Patent ID: 6366761
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method of allocating bandwidth for uplink transmission of one or more data packets in a non-geosynchronous orbit (NGSO) satellite data communication network, comprising:(a) generating a bandwidth request message requesting allocation of an amount of bandwidth to a ground terminal for uplink transmission of one or more data packets, each of the one or more data packets individually having a priority status assigned thereto, the bandwidth request message identifying the priority status of the data packets for which bandwidth is sought; (b) transmitting the bandwidth request message to a bandwidth allocation processing unit; (c) processing the bandwidth request message at the bandwidth allocation processing unit to allocate bandwidth to the ground terminal in accordance with the priority status identified in the bandwidth request message, the processing producing an allocation outcome; (d) generating a bandwidth allocation response reporting the allocation outcome; and (e) transmitting the bandwidth allocation response to the ground terminal.