Patent ID: 7577116
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling the operation of a time division multiple access (TDMA) satellite communication network, wherein a plurality of communication devices communicate with one another over a satellite communication link with a communication satellite during respective timeslots of successive TDMA frames, said method comprising the steps of: (a) generating a respective TDMA frame as a plurality of frame synchronization reference timeslot segments, during which TDMA frame synchronization bursts are transmitted, and a plurality of voice/data channel timeslot segments, during which said plurality of communication devices may conduct voice/data channel communications with one another, wherein respective individual frame synchronization reference timeslot segments are temporally spaced apart from one another by respective individual voice/data channel timeslot segments; and (b) causing one of said plurality of communication devices to conduct voice/data communications over said satellite communication link with another of said communication devices during one of said plurality of voice/data channel timeslot segments of said TDMA frame generated in step (a), and further comprising storing, at a respective communication device, a plurality of respectively different TDMA frame formats, each of which conforms with said TDMA frame generated in step (a), but having respectively different allocations of voice/data channel timeslots within said plurality of voice/data channel timeslot segments of said TDMA frame, and causing said one of said plurality of communication devices to conduct voice/data communications over said satellite communication link with another of said communication devices, during a voice/channel timeslot of a voice/data channel timeslot segment of a selected one of said respectively different TDMA frame formats.