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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to communications systems and more
specifically to code position modulation multiple access schemes that use
maximal length codes and exist to support several simultaneous users.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Radio communications system have evolved numerous ways to modulate
information on a radio carrier. Amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation
are some of the most common scheme. Both analog and digital techniques are
used to communicate voice, video and computer data. The digital techniques
are especially suited to computer data. Basically, communicating
information over a radio carrier involves modulating the carrier. Some
transmitted energy will be dispersed into sidebands by the modulation and
it is these sidebands that carry the information. More power can be put
into the sidebands if the carrier, which carries no information generally,
it suppressed or eliminated. Similarly, only one of the two sidebands is
strictly necessary, so single sideband (SSB) is an effective use of
transmitter power.
Satellite communications are usually constrained by relatively low power
levels because the generation of high power levels in an orbiting
satellite is expensive and difficult to sustain. A class of communications
called spread spectrum is particularly suited to satellite communications
because it allows very small aperture (broad beam) antennas to be used on
the ground without excessive interference to adjacent satellites other
than the desired satellite. Spread spectrum communication uses the
modulation to spread the radio carrier over a very wide range of
frequencies.
Spread spectrum techniques have no special advantage or disadvantage with
respect to operation under natural background noise conditions, except for
the unique waveform of the present invention. A difficulty in all code
division multiple access (CDMA) systems is control of the cross-user
interference, which is the degrading or noise-like effects of undesired
user signals on the signal to be received. To address a need for multiple
user spread spectrum communication, code division multiple access (CDMA)
evolved. However, cross-user noise remains a significant problem area in
CDMA communications.
Horwitz describes in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,523, issued Feb. 17, 1987, a way
to improve the signal-to-noise radio in a CDMA receiver using a direct
sequence spread spectrum wherein a plurality of transmitter and at least
one receiver are synchronized to a common timing source. Each transmitter
sends a data signal spread by a bipolar pseudo-random code which is a
different assigned shift of a common bipolar code sequence. The receiver
has a plurality of correlation detectors, each generating two local
bipolar pseudo-random codes that are replicas of the transmitter codes.
One of the locally generated codes has the same code sequence shift as the
code assigned to the predetermined transmitter. Horwitz notes that in
spread spectrum communications spreading of the signal bandwidth beyond
the bandwidth normally required for data being transmitted is done by
phase shift keyed (PSK) modulating a carrier waveform by the data to be
transmitted. Then the resultant signal is modulated by a reference
pseudo-random code of length L running at a repetition rate which is
normally twice the data rate. Demodulating involves heterodyning or
multiplying the signal by the same reference code used to spread the
composite transmission. Assuming that the transmitted and locally
generated receiver codes are synchronous, the carrier inversions caused by
the code PSK modulation are removed and the original base-band modulated
carrier is restored by the receiver.
Another way to support users is to separate them by assigning each a time
slot period for communication. Such a scheme has been commonly used in
satellite communications system. For example, Gilhousen, et al., were
issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,170, on Dec. 18, 1990, which describes a
message communication system having centralized communication stations
that transmit messages through earth orbit repeater satellites to/from
mobile terminals. The communication system uses time division multiple
access (TDMA) with a number of channels designated address channels and
the remaining channels used for data transfer. A primary problem of TDMA
for small users is that since transmission is accomplished in a short,
high-speed burst, the peak radio power must be high. In general, small,
light-weight solid-state electronics are not able to generate transmit
power this way.
CDMA systems can not support as many users as the number of code
perturbations would seem to indicate as possible because of cross-user
noise. Before all possible codes are being used, the cross-user noise
becomes so great that all users' signals are degraded to the point of
being unusable. Codes interact differently, depending on the particular
codes involved. A great deal of study and experimentation has resulted in
a limited set of codes and code combinations being preferred. The
combinations that work best together are known to those skilled in the art
as Gold Codes. The limited number of known Gold Codes constrains how many
users can share the same channel, albeit with different codes. The
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to the cross-correlation of many codes
against the desired receiver code does not exceed
##EQU1##
where k is the number of simultaneous users and n is the length of the
code. For example, with a code length of 511, the best possible SNR for
ten simultaneous users is 3.5 dB. The number of Gold Codes that can
actually be simultaneously used is insufficient for the number of
simultaneous users in the field that are desirable to deploy, primarily
because of cross-user interference.
A system and method of CDMA communication is needed that greatly expands
the number of users possible in a single environment and that improves the
signal separation between users and does not degrade the performance under
natural background noise conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
communication system that expands the capabilities of spread spectrum CDMA
communication in multi-user environments, beyond the performance limits of
conventional CDMA.
Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
communications system for multiple users sharing the same maximal length
code (MLC) in a multiple access environment. A 1023 chip length code is
transmitted with reference to a time period that repeats every time after
1023 chips have been transmitted. All transmitters and receivers have a
source of coordinated time such as the global positioning system (GPS).
The MLC will begin each time period with the n.sup.th chip, where n
depends on the data to be sent and which user is transmitting it. The
chips belonging to the MLC that were not sent at the beginning of a time
period are sent at the end to complete the MLC each time period in a wrap
around fashion. Each time period can be arbitrarily divided into
subsections embracing, for example, sixteen chip times. When so divided,
more than sixty subsections are possible from one 1023 chip MLC.
Respective users having separate time reference sources are each assigned
a subsection. If the transmitted MLC begins on one of the sixteen chip
time slots in a particular user's assigned subsection, the chip time slot
that the MLC does begin on will be interpreted as communicating four bits
of data, 0000 . . . 1111.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system that
supports substantially more users with greater separation than has
previously been possible.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system in
which the simultaneous user SNR is
##EQU2##
because all correlations are auto correlations and because the sidelobe
autocorrelation noise of a maximal length code is
##EQU3##
where n is the code length. For example, with a code length of 511 and
fifty-one simultaneous users, the SNR is ten dB, and is substantially
better than CDMA.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system in
which more users can simultaneously use the system at higher data rates
than in conventional CDMA.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the bit error rate (BER)
versus Eb/No in embodiments of the present invention which include forward
error correction coding are superior in performance by one to two dB,
compared to binary phase shift key (BPSK) signals which have been forward
error correction coded.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the bit error
probability (BER) versus Eb/No in embodiments of the present invention
with Reed-Solomon error correction have BER magnitudes that degrade
smoothly as the Eb/No levels fall and yet the BER levels are substantially
below that for Viterbi and even Viterbi combined with Reed-Soloman BPSK
encoded signals at any given Eb/No level. Viterbi and Viterbi+Reed-Soloman
BPSK encoded signals fail abruptly at low Eb/No levels.
A still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
system in which fewer channels with higher data rates, or more channels
with lower data rates or a mixture of various data rates can be provided
without changing the basic waveform broadcast.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system in
which the length of the maximal-length code can be tailored to a given set
of network requirements to optimize different aspects of network
functionality.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no
doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having
read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which
are illustrated in the various drawing figures.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a satellite based communications system
incorporating an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hub terminal included within the system of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable receive transmit unit (RTU)
within the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the portable terminal interface unit (TIU)
within the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of four sequential transmissions of the
same maximal length code (MLC) showing the effects of data modulation with
respect to reference time;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a correlator used to demodulate the MLC
transmission of FIG. 5 and in the RTU of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a system that includes the correlator of FIG.
6;
FIG. 7B is a diagram of the respective MLC patterns present at points
related to the correlator and system of FIGS. 6 and 7A; and
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an integrated circuit implementation of a
correlator having the same purpose as the correlator of FIG. 6 and useful
in the RTU of FIGS. 1 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a communication and position reporting system 10 in accordance
with the present invention comprising a plurality of lightweight suitcase
portable terminals 12, and a hub terminal 14 in combination with a Ku-band
satellite 16. Each terminal 12 includes a receive-transmit unit (RTU) 18
and a terminal interface unit (TIU) 20. System 10 communicates voice, data
and/or image transmission services via a code position modulation multiple
access (CPMMA) waveform. One or more GPS satellites provide a system of
time referencing. The portable terminals 12 operate in the fixed satellite
service (FSS), for example, in the Ku(11-15 GHz) band. Each terminal 12
and 14 preferably have a GPS receiver to enable access to precision time
references. A star type network is thus configured with connectivity
between terminals 12 via leased satellite segment transponder space. Other
network configurations can also make use of the CPMMA waveform. A
multiplicity of star networks each operating in a different frequency band
is also possible. Terminals 12 and 14 are preferably designed to operate
in any geographical location where there is Ku-band satellite coverage. A
suitable model for use with system 10 is the GTE Spacenet GSTAR I-IV
series.
GSTAR Satellite Parameters
System 10 typically operates with an uplink and down link path of hub
terminal 14 located in a regional East and/or West coast beam, while the
portable terminals 12 are located in the CONUS beam. This allows
continuous connectivity under transportable or mobile conditions. Table I
summarizes typical GSTAR series operational parameters that can be
anticipated.
TABLE I
______________________________________
EIRP
EIRP CONUS Regional G/T
SATELLITE
(typical) (typical)
(typical)
______________________________________
GSTAR I/II
42 dBW 46 dBW 0 dB/K
GSTAR III
40 dBW 44 dBW 0 dB/K
GSTAR IV 41 dBW 44 dBW +2 dB/K
______________________________________
system Operation
A remote user interface into system 10 is via an integrated services
digital network (ISDN) channel, which allows voice and data to be
transmitted simultaneously from a portable terminal 12 to hub terminal 14.
(ISDN technology has been widely discussed in the literature and so a
review of the technology is not necessary here.) The ISDN channel
typically carries a voice and a data channel, plus one low speed channel
that is used for signaling and other system control/status. This conforms
to the international CCITT "2B+D" basic rate interface (BRI) standard. For
system control and messaging, the ISDN "D" channel is used. The BRI
composite data rate is typically set at a 192 Kb/s frame rate and a 144
Kb/s data rate. Each "B" (bearer) channel runs at 64 Kb/s and the "D"
channel runs at 16 Kb/s. The 144 Kb/s higher data rate is flow controlled
down to a 19.2 Kb/s aggregate data rate over the satellite link to
satellite 16. One of the "2B" channels can carry 2400 or 4800 bits per
second of compressed voice using a LPC10E or a CELP encoding or other
method. The other "B" channel can carry asynchronous data that is input on
an RS-232, RS 422 or V24 port on TIU 20 at any data rate up to 19.2 K bits
per second/s (when there is no voice transmission requirement). The limit
of the aggregate sum of the data and any voice rate being 19.2 Kb/s. At
hub terminal 14, a modem controller 22 must establish the link throughput
rate. The rate a user inputs data into the RS- 232/422 port or modem port
on the TIU 20 is preferably transparent and is done in a LAN-to-LAN
satellite link connection with modems at both ends of system 10.
(LAN=local area network.) The preferred environment comprises a modem
embedded in TIU 20 together with associated internal ISDN/X.25 PAD
software. In a connection of TIU 20 to LAN, a file is spooled onto a hard
disk in TIU 20 and then despooled out via a so-called Hayes-compatible
modem protocol communications software resident in TIU 20.
In order to optimize both the satellite segment power usage by system 10
and more importantly to meet United States Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) requirements for adjacent satellite power density
radiation, system 10 employs automatic active power control in a system
closed-loop operation. For a background in this area, refer to Gilhousen,
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,109, issued Oct. 8, 1991. Hub terminal 14
examines all the signal-to-noise ratios of the signals being received and
accordingly commands the remote terminals 12 to increase or decrease their
respective transmit powers. The SNR varies because of weather conditions.
Hub terminal 14 adaptively controls the output power of all the remote
terminals on a continuous basis. The RF power of hub terminal 14 does not
adaptively change, but is set at a power required to overcome local rain
induced signal fading. This power can be changed by an operator in a
shared hub terminal 14 configuration, but it is preferably sized and
permanently set in a private hub terminal 14 configuration. The portable
terminal power information is carried on an ISDN "D" channel facility data
link (FDL) as a forward and reverse orderwire (FOW/ROW). Hub terminal 14
then directs the remote terminals 12 to adjust their power accordingly to
maintain a positive link margin during any rain fades.
In concert with automatic power control, hub terminal 14 establishes an
automatic flow control over satellite 16 link data throughput rate on a
continuous basis. The maximum allowed to rate is determined on a
call-by-call basis at the beginning of a call. The flow control is
preferably transparent to a user. Regardless of the data rate that the
user inputs into the system (e.g., up to 19.2 Kb/s), link communications
are always at the highest rate the link will support, or the highest rate
requested, based on signal-to-noise conditions over the link and as
measured on an on-going basis. The flow control method is contained in the
communications protocol and rate adaptation commands and is carried on the
ISDN "D" channel FDL. This automatic action is carried on for both voice
and data traffic. In a LAN-to-LAN connection, the user rate is first
established during the call set up rate negotiation process. Both
hub-to-remote and remote-to-hub directions are set. In a TIU 20 to LAN
connection, the user can set up the TIU 20 transmission rate as part of an
initial terminal configuration. The flow control commands from hub
terminal 14 then will communicate with TIU 20 communications protocol to
control the actual link throughput rate. This round trip control closes
the control loop. Both the remote and hub terminals contain a buffer
memory to maintain service continuity during overflow periods. The
communications protocol supports A-START/stop command to either a remote
data terminal equipment (DTE), if LAN-to-LAN, or TIU 20, if TIU 20 to LAN,
to control overflow.
Under the above conditions, the antenna size of terminal 12 can be
practically reduced to a twenty inch parabolic reflector (without
violating applicable FCC rules against radio illuminating too wide an area
of the sky with excessive signal intensity). The higher off-axis beam of
the smaller antenna is compensated for by a reduction of the transmitted
power under clear sky conditions and by the spread-spectrum nature of the
signal. When rainfall causes more attenuation, only then is the power
increased to maintain the minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Because of
the greater attenuation, adjacent satellite power density remains
constant.
When the transmitter power of a particular terminal 12 or 14 has been
automatically adjusted up to a predetermined maximum value and the SNR is
nevertheless below a predetermined minimum, the bit error rates will
necessarily suffer unless something is done about the situation. Under
such conditions, the data being sent over an affected data link is
repeated once, twice, or more times such that the effective data rate is
reduced by some power of two. The redundancy thus introduced in the data
stream counteracts the effects of bit errors.
Network and User Hub Access
In FIGS. 1 and 2, hub terminal 14 is shown to further comprise a private
access branch exchange (PABX) 24 connected to a T1 telephone trunk 26 (or
any suitable number of ISDN compatible lines), a network manager 28, a GPS
receiver 30, a SATCOM modem shelf 32, an up converter 34 and a high power
amplifier (HPA) 36 connected to an antenna coupler 38 and an antenna 40, a
low-noise amplifier (LNA) 42 and a down converter 44. User access on both
sides of PABX 24 is divided between two distinct control methods, multiple
access from the remote user to the PABX 24 and inter-PABX 24 call control
access to the public or private terrestrial networks. The two control
methods are interrelated in that the call control method used to control
PABX 24 will initiate the actions of assigning the multiple access modem
channel at hub terminal 14 to a network access user. A communications
software layer in which the call commands reside is different for the two
functions. ISDN call set-up and tear-down commands (that are not specific
to PABX 24) are contained in an OSI link (layers two and three, Q.921 and
Q.931). Call control commands that are PABX 24 dependent are contained in
the application layer (layer three) of the ISDN protocols. (e.g., above
Q.931). All multiple access control commands, messages, alarm and status
information, configuration and flow control information are contained in
the ISDN "D" channel along with the telephone or data terminal dialing and
supervisory signaling.
Multiple Access From the Remote User to Hub and PABX 24
A multiple access system from the portable users to the hub terminal 14 is
used. A spread spectrum code time division and adaptive demand assigned
multiple access system allows such multiple access. (Described in more
detail below.) Table II provides a list of the messages and command
strings that are contained in a typical ISDN "D" channel, including Q.931
messages. Some, however, are contained in the Q.921 link layer level. So
this list is not necessarily complete.
TABLE II
______________________________________
"D" Channel Information
DESCRIPTION INFORMATION ROW FOW
______________________________________
RF Power Control Command X X
Data Rate Control Command X X
Status Terminal Summary
X X
Alarm Summary Alarm X
(major)
(minor)
database Request for File
X
Transfer
(Alarm History/
Configuration)
Terminal Equipment Type X
Configuration
Equipment ID X
Equipment Serial
X
number
transmit Freq. X
Rx Freq. X
Priority Request
X
Level
Satellite Satellite Ephemeris X
Info
Satellite Name X
Priority (Level 1, 2 or 3)
X
Request Level
Latitude/ Terminal Position
X
Longitude Location
Hub Position X
Location
Synchronization
Code Time Slot X X
Time Offset
Time GPS Time X X
Date GPS Date X X
Outgoing Call/
Called Party ID X X
Inbound Call
(Phone number)
Calling Party ID
X X
(Phone number)
Message Waiting
EMAIL X
VOICEMAIL X
On Hook Ready to Receive
X
Off Hook Ready to Send X
Dial Tone Call Routing/Clear
X X
To Send
Busy Tone Called Party Off
X X
Hook
Type of Call
Voice/Data X X
Call Progress
General Messages
X X
Status Call Waiting X
Call Blocked X
(Standby)
Outgoing Call in
X
Progress
Incoming Call in
X
Progress
Loopback Remote Baseband X X
Command Local (Remote X
Terminal)
Local (Hub X
Terminal)
Broadcast Remote Transmitter
X
Command Mode
Off
Text Messages X
Un-numbered Polled
X
Response
Selective Address
Group Address
______________________________________
The multiple access design is preferably based on a model of the
anticipated behavior of the system. Such a network as system 10 might
typically carry about 70% voice and 30% data. It is expected that a
statistically average call duration will run approximately 1-3 minutes
(higher data loading results in a longer calls and reduces utilization).
Based on such a call model, the network requirements are summarized in
Table III.
TABLE III
______________________________________
Network Requirements
______________________________________
Calls per Hour 360-120
Avg. Call duration
1-3 min.
Activity Factory
5.83 (one
(Erlang B) call per
100
blocked
up to
three
minutes)
Number of Trunks
12
(channels)
Required (N)
Request 360-120
(reservation) calls
per Hour
Avg. Request 0.5-1.5
Duration sec
Activity Factor
0.02
Number of Request
1
channels required
(R)
ROW Reverse "D" channel sub
Order frame information
Wire from the remote to
hub terminal 14
direction.
FOW Forward "D" channel sub
Order frame information
Wire from hub terminal
14 to the remote
direction.
______________________________________
System 10 will therefore support 120 to 360 users on a network with twelve
trunks (SATCOM modem channels T0-T11) in a call blockage rate of about one
per 100 for up to three minutes. Since these numbers are statistical, they
serve only to size system 10. Actual annual continuous usage profiles will
determine the ultimate number of users practical on system 10. System 10
is capable of operation with lower bandwidths and a subsequent lower
number of trunks (users). A matrix of the number of trunks, number of
users, spread spectrum bandwidth (each direction) and maximum data rate is
given below in Table IV, based on a fixed antenna size (variable EIRP) at
terminal 12 and the traffic model described.
TABLE IV
______________________________________
BANDWIDTH Number of Number of MAX. DATA
(25 dB) TRUNKS USERS RATE
______________________________________
10 MHz 48 1440 4.8 Kb/s
(Voice or
Data)
10 MHz 24 720 9.6 Kb/s
10 MHz 12 360 19.2 Kb/s
5.0 MHz 6 180 19.2 Kb/s
2.5 MHz 3 90 19.2 Kb/s
5.0 MHz 12 360 9.6 Kb/s
2.5 MHz 6 180 9.6 Kb/s
5.0 MHz 24 720 4.8 Kb/s
(Voice or
Data)
2.5 MHz 12 360 4.8 Kb/s
(Voice or
Data)
______________________________________
The number of channels available in modem shelf 32 will limit the number of
users that are able to access system 10. In turn, the aggregate data rate
of all the channels, combined with the necessary uplink power at HPA 36 to
maintain signal-to-noise margins will define the minimum size needed for
antenna 40. Typically, antenna 40 has a 2.4 meter diameter. The required
transmit power in amplifier 36 is five watts, in this example. System 10
may have means for detecting voice activity (VOX), such as pauses in
speech, which may then be used to activate a power on and off control. A
VOX operated system can increase the number of users able to share
satellite transponder power from 360 to as many as 500, (e.g., at a
30%-40% duty cycle). System 10 operational parameters that define adaptive
demand assigned multiple access are therefore, adaptive automatic power
control, adaptive automatic data throughput rate flow control, VOX
operation, if used, and dynamic reassignment of multiple access users to
new channels on a call-by-call basis.
FIG. 3 illustrates that RTU 18 comprises an antenna 52, a GPS receiver 54,
a transceiver controller 56, an antenna position/polarizing control 58, an
OMT 60 with a receive filter 62 and transmit filter 64, a low noise
converter (LNC) 66 which combines a low noise amplifier and downconverter,
an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier and mixer 68, a modem 70, a
reference oscillator 72, a dual direct digital synthesizer (DDS) 74, a
power amplifier 76 and a power supply 78. Within RTU 18, a data link
control protocol running on both the "D" channel and the "B" data channel
(but not voice) will undergo a protocol conversion from LAPD to LAPM. This
is necessary to ensure improved network transmission data throughput as a
result of the extended satellite round trip delay time. LAPM provides the
necessary features. Prior to any of the remote terminals gaining network
access, hub terminal 14 is powered up and begins broadcasting network
acquisition timing on a timing control channel. The following subset of
"D" channel information is sent in the FOW of the request channel: hub
latitude/longitude, GPS time, GPS date, broadcase mode messages sent to a
specific HDLC frame address or to a general group address, don't go
off-hook and RF power inhibit (remote transmitter off).
FIG. 4 illustrates TIU 20 which is comprised of a notebook computer
terminal controller 90 and four-wire handset 92 both attached to a PC bus
expansion chassis 94, which houses an ISDN terminal adapter 96, a
voice/data integration board 98, an image compression board 100, a power
supply board 102, an image source 106 and a S/T interface 104 for
connection of TIU 20 to RTU 18. TIU 20 and RTU 18 are each preferably
housed in a suitcase-like luggage carrier to facilitate field portability.
External to TIU 20, users may have image sources or encrypted signals,
such as a secure encoder/decoder 106 and an image source 108, connected to
the expansion chassis 94.
Preferably, it should be demonstrable that system 10 will neither interfere
with nor be interfered upon by primary service providers in the fixed
satellite service (FSS). These requirements are complied with in the
following ways:
The Power Density Requirements--FCC Declaratory Order (footnote 35), which
is based on part 25.209 (f) "Antenna Performance Standards", is complied
with by using spread spectrum modulation to meet the power density
requirements.
Interference--Susceptibility to interference from FSS and terrestrial sites
are complied with by using spread spectrum modulation to reduce
interfering emitters.
Antenna Elevation--The minimum elevation angle, part 25.205, is complied
with by setting angles greater than 5.degree..
Emission Limitations--Limitations, part 25.202 (g) are complied with by
appropriate filtering and the use of a special continuous phase modulation
waveform.
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Information
System 10 uses the GPS satellite time base as a system synchronization time
base for the ground segment. The following information is generally
available from the GPS signal: frequency .+-.4.times.10.sup.-12, GPS time
.+-.1 microsecond (better resolution is available), ranging "C/A" code,
navigation data, satellite ephemerides (orbital location) and accuracy,
clock behavior and correction, satellite status, altitude and longitude
(within 100 meters) and altitude (within 100 meters). The dual GPS antenna
52 mounted on the RTU 18 is used to provide automatic antenna pointing
control.
Ground Based Network Segment
The ground based network segment consists of RTU 18, TIU 20 and hub
terminal 14. At hub terminal 14, SATCOM modem shelf 32 comprises fourteen
modems, twelve of which are traffic modems and one of which is allocated
as the reservation channel. A group modulator with timing transmitter,
power supply and modem controller is preferably integrated with the modems
into the (B1) modem assembly. Physically, hub terminal 14 is housed in a
nineteen inch rack with shelves for placement within a sheltered hub
facility. It is anticipated that hub terminal 14 minus the PABX 24 will
occupy three 6-RMU shelves.
Network management functions are partitioned between two major classes of
activities, (A) dynamic modem control of the CPMMA activities of call
set-up, tear-down and trunk assignment processed via point-to-multipoint
bus in SATCOM modem controller 22, (B) static control, diagnostics,
traffic analysis and maintenance functions under data base management.
Software allocated to dynamic modem control is resident in the SATCOM
modem controller 22. Access to modem controller 22 from the remote
location is via PABX 24. Software allocated to static control,
diagnostics, traffic analysis and maintenance is resident in a management
system CPU and user terminal located remote from hub terminal 14. Within
the functions relegated to static control, access to PABX 24 provides a
means of optimizing network costs. The description of demand is a survey
of the behavior of system 10 users. The following is information which is
available: the time a channel was assigned (transaction starts), the
address of the user terminal (caller phone number), hub terminal 14
address, the type of transa | | |
