A signal receiver chip may be configured to receive a satellite signal, and when the satellite signal is partially-processed off-chip, to bypass at least a portion of processing functions applied in the signal receiver chip during processing of satellite signals. The bypassed processing functions may comprise or correspond to signal band conversions. The satellite signal chip may generate an output signal, corresponding to the satellite signal, with the output signal being configured for communication to a peer device (e.g., satellite STB). The output signal may be generated and/or configured such that to enable distributing content carried in the output signal to a plurality of client devices in a local network serviced by the peer device. The signal receiver chip may combine a plurality of portions, corresponding to a plurality of satellite signals, into the output signal.

A method and a system are provided for use in a satellite communications network in which broadcasting services are provided to a mobile terminal. The method comprises: duplicating bits comprised in communications which the satellite is about to broadcast, thereby forming a first stream of bits and a second stream of bits; conveying the first stream of bits in an encoded form along a satellite channel whereas the second stream of bits is conveyed in an encoded form along a terrestrial channel; and combining bits conveyed along the satellite channel with bits conveyed along the terrestrial channel in order to obtain a combined stream of bits.

Satellite provisioning of cell service for an in-vehicle telematics control unit (TCU) is presented. Thus, a truly carrier independent TCU is facilitated. A TCU may be provided with a cellular modem and two or more SIM cards, each associated with a cellular carrier that has approved the modem and their SIM card. The TCU may also be provided with connectivity to a satellite, such as, for example, via an SDARS antenna and processing module, that can receive and process SDARS audio and data signals. When a user desires to change from one of the cellular carriers to another, provisioning data for the new carrier's SIM, now already in the telematics system, may be (i) sent over the satellite, (ii) received at the satellite antenna, and (iii) passed to a telematics processor. The telematics processor, in turn, may (iv) deliver the provisioning data to the cell modem, which may then (v) program the appropriate SIM with the provisioning data, thus allowing cellular communications on the new carrier's network. The inventive functionality facilitates easily switching carriers as one crosses a border, or when a new vehicle is imported to a given country, and cellular service then or there available on one of the approved carriers is easily chosen by a user and turned on. The TCU may also include a Wi-Fi module, configured to receive provisioning instructions or data over a Wi-Fi network.

Satellite provisioning of cell service for an in-vehicle telematics control unit (TCU) is presented. Thus, a truly carrier independent TCU is facilitated. A TCU may be provided with a cellular modem and two or more SIM cards, each associated with a cellular carrier that has approved the modem and their SIM card. The TCU may also be provided with connectivity to a satellite, such as, for example, via an SDARS antenna and processing module, that can receive and process SDARS audio and data signals. When a user desires to change from one of the cellular carriers to another, provisioning data for the new carrier's SIM, now already in the telematics system, may be (i) sent over the satellite, (ii) received at the satellite antenna, and (iii) passed to a telematics processor. The telematics processor, in turn, may (iv) deliver the provisioning data to the cell modem, which may then (v) program the appropriate SIM with the provisioning data, thus allowing cellular communications on the new carrier's network. The inventive functionality facilitates easily switching carriers as one crosses a border, or when a new vehicle is imported to a given country, and cellular service then or there available on one of the approved carriers is easily chosen by a user and turned on. The TCU may also include a Wi-Fi module, configured to receive provisioning instructions or data over a Wi-Fi network.

A satellite receiver in a vehicle continues to receive satellite communications even when line-of-sight to the satellite becomes obscured by obtaining a stream of the satellite broadcast via an ad hoc network. When the satellite receiver determines that the satellite broadcast signal is being lost (or is about to be lost), the satellite receiver transmits a request message on an alternate wireless channel seeking an alternate source for the satellite media program. Another satellite receiver that is able to receive the broadcast replies to the request message, and an ad hoc communication session is established with the alternate source via an alternate wireless channel. The receiver is therefore able to receive the media program from the alternate source via the ad hoc session instead of the satellite broadcast signal.

A satellite receiver in a vehicle continues to receive satellite communications even when line-of-sight to the satellite becomes obscured by obtaining a stream of the satellite broadcast via an ad hoc network. When the satellite receiver determines that the satellite broadcast signal is being lost (or is about to be lost), the satellite receiver transmits a request message on an alternate wireless channel seeking an alternate source for the satellite media program. Another satellite receiver that is able to receive the broadcast replies to the request message, and an ad hoc communication session is established with the alternate source via an alternate wireless channel. The receiver is therefore able to receive the media program from the alternate source via the ad hoc session instead of the satellite broadcast signal.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a cost-efficient wireless framework for delivering TV services (e.g., live TV services). The wireless framework can include a mix of wireless access technologies (e.g. Satellite, WiFi and/or LTE overlay links). TV content (e.g., live TV content) can be injected into the network at a few locations (e.g., residential locations) using satellite antennas (e.g., satellite dishes). The content can then be further distributed to other homes using a house-to-house WiFi network and/or via an overlay LTE network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a cost-efficient wireless framework for delivering TV services (e.g., live TV services). The wireless framework can include a mix of wireless access technologies (e.g. Satellite, WiFi and/or LTE overlay links). TV content (e.g., live TV content) can be injected into the network at a few locations (e.g., residential locations) using satellite antennas (e.g., satellite dishes). The content can then be further distributed to other homes using a house-to-house WiFi network and/or via an overlay LTE network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

In one embodiment, a multi-beam antenna is described. The multi-beam antenna includes a reflector having a single reflector surface defining a first focal region and a second focal region. A first feed group is located within the first focal region. The first feed group includes a first feed oriented relative to the reflector define a first beam pointed in a first direction. The multi-beam antenna further includes a fixed attachment mechanism attaching the first feed group to the reflector such that a position of the first feed group is fixed relative to the reflector. The multi-beam antenna further includes a second feed group located within the second focal region. The second feed group includes a second feed oriented relative to the reflector to define a second beam pointed in a second direction. The multi-beam antenna further includes an adjustable attachment mechanism attaching the second feed group to the reflector in an adjustable relation to the reflector, whereby a difference between the first direction and the second direction is adjustable.

In one embodiment, a multi-beam antenna is described. The multi-beam antenna includes a reflector having a single reflector surface defining a first focal region and a second focal region. A first feed group is located within the first focal region. The first feed group includes a first feed oriented relative to the reflector define a first beam pointed in a first direction. The multi-beam antenna further includes a fixed attachment mechanism attaching the first feed group to the reflector such that a position of the first feed group is fixed relative to the reflector. The multi-beam antenna further includes a second feed group located within the second focal region. The second feed group includes a second feed oriented relative to the reflector to define a second beam pointed in a second direction. The multi-beam antenna further includes an adjustable attachment mechanism attaching the second feed group to the reflector in an adjustable relation to the reflector, whereby a difference between the first direction and the second direction is adjustable.