Patent ID: 6208626
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A control communication method for a satellite communication system having a central earth station and a plurality of remote earth stations linked to the central earth station through at least one satellite in orbit above the earth, the method comprising:synchronizing a timing in the central earth station and the plurality of remote earth stations such that a predetermined control time period having a plurality of distinct sequential time slots is synchronized among the central earth station and the remote earth stations;initiating from a respective remote earth station, and completing, a transmission of control information through the satellite to the central earth station only during a respective one or more of the time slots assigned to the respective remote earth station;receiving the transmission at the central earth station; andsending from the central earth station, in response to the received transmission, a separate transmission of data through the satellite to the remote earth station;determining a substantially real-time response time period for the respective central earth station and remote earth stations, wherein the control time period is not longer than the substantially real-time response time period; anddetermining the number of time slots that can be assigned to remote earth stations for the control time period that is not longer than the determined substantially real-time response time period.