Communication system and method for transmitting signals to a plurality of different types of receivers

A communication system comprising:

• at least one transmitter that transmits a combined high priority signal and low priority signal, wherein the low priority signal is an enhancement to the high priority signal, wherein said combined high priority and low priority signals are orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (OFDM), such that said combined high priority and low priority signals are transmitted by multiple transmitters transmitting the same signal over the same frequency;
• at least one geostationary (GEO) satellite in communication with said at least one transmitter, wherein said at least one satellite receives from said at least one transmitter and re-transmits said combined high priority and said low priority signals;
• at least one terrestrial repeater in communication with said at least one transmitter, wherein said terrestrial repeater receives and re-transmits said combined high priority signal and low priority signal;
• and
• a plurality of receivers comprising a handheld receiver configured to process only the high priority signal and a mobile receiver used on a vehicle is configured to process said combined high priority signal and low priority signal, wherein said handheld receiver emits an output signal based upon only the high priority signal, and said mobile receiver emits an output signal based upon said combined high priority signal and low priority signal, wherein said first receiver is equipped with a first antenna characterized as having a first size, and said second receiver is equipped with a second antenna characterized as having a second size greater than the first size.

A method of communicating signals to a plurality of different types of receivers, said method comprising the steps of:

• combining a high priority signal and a low priority signal, wherein said low priority signal is an enhancement to said high priority signal;
• transmitting said combined high priority signal and said low priority signal by multiple transmitters transmitting the same signal over the same frequency;
• receiving and re-transmitting at least one of said combined high priority and low priority signals by at least one satellite;
• receiving at least one of said combined high priority signal and low priority signal by a plurality of receivers, wherein said plurality of receivers comprise a first receiver configured to process only said high priority signal and a second receiver configured to process said high priority and said low priority signals, wherein said first receiver is equipped with a first antenna characterized as having a first size, and said second receiver is equipped with a second antenna characterized as having a second size greater than the first size;
• emitting an output signal by said first receiver based upon only said high priority signal;
• and
• emitting an output signal by said second receiver based upon said combined high priority signal and low priority signal.