A network node is described which is configured for use in space, comprising a transmission interface for transmitting radio frequency signals, a reception interface for receiving radio frequency signals, a network management module for determining communication session information, a controller arranged to control the transmission interface and the reception interface in accordance with session information provided by the network management interface, wherein the transmission and reception interfaces are for receiving data from terrestrial nodes and space-borne nodes. Also described are a network entity comprising the network note and a plurality of adaptive antennas, a satellite containing the network entity and a user equipment device configured for communication with the network node.

A method for synchronization of user terminal (UT) uplink data transmissions to a satellite in a satellite communications system is provided. The UT tracks frame timing and frequency of downlink data transmissions received by the UT from the satellite. The UT estimates a respective timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions based on the tracked frame timing and frequency of the downlink data transmissions. The UT receives satellite ephemeris data broadcast by the satellite. The UT synchronizes uplink data transmissions to the satellite based on the estimated timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions, the received satellite ephemeris data, and knowledge of a UT position and velocity vectors associated with any movement of the UT.

A method for synchronization of user terminal (UT) uplink data transmissions to a satellite in a satellite communications system is provided. The UT tracks frame timing and frequency of downlink data transmissions received by the UT from the satellite. The UT estimates a respective timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions based on the tracked frame timing and frequency of the downlink data transmissions. The UT receives satellite ephemeris data broadcast by the satellite. The UT synchronizes uplink data transmissions to the satellite based on the estimated timing delay and frequency shift of the downlink data transmissions, the received satellite ephemeris data, and knowledge of a UT position and velocity vectors associated with any movement of the UT.

A space-based communications network (100) includes at least one central ground station (116) having a transceiver that is configured to communicate with satellites, such as cube satellites (110). The cube satellites (110) form an ad hoc network of orbital cube satellites, in which each of the cube satellites (110) communicate with each other. One of the cube satellites communicates with the ground station (116). A ground-based control system (1000) communicates with the central ground station (116). The control system (1000) continuously determines a configuration of the ad hoc network (100) and communicates network control information for the cube satellites (110) to maintain communications in the ad hoc network (100). The cube satellites (110) disseminate the network control to each other via the ad hoc network (100).

A space-based communications network (100) includes at least one central ground station (116) having a transceiver that is configured to communicate with satellites, such as cube satellites (110). The cube satellites (110) form an ad hoc network of orbital cube satellites, in which each of the cube satellites (110) communicate with each other. One of the cube satellites communicates with the ground station (116). A ground-based control system (1000) communicates with the central ground station (116). The control system (1000) continuously determines a configuration of the ad hoc network (100) and communicates network control information for the cube satellites (110) to maintain communications in the ad hoc network (100). The cube satellites (110) disseminate the network control to each other via the ad hoc network (100).

In a radio system including: a plurality of transmitting station devices; a receiving relay station device for relaying radio signals transmitted by the transmitting station devices; and a receiving station device for receiving the radio signals relayed by the receiving relay station device, with a first transmission capacity between the receiving relay station device and the receiving station device varying, the receiving relay station device performs control to cause the transmitting station devices to transmit the radio signals if the first transmission capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. With this configuration, a lack of information can be prevented even if the transmission capacity between the receiving relay station device and the receiving station device varies.

In a radio system including: a plurality of transmitting station devices; a receiving relay station device for relaying radio signals transmitted by the transmitting station devices; and a receiving station device for receiving the radio signals relayed by the receiving relay station device, with a first transmission capacity between the receiving relay station device and the receiving station device varying, the receiving relay station device performs control to cause the transmitting station devices to transmit the radio signals if the first transmission capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. With this configuration, a lack of information can be prevented even if the transmission capacity between the receiving relay station device and the receiving station device varies.

The embodiments herein provide a system and method for integrated optimization of design and performance of satellite constellations. The present disclosure provides a method for optimization of design and performance of satellite constellation to provide internet connectivity at preset geographic regions. In current methods, the optimizations of subsystems are performed independently and the results are combined, resulting in a loss of overall optimality. The present disclosure defines the relationships between subsystems such that integrity of complete design is tested with fewer complexities and provides an integrated optimization framework, in which every subsystem is optimized individually and collectively. The present disclosure provides a method for optimization of power subsystem of satellites by determining the pattern of payload operation and need for peak power. The present disclosure also provides a method to minimize the number of satellites required in constellations by carefully regulating spot beams formed by individual satellites in constellations.

This present disclosure describes techniques for relaying user plane data from a core network to a recipient device via a terrestrial core network. An orchestration controller is described that is configured to receive an indication that a terrestrial core network has received user plane data for transmission to a recipient device, detect a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to transmit the user plane data to the recipient device, select at least a first LEO satellite to receive the user plane data, and transmit the user plane data to the first LEO satellite.

This present disclosure describes techniques for a satellite core network to relay user plane data to a recipient device. An orchestration controller on the satellite core network is described that is configured to receive an indication that the satellite core network has received user plane data for transmission to a recipient device, detect a constellation of secondary LEO satellites to transmit the user plane data to the recipient device, and select an initial LEO satellite to relay the user plane data to the recipient device.