Hughes Network Systems, LLC

Hughes Electronics Corporation

Belkin International, Inc.

Frank Kelly

Gabriel L Olariu

Douglas M Dillon

David Stuart Kloper

Roderick Ragland

Stan Kay

Matthew Baer

Mark Petronic

Robert Kepley

Dave Kloper

Matthew Stephen Reynolds

Shwetak N Patel

John Leonard Border

Karthik Yogeeswaran

Sidhant Gupta

Jack Rozmaryn

Vannin Gale

Kent G Iverson

Brian Van Harlingen

Paul Gaske

Daniel Friedman

Kasra Akhavan-Toyserkani

John Mark Norton

Khai Nguyen

Cliff Harris

In some embodiments, a system can be configured to communicate to and from a media device. The media device can include a first controller. The system can include: (a) a software module configured to run on the first controller; (b) a physical device module configured to run on the first controller; (c) a virtual host module configured to run on the first controller; and (e) a docking station having: (1) a second controller; (2) an electrical connector configured to couple to the media device; (3) a physical host module configured to run on the second controller; (4) a virtual device module configured to run on the second controller; and (5) one or more accessory devices configured to communicate with the media device using the virtual device module. In some examples, the physical host module and the physical device module are configured to establish a physical communications pipe between the media device and the docking station. The virtual host module and the virtual device module can be configured to establish a virtual communications pipe between the media device and the docking station using the physical communications pipe. Other embodiments are disclosed.

System for communicating between two electrical devices and method therefore

An approach for load balancing is disclosed. A user load is determined based upon data queued for transmission at each of the terminals. In addition, an inroute load corresponding to loading of inroutes serving the terminals is determined. A user-to-inroute distribution that minimizes variation of the inroute load is generated. The user-to-inroute distribution maps the user load to the inroutes. The user load is reassigned to the inroutes based on the determined user-to-inroute distribution. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Method and system for load balancing over a set of communication channels

An approach is provided for obtaining load of a terminal operating in a communication system. A query is transmitted for a cumulative load of the terminal, wherein the terminal belongs to a group of terminals having a common service level. The cumulative load for the terminal is determined based on load information supplied by the terminal and bandwidth allocation information, wherein the cumulative load represents a total amount of data sent over a communication channel of the communication system. The determined cumulative load is provided in response to the query. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Method and apparatus for assessing traffic load of a communication network

A communication system balances message traffic between return channel groups and within the groups, so that the user does not control the specific transmission frequency used. Uplink frequencies and bandwidths for the return channels are set by the system in a return channel control message in the broadcast signal so as to account for system and return channel group loading, and to account for user message backlogs. An initial transmission from a remote user may be made using an ALOHA-type burst signal that provides a message backlog to the control station, and is made on a frequency determined from a randomly weighted, load-based frequency selection process. The system, and not the individual users determine the frequency and channel allocations. For large backlogs or priority users, periodic bandwidth is provided. A method for balancing loads among and between groups of return channels in the communication system includes requesting return channel bandwidth in an uplink message from a remote user to a control station. The uplink message may include a both a backlog indicator and a bandwidth allocation request provided to a Network Operations Center (NOC) which can be used to set the return channel bandwidth and frequency for the remote uplink. A user message is transmitted on the designated return channel frequency using bandwidth allocated in accordance with the backlog indicator and a bandwidth allocation request so that traffic loads are maintained in balance between established return channel frequency groups, and within each return channel frequency group.

Apparatus and method for efficient TDMA bandwidth allocation for TCP/IP satellite-based networks

An approach is provided for supporting monitoring of network load. An allocation state is determined based on a bandwidth allocation value, a group load, and a guaranteed portion of capacity of a communication channel. The bandwidth allocation value specifies an actual amount of capacity of the communication channel allocated to one of a plurality of groups of terminals. The group load indicates loads of the terminals belonging to the one group. Capacity of the communication channel is assigned according to the determined allocation state. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Method and apparatus for providing quality of service guarantees using stateful monitoring of network load

An approach for providing secure access to inroutes or return channels in a radio communication system including a hub communicating with terminals is disclosed. A quality of service level (QoS) corresponding to one of the terminals is determined. An identifier is assigned to the one terminal for communicating over a set of return channels that are in the direction of the one terminal to the hub. The identifier associates a subset of the terminals with the QoS level; the subset includes the one terminal. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Method and apparatus for secure access to dedicated network resources

A two-way satellite communication system for providing a scalable architecture is disclosed. A plurality of transceivers transmit signals over a plurality of return channels, wherein the plurality of return channels are partitioned into a plurality of return channel groups. A hub communicates with the plurality of transceivers via the plurality of return channel groups. The hub is connected to a packet switched network. Each of the plurality of transceivers performs a random weighted selection of a return channel group among the plurality of return channel groups.

System and method for scaling a two-way satellite system

An approach is provided for supporting retrieval of a web page over a data network from a web site is disclosed. A downstream proxy communicating with a host executing a browser receives a request message from a browser to retrieve the web page. An upstream proxy parses the web page to determine an object embedded in the web page, wherein a promise list is generated specifying the embedded object that is to be pre-fetched according to a criterion. The promise list is transmitted to the downstream proxy, wherein the upstream proxy pre-fetches the embedded object from the web site. The upstream proxy determines whether to forward one of the pre-fetched embedded object to the downstream proxy based on a comparison of cookies associated with one of the pre-fetched objects supplied, respectively, by the browser and the web site. This approach as particular applicability in relatively high latency networks, such as a satellite communications system.

System and method for pre-fetching content in a proxy architecture

An approach is provided for managing bandwidth in a data network. Capacity is allocated on a communication channel, which can be utilized for transporting data traffic or support network administrative functions (e.g., ranging), for a terminal to transmit data over the communication channel. In anticipation of the terminal having to transmit additional data, additional capacity is allocated on the communication channel for the terminal prior to receiving a request for bandwidth by the terminal. The anticipatory allocation is determined according to loading of the data network. This approach as particular applicability to shared capacity systems, such as a satellite communication system.

Method and system for providing load-sensitive bandwidth allocation

A two-way satellite communication system is disclosed. A transceiver transmit signals over a return channel to a satellite and receives signals over a downlink channel from the satellite. A hub communicates with the transceiver over the return channel, wherein the hub provides connectivity between the transceiver and a packet switched network.

System and method for providing a two-way satellite system

A communications system includes a plurality of communications channels for transporting packets. The system also includes a gateway that is coupled to the communications channels. The gateway is configured to buffer a packet that is received over one of the communications channel from a first host in a queue and to determine a window value for maximizing transmission rate based upon occupancy of the queue. The gateway is configured to a second host according to a prescribed protocol to force use of the determined window value in the second host over another one of the communications channels. The present invention has particular applicability to an asymmetric bandwidth network, such as a two-way satellite system.

Method and system for improvement of network performance over asymmetic links

A communication apparatus that shares precise return channel uplink timing information includes a common symbol timing reference and one or more control stations that each transmit independent asynchronous DVB data streams which evenly share the common symbol timing. The control stations each include respective delay trackers to determine broadcast transmission delays associated with the particular control station and transmission path. Each broadcast data stream includes the same non real-time frame marker and a transmission delay message particular to the respective control station. A remote receiver receives one of the broadcast streams and timestamps the non real-time frame marker with a local time of receipt. A timing recovery circuit determines an upcoming return channel frame start time by adjusting the local time of receipt by the particular broadcast transmission delay and a unique receiver offset time. A local transmitter subsequently uplinks a TDMA message in a predetermined time-slot after the return channel frame start time. The method for transmitting a frame synchronized message includes receiving a non real-time frame reference marker in a receiver, timestamping the received frame reference marker with a reception time, and subsequently receiving a control node timing differential at the receiver. The local reception time of the non real-time frame marker is corrected to determine the proper return channel frame transmit start time by applying the control node timing differential and the local offset time. Users then uplink a message during an assigned period after the return channel frame transmit start time.

Method and apparatus for deriving uplink timing from asynchronous traffic across multiple transport streams

A system for managing return channel bandwidth in a two-way satellite communication network is disclosed. A plurality of transceivers transmit backlog information over a return channel via a satellite, wherein the backlog information specify an amount of queued traffic for the respective transceivers. A hub receives the backlog information and allocates a minimal amount of return channel bandwidth to each of the transceivers. The hub selectively sets a bandwidth level associated with the return channel bandwidth that is available based upon one of a plurality of predetermined bandwidth levels according to a predetermined criteria. The hub selectively allocates additional return channel bandwidth based upon the bandwidth level to the transceivers that require additional return channel bandwidth in excess of the allocated minimal amounts.

System and method for managing bandwidth in a two-way satellite system

An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way satellite communication system is disclosed. A receiving unit receives data from a user terminal. A transmitting unit is coupled to the receiving unit and transmits the data to an antenna. The data is transmitted over a return channel that is established over the satellite to a hub; the hub has connectivity to a packet switched network.

Growing community of inventors

Walkersville, MD, United States of America

Frank Kelly