Patent ID: 8265549

Claim:
A processor for use in a satellite communications system, the processor comprising: a selector that is configured to select a subset of a plurality of signals that are received at a satellite; and a detector that is configured to detect a transmission of a terminal responsive to the selected subset of the plurality of signals; wherein the selector and the detector are positioned at a distance from the satellite and wherein the subset of the plurality of signals is selected by the selector responsive to a location of the terminal, and wherein the selector is configured to select a first subset of the plurality of signals responsive to a transmission of the terminal, wherein the detector is configured to associate location information with the terminal responsive to the first subset of the plurality of signals, wherein the selector is further configured to select a second subset of the plurality of signals responsive to the location information, and wherein the detector is further configured to detect a subsequent transmission of the terminal responsive to the second subset of the plurality of signals.