Patent ID: 6108318
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H04B,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A satellite-based telecommunications system having a multiplicity of user terminals and a terrestrially-based network, said user terminals and said network being in communication with a satellite of said system, said user terminals and said network each having a plurality of protocol parameters governing said communication, said system comprising:a first of said multiplicity of user terminals, said first user terminal, upon establishing a first connection with said network via a first channel on said satellite, synchronizing said plurality of protocol parameters therein with said network;a second of said multiplicity of user terminals, said second user terminal, upon establishing a second connection within said network via a second channel on said satellite, synchronizing said plurality of protocol parameters therein with said network;synchronization means, upon establishing a common channel on said satellite between said first and second user terminals, for synchronizing said plurality of protocol parameters for said first user terminal with the corresponding plurality of protocol parameters for said second user terminal across a third, single-hop connection via said satellite, said plurality of protocol parameters comprising at least one frame counter, said synchronization means being within said first and second user terminals,wherein said protocol parameters comprise DL frame control data, said control data in one configuration indicating a user terminal mode, and said control data in a second configuraiton indicating a network mode.