Patent ID: 6771977
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A satellite communications system that supports both voice communication and data communication comprising a ground earth station segment, a satellite segment, and an airborne earth station segment, wherein said airborne earth station segment comprises:a power amplifier for providing signals to an antenna, a management unit for managing power levels of said power amplifier wherein said power levels include a normal level for use during simultaneous voice and data, transmission; said management unit responsive to requests for voice calls wherein one of said requests is an emergency voice call; said management unit further for terminating said voice communications when said emergency voice call is present and said power levels are insufficient to support voice and data communications; said management unit further for terminating said data communications when said emergency voice call is present and said power levels are insufficient to support the emergency voice call and data communications; and said management unit increases drive power to said power amplifier to a level above said normal level for use during an emergency voice call.