Frame format and frame assembling/disassembling method for the frame format

A gateway device for assembling a frame including packet-formatted data according to a predetermined frame format for transmission in a communication signal in a satellite system, the gateway device comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a measured link quality from a receiving terminal;
• a selector, communicatively coupled with the receiver, and configured to select a code rate to be used according to the measured link quality;
• an encoder, communicatively coupled with the selector, and configured to:
• assemble a data payload for the frame having a first variable size, the first variable size adapted according to the selected code rate;
• and
• generate a block code used for error correction and having a second variable size, the second variable size adapted according to the selected code rate;
• a frame assembler, communicatively coupled with the encoder, and configured to:
• provide a frame header which defines aspects of the frame;
• combine the data payload, the block code and the format header to form a corresponding frame;
• and
• a transmitter, communicatively coupled with the frame assembler, and configured to transmit the assembled frame to the receiving terminal,
• wherein the selector is further configured to adaptively change the selected code rate based on a change in the measured link quality, and the encoder is further configured to identify a changed first variable size and a changed second variable size responsive to the changed code rate, wherein the changed first variable size and the changed second variable size are identified so that a size of the frame remains constant.

A device for assembling a frame including packet-formatted data according to a predetermined frame format for transmission in a communication signal in a satellite system, the device comprising:

• means for receiving, at a transmitting terminal, a measured link quality from a receiving terminal comprising a destination for the frame;
• means for selecting a code rate to be used according to the measured link quality;
• means for assembling a data payload for the frame having a first variable size, the first variable size adapted according to the selected code rate;
• means for generating a block code used for error correction and having a second variable size, the second variable size adapted according to the selected code rate;
• means for providing a frame header which defines aspects of the frame;
• means for combining the data payload, the block code, and the frame header to form a corresponding frame;
• means for transmitting the assembled frame from the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal;
• means for adaptively changing the selected code rate based on an improvement in the measured link quality;
• and
• means for identifying an increased first variable size and a decreased second variable size responsive to the changed code rate so a size of the frame size remains constant.

A satellite communications system for assembling and disassembling a frame including packet-formatted data according to a predetermined frame format, the system comprising:

• a gateway terminal configured to:
• receive a measured link quality from a receiving terminal;
• select a code rate to be used according to the measured link quality;
• assemble a data payload for the frame having a first variable size, the first variable size adapted according to the selected code rate;
• generate a block code used for error correction and having a second variable size, the second variable size adapted according to the selected code rate;
• provide a frame header which defines aspects of the frame;
• combine the data payload, the block code, and the frame header to form the frame;
• and
• transmit the frame in a wireless communications signal directed to the receiving terminal;
• and
• a receiving terminal, in communication with the gateway terminal via satellite, and configured to:
• receive the frame via the satellite;
• decode the frame header to identify the selected code rate;
• and
• decode the data payload using the block code and the selected code rate,
• wherein the gateway terminal is further configured to:
• adaptively change the selected code rate based on a change in the measured link quality transmitted from the receiving terminal via satellite;
• and
• identify a changed first variable size and a changed second variable size responsive to the changed code rate so that a size of the frame remains constant.