Communication method and system that uses low latency/low data bandwidth and high latency/high data bandwidth pathways

Abstract

A communication system uses multiple communications links, preferably links that use different communications media. The multiple communications links may include a high latency/high bandwidth link using a fiber-optic cable configured to carry large volumes of data but having a high latency. The communications links may also include a low latency/low bandwidth link implemented using skywave propagation of radio waves and configured to carry smaller volumes of data with a lower latency across a substantial portion of the earth's surface. The two communications links may be used together to coordinate various activities such as the buying and selling of financial instruments.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method, comprising:
 receiving information at a transmitter with a processor that an event has occurred;   preparing a skywave propagation signal with the processor at the transmitter upon the receiving the information;   transmitting from the transmitter to a receiver the skywave propagation signal that is within a minimum and maximum useable frequency range for skywave propagation;   wherein the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is greater than a radio horizon for the transmitter;   receiving the skywave propagation signal at the receiver; and   performing at least one financial transaction from a collection of potential financial transactions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 storing in memory a plurality of rules or preconditions for transacting on a financial exchange;   selecting at least one of the rules or preconditions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal; and   executing one or more trades on the financial exchange based on the selected rule or precondition from the selecting.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the rules or preconditions were provided over an oceanic cable. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the transmitter and the receiver are separated by an ocean. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 wherein the receiver includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); and   performing an update of the FPGA in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 reflecting the skywave propagation signal from the E-layer of the ionosphere.   
     
     
         33 . A method, comprising:
 receiving information at a transmitter with a processor that an event has occurred;   preparing a skywave propagation signal with the processor at the transmitter upon the receiving the information;   transmitting the skywave propagation signal via skywave propagation from the transmitter to a receiver;   wherein the transmitting the skywave propagation signal includes transmitting at an angle of transmission where the skywave propagation signal reflects from the ionosphere between the transmitter and the receiver;   receiving the skywave propagation signal at the receiver; and   performing at least one financial transaction from a collection of potential financial transactions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 retransmitting the skywave propagation signal via one or more repeaters.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 storing in memory a plurality of rules or preconditions for transacting on a financial exchange;   selecting at least one of the rules or preconditions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal; and   executing one or more trades on the financial exchange based on the selected rule or precondition from the selecting.   
     
     
         36 . A method, comprising:
 receiving information at a transmitter with a processor that an event has occurred;   preparing a skywave propagation signal with the processor at the transmitter upon the receiving the information;   transmitting from the transmitter to a receiver the skywave propagation signal that is within a minimum and maximum useable frequency range for skywave propagation;   wherein the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is greater than a radio horizon for the transmitter;   receiving the skywave propagation signal at the receiver;   storing in memory a plurality of rules or preconditions for transacting on a financial exchange;   wherein at least some of the rules or preconditions were provided over a fiber optic cable;   selecting at least one of the rules or preconditions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal; and   executing one or more trades on the financial exchange based on the selected rule or precondition from the selecting.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the transmitter and the receiver are separated by an ocean. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 wherein the receiver includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); and   performing an update of the FPGA in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal.   
     
     
         39 . A method, comprising:
 receiving information at a transmitter with a processor that an event has occurred;   preparing a skywave propagation signal with the processor at the transmitter upon the receiving the information;   transmitting the skywave propagation signal via skywave propagation from the transmitter to a receiver;   wherein the transmitter and the receiver are separated by an ocean;   receiving the skywave propagation signal at the receiver;   storing in memory a plurality of rules or preconditions for transacting on a financial exchange;   wherein at least some of the rules or preconditions were provided over an oceanic cable;   selecting at least one of the rules or preconditions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal; and   executing one or more trades on the financial exchange based on the selected rule or precondition from the selecting.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 retransmitting the skywave propagation signal via one or more repeaters.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 reflecting the skywave propagation signal from the E-layer of the ionosphere.   
     
     
         42 . A method, comprising:
 receiving information at a transmitter with a processor that an event has occurred;   preparing a skywave propagation signal with the processor at the transmitter upon the receiving the information;   transmitting the skywave propagation signal via skywave propagation from the transmitter to a receiver;   wherein the transmitting the skywave propagation signal includes transmitting at an angle of transmission where the skywave propagation signal reflects from the ionosphere between the transmitter and the receiver;   reflecting the skywave propagation signal from the E-layer of the ionosphere;   wherein the transmitter and the receiver are separated by an ocean;   receiving the skywave propagation signal at the receiver;   storing in memory a plurality of rules or preconditions for transacting on a financial exchange;   wherein at least some of the rules or preconditions were provided over an oceanic cable;   selecting at least one of the rules or preconditions in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal; and   executing one or more trades on the financial exchange based on the selected rule or precondition from the selecting.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 retransmitting the skywave propagation signal via one or more repeaters.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the oceanic cable includes one or more repeaters. 
     
     
         45 . A method, comprising:
 receiving information at a transmitter with a processor that an event has occurred;   preparing a skywave propagation signal with the processor at the transmitter upon the receiving the information;   transmitting from the transmitter to a receiver the skywave propagation signal that is within a minimum and maximum useable frequency range for skywave propagation;   wherein the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is greater than a radio horizon for the transmitter;   receiving the skywave propagation signal at the receiver;   wherein the receiver includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); and   performing an update of the FPGA in response to the receiving the skywave propagation signal.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 reflecting the skywave propagation signal from the E-layer of the ionosphere.