Device and a method for transmitting communications in a satellite network using beam-hopping
A transceiver is provided which is configured to be used in a satellite communications network and adapted to superframes having variable lengths, wherein at least one of the received superframes has standard payload capacity units (P) and known symbols (D).
1. A method for use in a satellite communications network, comprising:
transmitting and/or receiving superframes according to a pre-scheduled beam hopping time plan having different dwell times of cells of a plurality of cells within said satellite communications network,
which superframes comprise payload capacity units and dummy symbols and have variable lengths, as defined by a number of payload capacity units (P) in a superframe,
wherein the method comprises
determining:
said number of payload capacity units (P) according to a dwell time for transmission of said superframe and according to a beam switching time;
a number of dummy symbols (D), according to said beam switching time by multiplying said beam switching time by said symbol rate, according to the following relationship equation:
D =(said dwell time)*(said symbol rate)−(said header length)−(said capacity unit size)*said number of payload units ( P ).
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining is according to a symbol rate.
3. The method according to claim 1 , comprising receiving a multi-carrier signal having different symbol rates per carrier;
wherein said determining, for each carrier, comprises determining said payload capacity units (P) according to a symbol rate of said carrier.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises determining said number of payload capacity units (P), according to the following relationship:
P =[((said dwell time-said beam switching time)*(said symbol rate)−a header length)/(a capacity unit size)].
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said transmitting comprises embedding regular DVB-S2/S2X frames within said superframe.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said transmitting comprises splitting a regular frame between two or more of said superframes.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dummy symbols comprise a dummy symbol header.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said dummy symbol header is as defined in the DVB-S2X Annex E, format 4, 5, 6, or 7 Communication Standard.
9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said transmitting is by a transmitter;
wherein said method comprises turning off said transmitter once said dummy symbol header has been transmitted.
10. The method according to claim 1 , comprising receiving said superframe,
wherein said receiving comprises identifying an end of said superframe by recognizing a dummy frame header.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of beam hopping, wherein said receiving is by a receiver of said satellite communications network, wherein said dwell time is not known in advance to said receiver.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said superframe comprises a synchronization preamble, followed by a said payload capacity units and ending with a postamble.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein said synchronization preamble includes a SOH header, and wherein said postamble is an EOH postamble.
14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein said payload capacity units are in a form of DVB-S2X PLFRAMEs wherein said determining comprises determining a number and type of PLFRAMES according to communications traffic being conveyed, and according to types of terminals located within an illuminated cell of said plurality of cells.
15. A transceiver for a satellite communications network having a plurality of cells employing a pre-scheduled beam hopping time plan having different dwell times for cells of the plurality of cells, which transceiver is configured to:
transmit and/or receive superframes comprising payload capacity units and dummy symbols and having variable lengths, by determining:
a number of payload capacity units (P) in a superframe, according to a dwell time for transmission of said superframe and according to a beam switching time;
a number of dummy symbols (D), according to said beam switching time by multiplying said beam switching time by said symbol rate, according to the following relationship equation:
D =(said dwell time)*(said symbol rate)−(said header length)−(said capacity unit size)*said number of payload units ( P ).
16. The transceiver according to claim 15 , wherein said determining is according to a symbol rate.
17. The transceiver according to claim 15 , wherein said transceiver is configured to receive a multi-carrier signal having different symbol rates per carrier;
wherein said determining, for each carrier, comprises determining said payload capacity units (P) according to a symbol rate of said carrier.
18. The transceiver according to claim 15 , wherein said determining comprises determining said number of payload capacity units (P), according to the following relationship:
P
=
⌊
(
said
dwell
time
-
said
beam
switching
time
)
*
(
said
symbol
rate
)
-
a
header
length
a
capacity
unit
size
⌋
.
19. The transceiver according to claim 15 , wherein said transceiver is configured embed regular DVB-S2/S2X frames within said superframe.
20. The transceiver according to claim 15 , wherein said transceiver is configured to transmit superframes by splitting a regular frame between two or more of said superframes.