Patent ID: 6272345
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A satellite communication system comprising:a nongeostationary earth orbit (NGSO) satellite;a plurality of communication units (CUs);means for dividing the earth into a plurality of regions, said plurality of regions having a geographical area which is selected that substantially all of said plurality of CUs within said geographical area can be handed-off as a group having more than one of said plurality of CUs;a processor residing in said plurality of CUs, said processors capable of correlating a first group having more than one of said plurality of CUs to a first region of said plurality of regions;means for determining a time to hand-off said first group of said plurality of CUs correlated with said first region of said plurality of regions;means for directing handing-off of substantially all CUs of said first group of said plurality of CUs correlated in said first region of said plurality of regions at about said time to hand-off; andsaid means for directing hand-off of substantially all CUs of said first group resides within said at least one NGSO satellite and comprises means for sending, residing within said NGSO satellite, a single message to affect said hand-off of substantially all CUs.