The Directv Group, Inc.

Hughes Electronics Corporation

Paul R Anderson

Ernest C Chen

Joseph Santoru

Tammy G Liu

Irving Rabowsky

Systems and methods are disclosed for feeder link configurations to layered modulation. One feeder link system employs feeder link spot beam to antennas in distinct coverage areas to enable frequency reuse. Another system employs narrow beam width feeder link antenna to illuminate individual satellites also enabling frequency reuse. Yet another system uses layered modulation in the feeder link. Another feeder link system employs a higher order synchronous modulation for the satellite feeder link than is used in the layered modulation downlink signals.

Feeder link configurations to support layered modulation for digital signals

A method for generating a set of random numbers with statistics represented by a cumulative density function includes generating a set of uniformly spaced samples between an upper limit and a lower limit. Each of the uniformly spaced samples are then mapped to a corresponding value on a cumulative density function curve. The set of uniformly spaced samples are then scrambled to randomize the samples. Companding may also be incorporated in the sample generation process.

Sample generation method and system for digital simulation processes

An apparatus for simultaneously receiving a first signal from a non-terrestrial source and a second signal from a terrestrial source on the same or overlapping channels using a receive antenna with posteriorly-directed sidelobes is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one terrestrial transmitter transmitting information on at least one frequency simultaneously usable by at least one satellite transmitting to a satellite receive antenna having a sensitivity characterizable by a primary sensitive axis directed substantially at satellite. The terrestrial transmitter includes a azimuthal gain characteristic directed substantially away from the Earth's Equator. In an alternative embodiment, the terrestrial transmitter is disposed at a location defining a vector angularly displaced from the primary sensitive axis by an angle of less than 90 degrees. A method of transmitting information is also disclosed. In this method the information is transmitted on at least one frequency simultaneously usable by at least one satellite transmitting to a satellite receive antenna having a sensitivity characterizable by a primary sensitive axis directed substantially at the satellite and a posterior secondary sensitive axis. The method is performed by transmitting the information from a terrestrially-based transmitter to a terrestrial receive antenna in a direction substantially away from the Equator.

Method and apparatus for mitigating interference from terrestrial broadcasts sharing the same channel with satellite broadcasts using an antenna with posterior sidelobes

A method for generating a set of random numbers with statistics represented by a cumulative density function (CDF) includes generating a set of uniformly spaced samples between an upper limit and a lower limit. Each of the uniformly spaced samples are then mapped to a corresponding value on a cumulative density function curve. The set of uniformly spaced samples are then scrambled to randomize the samples. Companding may also be incorporated in the sample generation process.

A method and apparatus transmitting a layered modulation signal having a first signal layer having first signal symbols and a second signal layer having second signal symbols is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining a first signal layer modulation carrier power Cat least in part according to a first signal layer clear sky margin Mand a first signal layer availability, determining an second signal layer modulation carrier power Cat least in part according to an second signal layer clear sky margin Mand an second signal layer availability, modulating the first signal symbols according to a first carrier at the determined first signal layer modulation carrier power; modulating the second signal symbols according to a second carrier at the determined second signal layer modulation carrier power, and transmitting the two layers independently.

Method and apparatus for tailoring carrier power requirements according to availability in layered modulation systems

A method and device for monitoring a multi-program data stream. The data stream preferably contains digital packets multiplexed from different data and control channels. A service information channel or program guide is available from the data stream to identify the various channels and the associated packets in the data stream. The packet stream analyzer verifies the program guide and the contents of the program guide against the packets found in the packet stream. The semantics and sequencing of packets can also be verified. Verification errors can be recorded and displayed via an interface computer.

Method and apparatus for analyzing digital multi-program transmission

A method and device for aligning a satellite receiver antenna with a broadcast satellite is disclosed herein. The device includes a receiver for measuring a signal strength from the satellite and issuing commands based on the measurement, a receiver antenna capable of automatically changing its alignment, and a rough alignment indicator located remotely from the receiver for signalling when the antenna is pointed sufficiently toward the satellite allow the receiver to maximize the signal strength by aligning the antenna with the satellite via commands from the receiver. The method includes placing the receiver antenna on a stable surface, manually pointing the antenna in the direction of the satellite until an indicator signals that the antenna is preliminarily aligned, fixing the receiver antenna to the stable surface, and activating a device remote from the antenna to automatically perform final alignment of the antenna with the satellite.

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Hermosa Beach, CA, United States of America

Paul R Anderson