Steven P Thompson

US Patent:

20020104920, Aug 8, 2002

Filed:

Feb 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/778999

Inventors:

Steven Thompson - Germantown MD, US
David Whitefield - Darnestown MD, US
Rajeev Gopal - N. Potomac MD, US

International Classification:

F41G007/00

US Classification:

244/003140

Abstract:

A method and system for increasing the availability of a satellite communications system is provided. A spare satellite is brought online by loading updated software in the satellite while the satellite is moving toward a new orbital position. The time required to bring the spare satellite into operation, and therefore restore service in the communication system, is thereby reduced.

US Patent:

20030073435, Apr 17, 2003

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/975051

Inventors:

Steven Thompson - Germantown MD, US
David Whitefield - Darnestown MD, US
Arthur Kaupe - Chevy Chase MD, US
Andrew Barnhart - Gaithersburg MD, US

International Classification:

H04Q007/20

US Classification:

455/428000, 455/001000

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling interference affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network, by establishing and using virtual cells which are independent of the cells formed by the spot beams generated by the satellite. The system and method employs an interference detector which is adapted to detect interference in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and an interference source identifier which is adapted to identify a source of the interference by deactivating at least one select group of the user terminals based on criteria independent of the respective cell or cells in which the user terminals reside, to locate those terminals whose ability to communicate in the network is being interfered with by the detected interference. The interference source identifier can deactivate the select group or groups of terminals based on criteria such as user terminals which are all located within a portion of a single cell, user terminals which are located within multiple cells, user terminals which are all located in a respective geographic region having a size independent of a size of any of said cells, user terminals having data receiving addresses within a particular range of addresses, user terminals having user terminal identifiers within a particular range of user terminal identifiers, and user terminals having a particular supplier identifier which identifies a supplier of the user terminals, to name a few.

US Patent:

20030078001, Apr 24, 2003

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/974934

Inventors:

Steven Thompson - Germantown MD, US
David Whitefield - Darnestown MD, US
Arthur Kaupe - Chevy Chase MD, US
Andrew Barnhart - Gaithersburg MD, US

International Classification:

H04B007/185

US Classification:

455/012100, 455/452000, 455/453000

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling data congestion affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network. The system and method employs a congestion detector adapted to determine that data congestion exists in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and a congestion controller, adapted to control downlinking of data from the network controller to at least one select group of the user terminals and uplinking of data from at least one select group of the user terminals to the network controller, in response to the data congestion. The congestion controller and control downlinking and uplinking of data to and from the select group or groups of terminals based on criteria such as user terminals which are all located within a single uplink cell or user terminals which are located within all uplink cells in said network.

Address:

16398 Boatswain Cir, Woodbridge, VA 22191

Phone:

(571)2855499

VIN:

4T1BK1FK3CU502284

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

CAMRY

Year:

2012