Multi-service provider authentication

Abstract

Network access providers implement interactive procedures and subscriber terminals employ embedded secure authentication structures and procedures to ensure that a satellite modem at the subscriber terminal accurately verifies the identity of a satellite modem terminal system at the location of the network access provider gateway facility during the satellite modem initialization process so that the satellite modem will only attempt to acquire satellite resource from the appropriate (authenticated and authorized) satellite modem termination system. In a virtual downstream channel environment, diverse downstream channel feeds are distinguished by authentication procedures. The present invention differs from standard theft of service prevention because theft of subscriber prevention is in a virtual channel environment, where subscriber terminals have access to a plurality of virtual channels by the nature of the signal.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application incorporates the entire contents of the following patent applications hereby by reference: [0003] · PCT application No._______ named “Improved Spot Beam Satellite GroundSystems” (provisional reference agent registration number 017018-009510PC) filed on the same day as this PCT application; [0004] · PCT application No. _________ named "Large Packet Concatenation In Satellite Communication System" (provisional reference agent registration number 017018-008210PC) filed on the same day as this PCT application; [0005] · PCT application No. _________ named "Upfront Delayed Concatenation In Satellite Communication System" (provisional reference agent registration number 017018-010510PC) filed on the same day as this PCT application; [0006] · PCT Application No. named "Map-Trigger Dump Of Packets In Satellite Communication System" (Provisional Reference Agent Registration No. 017018-010610PC) filed on the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While such first generation satellite systems can provide full capacity at multiple gigabits per second (Gbps) per satellite, the design of such systems inherently limits the number of consumers that can be adequately served

Additionally, the fact that capacity is spread across multiple coverage areas further limits the bandwidth per subscriber

[0017] The demand for such broadband services continues to grow despite the multiple capacity constraints of existing designs

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