Frame timing synchronization in a geostationary satellite system

A remote for communicating with a hub by way of a satellite, the satellite being operable to bi-directionally communicate with the hub and said remote, the hub having assigned a timeslot for communication with said remote,

• the hub being operable to transmit a request for a drift delay to said remote by way of the satellite and to transmit an estimated propagation delay to said remote by way of the satellite, the drift value being based on a difference between an initial timing reference and a subsequent timing reference as a result of a change of position of the satellite,
• said remote comprising:
• a communication portion operable to bi-directionally communicate with the satellite;
• a timing portion operable to determine a first remote offset time for communication with the hub by way of the satellite at a first time and to determine a second remote offset time for communication with the hub by way of the satellite at a second time;
• and
• a drift delay portion operable to determine a drift delay based on the first remote offset time and the second remote offset time;
• wherein said communication portion is further operable to receive the request for the drift value,
• wherein said communication portion is further operable to transmit the drift delay to the hub by way of the satellite,
• wherein said communication portion is further operable to receive the estimated propagation delay, and
• wherein said timing portion is further operable to generate a third remote offset time based on the second remote offset time and the estimated propagation delay.