Patent ID: 6519262
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A time division multiplex (TDM) communication system for broadcasting to a plurality of receivers, said TDM communication system comprising:a first satellite transmitter operable to broadcast a first signal into a first coverage area, said first transmitter allocated a first TDM time block having a first guard time; and a second terrestrial transmitter operable to broadcast a second signal into a second coverage area which at least partially overlaps said first coverage area, said second transmitter allocated a second TDM time block having a second guard time, said first and second TDM time blocks forming at least a portion of a TDM repeat interval, said first and second guard times selected based upon signal time of arrival variations between said first and second transmitters, wherein said first transmitter broadcasts said first signal during said first TDM time block and said second transmitter broadcasts said second signal during said second TDM time block.