Patent ID: 8259604
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A satellite communication method comprising: receiving signals at a hub from a plurality of terminals through a satellite, each of the signals being segmented into a plurality of timeslots; determining at the hub that a terminal within the plurality of terminals should transmit a dummy burst to the hub; at the hub, allocating capacity for the terminal to transmit a dummy burst; receiving a burst from the terminal within one of the plurality of timeslots, wherein the burst comprises the dummy burst if it is determined, at the terminal, that the terminal should transmit the dummy burst, or the burst comprises a traffic burst if it is determined, at the terminal, that the terminal should not transmit the dummy burst; estimating a received signal quality of the burst at the hub; and when the received signal quality is less than a first signal quality value, communicating an indication to the terminal to change at least one communication parameter.