US 7,321,572 B2
Frame relay protocol-based multiplex switching scheme for satellite mesh network
Dennis E. Fielding, Melbourne, Fla. (US); and Todd W. Gross, Palm Bay, Fla. (US)
Assigned to Gilat Satellite Networks, Ltd., Kiryat Arye (Israel)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/881,479.
Application 10/881479 is a continuation of application No. 10/437536, filed on May 14, 2003, granted, now 6,771,617.
Application 10/437536 is a continuation of application No. 10/071307, filed on Feb. 08, 2002, granted, now 6,625,130.
Application 10/071307 is a continuation of application No. 08/786234, filed on Jan. 21, 1997, granted, now 6,381,227.
Application 08/786234 is a continuation of application No. 08/499766, filed on Jul. 07, 1995, abandoned.
Application 08/499766 is a continuation of application No. 08/079250, filed on Jun. 17, 1993, granted, now 5,434,850.
Prior Publication US 2004/0240406 A1, Dec. 02, 2004
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04B 7/155 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 370—321  [370/349] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A first earth station for use in a system having earth stations interconnected via a satellite, the first earth station comprising:
a satellite antenna,
a transceiver coupled to the satellite antenna for sending signals to and receiving signals from the satellite antenna,
a frame relay switch configured to:
connect a plurality of terminal devices,
input data from the plurality of terminal devices,
packetize the data into data packets having an address field, a data field, and control bytes for elementary error detection, and
route packets, such that the frame relay switch provides point to point connectivity between the plurality of terminal devices.