing means, coupled to said TDMA means and to said first bit map means, for supplying said first serial data from first parallel data in accordance with said first routing data, and, coupled to said TDMA means and to said second bit map means, for providing second parallel data from said second serial data in accordance with said second routing data;
(f) a plurality of first interfaces and a plurality of second interfaces;
and
(g) first bus means, coupled to said routing means and to said plurality of first interfaces, for providing said first parallel data from said plurality of first interfaces, and, coupled to said routing means and to said plurality of second interfaces, for providing said second parallel data to said plurality of second interfaces.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.