Interoperability concept for LEO satellite personal communications

The fact that various cellular telephone systems already exist and satellite (store and forward or courier mode) data systems are being developed will result in eventual deployment of large families of system unique terminals. Interoperable communications between disparate terminal types may be an occasional operational requirement. A concept for providing interoperable communications among small hand-held terminals of the future is defined consistent with small satellites in low Earth orbits (LEO). Time ordered operation of various satellite communications assets that link to different terminal types create a new form of multiple access termed mode division multiple access (MDMA). The concept is a generalization of the demodulate/remodulate satellite repeater