US 8,077,652 B2 · MF-TDMA frequency hopping

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are described for scheduling and mapping upstream communications in a satellite communications system. The disclosure includes various channelization and frequency hopping techniques. A gateway is described to perform novel allocation of time slots on upstream frequency channels to allow frequency hopping. A subscriber terminal may perform frequency hopping according to the allocation, and the range may be limited to the transition range of a digitally controlled oscillator unit at the subscriber terminal. A gateway is described to allocate time slots on different upstream frequency channels in a prioritized manner. Subscriber terminals may receive the allocation, and then control the assignment of their upstream traffic to the time slots.

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Claims36

Dependent claims

A device for generation of wireless upstream signals for satellite communications, the device comprising:

an analog frequency synthesizer configured to tune an output signal to a frequency within an upstream satellite communications frequency range;
a digitally controlled oscillator, communicatively coupled with the analog frequency synthesizer, and configured to vary the output signal among a set of carrier frequencies within a subset of the upstream satellite communications frequency range;
a receiver configured to receive data mapping the wireless upstream signals to different ones of the set of carrier frequencies in a series of time slots, the mapping limited to carrier frequencies within the subset of the frequency range;
and
a processor, communicatively coupled with the digitally controlled oscillator and the receiver, and configured to control the digitally controlled oscillator to cause the output signal to hop between carrier frequencies according to the received data.

2 more elements

A device for allocating time slots on a plurality of frequency channels for upstream satellite communications to a plurality of respective user terminals, the device comprising:

a monitor configured to:
monitor a traffic load on the plurality of frequency channels;
and
determine that the traffic load on a first frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels exceeds a first threshold capacity;
a scheduler, communicatively coupled with the monitor, and configured to:
identify a first user terminal of the plurality of respective user terminals, the first user terminal transmitting upstream on the first frequency channel;
select a second frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels, the second frequency channel selected at least in part because the first user terminal is configured with a digitally controlled oscillator capable of transitioning between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel;
allocate a first plurality of time slots in the first frequency channel to the first user terminal;
and
allocate a second plurality of time slots in the second frequency channel to the first user terminal, the second of plurality of time slots different from the first plurality of time slots and allocated so as to allow the first user terminal to hop between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel for respective time slot allocations;
and
a transmitter, communicatively coupled with the scheduler, and configured to transmit data directed at the first user terminal, the data comprising the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots.

9 more elements

A method of allocating time slots on a plurality of frequency channels for upstream satellite communications, the method comprising:

determining that a traffic load on a first frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels exceeds a first threshold capacity;
identifying a user terminal transmitting upstream on the first frequency channel;
selecting a second frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels, the second frequency channel selected at least in part because the user terminal is configured with a digitally controlled oscillator configured to transition between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel;
allocating a first plurality of time slots in the first frequency channel to the user terminal;
and
allocating a second plurality of time slots in the second frequency channel to the user terminal, the second plurality of time slots different from the first plurality of time slots,
wherein the first and the second pluralities of time slots are allocated to allow the user terminal to hop between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel for respective time slot allocations.

4 more elements

A system for allocating time slots in frequency channels for upstream satellite communications, the system comprising:

a gateway configured to:
monitor a traffic load on the plurality of frequency channels;
determine that the traffic load on a first frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels exceeds a first threshold capacity;
and
select a second frequency channel of the plurality of frequency channels, the second frequency channel selected at least in part because a user terminal using the first frequency channel is configured with a digitally controlled oscillator to transition between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel;
allocate a first plurality of time slots in the first frequency channel to the user terminal;
allocate a second plurality of time slots in the second frequency channel to the user terminal, the second plurality of time slots different from the first plurality of time slots and allocated so as to allow the user terminal to hop between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel for respective time slot allocations;
and
transmit mapping data including the first plurality of time slots and the second plurality of time slots directed at the user terminal via a satellite;
the satellite, in wireless communication with the gateway device and the user terminal, and configured to receive the transmitted data and retransmit the received data to the user terminal;
and
the user terminal configured to:
receive the retransmitted data;
and
hop between the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel according to the received mapping data.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description14,553 words

Summary488 words

#Consumer broadband satellite services are gaining traction in North America with the start-up of star network services using Ka band satellites. While such first generation satellite systems may provide multi-gigabit per second (Gbps) per satellite overall capacity, the design of such systems inherently limits the number of customers that may be adequately served. Moreover, the fact that the capacity is split across numerous coverage areas further limits the bandwidth to each subscriber.

#While existing designs have certain capacity limitations, the demand for such broadband services continues to grow. The past few years have seen strong advances in communications and processing technology. This underlying technology, in conjunction with selected novel upstream scheduling techniques, may be utilized for satellite communications systems and components configured to address this demand.

#Systems, methods, and devices are described for scheduling and mapping upstream communications in a satellite communications system. Embodiments of the invention include various channelization and frequency hopping techniques.

Brief description of the drawings19 figures

#A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a satellite communications system configured according to various embodiments of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a ground system of gateways configured according to various embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description13,610 words

#Systems, methods, and devices are described for scheduling upstream satellite communications. Various mapping, channelization, and frequency hopping techniques are described for upstream satellite signals. The description herein provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

#Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different than that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner.

#It should also be appreciated that the following systems, methods, and software may individually or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. Also, a number of steps may be required before, after, or concurrently with the following embodiments.

Facts

Application

12/174,676Filed 17 Jul 2008 · continuation

Priority

3 Oct 2006

Published

US 2009/0016260 A115 Jan 2009

Granted

13 Dec 2011

Term ends

4 Sep 2029

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 709 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

H04B 7/18582
Satellite systems for providing broadband data service to individual earth stations: arrangements for data linking, i.e. for data framing, for…
H04B
Transmission

Family

Application60/827,999Us provisional application · filed 3 Oct 2006

Application60/827,994Us provisional application · filed 3 Oct 2006

PCT/US2007/079541Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Sep 2007

US 2009/0016260 A1Pre-grant publication · published 15 Jan 2009

US 8,077,652 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

3 Oct 2006Priority claimedParent application 60/827,999
17 Jul 2008Application filedUS 12/174,676
24 Sep 2008Assigned to Viasat, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
15 Jan 2009PublishedUS 2009/0016260 A1
13 Dec 2011GrantedUS 8,077,652 B2
9 May 2012Assigned to Union Bank, N.A.security agreement
27 Mar 2019Assigned to Wilmington Trust, National Association, AS Collateral Trusteesecurity interest
7 Mar 2022Assigned to Bank of America, N.A.security agreement
1 Jun 2023Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Agentsecurity agreement
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
4 Sep 2029Term endsEstimated, includes 709 days of adjustment

MF-TDMA frequency hopping

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MF-TDMA frequency hopping

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims36

Description14,553 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description14,553 words