Portable integrated satellite communications unit

A high speed teleconference station comprising:

• interface means for receiving a first analog signal and outputting a first digital signal;
• encoding/compressing means, coupled to said interface means, for encoding and compressing said first digital signal to produce a first compressed encoded signal;
• multiplexing/demultiplexing means, coupled to said encoding/compressing means, for receiving and splitting said first compressed encoded signal into at least two split first compressed encoded signals;
• at least two converting means, coupled to said multiplexing/demultiplexing means, for receiving a respective one of said at least two split first compressed encoded signals and respectively producing at least two first synchronous signals;
• and
• at least two CCIT units, each coupled to a respective one of said at least two converting means, for receiving a respective one of said at least two first synchronous signals and respectively outputting at least two high speed first synchronous signals to a high speed data link.

A method for transmitting teleconferencing information comprising the steps of:

• changing an analog signal to a digital signal using an interface;
• encoding and compressing said digital signal to produce a compressed encoded signal using an encoder/compressor;
• splitting said compressed encoded signal into at least two split compressed encoded signals using a demultiplexer;
• converting each of said at least two split compressed encoded signals into respective at least two synchronous signals using respective at least two converters;
• producing respective at least two high speed synchronous signals for said at least two synchronous signals using respective at least two CCIT devices;
• and
• transmitting said at least two high speed synchronous signals to a high speed data link.

A method for receiving teleconferencing information comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least two high speed synchronous signals from a high speed data link;
• producing respective at least two synchronous signals from said at least two high speed synchronous signals;
• converting said at least two synchronous signals to respective at least two split compressed encoded signals;
• combining said at least two split compressed encoded signals into a compressed encoded signal using a multiplexer;
• decoding and decompressing said compressed encoded signal to produce a digital signal;
• and
• changing said digital signal to an analog signal.

A method for transmitting and receiving teleconferencing information comprising the steps of:

• changing a first analog signal to a first digital signal using an interface;
• encoding and compressing said first digital signal to produce a first compressed encoded signal using an encoder/compressor;
• splitting said first compressed encoded signal into at least two split first compressed encoded signals using a demultiplexer;
• converting each of said at least two split first compressed encoded signals into respective at least two first synchronous signals using respective at least two converters;
• producing respective at least two high speed first synchronous encoded signals into respective at least two first synchronous signals using respective at least two converters;
• producing respective at least two high speed first synchronous signals for said at least two first synchronous signals using respective at least two CCIT devices;
• transmitting said at least two high speed first synchronous signals to a high speed data link;
• receiving at least two high speed second synchronous signals from the high speed data link;
• producing respective at least two second synchronous signals from said at least two high speed second synchronous signals;
• converting said at least two second synchronous signals to respective at least two split second compressed encoded signals;
• combining said at least two split second compressed encoded signals into a second compressed encoded signal using a multiplexer;
• decoding and decompressing said second compressed encoded signal to produce a second digital signal;
• and
• changing said second digital signal to a second analog signal.