초록 ▼

A communications system includes a satellite communications component having at least one satellite and at least one terrestrial gateway, and also a wireless terrestrial communications component having at least one-repeater and at least one mobile switching center. The at least one gateway and the a

A communications system includes a satellite communications component having at least one satellite and at least one terrestrial gateway, and also a wireless terrestrial communications component having at least one-repeater and at least one mobile switching center. The at least one gateway and the at least one mobile switching center are coupled together by a first mobile applications part (MAP) network, such as an IS-41 or GSM MAP network. The at least one gateway and the at least one mobile switching center are further coupled to a terrestrial communications network (PSTN). The system further includes at least one dual mode or higher user terminal having a first transceiver for bidirectionally communicating with the gateway through the satellite, a second transceiver for bidirectionally communicating with the mobile switching center through the repeater, and a controller, responsive to one of a user selected or a gateway selected protocol, for selectively enabling either the first or the second transceiver for conveying a user communication to the terrestrial communications network.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A dual mode user terminal, comprising:a first transceiver for communicating with a satellite communications network that comprises at least one satellite and at least one terrestrial gateway;a second transceiver for communicating with a terrestrial cellular communicatio

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A dual mode user terminal, comprising:a first transceiver for communicating with a satellite communications network that comprises at least one satellite and at least one terrestrial gateway;a second transceiver for communicating with a terrestrial cellular communications network comprising at least one repeater and at least one mobile switching center; anda processor, responsive to one of a user selected protocol or a gateway selected protocol, for enabling either said first or said second transceiver for registering said user terminal with one of said satellite communications network or said terrestrial cellular communications network, wherein one of said satellite communications network or terrestrial cellular communications network is assigned a higher priority than the other for first attempting registration, and wherein said gateway instructs said processor to initiate a registration into the other network after registering with the highest priority network while remaining registered with the highest priority network.