I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007065321B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Lim
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`Jun.20,2006
`
`(54)
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS OF USING
`SATELLITES TO AUGMENT TRAFFIC
`CAPACITY OF A WIRELESS NETWORK
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Samuel Lim, Santa Monica, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 592 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/919,043
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(51)
`
`Feb. 6, 2003
`
`US 2003/0027523 Al
`Int. Cl.
`H04B 7119
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .................... 455/13.2; 455/430; 455/12.1;
`455/452.2
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............... 455/12.1,
`455/427, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 428, 429, 430,
`455/13.4, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 3.02, 412.2,
`455/17, 450, 452.2, 452.1, 453, 517; 370/316,
`370/329
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`. 455/13.l
`7/1999 Vanden Heuvel et al.
`412002 Black et al ................. 370/330
`12/2002 Jabbarnezhad ............. 455/12.1
`6/2003 Willis et al. ................ 455/427
`11/2003 Kelly et al. ................ 455/13.2
`12/2001 Okunishi et al.
`........... 370/316
`
`5,924,014 A *
`6,377,561 Bl*
`6,493,538 Bl *
`6,584,082 Bl *
`6,650,869 Bl *
`2001/0048672 Al *
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Tilahun Gesesse
`Assistant Examiner-John J. Lee
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gates & Cooper LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for augmenting a wireless communi(cid:173)
`cation network to provide at least a portion of digital data to
`a user is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of
`receiving the portion of the digital data in a satellite receiver,
`providing the received portion of the digital data to at least
`one of a plurality of terrestrial receivers which form the
`wireless communication network, and transmitting the
`received portion of the digital data to a user within a service
`region using the terrestrial transmitter. The apparatus com(cid:173)
`prises a satellite antenna, for receiving a signal having at
`least a portion of the data from a satellite, and a satellite
`receiver, communicatively coupled to the satellite antenna
`for detecting and demodulating the signal to produce a
`portion of the digital data, the satellite receiver communi(cid:173)
`catively coupled to a terrestrial transmitter in a terrestrial
`wireless communication network.
`
`5,555,443 A *
`
`9/1996 Ikehama .................... 455/12.1
`
`24 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`206
`
`=od
`
`208
`
`208
`__)
`
`204
`
`202
`
`J
`
`102
`
`200
`
`\
`
`PSTN I INTERNET
`BACKBONE
`106
`
`110A
`
`1108
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 1
`
`

`
`"'"" = N
`tit w
`"'--...l = 0--,
`
`N
`
`rJl
`d
`
`-....J
`0 .....
`....
`.....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
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`0
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`:=
`2'
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
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`00
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`e •
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 1
`
`110A 1108
`
`106
`
`108
`
`BACKBONE
`
`PSTN I INTERNET
`
`104
`
`NETWORK
`DELIVERY
`CONTENT
`
`102
`
`116
`
`100
`
`)
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 2
`
`

`
`"'"" = N
`tit w
`"'--...l = 0--,
`
`N
`
`rJl
`d
`
`-....J
`0 .....
`N
`.....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`"'o
`N
`:=
`2'
`
`FIG. 2
`
`106
`
`PSTN I INTERNET
`
`BACKBONE
`
`NETWORK
`DELIVERY
`CONTENT
`
`I ~ i 102
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`1108
`
`204
`
`_)
`208
`
`206
`
`-ol
`
`\
`
`200
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 3
`
`

`
`"'"" = N
`tit w
`"'--...l = 0--,
`rJl
`d
`
`N
`
`-....J
`0 .....
`
`(.H
`
`.....
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`"'o
`N
`:=
`2'
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`FIG. 3
`
`3108 _)
`
`310A_)
`
`120
`
`MSS/CC
`
`"--[]
`
`318
`
`308
`C!!:7DATA
`
`~CONTROL
`
`306
`
`0
`
`NETWORK
`DELIVERY
`CONTENT
`
`102
`
`{
`
`DATA_L_j
`
`"-. I
`
`320
`
`302
`
`L..-----~------
`I
`I
`
`304 -r FACILITY
`I I UPLINK
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I(cid:173)
`
`204
`
`(
`
`206 +1
`
`!!!!/
`d
`
`I &~
`~ ~
`
`112A. 1
`
`fA'\
`
`,,.,
`
`210A
`
`208A
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 4
`
`

`
`"'"" = N
`tit w
`-....l = 0--,
`
`N
`
`rJl
`d
`
`-....J
`0 .....
`('D a
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`
`.i;...
`
`~ = :=
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`0
`N
`
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
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`•
`00
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`e •
`
`FIG. 4
`
`408
`
`~----------~~----l
`---r---' I
`I
`1 RECEIVER XMITTER I I
`I SA TELL/TE SA TELL/TE I I
`!
`_L_ ___ I
`I 404
`I
`I
`I
`r-------\ __ l ______ ~
`
`-1
`
`t
`
`I
`I
`
`416
`
`W2
`
`/' 210
`
`L_4-9~2----~-__ _ _______________ :
`I I
`I 11 RECEIVER
`I I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`XMITTER
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`ft t t
`
`I
`
`412
`
`c
`/
`
`.......
`
`=:.....,,
`
`s £:
`/
`
`'\
`
`414
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`1
`I
`I
`
`310 _)
`
`i
`
`I
`
`/! 410
`
`_____ t:_ __________________________ _
`
`112
`
`f206
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 5
`
`

`
`"'"" = N
`tit w
`-....l = 0--,
`
`N
`
`rJl
`d
`
`-....J
`0 .....
`Ul
`('D a
`1J1 =(cid:173)
`
`~ = :=
`
`O'I
`0
`0
`N
`0
`N
`
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`
`e •
`
`120
`
`FIG. 5
`
`3108 __)
`
`310A__)
`
`I
`
`I MSS/CC
`
`318 "'-o
`
`;;8 _)
`~DATA >I
`
`306'::../
`
`~CONTROL
`
`506
`
`_________ J
`I
`I
`
`._____
`I I
`
`~
`
`ff!J I .
`112A' ~
`
`'~~
`
`210A
`
`,,....-508
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`502
`
`-v
`
`-------1 I
`
`----
`
`FACILITY
`OWNLINK
`
`D
`
`---------
`
`:
`1
`I
`I
`I
`1504
`I
`
`r---
`I
`
`FACILITY
`UPLINK
`
`304JJ
`
`I
`I >I
`
`Al
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`:
`
`CONTROL
`
`NETWORK
`DELIVERY
`CONTENT
`
`102
`
`I
`I
`}DATA
`I
`I
`I
`I 320
`I
`! 302
`
`: ~ -;:=-t-
`
`rA-J
`
`1
`
`l ___ _J ____ _
`,,-202
`
`I ;;r:
`204
`/
`
`206
`
`-Cl
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.20,2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`
`START
`
`DETERMINE IF A TRANSMISSION
`REQUIREMENT OF THE DA TA
`EXCEEDS A TRANSMISSION
`CAPACITY OF THE WCN
`
`604
`
`PROVIDE AT LEAST A PORTION OF
`THE DATA TOA SATELLITE UPLINK
`
`TRANSMIT THE PORTION OF THE
`DATA FROM THE SATELLITE UPLINK
`TO THE SA TELL/TE
`
`TRANSMIT THE PORTION OF THE
`DATA FROM SATELLITE TO
`SA TELL/TE RECEIVER
`
`RECEIVE THE PORTION OF THE
`DA TA IN THE SA TELL/TE RECEIVER
`
`PROVIDE RECEIVED DA TA TO
`TERRESTRIAL BASE STATION
`
`RANSMIT DA TA WITH TERRESTRIAL
`TRANSMITTER TO USER
`
`602
`
`608
`
`610
`
`612
`
`614
`
`616
`
`618
`
`606
`
`XMITALL
`DATA VIA
`WCNTO
`USER
`
`NO
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.20,2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`
`626
`
`XM!T ALL
`DATA VIA
`WCN
`
`NO
`
`RECEIVE DATA FROM USER
`
`DETERMINE IF A TRANSMISSION
`REQUIREMENT OF THE DATA
`EXCEEDS A TRANSMISSION
`CAPACITY OF THE WCN
`
`624
`
`UPLINK AT LEAST A PORTION OF
`THE DATA TO THE SATELLITE
`
`EGE/VE THE PORTION OF DATA AT
`THE SA TELL/TE
`
`TRANSMIT THE PORTION OF THE
`DATA TO RECEIVING STATION
`
`PROVIDE PORTION OF THE
`DA TA TO PSTN/18
`
`620
`
`622
`
`628
`
`630
`
`632
`
`634
`
`FIG. 68
`
`END
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 8
`
`

`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS OF USING
`SATELLITES TO AUGMENT TRAFFIC
`CAPACITY OF A WIRELESS NETWORK
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to systems and methods for
`wireless data transmission, and in particular to a system and
`method for increasing the network capacity by augmenting
`an existing wireless transmission network with a satellite
`transmission system.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`In recent years, there has been an increased demand for
`high bandwidth transmission of digital data such as video
`and audio media to remote, and particularly, mobile users.
`One way to provide such a service is to design and deploy
`a new mobile communication system that supports high-
`bandwidth data transmission. Unfortunately, with current
`technology, such a system is prohibitively expensive. Exist(cid:173)
`ing mobile communication infrastructures may also be used,
`but such systems are designed primarily for low bandwidth
`voice communication and are poorly suited for high band-
`width data transmission. The current method of augmenting
`traffic capacity with such systems is to lease additional
`wireline capacity when traffic loading exceeds current
`throughput capacity. While this solution is effective for
`personalized data and voice traffic, it is not a good solution
`for multimedia content. What is needed is a system that
`provides high bandwidth data transmission at a reasonable
`cost by using, to the extent possible, existing communication
`infrastructures. The present invention satisfies that need.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`To address the requirements described above, the present
`invention discloses a system and method for augmenting a
`wireless communication network to provide at least a por(cid:173)
`tion of digital data to a user. The method comprises the steps
`of receiving the portion of the digital data in a satellite
`receiver, providing the received portion of the digital data to
`at least one of a plurality of terrestrial base stations which
`form the wireless communication network, and transmitting
`the received portion of the digital data to the a user within
`a service region using the terrestrial base stations. The
`apparatus comprises a satellite antenna, for receiving a
`signal having at least a portion of the data from a satellite,
`and a satellite receiver, communicatively coupled to the
`satellite antenna for detecting and demodulating the signal to
`produce a portion of the digital data, the satellite receiver
`communicatively coupled to a terrestrial base stations in a
`terrestrial wireless communication network.
`The foregoing uses satellite transponders to augment the
`backhaul traffic capacity of existing and future wireless
`communication networks infrastructures. Satellites are used
`to broadcast/multicast/narrowcast data directly to cell tow(cid:173)
`ers of a wireless network. This extends the hybrid satellite/
`terrestrial networks to include a wireless segment, and
`provides a cost effective utilization of wireless, fiber, and
`satellite capacity.
`By incorporating a satellite network as a part of a wireless
`infrastructure, content distributors can bypass traffic con(cid:173)
`gestion and expensive terrestrial leased lines that link con(cid:173)
`tent providers with thousands of cell sites. Since most traffic
`is asymmetric, with more data going out to cell towers than
`
`2
`vice versa, satellite connectivity is a cost effective means for
`placing content and application to the users in cells of the
`wireless network.
`The foregoing is particularly applicable for streaming
`multimedia content. Further, since it does not require the
`addition of more terrestrial communication capacity, the
`owners of existing wireless communication networks can
`defer expensive upgrades that would otherwise be required
`and accelerate the introduction of new broadband service
`10 offerings, permitting greater market share.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
`15 numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a prior art wireless
`communication network;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wireless communication aug(cid:173)
`mented by a satellite segment;
`FIG. 3 is a diagram presenting an embodiment of the
`augmented wireless communication network in which the
`satellite segment directs the data to the user's service area;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing further detail of the terrestrial
`station;
`FIG. 5 is a system level diagram of an embodiment of the
`augmented wireless communication network using the sat(cid:173)
`ellite segment to transmit data from the users to desired
`destinations; and
`FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing exemplary
`method steps used to practice one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`35
`
`In the following description, reference is made to the
`accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and
`which is shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments
`of the present invention. It is understood that other embodi-
`40 ments may be utilized and structural changes may be made
`without departing from the scope of the present invention.
`FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a prior art wireless commu(cid:173)
`nication network 100 (WCN). The WCN includes a content
`delivery network (CDN) 102 that provides the digital data
`45 that is to be delivered to users. The data may include digital
`media program material such as digital movies, photo(cid:173)
`graphs, or audio, computer programs or data, web pages, and
`similar information. The content delivery network 102 is
`communicatively coupled to a public switched telephone
`50 network (PSTN) and/or an Internet backbone (PSTN/IB)
`106. The PSTN/IB is in communication with a mobile
`switching station/control center (MSS/CC) 120 via commu(cid:173)
`nication link 108. The MSS/CS 120, switches the data from
`the CDN 102 to one or more of a plurality of base stations
`55 112A and 112B (hereinafter alternatively referred to as base
`stations 112) via communication paths llOA and llOB,
`respectively. Each base station 112 services a geographical
`area 114, by transmitting the data to users with receivers
`within the service area. In one embodiment, the WCN is a
`60 cellular telephone network, and the geographical area 114 is
`a cell. The base station 112 includes a terrestrial receiver, for
`receiving transmissions from users, and a terrestrial trans(cid:173)
`mitter for transmitting information to users, and provide a
`communication link through the MSS 120 to an external
`65 network such as the PSTN.
`One difficulty with the prior art WCN 100 is bandwidth.
`That is, the WCN 100 that it is not well suited for the
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 9
`
`

`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`
`3
`delivery of large amounts of data (e.g. digital movies, audio
`or photographs) to users over small periods of time. This is
`due to a number of factors, but one such factor is the limited
`bandwidth available on communication links 108, 110, and
`in 106. Since each service region 114 may include a large 5
`number of users, each demanding a significant amount of
`bandwidth, communication links 108 and 110 can limit
`throughput. Further, although communication links 108 and
`110 can be augmented with additional capacity, such modi(cid:173)
`fications are expensive, and in many cases prohibitively so, 10
`particularly in areas with large variances in bandwidth
`demand.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of an augmented wireless control
`network (AWCN) 200. The AWCN comprises a communi(cid:173)
`cation link 204 from the CDN 102 to a satellite 206. The 15
`satellite 206 is typically a geosynchronous satellite such as
`that which is used to provide direct television broadcasts and
`broadband data to users with satellite signal receiving equip(cid:173)
`ment. Signals from the CDN 102 are transmitted to the
`satellite via an uplink station 202 that can be co-located at
`the CDN 102, or remote from the CDN 102. In a typical
`embodiment, the satellite 206 includes a plurality of tran(cid:173)
`sponders, each of which can be used to relay data from the
`uplink 204 to the user. Alternatively, the uplink 204 signal
`can be received and processed by the satellite 206 before
`transmission to the ground stations 210A and 210B (here(cid:173)
`inafter collectively referred to as ground stations 210). The
`ground stations 210 are communicatively coupled to the
`base stations 112. Data received by the ground stations 210
`is provided to the base stations 112 and thereafter transmit(cid:173)
`ted to users.
`By bypassing the PSTN/IB 106, and communication links
`108, 110, the ACWM 200 depicted in FIG. 2 ameliorates the
`communication bottlenecks associated with the limited
`transmission capacity of such links.
`The present invention can be practiced in several embodi(cid:173)
`ments. In a first embodiment, the satellite 206 of the A WCN
`200 transmits data requested by a particular user to a
`plurality of ground stations 210 and service areas 114,
`without regard to whether the user is located within any
`particular service area. The data is then provided to the base
`stations 112 and for transmission to the user. In one embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the base station 112 transmits the data without regard
`for whether the requesting user is within or near the service
`area 114. In another embodiment, each base station 112 is
`aware of whether the user requesting the data is disposed
`within the service area 114 serviced by the base station
`(whether from locally available data or from information
`provided by the MSS 120), and only transmits the data ifthe
`user has been determined to be within or proximate to the 50
`boundaries of the service area 114 of that particular trans(cid:173)
`mitter. Such information is typically available in a cellular
`communications system, such as a cellular telephone net(cid:173)
`work.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram presenting another embodiment of the
`present invention. In this embodiment, the satellite 206 and
`associated systems of the AWCN 200 is aware of which
`service area 114 the user requesting the data is located, and
`the data is transmitted from the satellite 206 only to the
`ground station 210 that services the cell 114 in which the
`user is located. This embodiment provides additional trans(cid:173)
`mission capacity and security from the satellite 206 to the
`ground stations 210, but that the satellite 206 and associated
`control equipment be provided with information regarding
`the service area 116 in which the user is located. This 65
`information can be provided by the MSS/CC 120. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively, the data may be transmitted to each of the ground
`
`4
`stations 210 servicing a plurality of cells 114 that together
`define a larger service area 116. This embodiment reduces
`the amount and/or frequency of information updates regard-
`ing the location of the user.
`InAWCN 200, data is provided from the content provider/
`CDN 102 via the PSTN/IB 106 to the MSS/CC 120 or is
`provided (preferably by an independent communications
`link) to the uplink station 202. Control information (identi(cid:173)
`fying the user that is to receive the data) is also provided
`from the content provider/CDN 102 to the MSS/CC 120.
`The service area 114 in which the user is located is deter-
`mined from control information provided by the base sta(cid:173)
`tions 112 to the MSS/CC 120 by control link 306. The
`MSS/CC 120 routes the data via link 308 to the base station
`112 servicing the service region 114 where the user is
`located. The base station 112 receives the information, and
`transmits it to the users. The user may receive the informa(cid:173)
`tion on a data reception/presentation device (DRPD) 310
`such as a cell phone, computer, personal data assistant
`20 (PDA), pager, or similar device.
`If the satellite segment of the A WCN 200 is to be used,
`data is provided from the CDN 102 to the uplink station 202.
`The uplink station 202 includes an uplink facility 304 and an
`uplink transmitter 302 for communicating the data to the
`25 satellite 206. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the
`satellite transmits the data only to ground stations 210
`associated with the service regions 114 in which the user is
`located, or to ground stations in adjacent service regions, if
`the user is near the periphery of a service region 114. To
`30 accomplish this, the uplink station 202 obtains information
`regarding the current and predicted service area 114 for the
`user from the MSS/CC 120. This information is used to
`identify which satellite 206 receives the data (if multiple
`satellites serving different regions are employed), and ifthe
`35 satellite 206 has beam steering capability, where the beam
`should be steered to transmit the data to the appropriate
`ground station 210. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the
`satellite transmits data intended for data reception/presen(cid:173)
`tation device DRPD 310A via link 208A, and data intended
`40 for DRPD 310B via link 208B.
`In one embodiment, the satellite segment of the A WCN
`200 is used to transmit data to the users only when the
`transmission capacity of the WCN 100 is insufficient to do
`so. This is determined by a processor 318 at the MSS/CC
`45 120 by comparing a characteristic of the data to be trans(cid:173)
`mitted (size, throughput requirement, minimum quality of
`service, cost of service) with a transmission characteristic of
`the WCN 100.
`In another embodiment, a portion of the data is transmit(cid:173)
`ted to the user via the WCN 100 and another portion is
`transmitted via the AWCN 200. The allocation between the
`WCN 100 and the AWCN 200 can be determined from an
`analysis and comparison of current and/or predicted trans(cid:173)
`mission capacity and data characteristics. Further, such
`55 allocation can be determined based on the type of data
`requested. For example, frequently viewed web pages
`shared by many users in service area 114 are often cached at
`the base station 112, and lead to reduced transmission
`capacity requirement. An allocation algorithm can therefore
`60 allocate web pages unique to a given user to the WCN 100
`and frequent and commonly requested web pages to the
`satellite segment and cache at the base station 112. Such
`analysis can be performed by a processor 318 in the MSS/
`CC 120, the uplink facility 304, the CDN 102, or elsewhere.
`The present invention can also be used to provide data
`from the MSS/CS 120 to the uplink station 202 for satellite
`transmission to ground stations 210, base stations 112 and
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 10
`
`

`
`20
`
`25
`
`5
`thence to users. This embodiment reduces throughput limi(cid:173)
`tations in communication links 110 shown in FIG. 2, but not
`108.
`The present invention can also be used to provide data
`from the uplink station 202 just to MSS/CC 120 and not to
`ground stations 210. This embodiment reduces throughput
`limitations in communication link 108 shown in FIG. 2, but
`not 110.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing further detail of the ground
`station 210 and the base stations 112. A signal having the
`data transmitted from the satellite is sensed by the ground
`station antenna 402 and detected and demodulated by the
`satellite receiver 404. The data is then provided to a pro(cid:173)
`cessor 408 in the base station 112. The processor 408
`provides the data to the transmitter 412 and thence to the 15
`base station 112 antenna 410. The data is then transmitted to
`the DRPD 310. The ground station 210 can also include
`sufficient cache to store data received from the satellite 206.
`The ground station processor and cache can be embodied in
`a server, or into the base station equipment.
`The present invention can also be used to provide for
`increased throughput from users to the PSTN/IB 106 and
`elsewhere. This embodiment is also illustrated in FIG. 4.
`Signals from the DRPD 310 are transmitted to the base
`station 112, antenna 410 and provided to the receiver 414.
`The processor 408 processes the data to perform any data
`conditioning or compression, and provides the data to the
`satellite transmitter 416. The satellite transmitter 416
`uplinks the data to the satellite 206. The satellite 206
`receives the information and transmits the information to a
`downlink facility communicatively coupled to the data des- 30
`tination. In one embodiment, transmission of the data from
`the ground station is accomplished through the PSTN/IB
`106.
`FIG. 5 is a system level diagram of an embodiment of the
`A WCN 200 that uses the satellite segment to transmit data 35
`from users to the PSTN/IB 106 and elsewhere. In this
`embodiment, data is transmitted from the satellite 206 to a
`downlink station 502. A receiving antenna 504 at the down(cid:173)
`link station 502 receives the data, and after processing at the
`downlink facility 506, the data is provided to the PSTN/IB 40
`106 via communication link 508 for delivery to the appro(cid:173)
`priate destination. As shown in FIG. 5, all, some, or none of
`the data may also be transmitted without using the satellite
`segment (through the unmodified WCN 100).
`FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating exemplary method 45
`steps that can be used to perform one embodiment of the
`present invention. Data to be provided to the user is exam(cid:173)
`ined to determine if a transmission requirement of the data
`exceeds the transmission capacity of the WCN 100 (e.g. the
`AWCN 200 without the satellite segment). This is shown in 50
`block 602. If the transmission requirement does not exceed
`the transmission capacity, all of the data is transmitted by the
`WCN 100, as shown in blocks 604 and 606. If the trans(cid:173)
`mission requirements for the data exceed the transmission
`capacity, at least a portion of the data is provided to a
`satellite uplink, as shown in block 608. As shown in blocks 55
`610 and 612, the portion of the data is transmitted from the
`satellite uplink to the satellite 206, and then to the satellite
`receiver 404. The data is then received in the satellite
`receiver 404, and provided to the terrestrial transmitter 412,
`as shown in blocks 614, and 616. The data is then transmit- 60
`ted to the user by the terrestrial transmitter 412.
`As described herein, data portions to be transmitted via
`the satellite segment and the ground segment (existing WCN
`100) can be allocated according to an optimization other
`than the foregoing scheme. For example, rather than trans- 65
`mit data portions via the satellite segment only when the
`existing WCN 100 carmot meet the data transmission
`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`
`6
`requirements, the allocation between the existing WCN 100
`and the satellite segment can be performed to minimize cost,
`or maximize throughput.
`FIG. 6B is a flow chart illustration exemplary method
`steps used to practice another embodiment of the invention
`which permits the satellite segment to be used to transmit
`data from the user to the PSTN/IB 106 and other destina(cid:173)
`tions. In block 620, data is received from the user at the
`receiver 414. A determination is made regarding whether a
`10 transmission requirement of the data exceeds the capacity of
`the WCN 100. If not, the data may be transmitted via the
`WCN 100 as shown in blocks 622-626. If the transmission
`requirement of the data exceeds the transmission capability
`of the WCN 100, at least a portion of the data is provided to
`the satellite transmitter 416 and is then transmitted or
`uplinked to the satellite 206. This is illustrated in block 628.
`The- data portion is received by the satellite 206 and
`transmitted to a downlink facility or receiving station 502,
`and thereafter provided to the PSTN/IB106.
`
`Conclusion
`
`This concludes the description of the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention. The foregoing description of
`the preferred embodiment of the invention has been pre(cid:173)
`sented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is
`not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
`precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
`are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that
`the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed
`description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The
`above specification, examples and data provide a complete
`description of the manufacture and use of the composition of
`the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can
`be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter
`appended.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of providing digital data to a data reception
`device, comprising:
`(a) operating the data reception device in a wireless
`communication network comprising a plurality ofter(cid:173)
`restrial receivers and terrestrial transmitters, each serv(cid:173)
`ing a service region,
`(b) receiving at least a portion of the digital data in a
`satellite receiver via a satellite communication system;
`(c) providing the received portion of the digital data to at
`least one of the terrestrial transmitters; and
`( d) transmitting the received portion of the digital data to
`the data reception device within the service region
`using the terrestrial transmitter while transmitting a
`remainder of the digital data via the wireless commu(cid:173)
`nication network;
`( e) determining if a transmission requirement of the
`digital data exceeds a capacity of the wireless commu(cid:173)
`nication network; and
`(f) performing steps comprising steps (b )through ( d) only
`if the transmission requirements of the digital data
`exceed the capacity of the wireless communication
`network.
`2. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite receiver is
`communicatively coupled to the terrestrial transmitter.
`3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless commu(cid:173)
`nication network is a cellular telephone network.
`4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining
`if a transmission requirement of the portion of the digital
`
`Pet., Exh. 1020, p. 11
`
`

`
`US 7,065,321 B2
`
`7
`data exceeds a capacity of the wireless communication
`network comprises the steps of:
`determining the transmission requirement for the portion
`of the digital data;
`determining the transmission capacity of the wireless
`communication network; and
`comparing the transmission requirements for the digital
`data with the transmission capacity of the wireless
`communication network.
`5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: 10
`providing the portion of the digital data to a satellite
`uplink, uplinking the portion of the digital data from the
`satellite uplink to a satellite, and transmitting the digital
`data only if the transmission requirements of the por(cid:173)
`tion of the digital data exceed the capacity of the 15
`wireless communication network.
`6. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmission
`requirement comprises a minimum bandwidth.
`7. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmission
`requirement comprises a size of the media program.
`8. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmission
`requirement comprises a quality of service (QoS) parameter.
`9. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmission
`requirement comprises a cost of service parameter.
`10. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps 25
`of:
`receiving information describing in which service region
`the user is located; and
`transmitting the digital data only to a satellite receiver
`associated with the service region in which the data 30
`reception device is located.
`11. An apparatus for providing digital data to a data
`reception device, comprising:
`a wireless communication network comprising a plurality
`of terrestrial receivers and terrestrial transmitters for 35
`transmitting information to the data reception device,
`each serving a service region;
`means for receiving a portion of the digital data in a
`satellite receiver in a satellite communication system;
`means for providing the received portion of the digital 40
`data to at least one of the terrestrial transmitters for
`transmission to the user; and
`means for transmitting the received portion of the digital
`data to the data reception device within the service
`region using the terrestrial transmitter while transmit- 45
`ting a remainder of the digital data via the wireless
`communication network;
`means for determining if a transmission requirement of
`the digital data exceed a capacity of the wireless
`communication network; and
`means for providing the portion of the digital data to at
`least one of the terrestrial transmitters only if the
`transmission requirements of the digital data exceed the
`capacity of the wireless communication network.
`12. The apparats of claim 11, further comprising means
`for transmitting the portion received digital data to the user
`within the service region using the terrestrial transmitter.
`13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless
`communication network is a cellular telephone network.
`14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for 60
`determining if a transmission requirement of the digital data
`
`8
`exceeds a capacity of the wireless communication network
`comprises:
`means for determining the transmission requirement for
`the digital data;
`means for determining the transmission capacity of the
`wireless communication network; and
`means for comparing the transmission requirements for
`the digital data with the transmission capacity of the
`wireless communication network.
`15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:
`means for providing the digital data to a satellite uplink,
`uplinking the digital data from the satellite uplink to a
`satellite, and transmitting the digital data only if the
`transmission requirements of the digital data exceed the
`capacity of the wireless communication network.
`16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmission
`requirement comprises a minimum bandwidth.
`17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmission
`req