A satellite communication system includes a non-geostationary satellite configured to provide a first plurality of non-articulated spot beams that comprise a Field of Regard. The satellite further configured to provide a steerable spot beam that can be steered to establish communication with a gateway outside and in front of the Field of Regard and maintain communication while the satellite and the Field of Regard moves over and past the gateway including after the gateway is outside of and behind the Field of Regard.

A satellite communication system provides for handovers between satellites and multiple gateways. Terminals communicate with a first gateway via a first satellite as beams of the first satellite traverse the region. A second gateway is in communication with the first satellite and hands over to a second satellite. The first gateway is at a first location. The second gateway is at a second location separated from the first location in the orbital direction. Terminals handover to the second satellite as beams of the second satellite begin to traverse the region, and the terminals start connecting to and communicating with the second gateway via the second satellite. After all of the terminals of the plurality of terminals handover to the second satellite, the first gateway hands over to the second satellite and then the terminals in the region communicate with the first gateway via the second satellite.

Systems and methods are described for avoiding redundant data transfers using delta coding techniques when reliably and opportunistically communicating data to multiple user systems. According to embodiments, user systems track received block sequences for locally stored content blocks. An intermediate server intercepts content requests between user systems and target hosts, and deterministically chucks and fingerprints content data received in response to those requests. A fingerprint of a received content block is communicated to the requesting user system, and the user system determines based on the fingerprint whether the corresponding content block matches a content block that is already locally stored. If so, the user system returns a set of fingerprints representing a sequence of next content blocks that were previously stored after the matching content block. The intermediate server can then send only those content data blocks that are not already locally stored at the user system according to the returned set of fingerprints.

Avoiding redundant data transfers using delta coding techniques when reliably and opportunistically communicating data to multiple user systems. According to embodiments, user systems track received block sequences for locally stored content blocks. An intermediate server intercepts content requests between user systems and target hosts, and deterministically chucks and fingerprints content data received in response to those requests. A fingerprint of a received content block is communicated to the requesting user system, and the user system determines based on the fingerprint whether the corresponding content block matches a content block that is already locally stored. If so, the user system returns a set of fingerprints representing a sequence of next content blocks that were previously stored after the matching content block. The intermediate server can then send only those content data blocks that are not already locally stored at the user system according to the returned set of fingerprints.

Systems and methods are described for using opportunistically delayed delivery of content to address sub-optimal bandwidth resource usage in network infrastructures that allow subscribers to share forward link resources. According to some embodiments, content is identified as delayable and assigned to a delaycast queue and/or service flow. For example, a server system of a satellite communications system identifies content that can be delayed to exploit future excess link capacity through multicasting and to exploit subscriber-side storage resources. Some implementations attempt to exploit any excess link resources at any time, while others exploit unused bandwidth only during certain times or when a certain threshold of resources is available. Various embodiments also provide content scoring and/or other prioritization techniques for optimizing exploitation of the delaycast queue.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing network access services to mobile users via multi-user network access terminals over a multi-beam satellite system. Quality-of-service (QoS) is controlled for the mobile devices at a per-user level according to user-specific traffic policies Mobile users may be provisioned on the satellite system according to a set of traffic policies based on their service level agreement (SLA). System resources of the satellite may be allocated to mobile users based on the demand of each mobile user and the set of traffic polices associated with each mobile user, regardless of which multi-user network access terminal is used to access the system. Dynamic multiplexing of traffic from fixed terminals and mobile users on the same satellite beam can take advantage of statistical multiplexing of large numbers of users and on different usage patterns between fixed terminals and mobile users.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing network access services to mobile users via mobile terminals over a satellite system. In embodiments, dynamic multiplexing of traffic from fixed terminals and mobile users on the same satellite beam can take advantage of statistical multiplexing of large numbers of users and on different usage patterns between fixed terminals and mobile users. In embodiments, quality-of-service (QoS) is controlled for mobile devices at a per-user level. Mobile users may be provisioned on the satellite system according to a set of traffic policies based on their service level agreement (SLA). System resources of the satellite may be allocated to mobile users based on the demand of each mobile user and the set of traffic polices associated with each mobile user, regardless of which mobile terminal is used to access the system.

Synchronization technology is implemented for a satellite communication system. Master clock information is accessed at a terrestrial location. A timing message based on the master clock information is transmitted from the terrestrial location to a satellite as the satellite is in orbit. The satellite is synchronized to the master clock based on the timing message. A beacon signal is transmitted from the satellite toward Earth. The beacon signal includes timing information. The beacon signal is received at a ground based gateway. The gateway is synchronized to the satellite based on the beacon signal. Communication is sent from the gateway to a terminal via the satellite. The communication includes timing data. The terminal is synchronized to the gateway based on the timing data.

A satellite communication system comprises one or more non-geostationary satellites. Each satellite is configured to provide a plurality of spot beams using time domain beam hopping among the spot beams. The spot beams are divided into hopping groups and each satellite is configured to switch throughput and power among spot beams in a same hopping group at intervals of an epoch over a hopping period according to a hopping plan. Each satellite is configured to receive, change and implement the hopping plan in orbit while the satellite moves in relation to a fixed geographic coverage region. The satellites are programmable to assign any combination of epochs in a hopping plan among spot beams of a same hopping group and to route throughput between spot beams.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing network access services to mobile users via mobile terminals over a satellite system. In embodiments, dynamic multiplexing of traffic from fixed terminals and mobile users on the same satellite beam can take advantage of statistical multiplexing of large numbers of users and on different usage patterns between fixed terminals and mobile users. In embodiments, quality-of-service (QoS) is controlled for mobile devices at a per-user level. Mobile users may be provisioned on the satellite system according to a set of traffic policies based on their service level agreement (SLA). System resources of the satellite may be allocated to mobile users based on the demand of each mobile user and the set of traffic polices associated with each mobile user, regardless of which mobile terminal is used to access the system.