Method, apparatus, and system for using a synchronous burst time plan in a communication network

A wireless communication network comprising:

• a hub;
• and
• a plurality of user nodes configured to communicate via a satellite with said hub,
• said hub including
• a processor configured to form a first frame,
• a transmitter configured to transmit to each of the user nodes, the first frame including a first control information,
• a receiver configured to receive a first respective data burst in a first frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the first control information, a start of the first frame time period from each of the user nodes occurring at the receiver simultaneously, wherein
• said processor is configured to form a second frame and said transmitter is configured to transmit the second frame to each of the user nodes immediately following the first frame, the second frame including a second control information,
• said receiver being configured to receive a second respective data burst in a second frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the second control information, a start of the second frame time period from each of the user nodes occurring at the hub simultaneously,
• the second respective data burst in the second frame time period being received at the receiver immediately following the first respective data burst in the first frame time period.

A hub for a wireless communication network, said wireless communications network including the hub, a plurality of user nodes and a satellite, comprising:

• a processor configured to form a first frame;
• a transmitter configured to transmit to each of the user nodes, the first frame including a first control information;
• a receiver configured to receive a first respective data burst in a first frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the first control information, a start of the first frame time period from each of the user nodes occurring at the receiver simultaneously, wherein
• said processor is configured to form a second frame and said transmitter is configured to transmit the second frame to each of the user nodes immediately following the first frame, the second frame including a second control information,
• said receiver being configured to receive a second respective data burst in a second frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the second control information, a start of the second frame time period from each of the user nodes occurring at the hub simultaneously, and
• the second respective data burst in the second frame time period being received at the receiver immediately following the first respective data burst in the first frame time period.

A wireless communication network comprising:

• a hub;
• and
• a plurality of user nodes configured to communicate via a satellite with said hub,
• said hub including
• means for forming a first frame,
• means for transmitting to each of the user nodes, the first frame including a first control information,
• means for receiving a first respective data burst in a first frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the first control information, a start of the first frame time period from each of the user nodes occurs simultaneously at the means for receiving,
• means for forming a second frame,
• said means for transmitting includes means for transmitting the second frame to each of the user nodes immediately following the first frame, the second frame including a second control information,
• said means for receiving including means for receiving a second respective data burst in a second frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the second control information, a start of the second frame time period from each of the user nodes occurs at the hub simultaneously,
• the second respective data burst in the second frame time period being received at the means for receiving immediately following the first respective data burst in the first frame time period.

A hub for a wireless communication network, said wireless communications network including the hub, a plurality of user nodes and a satellite, comprising:

• means for forming a first frame;
• means for transmitting to each of the user nodes, the first frame including a first control information;
• means for receiving a first respective data burst in a first frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the first control information, a start of the first frame time period from each of the user nodes occurs simultaneously at the means for receiving;
• and
• means for forming a second frame, wherein
• said means for transmitting includes means for transmitting the second frame to each of the user nodes immediately following the first frame, the second frame including a second control information,
• said means for receiving including means for receiving a second respective data burst in a second frame time period from each of the user nodes according to the second control information, a start of the second frame time period from each of the user nodes occurs simultaneously at the hub, and
• the second respective data burst in the second frame time period being received at the receiver immediately following the first respective data burst in the first frame time period.