Patent ID: 8675634

Claim:
A system for synchronizing timing for mesh satellite communications, the system comprising: a user terminal configured to: transmit one or more first signals to the satellite; receive the one or more first signals from the satellite via a mesh communication path; and transmit a time measurement identifying transmit time between the user terminal and the satellite; and a gateway, in communication with the user terminal via satellite, configured to: receive the time measurement identifying transmit time between the user terminal and the satellite; use the received time measurement to calculate a change in distance between the gateway and the satellite; and adjust, responsive to the change in distance between the gateway and the satellite, one or more signals of: a first set of control signals to set a start of receive frame for the user terminal; or a second set of control signals to set a start of transmit frame for the user terminal, the adjustment set to synchronize timing for mesh satellite communications.