Patent ID: 8340013

Claim:
A method for assembling a frame including packet-formatted data according to a predetermined frame format for transmission in a communication signal in a satellite system, the method comprising: receiving, at a transmitting terminal, a measured link quality from a receiving terminal; selecting a code rate to be used according to the measured link quality; assembling a data payload for the frame having a first variable size, the first variable size adapted according to the selected code rate; generating a block code used for error correction and having a second variable size, the second variable size adapted according to the selected code rate; providing a frame header which defines aspects of the frame; combining the data payload, the block code, and the frame header to form the frame; transmitting the frame from the transmitting terminal directed to the receiving terminal via the satellite; adaptively changing the selected code rate based on a change in the measured link quality; identifying a changed first variable size responsive to the changed code rate; and identifying a changed second variable size responsive to the changed code rate, wherein a size of the frame remains constant.