Multiplex communications – Communication over free space – Repeater
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-16
2001-12-25
Yao, Kwang B. (Department: 2664)
Multiplex communications
Communication over free space
Repeater
C370S429000, C370S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333922
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Related subject matter is disclosed and claimed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/569,346, filed by S. Joseph Campanela on Dec. 8, 1995; in co-pending U.S. Patent Application of Robert L. Johnstone and S. Joseph Campanella, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entitled “System for Providing Location-Specific Data to a User” U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,680 ; in co-pending U.S. Patent Application of S. Joseph Campanella, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entited “Direct Radio Broadcast Receiver Providing Frame Synchronization and Correlation for Time Division Multiplexed Transmission” U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,490 U.S. Patent Application of S. Joseph Campanella, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entitled “Direct Radio Broadcast Receiver for Time Division Multiplexed Transmissions” U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,390 U.S. Patent Application of S. Joseph Campanella, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entited “System for Formatting Broadcast Data for Satellite Transmission and Radio Reception” U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,546 in co-pending U.S. Patent Application of S. Joseph Gampanella et al, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entitled “System for Managing Space Segment Usage Among Broadcast Service Providers” U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,366 U.S. Patent Application of S. Joseph Campanella, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entitled “Satellite Payload Processing System Using Polyphase Demultiplexing and Quadrature Phase Shift Keying Demodulation” Ser. No. 08/746,071; and in co-pending U.S. Patent Application of S. Joseph Campanella, filed on Nov. 5, 1996 and entitled “Satellite Payload Processing System Providing On-Board Rate Alignment” U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,319; all of said applications being expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to satellite payload signal processing for switching symbols in parallel uplink channels to time division multiplexed downlink carriers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There presently exists a population of over 4 billion people that are generally dissatisfied and underserved by the poor sound quality of short-wave radio broadcasts, or the coverage limitations of amplitude modulation (AM) band and frequency modulation (FM) band terrestrial radio broadcast systems. This population is primarily located in Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. A need therefore exists for a satellite-based direct radio broadcast system to transmit signals such as audio, data and images to low-cost consumer receivers.
A number of satellite communications networks have been developed for commercial and military applications. These satellite communications systems, however, have not addressed the need to provide multiple, independent broadcast service providers with flexible and economical access to a space segment, nor consumers' need to receive high quality radio signals using low-cost consumer radio receiver units. A need therefore exists for providing service providers with direct access to a satellite and choices as to the amount of space segment that's purchased and used. In addition, a need exists for a low-cost radio receiver unit capable of receiving time division multiplexed downlink bit stream.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for switching symbols in parallel broadcast channels to time division multiplexed data streams comprises first and second ping-pong buffers. The first ping-pong buffer is configured to store a first plurality of the parallel broadcast channels therein The second ping-pong buffer is operable to store a second plurality of the broadcast channels therein. The second plurality of broadcast channels arrive at the second ping-pong buffer prior to the arrival of the first plurality of broadcast channels at the first ping-pong buffer. The apparatus also comprises a routing switch connected to the outputs of the first and second ping-pong buffers, and a first frame assembler connected to the routing switch. The routing switch controls the writing of the contents of the second ping-pong buffer to the first frame assembler.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the contents of ping-pong buffer can be switched to corresponding slots in two or more frame assemblers.
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Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman
WorldSpace, Inc.
Yao Kwang B.
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