Satellite based data transfer and delivery system

Abstract

A high speed data transfer system includes a WAU ( 201 ) which is utilized to provide high speed data access to satellite transferred data. The system is configured such that a plurality of data utilization devices ( 205 ) may access the high speed data via wireless links to the WAU ( 201 ). Advantageously, high speed data services may be provided to users without the users requiring individual satellite antennas.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A communications system comprising: 
 a plurality of data utilization devices distributed within a first service area, each of said data utilization devices being coupled to a device transceiver for providing wireless communication with an exterior environment; and    a wireless access unit (WAU), located within said first service area, including: 
 a satellite communication transceiver subsystem having a satellite transceiver for communicating with a satellite via a first wireless channel; and  
 a WAU transceiver subsystem for communicating, via a second wireless channel, with a selected data utilization device in said plurality of data utilization devices;  
 wherein said WAU transceiver subsystem is coupled to said satellite communication transceiver subsystem for enabling communication therebetween.  
   
     
     
         2 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said WAU further comprises: 
 an infrastructure interface for providing a connection between said WAU and at least one non-satellite communications service, wherein said infrastructure interface is coupled to said WAU transceiver subsystem for communication with said selected data utilization device.    
     
     
         3 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one non-satellite communications service includes a wired communications service.    
     
     
         4 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said wired communications service includes at least one of the following: a public switched telephone network, an integrated services digital network, a cable television network, a fiber optic communication network, and a local area network.    
     
     
         5 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one non-satellite communications service includes a cellular telephone system.    
     
     
         6 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one non-satellite communications service includes a microwave link.    
     
     
         7 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one non-satellite communications service includes a terrestrial wireless communications system.    
     
     
         8 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a protocol transformation processor, coupled to said WAU transceiver subsystem, for transforming data between a first communication protocol supported by said satellite and a second communication protocol, that is different from said first communication protocol, supported by said selected data utilization device, wherein said second communication protocol varies based upon which of said plurality of data utilization devices is selected.    
     
     
         9 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of data utilization devices includes at least one personal computer having a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM) coupled to said CPU, and a mass storage means, wherein said CPU is capable of executing programs residing in said RAM.    
     
     
         10 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said mass storage means includes means for providing program files supporting various communications services available from said WAU.    
     
     
         11 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said personal computer includes means for selectively transferring program files from said mass storage means to said RAM based on a desired communications service.    
     
     
         12 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said mass storage means includes means for accepting a removable storage medium, wherein a first storage medium having a first set of program files can be replaced with a second storage medium having a second set of program files.    
     
     
         13 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said removable storage medium includes at least one of the following: a floppy disk and a CD ROM disk.    
     
     
         14 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said personal computer includes means for receiving additional program files from a wireless channel.    
     
     
         15 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of data utilization devices includes at least one radio frequency tag.    
     
     
         16 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of data utilization devices includes at least one device capable of performing a remote sensor function.    
     
     
         17 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said at least one device includes a sensor for sensing at least one of the following: electrical power usage, fuel usage, and waste production.    
     
     
         18 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said at least one device includes means for determining a location of said at least one device.    
     
     
         19 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said at least one device includes means for determining a velocity.    
     
     
         20 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said at least one device includes means for tracking an inventory.    
     
     
         21 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in a private residence for providing high data rate services to said private residence.    
     
     
         22 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein: 
 said high data rate services include high-definition television (HDTV) services.    
     
     
         23 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in a medical establishment for use in providing high data rate medical data services.    
     
     
         24 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in an educational establishment for use in providing high data rate educational data services.    
     
     
         25 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in an industrial establishment for use in providing high data rate industrial data services.    
     
     
         26 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in an entertainment establishment for use in providing high data rate entertainment data services.    
     
     
         27 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in a commercial retail establishment for use in providing high data rate commercial data services.    
     
     
         28 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices is located in a vehicle for providing high data rate mobile data services.    
     
     
         29 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU is mounted on a pole within said first service area.    
     
     
         30 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU is mobile within said first service area.    
     
     
         31 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said WAU is located on an aircraft traveling through said first service area.    
     
     
         32 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said WAU is located on one of the following: an automobile, a truck, a train, and a ship.    
     
     
         33 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a modem distribution processor, coupled to said WAU transceiver subsystem, for determining a first modulation format for use in communicating with said selected data utilization device.    
     
     
         34 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said modem distribution processor is remotely programmable.    
     
     
         35 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein: 
 said modem distribution processor has access to a plurality of modem modules, each modem module being operative for generating data having a particular modulation format, wherein said modem distribution processor selects a modem module from said plurality of modem modules based on said first modulation format.    
     
     
         36 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of user profiles.  
     
     
         37 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein: 
 said memory includes a user profile corresponding to at least one of said plurality of data utilization devices.    
     
     
         38 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU transceiver subsystem includes multiple channels for supporting multiple external connections simultaneously.    
     
     
         39 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU transceiver subsystem includes means for performing spread spectrum communications.    
     
     
         40 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein: 
 said means for performing spread spectrum communications includes means for performing hybrid spread spectrum modulation.    
     
     
         41 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein: 
 said means for performing hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes means for performing both frequency hopping and direct sequence spread spectrum modulation on a signal.    
     
     
         42 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said means for performing hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes means for adjusting frequency hopping processing gain.    
     
     
         43 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said means for performing hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes means for adjusting direct sequence spread spectrum processing gain.    
     
     
         44 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said means for performing hybrid spread spectrum modulation includes means for adjusting both frequency hopping processing gain and direct sequence spread spectrum processing gain.    
     
     
         45 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a processor, coupled to said WAU transceiver subsystem, for use in identifying unused radio frequency spectrum in said second wireless channel and for selecting at least one operational frequency for said WAU transceiver subsystem in accordance therewith.    
     
     
         46 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes means for providing automatic network affiliation of data utilization devices.    
     
     
         47 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes means for providing automatic network removal of data utilization devices.    
     
     
         48 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said WAU includes an expert agent function.  
     
     
         49 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said WAU includes an internet protocol gateway.  
     
     
         50 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of data utilization devices includes at least one peer-to-peer link between data utilization devices.    
     
     
         51 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said satellite communication transceiver subsystem includes a satellite antenna for coupling signals between said satellite transceiver and said first wireless channel.    
     
     
         52 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said satellite antenna includes a phased array antenna.    
     
     
         53 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes a peer-to-peer antenna for use in communicating with at least one other WAU.    
     
     
         54 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes an encryption processor for use in encrypting/decrypting communications signals transferred between said WAU and said selected data utilization device.    
     
     
         55 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes a spectrum scanning processor for use in monitoring a spectral environment in said second wireless channel.    
     
     
         56 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes means for generating a transmit signal based on said spectral environment in said second wireless channel.    
     
     
         57 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes means for suppressing interference components in signals received from said second wireless channel.    
     
     
         58 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said communications system operates as an overlay on at least one other communications system having an overlapping operational frequency range.    
     
     
         59 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said WAU includes means for performing a bridging function between a plurality of external systems.    
     
     
         60 . A communications system comprising: 
 a plurality of data utilization devices distributed within a first service area, each of said data utilization devices being coupled to a device transceiver for providing wireless communication with an exterior environment; and    a wireless access unit (WAU), located within said first service area, including: 
 a wireless communication transceiver subsystem having a wireless transceiver coupled to an antenna for communicating with an external communications platform via a first wireless channel, wherein said external communications platform is capable of providing a plurality of high data rate communications services to said WAU; and  
 a WAU transceiver subsystem for communicating, via a second wireless channel, with a selected data utilization device in said plurality of data utilization devices;  
 wherein said WAU transceiver subsystem is coupled to said wireless communication transceiver subsystem for enabling communication between said WAU transceiver subsystem and said wireless communication transceiver subsystem.  
   
     
     
         61 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said communications platform is mobile.  
     
     
         62 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said communications platform is located on an aircraft.  
     
     
         63 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said communications platform is mounted to a structure within said first service area.  
     
     
         64 . The communications system, as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said communications platform includes a cellular telephone system.  
     
     
         65 . A wireless access unit (WAU) for use in a wireless communications system having a plurality of data utilization devices located within a first service area, said WAU comprising: 
 a satellite communication transceiver subsystem for communicating with a satellite via a first wireless channel;    a WAU transceiver subsystem for communicating, via a second wireless channel, with a selected data utilization device in the plurality of data utilization devices, wherein said WAU transceiver subsystem is coupled to said satellite communication transceiver subsystem for enabling communication therebetween; and    a chassis supporting both said satellite communication transceiver subsystem and said WAU transceiver subsystem, wherein said chassis is adapted for mounting within said first service area.    
     
     
         66 . The WAU, as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said chassis includes means for use in mounting said WAU to a pole.    
     
     
         67 . The WAU, as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said chassis includes means for use in mounting said WAU to a building.    
     
     
         68 . The WAU, as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said WAU has a size and weight that allows said WAU to be mounted within said first service area by a single installer.    
     
     
         69 . The WAU, as claimed in  claim 65 , further comprising: 
 an infrastructure interface for providing a connection between said WAU and at least one wired communications service, wherein said infrastructure interface is coupled to said WAU transceiver subsystem for communication with said selected data utilization device.    
     
     
         70 . A subscriber interface module (SIM) for use with a personal computer to provide high data rate wireless communications between said personal computer and a wireless access unit (WAU) mounted within a first service area, said WAU including a satellite communication transceiver subsystem for communicating with a satellite, said SIM comprising: 
 a receiver for use in processing a high data rate signal received from a first wireless communications channel;    a transmitter for generating a high data rate transmit signal for delivery to said first wireless communications channel;    antenna connection means for connecting to at least one antenna for interfacing with said first communications channel; and    a housing supporting said receiver, transmitter, and at least one antenna port, said housing having attachment means for coupling said SIM to the personal computer, said attachment means including means for coupling high data rate signals between said SIM and the personal computer.    
     
     
         71 . The SIM, as claimed in  claim 70 , wherein: 
 said attachment means includes means for insertion into a PCMCIA port on the personal computer.    
     
     
         72 . The SIM, as claimed in  claim 70 , wherein: 
 said attachment means includes means for insertion into a standard expansion slot on the personal computer.    
     
     
         73 . The SIM, as claimed in  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 means for executing commands received from said personal computer.    
     
     
         74 . The SIM, as claimed in  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 means for configuring at least one of said transmitter and said receiver based on configuration information received from said personal computer.    
     
     
         75 . The SIM, as claimed in  claim 70 , wherein: 
 said high data rate signal has a data rate equal to or exceeding 400 kbps.