A VSAT terminal including an antenna, a
microwave power
amplifier, a
microwave low noise amplifier, a
transmitter coupled via the
microwave power
amplifier to the antenna, a
receiver coupled via the microwave
low noise amplifier to the antenna, a user VSAT interface, and a controller in communication with the user VSAT interface and in
electrical connection with the
microwave power amplifier and the microwave
low noise amplifier for supplying power thereto, the controller being operative to provide a less-than-full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the absence of a communication session and operative to provide a full electrical power supply to either of the amplifiers in the presence of a communication session. A smart stand by mode is employed in which the
transmitter and
receiver are turned off simultaneously to conserve power. The
receiver turns on periodically to determine if it is to receive a call. After the VSAT turns on it will lock on the
signal received from the hub and then wait for a special activation
list message. The special activation
list message is broadcast continuously and contains a
list of all VSATs that are presently powered own but which should switch to
active mode since they have an incoming call. After a VSAT receives the special activation list message, it checks whether its ID is in the list. If not, the VSAT returns to power down mode.