Multiple return link
View Patent ↗A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, multiple return links are associated with a single forward link to reduce communications costs.
1. A satellite communications method, comprising:
transmitting a message to a plurality of mobile terminals in a first direction on a satellite link, the message including a common request for an updated sensor reading from each of the plurality of mobile terminals; and
receiving, from the plurality of mobile terminals in response to the common request for an updated sensor reading, a plurality of sensor reading update reports on a respective plurality of different frequencies in a second direction on the satellite link, wherein a first of the plurality of sensor reading update reports from a first of the plurality of mobile terminals includes sensor information based on readings by a sensor supported by the first of the plurality of mobile terminals;
wherein the plurality of sensor reading update reports in the second direction occur after a fixed delay after the message in the first direction.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a position sensor.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensor reading update reports include GPS code phase information.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixed delay is based on a time for the first of the plurality of mobile terminals to acquire the sensor information based on readings by the sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message is carried on a time division multiple access slot.
6. A satellite communications system, comprising:
a transmitter that is configured to transmit a message to a plurality of mobile terminals in a first direction on a satellite link, the message including a common request for an updated sensor reading from each of the plurality of mobile terminals; and
a receiver that is configured to receive, from the plurality of mobile terminals in response to the common request for an updated sensor reading, a plurality of sensor reading update reports on a respective plurality of different frequencies in a second direction on the satellite link, wherein a first of the plurality of sensor reading update reports from a first of the plurality of mobile terminals includes sensor information based on readings by a sensor supported by the first of the plurality of mobile terminals,
wherein the plurality of sensor reading update reports in the second direction occur after a fixed delay after the message in the first direction.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is a position sensor.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sensor reading update reports include GPS code phase information.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the fixed delay is based on a time for the first of the plurality of mobile terminals to acquire the sensor information based on readings by the sensor.
10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the message is carried on a time division multiple access slot.