Zip-coded cellular interface concepts for mobile terminals and proliferated satellite communication networks

A network control technique for large networks of mobile terminals and moving satellites is suggested. An earth-fixed interface consisting of cellular regions identified by zip codes is defined. Each terminal and satellite is required to determine its own zip code and to communicate any changes in its zip code via the space segment. Satellite identifiers are unnecessary, and satellites do not need terminal identifiers. Satellite processing requirements are greatly reduced by this technique while the increases in terminal memory and orderwire transmissions are quite modest.