IL323903A - Beam sharing and bundling for mobile satellite beams - Google Patents

Description

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 BEAM SHARING AND BONDING FOR MOBILE SATELLITE BEAMS BACKGROUND

[0001]The following relates generally to communications, including beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams.

[0002]Communications devices may communicate with one another using wired connections, wireless (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) connections, or both. Wireless communications between devices may be performed using a wireless spectrum that has been designated for a service provider, wireless technology, or both. In some examples, the amount of information that can be communicated via a wireless communications network is based on an amount of wireless spectrum designated to the service provider, and an amount of frequency reuse within the region in which service is provided. Satellite communications may use beamforming to establish beams to increase frequency reuse, however, providing a high level of frequency reuse in satellite communication systems employing beamforming presents challenges.

SUMMARY

[0003]The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams. A communication sendee may be provided to mobile terminals via tracking beams and fixed beams that may both be beamformed spot beams. The mobile terminals may be switched between the different types of beams and the switching of the beams may be based on performance of the beams and the associated mobile terminals. The switching may be based on a performance of the beam failing to satisfy a performance threshold. The switching may be based on the associated mobile terminal entering or exiting a respective location. In some cases, a mobile terminal may be bonded to more than one beam so that communication service may be provided to the mobile terminal via the beams. The communication service may include unicast traffic and multicast traffic that is communicated with the mobile terminal via a tracking beam and a fixed beam, respectively.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 shows an example of a satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples described herein.

[0005]FIGs. 2A and 2B show examples of resources and resource elements for a satellite communication system that support beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples described herein.

[0006]FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0007]FIG. 4 illustrates another example of satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0008]FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate another example of a satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0009]FIG. 6 illustrates another example of satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0010]FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0011]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a beam manager and communication sendee monitor that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0012]FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a communication service monitor that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

[0013]FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a memory device that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

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[0014]FIGs. 11 through 13 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015]Beam-to-beam handoffs of mobile terminals can be a source of disruption to end users due to, among other things, a change in beam congestion levels. In some cases, modem satellite communication systems with electronically steerable beams may implement a flexible arrangement of spot beams. Reducing the size of the spot beams generally increases frequency re-use in a spot beam satellite system. For example, spot beams that individually track each mobile terminal may increase frequency re-use and reduce the number of handoffs. To allow for overlapping beams, each of the beams may uses its own unique resource element combination (e.g., frequency/time slot resource combination). In areas of high terminal density (e.g., close to airports), however, it may not be feasible to allocate individual spot beams to each aircraft, as the number of unique resource elements may surpass the total number of resource elements that are available. In those cases, communication services may be provided via fixed beams that are shared between multiple mobile terminals, where communications to and from multiple terminals are multiplexed over common resources (e.g., time and frequency resources).

[0016]Techniques are described for providing communication service to respective mobile terminals via tracking beams and fixed beams. For purposes of this application, a “tracking” beam tracks movement of a respective mobile terminal via a movable beam coverage area while communication service is provided to the mobile terminal via the beam. Tracking beams may be generated by beamforrned spot beams. Tracking beams may also be referred to herein as “tracking spot beams”, “movable spot beams”, “movable beams”, or the like.

[0017]For purposes of this application, a “fixed” beam does not track movement of a respective mobile terminal. The beam coverage area of a fixed beam is fixed, centered at a geographic location so as to remain substantially stationary while communication service is provided to the moving mobile terminal via the beam. The definition of “fixed” allows for small variations in a fixed beam and its associated fixed beam coverage area due to movement of the satellite (e.g., a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite) caused by drift and repositioning of the satellite from its orbit. Fixed beams may be generated by fixed WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 antennas or by beamformed spot beams. Fixed beams may also be referred to herein as “static beams” or the like. Fixed beams generated by beamformed spot beams may also be referred to herein as “fixed spot beams”.

[0018]A fixed beam may provide communication services to multiple terminals within its fixed beam coverage area. To do this, the resource elements devoted to the fixed beam may be shared among the multiple terminals. As such, fixed beams may also be referred to herein as “shared beams.” In some examples, a centralized Medium Access Control (MAC) scheduler may have access to the queues of the data for the multiple terminals and may arbitrate which packets are going to be transmitted in what sequence over the common resources, generally enforcing specified fairness rules, traffic priorities, etc.

[0019]Conversely, a terminal may be provided communication services by multiple beams. To prevent interference between the beams at the terminal, communications involving the beams and the terminal are coordinated with each other. This coordination of the communications may be performed by a beam manager. The terminal involved in such coordinated communications is said to be “bonded” with the beams involved in the coordinated communications. As such, those beams may be referred to herein as “bonded beams.”

[0020]In areas where tracking beams and fixed beams overlap, mobile terminals associated with the tracking beams may be switched from receiving communication service from the tracking beams to receiving the communication service via the fixed beams based on a performance threshold associated with the mobile terminals. The mobile terminals may then be switched back to receiving the communication service via the tracking beams based on a second performance threshold associated with the mobile terminals. This may result in the use of fewer tracking beams in congested areas, reducing performance degradation.

[0021]Techniques are also described for using a tracking beam and a fixed beam for respectively providing unicast traffic and multicast traffic to a mobile terminal. This may allow a higher amount of traffic to be communicated with the mobile terminal. In some examples, the mobile terminal may be bonded to the different beams so that the unicast traffic and the multicast traffic may be provided concurrently to the mobile terminal.

[0022]Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of satellite communication systems. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, block diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams.

[0023] FIG. 1shows an example of a satellite communication system 100 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples described herein. Satellite communication system 100 may include a ground network 135 and a satellite network 101 configured to track and provide communication service to one or more mobile terminals 120.

[0024]The ground network 135 may include a collection of earth stations 170 having access nodes 140 configured to communicate with the satellite network 101 via a feeder link 132 (e.g., one or more satellite beams). The access nodes 140 may be coupled with access node transceivers 145 that are configured to process signals received from and to be transmitted through corresponding access node(s) 140. The access node transceivers 145 may also be configured to interface with a network 125 (e.g., the Internet)—e.g., via a network device 130 (e.g., a network operations center, satellite and gateway terminal command centers, or other central processing centers or devices) that may provide an interface for communicating with the network 125.

[0025]The ground network 135 may also include a beam manager 175 for controlling fixed and spot beam usage of mobile terminals and the tracking of mobile terminals as communication sendee is provided to the mobile terminals via fixed and beamformed spot beams and coordinating resource elements used by the beams and mobile terminals, as discussed herein. Beam manager 175 may retrieve information (e.g., associated with the satellite network 101 and the terminals 120) from the satellite network 101 (e.g., via feeder link 132 and an access node 140) for performing the controlling and coordinating, and may send commands (e.g., to the satellite network 101 and/or the terminals 120) accordingly (e.g., via the access node and feeder link). Beam manager 175 may also be configured to interface with the network 125. In some examples, beam manager 175 may be included in satellite network 101 instead of the ground network 135. For example, beam manager 175 may be positioned on a satellite 105.

[0026]Terminals 120 may include various devices configured to communicate signals with the satellite network 101. Although terminals 120 are illustrated as being on aircraft, terminals 120 may include fixed terminals (e.g., ground-based stationary׳ terminals) or mobile terminals mounted on mobile platforms (e.g., boats, aircraft, ground-based vehicles, and the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 like), or a combination of fixed and mobile terminals. A terminal 120 may communicate data and information with an access node 140 via the satellite network 101 using beams (e.g., beamformed spot beams 150). The data and information may be communicated with a destination device such as a network device 130, or some other device or distributed server associated with a network 125.

[0027]Satellite network 101 may include one or more satellites 105 (e.g., a single satellite 105 or a network of satellites) that are deployed in space orbits (e.g., low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, geosynchronous orbits, geostationary orbits, etc.). Each satellite 105 included in satellite network 101 may be equipped with one or more antennas (e.g., a single antenna or an antenna array), which may also be referred to as antenna elements. The antenna elements may be used to generate the beams for providing communication service to terminals 120. The ground network 135 may also contain access nodes 140 with one or more antenna elements.

[0028]Terminals 120 may each include an antenna assembly which may also include various hardware for mounting an antenna. An antenna assembly may also include circuits and/or processors for converting (e.g., performing frequency conversion, modulating/demodulating, multiplexing/demultiplexing, filtering, forwarding, etc.) between radio frequency (RF) satellite communication signals, and satellite terminal communications signals transmitted between the antenna and a satellite terminal receiver. For mobile terminals, the antenna assembly may be mounted on the outside of the mobile platform (e.g., outside of the fuselage of an aircraft). Additionally, or alternatively, the terminal 120 may include a transceiver, which may be mounted on the inside or outside of the mobile platform and may include circuits and/or processors for performing various RF signal operations (e.g., receiving, performing frequency conversion, modulating/demodulating, multiplexing/demultiplexing, etc.).

[0029]Beam manager 175 may use the one or more satellites to support beamforming and other techniques within the coverage area 155 of the satellite communication system to increase a utilization of resources used for communications. In some examples, beam manager 175 may employ beamforming, including using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques, to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers over the same frequency resources. Beam manager 175 may cause multiple signals, for example, to be transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., a satellite 105) via a set of antennas in accordance WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 with a set of weighting coefficients. Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by a receiving device (e.g., a terminal 120) via a set of antennas in accordance with a set of weighting coefficients. Each of the multiple signals may be associated with a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords).

[0030]In some examples, some or all of the antenna elements on the satellites 105, the ground network 135, and/or the terminals 120 may be arranged as an array of constituent receive and/or transmit feed elements that cooperate to enable various examples of on-board beamforming (OBBF), ground-based beamforming (GBBF), end-to-end beamforming, or other types of beamforming. In the GBBF implementation, there may be multiple transmit or receive antennas on the ground network access node(s).

[0031]Beam manager 175 may determine weighting coefficients to apply to the set of antennas. For example, for N spatial layers to be formed, beam manager 175 may utilize an (Af x A) MIMO matrix, where M may represent the quantity of antennas of the set of antennas. In some examples, M may be equal to N. Beam manager 175 may determine the MIMO matrix based on a channel matrix and may use the MIMO matrix to isolate the different spatial layers of the channel. In some examples, beam manager 175 may select the weighting coefficients to emphasize signals transmitted using the different spatial layers while reducing interference of signals transmitted in the other spatial layers. Accordingly, processing signals received at each antenna of the set of antennas (e.g., a signal received at the set of antennas) using the MIMO matrix may result in multiple signals being output, where each of the multiple signals may correspond to one of the spatial layers. In some examples, the weighting coefficients used for MIMO communications may be referred to as beam coefficients or beamforming coefficients, and the multiple spatial layers may be referred to as beams or spot beams.

[0032]Beam manager 175 may determine the elements of the MIMO matrix used to form the spatial layers of the channel based on channel sounding probes. Channel sounding probes may include reference signals transmitted periodically between satellite network 1and a device (e.g., a terminal 120) coupled with the satellite network. For example, a channel sounding probe may be periodically transmitted from a terminal 120 to a satellite 105, or from the satellite to the terminal, or both, and may include a sequence that is known to the transmitter and receiver (e.g., based on a terminal identifier or other parameters known to the transmitter and receiver). The receiving device (e.g., the terminal or the satellite) may use the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 received channel sounding probe to evaluate the connection by correlating the received channel sounding probe to the expected signal for the channel sounding probe (e.g., to determine a signal strength, an interference, etc.) and make decisions based thereon. Due to the periodicity of the signal, the receiving device may know when the signal should be received.

[0033]Beam manager 175 may use beamforming techniques to shape or steer a communication beam along a spatial path between one or more satellites and a mobile terminal 120 within a geographic area. Beam manager 175 form a communication beam by determining weighting coefficients for antenna elements of an antenna array that result in the signals transmitted from or received at the antenna elements being combined such that signals propagating in a particular orientation with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. Thus, beamforming may be used to transmit signals having energy that is focused in a direction of a communication beam and to receive signals that arrive in a direction of the communication beam with increased signal power (relative to the absence of beamforming). Beam manager 175 may use the weighting coefficients to apply amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements.

[0034]In some examples, beam manager 175 may apply the weighting coefficients to the antennas to form multiple beams, each associated with a different direction, where the multiple beams may be used to communicate multiple signals having the same frequency at the same time to different user terminals. This may be referred to as Multiuser MIMO. The weighting coefficients used for beamforming may be referred to as beam coefficients, and the multiple signals may be referred to as beam signals. The resulting beams may be referred to herein as beamformed spot beams or spot beams, or beams.

[0035]Beam manager 175 may calculate the amplitude and phase of each weighting coefficient given the antenna array and reflector geometry and location and the desired beam locations. However, due to inaccuracies (e.g., in the satellite locations, array orientation, geometry, atmospheric scintillation effects, etc.), such an approach may be impractical. Instead, beam manager 175 may calculate the weighting coefficients using continuous or periodic measurements of the MIMO propagation channel characteristics (e.g., pairwise channels from each system antenna element to each terminal antenna element) and adjusting the weighting coefficients based on the changing channel characteristics. The measured MIMO channel characteristics may include pairwise gain and phase response and noise level WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 and may be referred to as MIMO channel state information (CSI). Once the MIMO CSI is available, beam manager 175 may derive the weighting coefficients by solving a set of equations or applying a set of adaptation formulas. Various beamformer calculation and adaptation techniques may be used, including minimum mean square error (MMSE) beamformer, zero forcing beamformer, MIMO sphere decoder, and others.

[0036]The measurement of MIMO CSI may include the collaboration of at least one terminal for each spot beam. The situation may be different for the forward link direction (from the satellites to the terminals) versus the return link direction (from the terminals to the satellites). In the return link, each terminal may transmit a channel probing signal that may be orthogonal to probing signals of the other terminals. The satellites may determine which channel probing signal is transmitted from each terminal and may process the signal to estimate the channel parameters of the channel corresponding to that terminal. As such, the MIMO CSI on the return link may be computed locally on the satellite side for terminals that transmit channel probing signals. In contrast, on the forward link, the satellites may transmit channel probing signals. Different antenna elements may transmit signals that are orthogonal to each other. Each terminal tasked to compute MIMO CSI may do so by processing the probing signals corresponding to at least a subset of the transmit antenna elements. Further, each such terminal may transmit the MIMO CSI back to a satellite using a return link control channel.

[0037]Spot beams generated that way may be tailored to the MIMO CSI provided by the user terminals and each spot beam may illuminate the direction of each such terminal. Each spot beam has a finite coverage area 160 (e.g., several km diameter) and may therefore illuminate additional terminals that may be in the vicinity of the CSI generating terminal. These additional terminals may not provide CSI, as this may unnecessarily increase the CSI reporting channel overhead. The terminal that is used to provide MIMO CSI per spot beam may be considered the reference terminal for that spot beam. A reference terminal may be a mobile terminal. In some examples, the coverage area 160 of a spot beam may be determined based on the wavelength of the carrier wave and the diameter of the aperture. The coverage area 160 may correspond, e.g., to a footprint where the power level of the spot beam is above a threshold, or where the power level drop-off away from the center of the spot beam is less than a threshold amount (e.g., 3 decibels (dB) or 6 dB). In some examples, the coverage area 160 may be based on a beam width of the spot beam (e.g., at the threshold power level).

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0038]In some examples, one or more aircraft-based terminals 120 may be sufficiently separated in distance from each other and from the other aircraft, so that beam manager 1may use a separate fixed or spot beam for each of the one or more terminals. In some examples, two or more of the terminals 120 may be in close proximity (e.g., at an airport) such that beam manager 175 may illuminate the terminals by a same spot beam. In the former case, each terminal on an aircraft may be a reference terminal for its spot beam, while in the latter case, one of several terminals on aircraft within the beam coverage area may serve as a reference terminal for the spot beam.

[0039]As the mobile terminal 120 moves in the airspace, the MIMO CSI may change, causing the direction of the spot beam to change. Beam manager 175 may adjust the beam direction based on the changed MIMO CSI so that the reference terminal may remain at or near the center of the spot beam. Therefore, as the reference terminal moves, the spot beam may follow its movement, as further explained herein.

[0040]Beam manager 175 may associate the fixed and beamformed spot beams with a set of resources of the satellite communication system 100. The set of resources may include, e.g., frequency resources, time resources, and polarization resources. For example, a given frequency range for the satellite communication system 100 may comprise frequency resources or channels, and a given amount of time may comprise different recurring time slots. For example, beam manager 175 may use a frequency channel to carry a signal (e.g., a modulated signal carried in a beamformed spot beam) on one of the recurring time slots. By doing this, beams may overlap spatially without interfering if they are associated with different frequency/time resource combinations. In addition, beam manager 175 may use multiple polarizations such that two beams may overlap spatially without interfering if they are associated with different polarizations.

[0041]Thus, beams may overlap spatially without interfering if they are associated with different combinations of the resources (e.g., different frequency channel/time slot/polarization combinations). The different combinations may be known as resource elements that together form a set of resource elements that may be used by beam manager 175 for communicating signals over a beam. Beam manager 175 may control the association of the fixed and spot beams with the resource elements and determine when to assign and reassign the resource elements to the beams. Beam manager 175 may also control the amount of power to allocate for each beam and when to adjust the power for each beam.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0042]Beam manager 175 may adjust the individual coverage areas or footprints of beamformed spot beams (e.g., by adjusting the weighting coefficients) so as to track (e.g., move in concert with) the respective mobile terminals.

[0043] FIG. 2Ashows an example of resources 200 for a satellite communication system that support beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples described herein. Resources 200 may correspond to frequency divisions of a satellite communication system. For example, a frequency range 205 (e.g., a frequency band) may comprise a set of different frequency resources or frequency channels 210 (e.g., frequency channel 210-a, frequency channel 210-b, frequency channel 210-c, frequency channel 210-d) that carry signals between the satellite network and the terminals. The resources 200 may correspond to the frequency channels 210 of the frequency range 205.

[0044]Each frequency channel 210 may carry signals associated with a single terminal (e.g., at a time). For example, each frequency channel 210 may carry a single modulated signal. Information (e.g., data, control information) may be modulated onto the modulated signal using a variety of single-carrier or multi-carrier modulation techniques (e.g., Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), linearly pre-coded OFDM (LP-OFDM)). A fixed or beamformed spot beam may be associated with one or more frequency channels 210 (e.g., by beam manager 175), to provide communication to mobile terminals and, for beamformed spot beams, track mobile terminals.

[0045]In the example of FIG. 2A, the resources 200 may correspond to the frequency channels 210. That is, each frequency channel 210 may be a separate resource 200. As there are no other types of resources, the separate resources may also be resource elements in some examples. As such, in this example the number of available resource elements may correspond to the number of frequency channels, N.

[0046] FIG. 2Bshows an example of resource elements 250 for a satellite communication system that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples described herein. In this example, frequency channels 210 may again be used to carry signals associated with the terminals. In addition, the frequency channels 210 may be time multiplexed. That is, each frequency channel 210 may be configured to carry signals to and from the terminals in time slots that repeat after a period of time. For example, a time period 215 may be divided into a set of sub-periods or time slots t (e.g., time slot ti, time slot t2, time slot 13, time slot tm) each having a length 225. Each WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 frequency channel 210 may carry a signal to or from a different terminal during each time slot t, although in some cases multiple time slots within a time period 215 may be allocated to the same terminal. For example, each frequency channel 210 may carry a single modulated signal during each time slot t. Information (e.g., data, control information) may be modulated onto the modulated signal using a variety of single-carrier or multi-carrier modulation techniques (e.g., OFDM, DSSS, LP-OFDM) to provide communication to and track mobile terminals (e.g., by beam manager 175), as discussed herein.

[0047]At the completion of the time period 215, the process may repeat such that each frequency channel 210 may carry further signals associated with the different terminals in a resource period. As a result, beam manager 175 may use the frequency channel 210 for communication with the terminal during one time slot t per time period 215. In some examples, beam manager 175 may assign more than one time slot per time period to a terminal, and thus communication with the terminal may occur over more than one time slot per time period for the frequency channel 210. In some cases, assignment of beams to a set of resources (e.g., one or more resource elements) may be performed on a longer time scale than time period 215. That is, once assigned to one or more resource elements, a fixed or beamformed spot beam may continue to use the resource elements over multiple time periods 215 until the assignment is updated.

[0048]In the example of FIG. 2B, the resource elements 250 may correspond to the combinations of frequency channels 210 and time slots t in a time period 215. That is, each unique combination of frequency channel 210 and time slot t may be a separate resource element 250. As such, in this example the number of available resource elements may correspond to the number of frequency channels times the number of time slots, or N x m. Thus, this example may provide more resource elements than the example of FIG. 2A.

[0049]In addition to being multiplexed in time or frequency, different polarizations may be used to define the resource elements for assignment to fixed and beamformed spot beams. For example, a set of resource elements may include a first sub-set of resource elements associated with a first polarization and a second sub-set of resource elements associated with a second, orthogonal, polarization. The first and second polarizations may be orthogonal polarizations, and may be linearly polarized or circularly polarized (e.g., a right-hand circular polarization (RHCP), a left-hand circular polarization (LHCP)). Thus, a set of resource elements available to beam manager 175 for assignment to fixed and beamformed spot WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 beams may be defined according to frequency resources (e.g., frequency channels), time resources (e.g., sub-periods of resource periods), or polarization resources.

[0050]In some examples, the types of resource elements may be combined. For example, in the same system, one or more frequency channels may be divided into time slots (e.g., as in FIG. 2B) and one or more other frequency channels may be used, undivided (e.g., as in FIG. 2A), as separate resource elements. Other combinations are also possible.

[0051] FIG. 3illustrates an example of a satellite communication system 300 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The satellite communication system 300 may be an example of satellite communication system 100 as described with reference to FIG. 1 or aspects thereof. Satellite communication system 300 may include abeam manager 175-a, which may be an example of beam manager 175 described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof.

[0052]Satellite communication system 300 may include a satellite network 101 having one or more satellites 105 (e.g., satellite 105-a) configured to generate beamformed spot beams 150 (e.g., beamformed spot beam 150-a) for communicating with a set of terminals 120 (e.g., terminals 120-a, 120-b, 120-c, 120-d) within a coverage area 155 of the satellite communication system, as directed by beam manager 175-a. Beamformed spot beams may also be referred to herein as spot beams.

[0053]The terminals 120 may be located on movable platforms or vehicles, such as automobiles, boats, or aircraft, and thus may be considered to be mobile terminals 120. In some examples, each vehicle may include a single mobile terminal. In other examples, one or more vehicles may each include two or more mobile terminals. At least some of mobile terminals 120 may be multi-user mobile terminals, and thus the satellite communication system 300 may provide a communication service to multiple user devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tablets) connected via the mobile terminals 120.

[0054]In some examples, the satellite communication system 300 may provide communication sendee to the mobile terminals 120 via a set of beamformed spot beams 1that track the mobile terminals, as controlled by beam manager 175-a, during movement of the mobile terminals. For the sake of clarity, only a single beamformed spot beam 150-a is illustrated in FIG. 3 associated with a single mobile terminal 120-a. Although not illustrated in FIG. 3, beamformed spot beams 150 may also be associated with one or more of the other mobile terminals 120.

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[0055]In some examples, beam manager 175-a may associate each beamformed spot beam 150 with a different mobile terminal 120. Each mobile terminal 120 associated with its own spot beam may also be considered to be a reference terminal. Each spot beam 150 may have a respective coverage area 160 (e.g., coverage areas 160-a, 160-b, 160-c, 160-d). The coverage area may correspond, for example, to a footprint where the power level of the beam is above a threshold, or where the power level drop-off away from the center of the beam is less than a threshold amount (e.g., 3dB, 6dB).

[0056]In some examples, a beamformed spot beam associated with a reference terminal may be formed (e.g., as controlled by beam manager 175-a) to include the terminal’s physical location within the coverage area of the beamformed spot beam. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, mobile terminal 120-a, acting as a reference terminal, may be physically located within the coverage area 160-a of beamformed spot beam 150-a and mobile terminals 120-b, 120-c, and 120-d may be physically located within the coverage areas 160-b, 160-c, and 160-d of their respective beamformed spot beams (not shown). The satellite communication system 300 may provide communication service (e.g., via beam manager 175-a) to mobile terminal 120-a via beamformed spot beam 150-a.

[0057]In some examples, beam manager 175-a may cause a beamformed spot beam to track a moving mobile terminal while communication service is provided to the terminal via the spot beam. For example, as mobile terminal 120-a physically moves from location A to location B, as indicated by arrow 325, beamformed spot beam 150-a may “move” so as to track the mobile terminal, as indicated by arrow 330. In some examples, to “move” a beamformed spot beam, beam manager 175-a may change and apply the beamforming coefficients associated with the beamformed spot beam to the signal associated with the beamformed spot beam. This may change the directionality of the beamformed spot beam (e.g., “move” the beam) so that the coverage area of the beamformed spot beam changes (e.g., “moves”). A beam that moves so as to track a mobile terminal may be referred to herein as a tracking beam.

[0058]To follow or track a mobile terminal, the beamforming coefficients may be changed by beam manager 175-a such that the coverage area of the tracking beam may move to reflect the movement of (e.g., may be moved in concert with) the mobile terminal. For example, the beamforming coefficients may be changed such that the coverage area 160 of the beamformed spot beam 150 may move in one or two dimensions, to spatially track the mobile terminal 120 across the coverage area 155 of the satellite communication system.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 Beam manager 175-a may continually adjust the movable coverage area of the spot beam (e.g., by periodically changing the beamforming coefficients to provide continuous coverage) to continue to correspond with the moving physical location of the moving mobile terminal and thereby track the mobile terminal. For example, beam manager 175-a may move the movable coverage area 160-a of tracking beam 150-a (e.g., from coverage area 160-al to coverage area 160-32) so as to encompass the physical location of mobile terminal 120-a as mobile terminal 120-a moves from location A to location B. This may allow communication service associated with a mobile terminal to be provided via the same beamformed spot beam as the mobile terminal moves through the coverage area of the satellite communication system. For example, beam manager 175-a may provide continuous communication service to mobile terminal 120-a via tracking beam 150-a without a handoff as the mobile terminal moves between location A and location B.

[0059]In some examples, to track the mobile terminal, beam manager 175-a may adjust the movable coverage area of the spot beam (e.g., move the spot beam) based on measurements of signals communicated with the mobile terminal. In some examples, the mobile terminal may provide channel state information back to satellite network 101 on a regular and periodic basis, and beam manager 175-a may process this channel state information to compute appropriate beamforming coefficients such that the beam energy for the spot beam signal associated with an aircraft is focused on that aircraft. As the aircraft moves, the channel state information may change, which in turn may induce changes in the beam weight coefficients computed by beam manager 175-a. Through this beamformer adaptation process, the center of the spot beam may be continuously co-located with the aircraft location (may follow the aircraft).

[0060]Alternatively, beam manager 175-a may use an initial estimate of where to move the spot beam based on the latest speed and direction of travel of the mobile terminal. In some examples, beam manager 175-a may move the spot beam in such a manner that as the mobile terminal moves, the mobile terminal may remain centrally positioned within the movable coverage area of the spot beam. This may allow the SNR of the mobile terminal to remain high so that overall communication speed and spectral efficiency associated with the mobile terminal may also be high.

[0061]In some examples, beam manager 175-a may determine the position of the mobile terminal based on information received from the mobile terminal, such as location coordinates (e.g., determined via a positioning system such as GPS), a speed, a direction or WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 other information associated with the mobile terminal. In some examples, beam manager 175-a may determine the position of the mobile terminal based on information external to the mobile terminal, such as based on radar or other signals.

[0062]In some examples, the satellite communication system may provide the communication sendee to one or more mobile terminals via beamformed spot beams associated with the terminals. For example, in FIG. 3, beam manager 175-a may establish beamformed spot beams 150 for each of mobile terminals 120-a, 120-b, 120-c, and 120-d, and may provide the communication service to the terminals and track the mobile terminals as the mobile terminals move within the coverage area 155 of the satellite communication system.

[0063]In some examples, beam manager 175-a may use initial channel state information to determine the locations of the mobile terminals. Beam manager 175-a may determine the initial channel state information based on measurements (e.g., signal strengths) of initial signals communicated with (e.g., transmitted to or received from) the mobile terminals. The initial channel state information may be based on respective first locations (e.g., location A for mobile terminal 120-a) of the mobile terminals within the coverage area 155 of satellite communication system 300. In some examples, the initial signals may include respective initial channel sounding probes communicated with the mobile terminals.

[0064]In some examples, to generate the beamformed spot beams, beam manager 175-a may apply beamforming coefficients to convert between beam signals associated with each of the beamformed spot beams and component signals associated with a plurality of antenna elements of the satellite communication system. For example, to generate a spot beam for transmitting information to a mobile terminal, beam manager 175-a may apply beamforming coefficients to beam signals (that contain information for transmission to the mobile terminals) to obtain component signals that may be applied to the antenna elements; and to generate a spot beam for receiving information from a mobile terminal, beam manager 175-a may apply beamforming coefficients to component signals received from multiple mobile terminals at the antenna elements to obtain multiple beam signals that each contain the information transmitted within the movable coverage area of a given beam (e.g., that enhance the signals transmitted within the coverage area of the beam and suppress signals transmitted from outside the coverage area of the beam). Beam manager 175-a may also determine power levels to allocate for the spot beams. In general, a spot beam may have a greater capability (e.g., data speed) at higher power levels.

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[0065]The plurality of antenna elements may be positioned on one or more of the satellites 105 or may be positioned on components of a ground network of the satellite communication system (e.g., access nodes 140 of ground network 135 as shown in FIG. 1). Beam manager 175-a may use the beamforming coefficients to form the beamformed spot beams 150 between the satellites 105 and the movable coverage areas 160. Beam manager 175-a may base the beamforming coefficients on the initial channel state information so that the coverage areas 160 of the spot beams 150 may encompass the respective first locations (e.g., location A) of the associated terminals 120.

[0066]The beamformed spot beams 150 may be forward-link beamformed spot beams (e.g., for transmitting information to the mobile terminals) and/or return-link beamformed spot beams (e.g., for receiving information from the mobile terminals). For example, the beamforming coefficients may include a plurality of sets of forward-link beamforming coefficients and a plurality of sets of return-link beamforming coefficients.

[0067]Beam manager 175-a may apply a first set of the forward-link beamforming coefficients at a first time to a set of forward-link signals to generate a first set of forward- link component signals for transmission to one or more mobile terminals via the antenna elements at the first time. Transmission of the first set of forward-link component signals to the mobile terminals via the antenna elements may form forward-link beamformed spot beams, each corresponding to one of the mobile terminals for the first time.

[0068]Beam manager 175-a may apply a second set of the forward-link beamforming coefficients at a second time to the set of forward-link signals to generate a second set of forward-link component signals for transmission to the mobile terminals via the antenna elements at the second time. Transmission of the second set of forward-link component signals to the mobile terminals via the antenna elements may form the forward-link beamformed spot beams, each corresponding to the mobile terminals for the second time. One or more of the forward-link beamformed spot beams at the second time may have moved from the corresponding forward-link beamformed spot beams at the first time to track movement of corresponding mobile terminals.

[0069]On the return link, beam manager 175-a may apply a first set of the return-link beamforming coefficients at a first time to return-link component signals received from the mobile terminals via the antenna elements at the first time. Applying the first set of the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 return-link beamforming coefficients may form return-link beamformed spot beams, each corresponding to one of the mobile terminals, for the first time.

[0070]Beam manager 175-a may apply a second set of the return-link beamforming coefficients at a second time to return-link component signals received from the mobile terminals via the plurality of antenna elements at the second time. Applying the second set of the return-link beamforming coefficients may form the return-link beamformed spot beams for the second time. One or more of the return-link beamformed spot beams at the second time may have moved from the corresponding return-link beamformed spot beams at the first time to track movement of the corresponding mobile terminals.

[0071]In some examples, beam manager 175-a may use subsequent channel state information to determine subsequent locations of the mobile terminals. Beam manager 175-a may determine the subsequent channel state information based on measurements (e.g., signal strengths) of subsequent signals communicated with the mobile terminals. The subsequent channel state information may be based on respective second locations (e.g., location B for mobile terminal 120-a) of the mobile terminals within the coverage area 155. Differences between the initial channel state information and the subsequent channel state information may be based on movement of the mobile terminals to the respective second locations.

[0072]In some examples, beam manager 175-a may revise the beamforming coefficients and apply them to convert between the beam signals and the component signals associated with the plurality of antenna elements of the satellite network. The revised beamforming coefficients may be based on the subsequent channel state information so that the new coverage areas (e.g., coverage area 160-a2) of the beams may encompass the respective second locations (e.g., location B) of the mobile terminals.

[0073]The determination of subsequent locations of the mobile terminals and the revisions of the beamforming coefficients based thereon may be repeated by beam manager 175-a as often and as long as desired. In this manner, the beamformed spot beams 150 may track movement of the reference terminals 120 throughout the coverage area 155 of the satellite communication system while communication service is provided to the terminals.

[0074]In some examples, the beamforming coefficients (e.g., the initial beamforming coefficients and the revised beamforming coefficients) may include sets of beamforming coefficients. Each set of beamforming coefficients may correspond to a different time period for the set of beamformed spot beams. In some examples, the beamforming coefficients may WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 be revised based on a characteristic, attribute, or condition satisfying (e.g., meeting, exceeding, and/or falling below) a threshold. For example, beam manager 175-a may revise beamforming coefficients and then apply the revised beamforming coefficients based on a received signal quality (e.g., measured at the mobile terminal or at the satellite communication system) falling below a threshold. For example, the beamforming coefficients may be revised so that a power for the beam may increase. This may allow the signal quality associated with the mobile terminal to remain high so that overall communication speed and efficiency associated with the mobile terminal may also be high.

[0075]Additionally or alternatively, beam manager 175-a may revise beamforming coefficients and then apply the revised beamforming coefficients based on a position of one or more of the mobile terminals within the movable coverage area of the respective beamformed spot beam. In some examples, beam manager 175-a may determine the received signal quality based on the subsequent channel state information.

[0076]In some examples, two or more beams may use different resource elements for providing communication services to the respective mobile terminals. For example, beam manager 175-a may cause each beam 150 to use a different resource element (e.g., a different combination of frequency channel, time slot, and polarization) to provide communications to its respective mobile terminal 120 while tracking the mobile terminal. By using different resource elements, interference between the beams may be reduced or eliminated, even when the mobile terminals may be close to each other.

[0077]In some examples, two or more beams may use a same resource element for providing communication services to the respective mobile terminals. For example, beam manager 175-a may cause two or more beams 150 to use a same combination of frequency channel, time slot, and polarization to provide communications to respective mobile terminals 120 while tracking the mobile terminals. This may be desirable, e.g., when the mobile terminals are far enough apart so that the respective beams do not interfere with each other. By using the same resource elements, more beams may be used with a particular set of resources, thereby increasing frequency reuse.

[0078] FIG. 4illustrates an example of another satellite communication system 400 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The satellite communication system 400 may be an example of the satellite communication systems discussed herein, such as satellite communication system WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 or aspects thereof. Satellite communication system 400 may include a beam manager 175-b, which may be an example of beam manager 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof.

[0079]Satellite communication system 400 may include a satellite network 101 having one or more satellites 105 (e.g., satellite 105-b) configured to generate movable beamformed spot beams 150 (e.g., tracking beams 150-e and 150-f) for communicating with mobile terminals 120 (e.g., mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f) as the beamformed spot beams track the mobile terminals, as controlled by beam manager 175-b, discussed herein.

[0080]In some examples, each beamformed spot beam 150 may be associated with a different mobile terminal 120. For example, beam manager 175-b may associate tracking beam 150-e with mobile terminal 120-e and tracking beam 150-f with mobile terminal 120-f. The beamformed spot beams 150 may have movable coverage areas 160 (e.g., coverage areas 160-e and 160-f). For the sake of clarity, tracking beam 150-e and associated movable coverage area 160-e corresponding to moving mobile terminal 120-e are shown in solid lines, and tracking beam 150-f and corresponding movable coverage area 160-f corresponding to moving mobile terminal 120-f are shown in dashed lines.

[0081]FIG. 4 shows an example of two mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f passing close by each other as they travel along respective paths 460-a and 460-b. As with tracking beam 150-f and corresponding coverage area 160-f, the path 460-b corresponding to mobile terminal 120-f is shown in dashed lines. The mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f may travel from respective start locations, represented by Al and A2, to respective end locations, represented by G1 and G2, along paths 460-a and 460-b. Mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f are shown as being on aircraft, although other mobile platforms may also be used. Tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may respectively track mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f (e.g., by beam manager 175-b adjusting their respective movable coverage areas 160-e and 160-f in concert with the movement of the mobile terminals) while communication services are provided to the mobile terminals via the beams as the mobile terminals move along the paths.

[0082]As mobile terminals move closer to each other, interference between the associated spot beams may increase (e.g., when the beams use a same resource element). As discussed herein, beam manager 175-b may switch one or more of the beams to different resource elements to ameliorate the interference.

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[0083]At a point along the paths 460-a and 460-b, represented by B1 and B2, the beams may begin to overlap each other, e.g., by the mobile terminals moving toward each other. As used herein, beams may be considered to be overlapping based on the relative positions of the respective coverage areas of the beams. For example, tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may be overlapping when their respective coverage areas 160-e and 160-f overlap each other. That is, tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may be considered to be overlapping when at least a portion of their respective coverage areas 160-e and 160-f include a same geographic area. Thus, as mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f move toward each other from B1/B2, tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may be considered to be overlapping each other. In some cases, the movable coverage area of a spot beam may be centered on the position of the mobile terminal that the spot beam is tracking. For example, coverage areas 160-e and 160-f may be centered on the position of mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f, respectively. In some examples, the overlapping of coverage areas may be based on a distance between the corresponding mobile terminals.

[0084]Further along the paths 460-a and 460-b, mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f may arrive at another point, represented by Cl and C2, at which one or more of the mobile terminals may enter into the movable coverage area of a beam that is not supporting (e.g., not providing communication service to or tracking) the mobile terminal (e.g., by the mobile terminals continuing to move toward each other). For example, at C1/C2, mobile terminal 120-e may enter into coverage area 160-f of tracking beam 150-f, and/or mobile terminal 120-f may enter into coverage area 160-e of tracking beam 150-e. At some point before or after this, interference between tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may rise to an unacceptable level. For example, an interference metric of one or both beams may satisfy (e.g., meet; or exceed; or meet or exceed) a threshold value. Steps may be taken (e.g., by beam manager 175-b) to ameliorate the interference (e.g., deconflict the beams), as discussed herein.

[0085]The mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f may each remain in the coverage areas 160-e and 160-f of both tracking beams 150-e and 150-f until another point along the paths 460-a and 460-b, represented by El and E2. At that point, the mobile terminals may stop being in the coverage areas of the other’s beam (e.g., by the mobile terminals moving away from each other). For example, at E1/E2, mobile terminal 120-e may stop being in the coverage area 160-f of tracking beam 150-f and mobile terminal 120-f may stop being in the coverage area 160-e of tracking beam 150-e. Even after the mobile terminals each stop being in the coverage area of the other terminal, the beams may still overlap. For example, at WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 E1/E2, the coverage areas 160-e and 160-f of tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may still overlap.

[0086]The tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may remain overlapping until another point along the paths 460-a and 460-b, represented by F1 and F2. At that point, the tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may stop overlapping each other (e.g., by the mobile terminals continuing to move away from each other). From that point to G1/G2 along the paths 460-a and 460-b, the tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may remain apart and not overlapping, as long as the mobile terminals remain far enough apart from each other.

[0087]As discussed with respect to FIGs. 2A and 2B, beam manager 175-b may use resource elements to provide communication service to mobile terminals via beamformed spot beams. In some examples, if beams do not conflict (e.g., the interference between the beams is low), the beams may use a same resource element for providing communication service to the respective mobile terminals. For example, as long as respective interference metrics of tracking beams 150-e and 150-f remain below a threshold value, beam manager 175-b may use the same resource element to provide communications to mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f via tracking beams 150-e and 150-f, as discussed herein.

[0088]As the mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f move closer to each other (e.g., A1/Athrough B1/B2 and C1/C2 to D1/D2), interference between the corresponding tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may increase. The increase in interference may mean that communication via the separate beams is subject to too much inter-beam interference (e.g., when using a same resource element). When the interference rises to a level (e.g., the interference metric of at least one of the beams satisfies a threshold value), steps may be taken by beam manager 175-b to deconflict (e.g., ameliorate the interference) of the beams.

[0089]In some examples, the interference metric may correspond to a measured interference of one or more beams. For example, the interference metric may correspond to a signal strength of a beam associated with a terminal. In some examples, the signal strength associated with the terminal may be measured at a second terminal. Additionally, or alternatively, the interference metric may correspond to the degradation of a beam’s signal (e.g., a lower SNR) and the threshold may correspond to a specific level of the metric or specific amount of degradation (e.g., 3 dB or 6 dB SNR loss). In some examples, the beam interference may be measured at the receiving device of the communication link. For WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 example, the beam interference may be measured at mobile terminals (for forward links) or satellites (for return links).

[0090]In some examples, the interference metric may correspond to a channel correlation. For example, the interference metric may be based on a correlation between channel state information of two or more mobile terminals. The interference metric may be frequency dependent.

[0091]In some examples, the interference metric may correspond to an estimated interference of one or more beams. For example, the estimated interference may be based on the distance between the mobile terminals or on an algorithm that estimates the interference between the associated beams. In some examples, the interference metric may be based on a distance between the mobile terminals associated with the beams and the threshold may correspond to a specific distance. For example, the threshold may correspond to the distance between mobile terminals at which the movable coverage areas of the corresponding beams begin to overlap (e.g., at B1/B2), or at which one of the mobile terminals enters into the coverage area of the beam corresponding to another mobile terminal (e.g., at C1/C2), or somewhere in-between. Other distances are also possible.

[0092]In some examples, each beam may have multiple interference metric values. For example , the interference metrics may correspond to interference between pairs of beams and interference between each pair may be separately compared with the threshold value. As such, each beam may have multiple interference values, one each between the beam and one of the other beams. For example, for three beams A, B, and C that are close together, beam A may have two separate interference values, one corresponding to the interference between beams A and B and one corresponding to the interference between beams A and C. Interference between beam pairs AB, AC, and BC may be separately compared with the threshold value and demodulation may be performed for the pairs of beams whose interference metrics satisfy the threshold value.

[0093]In some examples, each beam may have a single interference value. For example, the interference metrics may correspond to interference between a beam and multiple other beams (e.g., all the other beams). For example, for the same three beams A, B, and C, beam A may have a single interference metric value corresponding to an aggregate interference between beam A and beams B and C. For each beam, the aggregate interference may be WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 compared with the threshold value and deconfliction may be performed for the beam(s) whose interference metrics satisfy the threshold value.

[0094]Returning to the example shown in FIG. 4, a same resource element A may be originally assigned to both tracking beams 150-e and 150-f (e.g., at A1/A2) to provide communication sendee to their respective mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f. Mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f may be a substantial distance from each other at A1/A2, such that tracking beams 150-e and 150-f do not conflict with each other (e.g., there may be little, if any, interference between tracking beams 150-e and 150-f, even though the same resource element A is assigned to them). As such, an interference metric between tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may be relatively low (e.g., below a threshold value). In some examples, the same resource element A may be semi-statically assigned to tracking beams 150-e and 150-f (e.g., by beam manager 175-b), such that each terminal monitors the same resource element and/or transmits over the same resource element until the terminal receives an indication to switch its resource element.

[0095]The interference between the beams may rise to an unacceptable level (e.g., the interference metric may satisfy a first threshold value). In some examples, this may correspond to when one of mobile terminals 120 enters into the movable coverage area of the other spot beam 150 (e.g., at or near C1/C2). In some examples, this may correspond to mobile terminals 120-e and 120-f being between B1/B2 and C1/C2. Other locations may also be possible, based on when the interference metric value satisfies the first threshold value.

[0096]To ameliorate the interference, one or both of the beams may be changed to a different resource element (e.g., by beam manager 175-b). For example, in response to the interference metric satisfying the first threshold value, beam manager 175-b may cause tracking beam 150-f to switch resource elements (e.g., by assigning a resource element B to tracking beam 150-f in place of resource element A) for providing communication service to mobile terminal 120-f. This may include changing one or more of the frequency channel, time slot, polarization, or other resource (e.g., one or more codes) associated with tracking beam 150-f to be different than that used by tracking beam 150-e. In some examples, resource element B may be orthogonal to resource element A.

[0097]After tracking beam 150-f has been changed to a different resource element than tracking beam 150-e, the interference between tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may be greatly reduced or no longer present. Thus, the satellite communication system may continue WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 to provide communication service to mobile terminal 120-f without a beam-to-beam handoff being performed.

[0098]When the interference (or potential interference) between the beams is no longer at an unacceptable level (e.g., an interference metric may not satisfy a second threshold value), the beams may again use a same resource element as each other. For example, tracking beam 150-f may revert back to the original resource element (e.g., by beam manager 175-b assigning resource element A back to tracking beam 150-f in place of resource element B) for providing communication service to mobile terminal 120-f. Alternatively, tracking beams 150-e and 150-f may continue to use different resource elements than each other. For example, instead of changing the resource element of tracking beam 150-f back to resource element A, beam manager 175-b may cause tracking beam 150-f to continue using resource element B.

[0099]Although the discussion of FIG. 4 has been presented with respect to conflicts between tracking beams, it should be noted that the same general discussion may apply with respect to conflicts between tracking beams and fixed beams and conflicts between fixed beams. That is, using different resource elements for two beams (whether the beams are tracking beams, fixed beams, or one of each) may prevent conflict between the beams. And changing a resource element of one of two conflicting beams (whether the beams are tracking beams, fixed beams, or one of each) to a different resource element than the other beam may be used to ameliorate conflict between the beams.

[0100] FIG. 5Aillustrates an example of a satellite communication system 500 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. Satellite communication system 500 may be an example of the satellite communication systems discussed herein, such as satellite communication system 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof. Satellite communication system 5may include a beam manager 175-c, which may be an example of beam manager 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof.

[0101]Satellite communication system 500 may include a satellite network 101 having one or more satellites 105 (e.g., satellite 105-c) configured to generate beamformed spot beams for communicating with a set of mobile terminals as the mobile terminals move within a coverage area of the satellite communication system, as directed by beam manager 175-c, as discussed herein.

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[0102]Some of the beamformed spot beams may be dedicated to respective mobile terminals. These beams may track movement of the respective mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas 160 as beam manager 175-c provides communication sendee to the mobile terminals via the beams. These tracking beams are represented by the solid arrows extending from satellite 105-c. In some examples, two or more tracking beams may use a same resource element (e.g., when the tracking beams do not overlap).

[0103]Some of the beamformed spot beams may remain substantially stationary as beam manager 175-c provides communication service to the mobile terminals via the beams. These fixed beams are represented by the dashed arrow extending from satellite 105-c. Respective fixed beam coverage areas 560 of the fixed beams may be centered at respective geographic locations 565 so as to remain stationary. In some examples, a fixed beam may be shared among multiple mobile terminals.

[0104]In some examples, the fixed beams may be generated in a similar manner as the tracking beams. For example, the fixed beams and the tracking beams may both be formed using beamforming coefficients over a plurality of time periods, as discussed herein. But whereas the beamforming coefficients associated with the tracking beams may be determined and applied so that the tracking beams track (move with) respective terminals, the beamforming coefficients associated with the fixed beams may be determined and applied so that the fixed beams remain substantially stationary.

[0105]Each fixed beam may be associated with a stationary reference terminal through which communication service may be provided to mobile terminals within the fixed beam coverage area of the fixed beam. In some examples, two or more fixed beams may use a same resource element (e.g., when the fixed beams do not overlap).

[0106]In some examples, one or more tracking beams may be used to communicate with mobile terminals that are in a geographic area covered by a fixed beam (e.g., by using different resource elements). In some examples, a tracking beam and a fixed beam may communicate with a same mobile terminal. In some examples, a same satellite may provide tracking beams and fixed beams.

[0107]In some examples, the fixed beams may be tiled across the coverage area of the satellite communication system so as to provide continuous or almost continuous coverage across the coverage area to multiple terminals, as shown in FIG. 5 A. In other examples, the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 fixed beams may be concentrated at areas likely to have beam congestion (e.g., an urban area or an airport) to be shared by multiple terminals, as shown in FIG. 6. In some examples, one or more fixed beams may overlap. In some examples, beam manager 175-c may assign fixed beams that overlap one another (e.g., beam coverage areas 560 overlap) to different resources than each other (e.g., different frequencies or time slots). In some examples, a fixed beam may overlap one or more tracking beams (e.g., beam coverage area 560 overlaps respective beam coverage areas 160) during a time period. In some examples, beam manager 175-c may assign the fixed beam to a different resource than the tracking beams that overlap the fixed beam during the time period. In some examples, beam manager 175-c may use a same resource element for a fixed beam and a tracking beam (e.g., when the beam coverage areas 160, 560 of the beams do not overlap). In some examples, beam manager 175-c may associate hacking beams with unicast traffic and fixed beams with multicast traffic.

[0108]In some examples, satellite communication system 500 may provide a communication sendee to a plurality of mobile terminals via a combination of tracking and fixed beams, as directed by beam manager 175-c. As discussed herein, beam manager 175-c may determine the type of beam (e.g., fixed beam or targeting beam) to use with each mobile terminal, and when to switch beam types for the terminal, by analyzing how the beam is or would be impacted by neighboring beams (e.g., comparing performance of using moving beams vs. fixed beams). In some examples, beam manager 175-c may first identify the plurality of mobile terminals within the coverage area of the satellite communication system.

[0109]In some examples, satellite communication system 500 may provide a communication service to the mobile terminals via a first set of beams 505 and a second set of beams 510, as directed by beam manager 175-c. In some examples, the first set of beams 505 may comprise tracking beams and the second set of beams may comprise fixed beams. In some examples, the first set of beams 505 and the second set of beams 510 may be disjoint sets.

[0110]In some examples, the respective beam coverage areas 560 of at least some of the second set of beams 510 may overlap the respective beam coverage areas 160 of at least some of the first set of beams 505. In some examples, two or more of the first and/or second set of beams 505, 510 may use a same resource element (e.g., when the beams do not overlap).

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[0111]In some examples, to prevent conflicts between the first set of beams and the second set of beams in a tiled environment, the first set of beams 505 may be associated with a first set of resource elements 515 and the second set of beams 510 may be associated with a second set of resource elements 520. For example, the first set of resource elements 515 may include a first set of frequencies and a first set of time slots, and the second set of resource elements 520 may include a second set of frequencies and a second set of time slots. In some examples, the first set of frequencies and the first set of time slots may be non-overlapping with the second set of frequencies and the second set of time slots.

[0112] FIG. SBillustrates an example of how beam manager 175-c of FIG. 5 A may provide communication service to the mobile terminals via tracking and fixed beams. For the sake of clarity, providing the communication service to the mobile terminal is discussed with respect to a single mobile terminal 120-g and a single satellite 105-c. Spot beams 150-g and 150-i are tracking beams and spot beam 150-h is a fixed beam. Although both types of beams are shown as being provided by the same satellite 105-c, in some examples each type of beam may be provided by separate satellites. In some examples, the tracking beams (e.g., spot beams 150-g and 150-i) may be included in the first set of beams 505 and the fixed beams (e.g., spot beam 150-h) may be included in the second set of beams 510.

[0113]At location A, beam manager 175-c may assign a beamformed spot beam to mobile terminal 120-g. The dedicated beamformed spot beam may be formed (e.g., as controlled by beam manager 175-a) to include the terminal’s physical location within the movable coverage area of the beamformed spot beam. In conjunction, beam manager 175-c may allocate a resource element associated with the beam (e.g., allocated to the beam) to mobile terminal 120-g. For example, beam manager 175-c may assign tracking beam 150-g, and a respective resource element 250-a associated with beam 150-g to mobile terminal 120-g. Tracking beam 150-g may be formed to include the physical location of terminal 120-g within the coverage area 160-g of the beam.

[0114]Beam manager 175-c may provide communication service to mobile terminal 120-g at location A via tracking beam 150-g using resource element 250-a. Beam manager 175-c may cause the beam coverage area 160-g of tracking beam 150-g to “move” to track movement of mobile terminal 120-g, as discussed herein. For example, beam manager 175-c may incrementally adjust the movable beam coverage area of tracking beam 150-g from 160- gl to 160-g2 as mobile terminal 120-g moves from location A to location B along path 5such that the location of mobile terminal 120-g may remain encompassed in the beam WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 coverage area of tracking beam 150-g. As a result, beam manager 175-c may provide communication sendee to mobile terminal 120-g via tracking beam 150-g as mobile terminal 120-g moves toward location B. Beam manager 175-c may monitor the performance of tracking beam 150-g during the duration of time that the communication service is provided to mobile terminal 120-g via tracking beam 150-g.

[0115]At location B, beam manager 175-c may determine that the performance of tracking beam 150-g (e.g., with respect to providing communication service to mobile terminal 120-g) has deteriorated and fails to satisfy a performance threshold. In some examples, the performance threshold may be based on a performance metric associated with tracking beam 150-g and/or other nearby beams. In some examples, the performance threshold may be based on the performance metric satisfying (e.g., meeting, exceeding, and/or falling below) a threshold. In some examples, the performance metric may include an amount of interference associated with tracking beam 150-g; a channel gain, a receiver gain, an interference level, or a noise level associated with mobile terminal 120-g; a correlation between a channel of mobile terminal 120-g and channels of other mobile terminals associated with the first set of beams 505; a distance between the beam coverage area 160-g of tracking beam 150-g and the respective beam coverage areas of other beams 150; or a distance between mobile terminal 120-g and other mobile terminals; or combinations thereof.

[0116]In some examples, the performance threshold may be based on mobile terminal 120-g being positioned within a fixed beam coverage area of a fixed beam. In some examples, the performance threshold may be based on an availability of resource elements.

[0117]In some examples, the performance threshold may be varied based on performance metrics of other beams (e.g., nearby tracking and/or fixed beams) or may include a comparison between one or more performance metrics of tracking beam 150-g and other beams. For example, the performance threshold may be varied based on strengths or congestion of nearby beams (e.g., tracking and/or fixed beams) or the location of nearby mobile terminals.

[0118]Based on the determination that tracking beam 150-g fails to satisfy the performance threshold, beam manager 175-c may switch mobile terminal 120-g to a second beam for receiving the communication service. In some examples, the second beam may be associated with a different beam type (e.g., fixed beam) than the first beam. For example, beam manager 175-c may switch mobile terminal 120-g from tracking beam 150-g to fixed WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 beam 150-h. In some examples, the second beam may be associated with the second set of beams 510. Beam manager 175-c may allocate a resource element associated with the second beam to mobile terminal 120-g. For example, beam manager 175-c may allocate resource element 250-b of fixed beam 150-h to mobile terminal 120-g. In some examples, the second beam may be shared among multiple mobile terminals.

[0119]Beam manager 175-c may provide communication service to mobile terminal 120-g at location B via fixed beam 150-h using resource element 250-b. Fixed beam 150-h may have a fixed coverage area 560-a that is centered at a respective geographic location 565-a and may remain centered there even as mobile terminal 120-g moves toward location Calong path 530. Communication service may be continually provided to mobile terminal 120-g by beam manager 175-c via fixed beam 150-h as long as mobile terminal 120-g remains within beam coverage area 560-a of fixed beam 150-h. Beam manager 175-c may monitor the performance of fixed beam 150-h during the duration of time that the communication sendee is provided to mobile terminal 120-g via fixed beam 150-h.

[0120]At location C, beam manager 175-c may determine that the performance of fixed beam 150-h (e.g., with respect to providing communication service to mobile terminal 120-g) has deteriorated and fails to satisfy a second performance threshold. The second performance threshold may be a same performance threshold as at location B or a different performance threshold. In some examples, the second performance threshold may be based on a performance metric associated with fixed beam 150-h. For example, the performance metric associated with fixed beam 150-h may be dependent on global characteristics of the beam, such as the traffic load present on fixed beam 150-h, or the number of mobile terminals associated with fixed beam 150-h. In some cases, the performance metric associated with fixed beam 150-h may be dependent on the associated mobile terminals that are dependent on terminal specific characteristics, such as terminal specific traffic load, terminal specific signal quality (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio), and the like.

[0121]In some examples, the second performance threshold may be based on the performance metric satisfying a threshold. In some examples, the performance metric may be the same or a different performance metric used in determining to switch mobile terminal 120-g from tracking beam 150-g to fixed beam 150-h at location B. In some examples, the performance metric may include one or more of the performance metrics discussed with respect to tracking beam 150-g at location B. In some examples, the threshold may be the same as or different than the threshold associated with tracking beam 150-g at location B.

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[0122]Based on the determination that fixed beam 150-h fails to satisfy the second performance threshold, beam manager 175-c may switch mobile terminal 120-g to a third beam for receiving the communication service. In some examples, the third beam may be associated with a different beam type (e.g., tracking beam) than the second beam. For example, beam manager 175-c may switch mobile terminal 120-g from fixed beam 150-h to tracking beam 150-i, dedicated to the mobile terminal. In some examples, the third beam may be associated with the first set of beams 505. Beam manager 175-c may allocate a resource element associated with the third beam to mobile terminal 120-g. For example, beam manager 175-c may allocate resource element 250-c of tracking beam 150-i to mobile terminal 120-g. In some cases, switching the mobile terminal 120-g from the fixed beam 150-h to the tracking beam 150-i may be performed based on characteristics for the tracking beam 150-i such as availability of one or more resource elements for the current position of the mobile terminal 120-g (e.g., based on the locations of other tracking beams).

[0123]Beam manager 175-c may provide communication service to mobile terminal 120-g at location C via tracking beam 150-i using resource element 250-c and may cause the beam coverage area 160-i of tracking beam 150-i to track movement of mobile terminal 120-g. For example, beam manager 175-c may incrementally adjust the beam coverage area of tracking beam 150-i from 160-il to 160-i2 as mobile terminal 120-g moves from location Calong path 535. As a result, beam manager 175-c may provide communication service to mobile terminal 120-g via tracking beam 150-i as mobile terminal 120-a moves away from location C. Beam manager 175-c may monitor the performance of tracking beam 150-i during the duration of time that the communication service is provided to mobile terminal 120-g via tracking beam 150-i. In some examples, tracking beam 150-i may be associated with similar parameters as tracking beam 150-g. For example, resource element 250-c may be the same as resource element 250-a.

[0124]At further locations (not shown), beam manager 175-c may again switch beams (e.g., from a tracking beam to a fixed beam or vice versa) for supplying the communication service to mobile terminal 120-g based on a performance threshold being met. This switching of beam types for communication with mobile terminal 120-g based on performance may be repeated by beam manager 175-c as long or as often as desired.

[0125]In some examples, instead of starting with a tracking beam, a fixed beam may be used to originally communicate with a mobile terminal. For example, beam manager 175-c may originally communicate with mobile terminal 120-g using fixed beam 150-h (e.g., may WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 begin communications with mobile terminal 120-g at location B). In some examples, instead of using a single satellite, the targeting beams and the fixed beams may be provided by separate satellites.

[0126]In sum, beam manager 175-c may continuously provide communications to mobile terminal 120-g as mobile terminal 120-g moves by switching between tracking beams and fixed beams, based on the performance of the beams.

[0127] FIG. 6illustrates an example of a satellite communication system 600 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. Satellite communication system 600 may be an example of the satellite communication systems discussed herein, such as satellite communication system 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof. Satellite communication system 5may include a beam manager 175-d, which may be an example of beam manager 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof.

[0128]Similar to satellite communication system 500, communications may be provided to mobile terminals via a combination of targeting beams and fixed beams generated by one or more satellites 105 (e.g., satellite 105-d). But instead of the fixed beams being tiled to provide complete or substantial coverage over the coverage area of the satellite communication system, the fixed beams may be concentrated on certain smaller areas, such as areas having a large concentration of mobile terminals (e.g., urban areas or airports). The concentration of mobile terminals in small areas may lead to issues (e.g., related to congestion) that may arise when using individual beams for each mobile terminal. For example , a large number of resource elements may be required, potentially resulting in a lack of availability of the resource elements. Using a fixed beam at such a location may allow mobile terminals to share the same fixed beam, resulting in less deconfliction procedures.

[0129]As shown in FIG. 6, a terminal 620 may be positioned (e.g., temporarily fixed or permanently installed) at an airport 605 to receive a fixed beam 150-k. Beam coverage area 660 of the fixed beam may encompass the airport, including its terminals and gates, and aircraft 610 parked at the gates. Terminal 620 may be a reference terminal through which communication sendee may be provided to mobile terminals positioned at the airport via fixed beam 150-k. Thus, while an aircraft 610 is at airport 605 (e.g., parked at a gate, taxiing, taking off, landing), the mobile terminal associated with the aircraft may receive communication sendee via fixed beam 150-k associated with reference terminal 620. As WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 such, the mobile terminals associated with the aircraft at airport 605 may share fixed beam 150-k.

[0130]Mobile terminals associated with aircraft outside the airport may receive communication sendee via other fixed or tracking beams, as discussed herein. As an aircraft arrives at the airport, the mobile terminal associated with the aircraft may be switched from the beam it is using (e.g., a respective tracking beam dedicated to the aircraft) to the shared fixed beam. For example, as an aircraft 610-a flies toward airport 605, the aircraft may receive communication service via a dedicated tracking beam 150-j having a movable beam coverage area 160-j that tracks the aircraft. As aircraft 610-a lands at airport 605 and enters into the fixed coverage area 660 of fixed beam 150-k, beam manager 175-d may switch the respective mobile terminal associated with aircraft 610-a to receive communication sendee via fixed beam 150-k instead of tracking beam 150-j, resulting in the mobile terminal sharing fixed beam 150-k with the other mobile terminals at the airport.

[0131]Conversely, as an aircraft leaves the airport, the mobile terminal associated with the aircraft may be switched from the shared fixed beam to a respective tracking beam. For example, while aircraft 610-b is parked at a gate of airport 605, the aircraft may receive communication sendee via shared fixed beam 150-k. As aircraft 610-b takes off (or gets into position to take off), beam manager 175-d may switch the respective mobile terminal associated with aircraft 610-b to receive communication service via a dedicated tracking beam 150-m instead of shared fixed beam 150-k. Because tracking beam 150-m is dedicated to the mobile terminal, the movable beam coverage area 160-m of tracking beam 150-m may track aircraft 610-b as the aircraft flies away from airport 605.

[0132]In some examples, the fixed beam coverage area of the fixed beam may be greater than the movable beam coverage areas of the tracking beams. In some examples, the reference terminal associated with the fixed beam may be configured to remain stationary at the airport.

[0133]In some examples, the reference terminal associated with the fixed beam may be selectively movable. For example, a mobile terminal may be used as the reference terminal. To continue to provide service to the other mobile terminals at the airport, the mobile terminal may continue to be used as the reference terminal as long as it remains at the airport.

[0134] In some examples, the mobile terminals associated with the aircraft can be used as the reference terminal. To provide continuous service at the airport, the reference terminal WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 may be switched from one mobile terminal to another when the mobile terminal leaves (or is about to leave) the airport (e.g., based on movement of the mobile terminal). For example, beam manager 175-d may determine an aircraft (e.g., aircraft 610-c) that is stationary (e.g., parked at the gate) and assign the aircraft’s mobile terminal as the reference terminal for the fixed beam. When the aircraft starts moving (e.g., backs away from the gate or taxies), beam manager 175-d may determine (e.g., detect) the movement and determine (e.g., select) a second aircraft that is stationary and assign the mobile terminal of the second aircraft as the new reference terminal. When the second aircraft starts to move, beam manager 175-d may assign the mobile terminal of a third aircraft that is stationary as the new reference terminal, and so forth. As a result, although the reference terminal may switch between mobile terminals, it may remain at the airport and be shared among the mobile terminals at the airport.

[0135]In some examples, the determination of which stationary mobile terminal to use as the next reference terminal may be based on scheduled departure times of corresponding aircraft. For example, beam manager 175-d may select the mobile terminal associated with the stationary aircraft that has the latest scheduled departure time. In some examples, the determination may be based on the location of the aircraft. For example, beam manager 175- d may select the mobile terminal associated with the stationary aircraft that is nearest to a central point of the airport.

[0136] FIG. 7illustrates an example of a satellite communication system 700 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. Satellite communication system 700 may be an example of the satellite communication systems discussed herein, such as satellite communication system 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof. Satellite communication system 7may include a beam manager 175-e, which may be an example of beam manager 1described with reference to FIG. 1, or aspects thereof.

[0137]Satellite communication system 700 may include a satellite network 101 having one or more satellites 105 (e.g., satellite 105-d) configured to generate beamformed spot beams 150 (e.g., beams 150-n, 150-p) for communicating with a set of mobile terminals 1(e.g., mobile terminal 120-h), as directed by beam manager 175-e, discussed herein.

[0138]In satellite communication system 700, two or more beams may be used to provide communication service to a terminal. For example, beam manager 175-e may WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 provide communication service to terminal 120-h via spot beams 150-n and 150-p. In some examples, the beams may each be associated with a different set of beams. For example, spot beams 150-n and 150-p may be respectively associated with the first set of beams 505 and the second set of beams 510.

[0139]In some examples, the communication service may include unicast traffic and multicast traffic communicated with terminal 120-h. In some examples, beam manager 175-e may communicate the unicast traffic and the multicast traffic with mobile terminal 120-h via separate beams. In some examples, the unicast traffic and the multicast traffic may be associated with different types of beams. For example, beam manager 175-e may communicate unicast traffic 730 with mobile terminal 120-h via tracking beam 150-n, which, e.g., may be associated with the first set of beams 505; and beam manager 175-e may communicate multicast traffic 735 with mobile terminal 120-h via fixed beam 150-p, which, e.g., may be associated with the second set of beams 510. In some examples, in addition to communicating multicast traffic to mobile terminal 120-h using fixed beam 150-p, beam manager 175-e may communicate the multicast traffic with one or more other mobile terminals (e.g., a mobile terminal on another aircraft) using fixed beam 150-p. For example, other aircraft may be configured to receive the same resource elements for fixed beam 150-p as are received by mobile terminal 120-h to receive the multicast traffic. In some cases, fixed beam 150-p may carry different multicast streams over different resources, and mobile terminals 120 such as mobile terminal 120-h may be configured to receive one or more of the multicast streams. Although each type of beam is shown as being provided by the same satellite 105-d, in some examples each type of beam may be provided by separate satellites.

[0140]In some examples, mobile terminal 120-h may be positioned on a vehicle 7(e.g., an aircraft) that has an internal network 715 for communication between a set of electronic devices 720 aboard the vehicle. Internal network 715 may be or include one or more wired networks (e.g., ethernet) or one or more wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi), or a combination of wired and wireless networks for communicating with laptop computers, tablets, smartphones and other devices, including electronic devices brought on-board by passengers of the vehicle. Mobile terminal 120-h may receive the communication service from satellite communication system 700 (e.g., via one or more antenna elements 740) via one or more beams and provide the communication service to the set of electronic devices 720 via internal network 715. The beams may be targeting beams (e.g., targeting beam 150- n) or fixed beams (e.g., fixed beam 150-p), or a combination thereof.

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[0141]In some examples, to provide communication service to the set of electronic devices 720, mobile terminal 120-h may establish connections with the set of electronic devices 720 over internal network 715, and establish a communication link with satellite communication system 700 via a beam 150-n. In some examples, beam 150-n may be a spot beam that tracks movement of mobile terminal 120-h. After the connections and communication link have been established, mobile terminal 120-h may communicate traffic (e.g., unicast traffic 730) associated with each of the electronic devices 720 via beam 150-n.

[0142]In some examples, mobile terminal 120-h may provide communication service to the set of electronic devices 720 using communication links associated with more than one beam. For example, mobile terminal 120-h may provide communication service using communication links associated with a movable spot beam 150-n and a fixed spot beam 150-p. In some examples, a single antenna element 740 may be used to receive and transmit the beams 150-n and 150-p. In other examples, each beam may be received/transmitted via a respective antenna element. Traffic associated with each beam may be decoded/encoded via different receivers/encoders associated with the antenna element (or elements). Upon receipt, the traffic of the two beams may be transmitted to the appropriate electronic devices 720 by mobile terminal 120-h.

[0143]In some examples, the use of multiple beams (e.g., beams 150-n and 150-p) by mobile terminal 120-h may be facilitated by “bonding” mobile terminal 120-h to the beams. This may entail coordinating communications over the beams so that each beam does not interfere with the other beam at the mobile terminal. That is, when bonded to separate beams, the mobile terminal may receive and process data from each beam. This bonding may be coordinated by the beam manager. For example, beam manager 175-e may cause traffic to be communicated via tracking beam 150-n and fixed beam 150-p using different time slots. Alternatively, or additionally, beam manager 175-e may cause traffic to be communicated over the separate beams using different frequencies.

[0144]In some examples, in addition to providing communication service associated with regular communications (e.g., unicast traffic) to electronic devices 720, mobile terminal 120-h may also provide communication service associated with streams of data (e.g., multicast streams of data) to electronic devices 720. In some examples, the unicast traffic and multicast traffic may be communicated between the external system (e.g., the satellite communication system) and the mobile terminal 120-h via different beams. For example, mobile terminal 120-h may communicate unicast traffic 730 between beam manager 175-e WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 and electronic devices 720 via beam 150-n. Upon determining that an electronic device 720-a has requested a multicast stream of data associated with an external system (e.g., external to the vehicle 710), mobile terminal 120-h may establish a second communication link with satellite communication system 700 via beam 150-p. After the second communication link has been established, mobile terminal 120-h may communicate a multicast stream of data (e.g., multicast traffic 735) between the external system and electronic device 720-a via the second communication link.

[0145]As such, beam manager 175-e may communicate unicast traffic 730 and multicast traffic 735 with electronic device 720-a via respective spot beams 150-n and 150-p. As a result, mobile terminal 120-h may receive and distribute the multicast traffic to the electronic devices that have requested it, while concurrently processing unicast traffic associated with the electronic devices. In some examples, the first beam and the second beam may use different resource elements to communicate the unicast traffic 730 and the multicast traffic 735 to electronic device 720-a. For example, mobile terminal 120-h may receive beam 150-n over a first frequency range and beam 150-p over a second frequency range that is different than the first frequency range. Referring back to FIG. 5 A for example, the mobile terminal 120-h may be within a movable coverage area 160 of a tracking beam and may receive unicast traffic 730 via the tracking beam and may also be within a fixed coverage area 560 of a fixed beam and may receive a multicast traffic 735 via the fixed beam. In some cases, the fixed beam and tracking beam may be assigned to orthogonal resources.

[0146]In some examples, beam 150-p may be dynamically created based on a demand for multicast stream of data. For example, beam manager 175-e may create beam 150-p (e.g., as a fixed beam) in response to an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 720-a) requesting a multicast stream of data. Beam 150-p may then be dropped upon completion of the delivery of the multicast stream of data. Upon creation of beam 150-p, mobile terminal 120-h may become bonded with beams 150-n and 150-p such that the unicast traffic may continue to be communicated via beam 150-n while the multicast traffic is received via beam 150-p.

[0147]In some examples, the multicast traffic 735 may be communicated with more than one electronic device 720 via mobile terminal 120-h. For example, upon determining that a second electronic device 720-b has requested the same multicast traffic 735 associated with the external system, mobile terminal 120-h may also communicate the multicast traffic 7with second electronic device 720-b.

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[0148] FIG. 8shows a block diagram 800 of a beam manager 805 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. Beam manager 805 may be an example of beam manager 175 of FIG. 1. Beam manager 805 may include a bus 825, a terminal connection manager 870, a memory 830, code 835, a processor 840, a beamformer 845, and a beam signal processor 850, and may be configured to control beam usage of mobile terminals; mobile terminal tracking by beamformed spot beams; and resource element allocation and deconfliction via an antenna array 810.

[0149]Beam manager 805 may be located within a ground network (e.g., ground network 135 of FIG. 1) or a satellite network (e.g., satellite network 101 of FIG. 1) of the satellite communications system. Alternatively, beam manager 805 may be divided between the ground network and the satellite network. In one example (e.g., corresponding to a GBBF configuration), all of the components of beam manager 805 may be located in the ground network. In another example (e.g., corresponding to an OBBF configuration), the beamformer 845 may be located in the satellite network (e.g., in one or more of the satellites) and the rest of the components of beam manager 805 may each be located in either the ground network or the satellite network. In some examples, a distributed implementation may be used. For example, one or more components or portions thereof of beam manager 8may reside on different servers (e.g., hosted in the cloud). In some examples, beam manager 805 may be located at a single entity.

[0150]Antenna array 810 may be an example of the antennas of the satellite network 1of FIG. 1 and may include antenna elements 815. In some examples, one or more of the antenna elements 815 may be or include an antenna panel. The spacing between antenna elements 815 may be evenly distributed across an aperture of antenna array 810, or the spacing of antenna elements 815 may be different across antenna array 810. In some examples, a first antenna array 810 may be included within the ground segment and a second antenna array 810 (e.g., one or more antenna arrays coupled with each other using transponders) may be included within the space segment. In some examples, antenna array 810 may include antenna elements associated with fixed beams and antenna elements associated with beamformed spot beams.

[0151]Bus 825 may represent an interface over which signals may be exchanged between components of beam manager 805 and a location that may be used to distribute the signals to the signal processing components of beam manager 805 (e.g., terminal connection WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 manager 870, beam signal processor 850, beamformer 845). Bus 825 may include one or more wired interfaces. Additionally, or alternatively, bus 825 may be a wireless interface that is used to wirelessly communicate signaling between the signal processing components— e.g., in accordance with a communication protocol. Beamformer 845 may be coupled with antenna elements 815 via one or more wired or wireless interfaces.

[0152]The memory 830 may include volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM). Other types of memory may also be possible. The memory 830 may store code 835 that is computer-readable and computer-executable. The code may include instructions that, when executed by processor 840, cause beam manager 805 to perform various functions described herein. The code 835 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 835 may not be directly executable by processor 840 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 830 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0153]Processor 840 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor), a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a PLD, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof. Processor 840 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 830) to cause beam manager 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams). For example, processor 840 and memory 830 may be configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0154]Beam signal processor 850 may be configured to process (e.g., demodulate, decode) receive beam signals 854 received from beamformer 845. Beam signal processor 850 may decode data symbols included in the receive beam signals 854 to obtain receive beam data signals 864. Information (e.g., packets) in receive beam data signals 864 may be passed (e.g., via network(s) 125) to a destination device. Beam signal processor 850 may also be configured to process (e.g., encode, modulate) transmit beam data signals 862 to obtain transmit beam signals 852 to send to beamformer 845. Transmit beam data signals 862 may include information (e.g., packets) received (e.g., via network(s) 125) for transmission to terminals 120.

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[0155]Terminal connection manager 870 may be configured to determine terminal connection changes for each fixed and spot beam and direct the execution of those changes. In conjunction, terminal connection manager 870 may be configured to determine resource element changes for each beam and/or mobile terminal and direct the execution of those resource element changes. For example, if communication service is to be supplied to a mobile terminal via a new beam, terminal connection manager 870 may cause a common resource element to be allocated to the new beam and the mobile terminal. For example, if a new time slot is to be assigned to a beam to match the mobile terminal, terminal connection manager 870 may compute new beamforming coefficients based on CSI from all the beams active in that time slot and may also determine desired power, modulation and/or coding for that time slot, either by calculation or by requesting signal-to-noise ratio reports from the terminal associated with the beam. In another example, if a beam is to be moved to a new frequency range or channel, then the CSI and beamforming coefficients from the old channel may be inapplicable in the new channel due to variability of RF characteristics from channel to channel. Terminal connection manager 870 may cause channel probing signals to be transmitted in the new frequency channel and instruct the terminal associated with the beam to: switch to the new channel, process the probing signal, switch back to the original channel, and report the CSI information back to beam manager 805. To avoid packet loss during this operation, the scheduling of data packets may be paused during the reception of the channel probe signal in the new channel.

[0156]In some examples, the terminal connection manager 870 may be configured to determine that the mobile terminal is to receive the communication service from a different type of beam. For example, for a mobile terminal receiving the communication service from a fixed beam, terminal connection manager 870 may determine that the mobile terminal is to receive the communication service from a beamformed spot beam, and for a mobile terminal receiving the communication service from a beamformed spot beam, terminal connection manager 870 may determine that the mobile terminal is to receive the communication service from a fixed beam. Terminal connection manager 870 may include a terminal tracker 8and an allocation manager 875.

[0157]Terminal tracker 820 may be configured to determine information for beamformer 845 to use in forming beamformed spot beams (e.g., beamformed spot beams 150 of FIG. 1) using antenna elements 815. To determine the information for forming the beamformed spot beams, terminal tracker 820 may identify a set of terminals (e.g., mobile terminals 120 of WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 FIG. 1) to be assigned as reference terminals, and may determine spatial information associated with the reference terminals. Terminal tracker 820 may determine a set of beamforming coefficients (e.g., phase shifts, amplitude components) that beamformer 8may use to generate beamformed spot beams having individual coverage areas directed to the spatial information associated with the reference terminals.

[0158]Terminal tracker 820 may determine the beamforming coefficients to isolate signals transmitted over beamformed spot beams from one another—e.g., by, for each beamformed spot beam, emphasizing the signals transmitted within the beamformed spot beam and canceling interference from signals transmitted within other beamformed spot beams. The beamforming coefficients may be included in an M x N matrix, where a value of M may indicate the quantity of antennas and a value of N may indicate the quantity of spatial layers, where the value of N may be less than or equal to the value of M. In some examples, the beamforming coefficients may be determined to produce targeting spot beams and fixed spot beams.

[0159]In some examples, the beamforming coefficients may be determined at the one or more satellites 105. In some examples, the beamforming coefficients may be received by the one or more satellites from one or more ground stations (e.g., network devices 130 or other stations of ground network 135) after terminal tracker 820 determines the beamforming coefficients.

[0160]Allocation manager 875 may be configured to perform beam resource allocation, including coordinating resource elements used by the beams and mobile terminals. For example, allocation manager 875 may determine, for allocation of each fixed and beamformed spot beam: one or more frequency ranges or channels (e.g., a frequency channel 210 of FIG. 2B); one or more time periods and/or time slots (e.g., time period 215, time slot t of FIG. 2B); and/or a polarity. To allocate the beams to the determined resource elements, allocation manager 875 may include various components, such as frequency converters, schedulers, and polarization components.

[0161]Allocation manager 875 may be further configured to keep track of which resource elements are assigned to which beams and mobile terminals and to determine when reallocation of a resource element may be desired. For example, the allocation manager may determine that reallocation may be desired based on a performance of the beam.

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[0162]In some examples, for transmission of fixed and beamformed spot beams via antenna elements 815, allocation manager 875 may determine frequency ranges or channels; and/or time periods and time slots for applying to a set of transmit beam signals 8associated with the beams. Beamformer 845 may apply, based on the frequency ranges or channels, the set of transmit beamforming coefficients to the set of transmit beam signals 8to obtain component signals 856 for transmission via antenna elements 815.

[0163]In some examples, for reception of beamformed spot beams via antenna elements 815, terminal tracker 820 may determine a set of receive beamforming coefficients, based on frequency ranges or channels determined by allocation manager 875, to obtain a set of component signals 856. The frequency ranges or channels and time slots may be applied to the component signals 856 by allocation manager 875 or beamformer 845 to obtain a set of receive beam signals 854 associated with the beamformed spot beams.

[0164]In some examples, terminal tracker 820, allocation manager 875, beamformer 845, beam signal processor 850, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other PLD, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory).

[0165]Additionally, or alternatively, terminal tracker 820, allocation manager 875, beamformer 845, beam signal processor 850, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in code 835 (e.g., as communications management software or firmware), executed by processor 840. If implemented in code 835 executed by processor 840, the functions of terminal tracker 820, allocation manager 875, beamformer 845, beam signal processor 850, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0166] FIG. 9shows a block diagram 900 of a beam manager 920 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 herein. Beam manager 920 may be an example of aspects of beam managers 175 and 805 as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8. Beam manager 920, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams as described herein.

[0167]For example, beam manager 920 may include a communication manager 925, a communication sendee supplier 930, a beamforming manager 935, a performance determiner 940, a resource element manager 945, a terminal identifier 950, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g,, via one or more buses).

[0168]The communication manager 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for providing a communication service to mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system, as discussed herein. In some examples, the communication manager 925 may comprise one or more of the other components of beam manager 920. In some examples, the communication manager 925 may comprise the communication service supplier 930, the beamforming manager 935, the performance determiner 940, the resource element manager 945, and the terminal identifier 950.

[0169]The communication service supplier 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for supplying a communication service to mobile terminals via a set of beams, as discussed herein. In some examples, the set of beams may include a first set of beams configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals via respective movable tracking beam coverage areas, and a second set of beams whose respective fixed beam coverage areas are centered at respective geographic locations. In some examples, the sets of beams may be associated with different resource elements. In some examples, the communication sendee supplier may be configured as or otherwise support a means for supplying a first mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals via a first beam of the first set of beams. In some examples, the communication service supplier 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for switching the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via a second beam. In some examples, to support providing the communication service, the communication service supplier 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for switching, subsequent to supplying the communication sendee to the first mobile terminal via the second beam, the supplying of the communication sendee for the first mobile terminal to being serviced again via the first beam.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0170]The beamforming manager 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for adjusting respective movable beam coverage areas of a set of beamformed spot beams to track movement of mobile terminals within a coverage area of the satellite communication system, as discussed herein. In some examples, the beamforming manager 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for maintaining fixed beam coverage areas of a second set of beamformed spot beams to remain centered at respective geographic locations. In some examples, the beamforming manager 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for adjusting a movable beam coverage area of a first beam to track movement of a first mobile terminal. In some examples, the beamforming manager 9may be configured as or otherwise support a means for maintaining a beam coverage area of a second beam to remain centered at a respective geographic location.

[0171]The performance determiner 940 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining that a performance of a beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold, as discussed herein. In some examples, the performance determiner 940 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining, while supplying a communication service to a mobile terminal via a beam, that a performance of the beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold. In some examples, the switching of supplying a communication service for a mobile terminal may be based on the determination that a performance of the beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold. In some examples, the performance threshold may be based at least in part on a performance metric satisfying a threshold, the performance metric associated with the beam. The performance metric may include, e.g., a distance between beam coverage areas or mobile terminals, an amount of interference associated with the beam, etc.

[0172]The resource element manager 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for allocating resource elements to mobile terminals for providing a communication service, as discussed herein. In some examples, the resource element manager 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for allocating, based on determining that the performance of a beam associated with a set of beams fails to satisfy a performance threshold, a resource element of a beam associated with a second set of beams to a mobile terminal. In some examples, to support providing the communication service, the resource element manager 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for allocating a resource element of a beam to a mobile terminal.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0173]In some examples, the terminal identifier 950 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for identifying mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system, as discussed herein. In some examples, the terminal identifier 9may be configured as or otherwise support a means for identifying a plurality of mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system before providing a communication service to the plurality of mobile terminals.

[0174]In some examples, the communication service supplier 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating, with a mobile terminal via a beam, unicast traffic associated with the mobile terminal. In some examples, the communication service supplier 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating, with the mobile terminal via a second beam, multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal. In some examples, unicast traffic and multicast traffic associated with a mobile terminal may be concurrently communicated to the mobile terminal via first beam and second beams, respectively. In some examples, the unicast and multicast traffic may be respectively associated with the first and second sets of beams.

[0175] FIG. 10shows a block diagram 1000 of a mobile terminal 1020 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The mobile terminal 1020 may be an example of aspects of a mobile terminal as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7. The mobile terminal 1020, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams as described herein. For example, the mobile terminal 1020 may include a communication manager 1025, a connection manager 1030, a link manager 1035, a request detector 1040, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0176]The communication manager 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for providing a communication service to electronic devices coupled with a mobile terminal over an internal network of a vehicle, as discussed herein. In some examples, the communication manager 1025 may comprise one or more of the other components of mobile terminal 1020. In some examples, the communication manager 1025 may comprise the connection manager 1030, the link manager 1035, and the request detector 1040. In some examples, the communication manager 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating unicast traffic associated with the electronic devices via a first WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 beam. In some examples, the communication manager 1025 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating multicast traffic associated with the electronic devices via a second beam. In some examples, communicating the unicast traffic via the first beam and communicating the multicast stream of data via the second beam may be performed concurrently.

[0177]The connection manager 1030 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for establishing connections with the electronic devices over the internal network, as discussed herein.

[0178]The link manager 1035 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for establishing communication links via beams of a satellite communication system, as discussed herein. In some examples, the link manager 1035 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for establishing a first communication link via a first beam of a satellite communication system for communicating a multicast stream of data. In some examples, the link manager 1035 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for establishing a second communication link via a second beam of the satellite communication system for communicating a multicast stream of data.

[0179]The request detector 1040 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining electronic devices that have requested unicast and multicast streams of data associated with an external system, as discussed herein. In some examples, the request detector 1040 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining that a first electronic device has requested a multicast stream of data associated with an external system. In some examples, the request detector 1040 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining that a second electronic device has requested the multicast stream of data.

[0180] FIG. 11illustrates a flowchart showing a method 1100 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The operations of method 1100 may be implemented by a satellite communications system or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1100 may be performed by a beam manager as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 9. In some examples, a processor may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the beam manager to perform the described functions. Additionally, or WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 alternatively, the beam manager may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0181]At 1105, the method may include providing a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system via a first set of beams and a second set of beams, wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas, and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations. The operations of 1105 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed by a communication manager 925 as described with reference to FIG. 9. In some examples, providing the communication service may include the operations of 1110,1115, 1120, and 1125.

[0182]At 1110, the method may include supplying the communication service to a first mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals via a first beam of the first set of beams. The operations of 1110 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed by a communication service supplier 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0183]At 11 15,the method may include adjusting the movable beam coverage area of the first beam to track movement of the first mobile terminal. The operations of 1115 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1115 may be performed by a beamforming manager 935 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0184]At 1120, the method may include determining, while supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the first beam, that a performance of the first beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold. The operations of 1120 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1120 may be performed by a performance determiner 940 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0185]At 1125, the method may include switching, based on the determining that the performance of the first beam fails to satisfy the performance threshold, the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the second beam. The operations of 1125 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 operations of 1125 may be performed by a communication service supplier 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0186]In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method 1100. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor), or any combination thereof for providing a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system via a first set of beams and a second set of beams, wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas, and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations; supplying the communication service to a first mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals via a first beam of the first set of beams; adjusting the movable beam coverage area of the first beam to track movement of the first mobile terminal; determining, while supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the first beam, that a performance of the first beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold; switching, based on the determining that the performance of the first beam fails to satisfy the performance threshold, the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via a second beam.

[0187]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, providing the communication service may include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for allocating a resource element of the second beam to the first mobile terminal and wherein supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the second beam comprises supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the second beam using the resource element.

[0188]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, providing the communication service may include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for allocating a second resource element of the first beam to the first mobile terminal and wherein supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the first beam comprises supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the first beam using the second resource element.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0189]Some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for identifying the plurality of mobile terminals within the coverage area of the satellite communication system before providing the communication service to the plurality of mobile terminals.

[0190]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the performance threshold may be based at least in part on a performance metric satisfying a threshold, the performance metric associated with the first beam.

[0191]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the performance metric may include a distance between the beam coverage area of the first beam and the respective beam coverage areas of other beams of the first set of beams, or a distance between the first mobile terminal and other mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals. In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the performance metric may include an amount of interference associated with the first beam.

[0192]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the performance metric may include an availability of resource elements.

[0193]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the performance metric may include one or more of a channel gain, a receiver gain, an interference level, or a noise level associated with the first mobile terminal. In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the performance metric may include a correlation between a channel of the first mobile terminal and channels of other mobile terminals associated with the first set of beams.

[0194]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, providing the communication service may include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for switching, subsequent to supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal via the second beam, the supplying of the communication sendee for the first mobile terminal to being serviced via a third beam of the first set of beams.

[0195]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, providing the communication service may include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for determining, while supplying the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 communication sendee to the first mobile terminal via the second beam, that a performance of the second beam fails to satisfy a second performance threshold, wherein the switching of the supplying of the communication service for the first mobile terminal to being serviced via the third beam, is based on the determining that the performance of the second beam fails to satisfy the second performance threshold.

[0196]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the second performance threshold may be based on a predicted performance difference between the second beam and the third beam. In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the second performance threshold may be based on one or more interference metrics between the second beam and additional beams of the first set of beams associated with other mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals.

[0197]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the first set of beams may be associated with a first set of resource elements and the second set of beams are associated with a second set of resource elements.

[0198]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the first set of resource elements may include a first set of frequencies and a first set of time slots, and the second set of resource elements may include a second set of frequencies and a second set of time slots and the first set of frequencies and the first set of time slots are non-overlapping with the second set of frequencies and the second set of time slots.

[0199]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the second set of beams may include a plurality of tiled beams across the coverage area of the satellite communication system.

[0200]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the respective fixed beam coverage areas of at least some of the second set of beams may overlap the respective movable beam coverage areas of at least some of the first set of beams.

[0201]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, adjusting the movable beam coverage area of the first beam may include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for adjusting the movable beam coverage area of the first beam such that a respective location of the first mobile terminal is encompassed in the movable beam coverage area of the first beam.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0202]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the first set of beams and the second set of beams may be disjoint sets.

[0203]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, the first beam and the second beam may be provided via a same satellite.

[0204] FIG. 12illustrates a flowchart showing a method 1200 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1200 may be implemented by a satellite communications system or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1200 may be performed by a beam manager as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 9. In some examples, a processor may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the beam manager to perform the described functions.Additionally, or alternatively, the beam manager may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0205]At 1205, the method may include providing a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system via a first set of beams and a second set of beams, wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas, and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations. The operations of 1205 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed by a communication manager 925 as described with reference to FIG. 9. In some examples, providing the communication service may include the operations of 1210,1215, and 1220

[0206]At 1210, the method may include adjusting the movable beam coverage area of a first beam of the first set of beams to track movement of a first mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals. The operations of 1210 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed by a beamforming manager 935 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0207]At 1215, the method may include communicating, with the first mobile terminal via the first beam, unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal. The operations of 1215 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed by a communication service supplier 9as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0208]At 1220, the method may include communicating, with the first mobile terminal via a second beam of the second set of beams, multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal. The operations of 1220 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1220 may be performed by a communication sendee supplier 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0209]In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method 1200. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor), or any combination thereof for providing a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals within a coverage area of a satellite communication system via a first set of beams and a second set of beams, wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas, and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations; adjusting the movable beam coverage area of a first beam of the first set of beams to track movement of a first mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals; communicating, with the first mobile terminal via the first beam, unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal; and communicating, with the first mobile terminal via a second beam of the second set of beams, multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal.

[0210]In some examples of the method 1200 and the apparatus described herein, unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal and multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal may be concurrently communicated to the first mobile terminal via the first beam and the second beam, respectively.

[0211]In some examples of the method 1200 and the apparatus described herein, the first beam and the second beam may be provided via a same satellite. In some examples of the method 1200 and the apparatus described herein, the first beam may be provided via a first satellite and the second beam may be provided via a second satellite.

[0212]In some examples of the method 1200 and the apparatus described herein, the first set of beams may be associated with a first set of resource elements and the second set of beams may be associated with a second set of resource elements. In some examples of the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 method 1200 and the apparatus described herein, the first set of resource elements may include a first set of frequencies and the second set of resource elements may include a second set of frequencies and the first set of frequencies are different from the second set of frequencies.

[0213]In some examples of the method 1200 and the apparatus described herein, the second set of beams may include a plurality of tiled beams across the coverage area of the satellite communication system.

[0214] FIG. 13illustrates a flowchart showing a method 1300 that supports beam sharing and bonding for mobile satellite beams in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by a satellite communications system or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be performed by a mobile terminal as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7 and 10. In some examples, a processor may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the mobile terminal to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the mobile terminal may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0215]At 1305, the method may include providing, by a mobile terminal, a communication service to a set of electronic devices coupled with the mobile terminal over an internal network of a vehicle. The operations of 1305 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed by a communication manager 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 9. In some examples, providing the communication service may include the operations of 1310, 1315,1320, 1325,1330, and 1335.

[0216]At 1310, the method may include establishing connections with the set of electronic devices over the internal network. The operations of 1310 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed by a connection manager 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0217]At 1315, the method may include establishing a first communication link via a first beam of a satellite communication system. The operations of 1315 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed by a link manager 1035 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711

[0218]At 1320, the method may include communicating unicast traffic associated with the set of electronic devices via the first beam. The operations of 1320 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1320 may be performed by a communication manager 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0219]At 1325, the method may include determining that a first electronic device of the set of electronic devices has requested a multicast stream of data associated with an external system. The operations of 1325 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1325 may be performed by a request detector 1040 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0220]At 1330, the method may include establishing a second communication link via a second beam of the satellite communication system. The operations of 1330 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1330 may be performed by a link manager 1035 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0221]At 1335, the method may include communicating the multicast stream of data between the external system and the first electronic device via the second beam of the satellite communication system. The operations of 1335 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1335 may be performed by a communication manager 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0222]In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method 1300. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor), or any combination thereof for providing, by a mobile terminal, a communication seance to a set of electronic devices coupled with the mobile terminal over an internal network of a vehicle; establishing connections with the set of electronic devices over the internal network; establishing a first communication link via a first beam of a satellite communication system; communicating unicast traffic associated with the set of electronic devices via the first beam; determining that a first electronic device of the set of electronic devices has requested a multicast stream of data associated with an external system; establishing a second communication link via a second beam of the satellite communication system; and communicating the multicast stream of data between the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 external system and the first electronic device via the second beam of the satellite communication system.

[0223]In some examples of the method 1300 and the apparatus described herein, communicating the unicast traffic via the first beam and communicating the multicast stream of data via the second beam may be performed concurrently.

[0224]In some examples of the method 1100 and the apparatus described herein, providing the communication service may include operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for determining, by the mobile terminal, that a second electronic device of the set of electronic devices has requested the multicast stream of data and communicating, by the mobile terminal, the multicast stream of data with the second electronic device.

[0225]In some examples of the method 1300 and the apparatus described herein, the first beam may be received by the mobile terminal over a first frequency range and the second beam may be received by the mobile terminal over a second frequency range that is different than the first frequency range.

[0226]In some examples of the method 1300 and the apparatus described herein, the first beam may include a beamformed spot beam that tracks movement of the mobile terminal.

[0227]It should be noted that these methods describe examples of implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. In some examples, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined. For example, aspects of each of the methods may include steps or aspects of the other methods, or other steps or techniques described herein.

[0228]Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0229]The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0230]The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0231]Computer readable media includes both non transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk read-only memory (CDROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and micro wave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data WO 2024/215336 PCT/US2023/018711 optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0232]As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A" may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

[0233]In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference label.

[0234]The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0235]The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims (68)

PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187 CLAIMS

1. A method, comprising: providing a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals (120) within a coverage area (155) of a satellite communication system (100) via a first set of beams (505) and a second set of beams (510), wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas (160), and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas (560) of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations (565) and remain substantially stationary, and wherein providing the communication service comprises: supplying the communication service to a first mobile terminal (120-g) of the plurality of mobile terminals via a first beam (150-g) of the first set of beams; adjusting the movable beam coverage area (160) of the first beam (150-g) to track movement of the first mobile terminal (120-g); determining, while supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the first beam (150-g), that a performance of the first beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold; and switching, based on the determining that the performance of the first beam (150-g) fails to satisfy the performance threshold, the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via a second beam (150-h) of the second set of beams.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the plurality of mobile terminals (120) within the coverage area (155) of the satellite communication system (100) before providing the communication service to the plurality of mobile terminals.

3. The method of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the performance threshold is based at least in part on a performance metric satisfying a threshold, the performance metric associated with the first beam (150-g).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the performance metric comprises a distance between the movable beam coverage area (160) of the first beam (150-g) and the respective movable beam coverage areas (160) of other beams of the first set of beams (505). PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

5. The method of any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the performance metric comprises a distance between the first mobile terminal (120-g) and other mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals (120).

6. The method of any one of claims 3 through 5, wherein the performance metric comprises an amount of interference associated with the first beam (150-g).

7. The method of any one of claims 3 through 6, wherein the performance metric comprises an availability of resource elements for providing the communication service.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein providing the communication service further comprises: switching, subsequent to supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the second beam (150-h), the supplying of the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via a third beam (150-i) of the first set of beams.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the communication service further comprises: determining, while supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the second beam (150-h), that a performance of the second beam fails to satisfy a second performance threshold, wherein the switching of the supplying of the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via the third beam (150-i) is based at least in part on the determining that the performance of the second beam (150-h) fails to satisfy the second performance threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second performance threshold is based at least in part on a predicted performance difference between the second beam (150-h) and the third beam (150-i).

11. The method of any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the second performance threshold is based at least in part on one or more interference metrics between the second beam (150-h) and additional beams of the first set of beams (505) associated with other mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals (120). PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

12. The method of any one of claims 1 through 11, wherein the first set of beams (505) are associated with a first set of resource elements (515) and the second set of beams (510) are associated with a second set of resource elements (520) for providing the communication service.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein: the first set of resource elements (515) comprises a first set of frequencies and a first set of time slots, and the second set of resource elements (520) comprises a second set of frequencies and a second set of time slots, and the first set of frequencies and the first set of time slots are non-overlapping with the second set of frequencies and the second set of time slots.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 through 13, wherein the second set of beams (510) comprises a plurality of tiled beams across the coverage area of the satellite communication system (100).

15. The method of any one of claims 1 through 14, wherein the respective fixed beam coverage areas (560) of at least some of the second set of beams (510) overlap the respective movable beam coverage areas (160) of at least some of the first set of beams (505).

16. The method of any one of claims 1 through 15, wherein adjusting the movable beam coverage area of the first beam comprises: adjusting the movable beam coverage area (160) of the first beam (150-g) such that a respective location of the first mobile terminal (120-g) is encompassed in the movable beam coverage area of the first beam.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 through 16, wherein the first set of beams (505) and the second set of beams (510) are disjoint sets.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 through 17, wherein the first beam (150-g) and the second beam (150-h) are provided via a same satellite (105).

19. The method of any one of claims 1 through 18, wherein providing the communication service further comprises: PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187 allocating a resource element of the second beam (150-h) to the first mobile terminal (120-g), wherein the communication service of the first mobile terminal is supplied via the second beam using the resource element.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 through 19, wherein the second beam (150-h) is configured to transmit information associated with the communication service of the first mobile terminal (120-g) using a shared resource element.

21. The method of any one of claims 1 through 20, wherein providing the communication service further comprises: terminating the supplying of the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the first beam (150-g).

22. The method of any one of claims 1 through 21, wherein the first beam (150-g) is dedicated to the first mobile terminal (120-g) and the second beam (150-h) is shared among two or more of the plurality of mobile terminals.

23. A method, comprising: providing a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals (120) within a coverage area (155) of a satellite communication system (100) via a first set of beams (505) and a second set of beams (510), wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas (160), and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas (560) of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations (565), and wherein providing the communication service comprises: adjusting the movable beam coverage area (160) of a first beam (150-g) of the first set of beams to track movement of a first mobile terminal (120-g) of the plurality of mobile terminals; communicating, with the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the first beam (150-g), unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal; and communicating, with the first mobile terminal (120-g) via a second beam (150-h) of the second set of beams, multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal. PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

24. The method of claim 23, wherein unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal (120-g) and multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal are concurrently communicated to the first mobile terminal via the first beam (150-g) and the second beam (150-h), respectively.

25. The method of any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the first beam (150-g) and the second beam (150-h) are provided via a same satellite (105).

26. The method of any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein the first beam (150-g) is provided via a first satellite (105) and the second beam (150-a) is provided via a second satellite (105).

27. The method of any one of claims 23 through 26, wherein the first set of beams (505) are associated with a first set of resource elements (515) and the second set of beams (510) are associated with a second set of resource elements (520).

28. The method of claim 27, wherein: the first set of resource elements (515) comprises a first set of frequencies and the second set of resource elements (520) comprises a second set of frequencies, and the first set of frequencies are different from the second set of frequencies.

29. The method of any one of claims 23 through 28, wherein the second set of beams (510) comprises a plurality of tiled beams across the coverage area (155) of the satellite communication system.

30. The method of any one of claims 23 through 29, wherein providing the communication service further comprises: communicating, with a second mobile terminal (120-h) via the second beam (150-h), multicast traffic associated with the second mobile terminal.

31. A method, comprising: providing, by a mobile terminal (120-h), a communication service to a set of electronic devices (720) coupled with the mobile terminal (120-h) over an internal network (715) of a vehicle (710), wherein providing the communication service comprises: PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187 establishing connections with the set of electronic devices (720) over the internal network (715); establishing a first communication link via a first beam (150-n) of a satellite communication system (100); communicating unicast traffic (730) associated with the set of electronic devices (720) via the first beam (150-n); determining that a first electronic device (720-a) of the set of electronic devices has requested a multicast stream of data associated with an external system; establishing a second communication link via a second beam (150-p) of the satellite communication system; and communicating the multicast stream of data (735) between the external system and the first electronic device (720-a) via the second beam (150-p) of the satellite communication system.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein communicating the unicast traffic (730) via the first beam (150-n) and communicating the multicast stream of data (735) via the second beam (150-p) are performed concurrently.

33. The method of any one of claims 31 or 32, wherein providing the communication service further comprises: determining, by the mobile terminal (120-h), that a second electronic device (720-b) of the set of electronic devices has requested the multicast stream of data; and communicating, by the mobile terminal (120-h), the multicast stream of data (735) with the second electronic device (720-b).

34. The method of any one of claims 31 through 33, wherein the first beam (150-n) is received by the mobile terminal (120-h) over a first frequency range and the second beam (150-p) is received by the mobile terminal (120-h) over a second frequency range that is different than the first frequency range.

35. An apparatus, comprising: a beam manager (175) associated with a memory device, wherein the beam manager is configured to cause the apparatus to: PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187 provide a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals (120) within a coverage area (155) of a satellite communication system (100) via a first set of beams (505) and a second set of beams (510), wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas (160), and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas (560) of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations (565) and remain substantially stationary, and wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager is configured to cause the apparatus to: supply the communication service to a first mobile terminal (120-g) of the plurality of mobile terminals via a first beam (150-g) of the first set of beams; adjust the movable beam coverage area (160) of the first beam (150-g) to track movement of the first mobile terminal (120-g); determine, while supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the first beam (150-g), that a performance of the first beam fails to satisfy a performance threshold; and switch, based on the determining that the performance of the first beam (150-g) fails to satisfy the performance threshold, the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via a second beam (150-h) of the second set of beams.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: identify the plurality of mobile terminals (120) within the coverage area (155) of the satellite communication system (100) before providing the communication service to the plurality of mobile terminals.

37. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 or 36, wherein the performance threshold is based at least in part on a performance metric satisfying a threshold, the performance metric associated with the first beam (150-g).

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the performance metric comprises a distance between the movable beam coverage area (160) of the first beam (150-g) and the respective movable beam coverage areas (160) of other beams of the first set of beams (505). PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

39. The apparatus of any one of claims 37 or 38, wherein the performance metric comprises a distance between the first mobile terminal (120-g) and other mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals (120).

40. The apparatus of any one of claims 37 through 39, wherein the performance metric comprises an amount of interference associated with the first beam (150-g).

41. The apparatus of any one of claims 37 through 40, wherein the performance metric comprises an availability of resource elements for providing the communication service.

42. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 41, wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: switch, subsequent to supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the second beam (150-h), the supplying of the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via a third beam (150-i) of the first set of beams.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: determine, while supplying the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the second beam (150-h), that a performance of the second beam fails to satisfy a second performance threshold, wherein the switching of the supplying of the communication service of the first mobile terminal to being supplied via the third beam (150-i) is based on the determining that the performance of the second beam (150-h) fails to satisfy the second performance threshold.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the second performance threshold is based on a predicted performance difference between the second beam (150-h) and the third beam (150-i).

45. The apparatus of any one of claims 43 or 44, wherein the second performance threshold is based on one or more interference metrics between the second beam (150-h) and additional beams of the first set of beams (505) associated with other mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals (120). PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

46. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 45, wherein the first set of beams (505) are associated with a first set of resource elements (515) and the second set of beams (510) are associated with a second set of resource elements (520) for providing the communication service.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein: the first set of resource elements (515) comprises a first set of frequencies and a first set of time slots, and the second set of resource elements (520) comprises a second set of frequencies and a second set of time slots, and the first set of frequencies and the first set of time slots are non-overlapping with the second set of frequencies and the second set of time slots.

48. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 47, wherein the second set of beams (510) comprises a plurality of tiled beams across the coverage area of the satellite communication system (100).

49. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 48, wherein the respective fixed beam coverage areas (560) of at least some of the second set of beams (510) overlap the respective movable beam coverage areas (160) of at least some of the first set of beams (505).

50. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 49, wherein to adjust the movable beam coverage area of the first beam, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: adjust the movable beam coverage area (160) of the first beam (150-g) such that a respective location of the first mobile terminal (120-g) is encompassed in the movable beam coverage area of the first beam.

51. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 50, wherein the first set of beams (505) and the second set of beams (510) are disjoint sets.

52. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 51, wherein the first beam (150-g) and the second beam (150-h) are provided via a same satellite (105). PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

53. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 52, wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: allocate a resource element of the second beam (150-h) to the first mobile terminal (120-g), wherein the communication service of the first mobile terminal is supplied via the second beam using the resource element.

54. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 53, wherein the second beam (150-h) is configured to transmit information associated with the communication service of the first mobile terminal (120-g) using a shared resource element.

55. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 54, wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: terminate the supplying of the communication service to the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the first beam (150-g).

56. The apparatus of any one of claims 35 through 55, wherein the first beam (150-g) is dedicated to the first mobile terminal (120-g) and the second beam (150-h) is shared among two or more of the plurality of mobile terminals.

57. An apparatus comprising: a beam manager (175) associated with a memory device, wherein the beam manager is configured to cause the apparatus to: provide a communication service to a plurality of mobile terminals (120) within a coverage area (155) of a satellite communication system (100) via a first set of beams (505) and a second set of beams (510), wherein the first set of beams are configured to track movement of respective mobile terminals of the plurality of mobile terminals via respective movable beam coverage areas (160), and wherein respective fixed beam coverage areas (560) of the second set of beams are centered at respective geographic locations (565), and wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager is configured to cause the apparatus to: adjust the movable beam coverage area (160) of a first beam (150-g) of the first set of beams to track movement of a first mobile terminal (120-g) of the plurality of mobile terminals; PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187 communicate, with the first mobile terminal (120-g) via the first beam (150-g), unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal; and communicate, with the first mobile terminal (120-g) via a second beam (150-h) of the second set of beams, multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein unicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal (120-g) and multicast traffic associated with the first mobile terminal are concurrently communicated to the first mobile terminal via the first beam (150-g) and the second beam (150-h), respectively.

59. The apparatus of any one of claims 57 or 58, wherein the first beam (150-g) and the second beam (150-h) are provided via a same satellite (105).

60. The apparatus of any one of claims 57 or 58, wherein the first beam (150-g) is provided via a first satellite (105) and the second beam (150-a) is provided via a second satellite (105).

61. The apparatus of any one of claims 57 through 60, wherein the first set of beams (505) are associated with a first set of resource elements (515) and the second set of beams (510) are associated with a second set of resource elements (520). PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein: the first set of resource elements (515) comprises a first set of frequencies and the second set of resource elements (520) comprises a second set of frequencies, and the first set of frequencies are different from the second set of frequencies.

63. The apparatus of any one of claims 57 through 62, wherein the second set of beams (510) comprises a plurality of tiled beams across the coverage area (155) of the satellite communication system.

64. The apparatus of any one of claims 57 through 63, wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: communicate, with a second mobile terminal (120-h) via the second beam (150-h), multicast traffic associated with the second mobile terminal.

65. An apparatus, comprising: a beam manager (175) associated with a mobile terminal (120-h), wherein the beam manager is configured to cause the apparatus to: provide, by the mobile terminal (120-h), a communication service to a set of electronic devices (720) coupled with the mobile terminal (120-h) over an internal network (715) of a vehicle (710), wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager is configured to cause the apparatus to: establish connections with the set of electronic devices (720) over the internal network (715); establish a first communication link via a first beam (150-n) of a satellite communication system (100); communicate unicast traffic (730) associated with the set of electronic devices (720) via the first beam (150-n); determine that a first electronic device (720-a) of the set of electronic devices has requested a multicast stream of data associated with an external system; establish a second communication link via a second beam (150-p) of the satellite communication system; and PCT App. No.: PCT/US2023/0187 communicate the multicast stream of data (735) between the external system and the first electronic device (720-a) via the second beam (150-p) of the satellite communication system.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein communicating the unicast traffic (730) via the first beam (150-n) and communicating the multicast stream of data (735) via the second beam (150-p) are performed concurrently.

67. The apparatus of any one of claims 65 or 66, wherein to provide the communication service, the beam manager (175) is further configured to cause the apparatus to: determine, by the mobile terminal (120-h), that a second electronic device (720-b) of the set of electronic devices has requested the multicast stream of data; and communicate, by the mobile terminal (120-h), the multicast stream of data (735) with the second electronic device (720-b).

68. The apparatus of any one of claims 65 through 67, wherein the first beam (150-n) is received by the mobile terminal (120-h) over a first frequency range and the second beam (150-p) is received by the mobile terminal (120-h) over a second frequency range that is different than the first frequency range.