COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS USING DATA COMPRESSION

摘要

A communications link for data communication via satellite includes interface apparatus (12) comprising a satellite link interface (20) for connection to a satellite link and a PSTN interface (22) for connection to a PSTN (14). The interface apparatus (12) supports different data compression modes in the communications link. Mode A allows data compression over the PSTN (14) but not over the satellite link. Mode B allows data compression over the PSTN (14) and over the satellite link, but enables decompression and recompression of data flowing in each direction through the interface apparatus (12). Mode C allows compressed data to pass transparently between the PSTN (14) and the satellite link, while the interface apparatus performs error correction on the satellite link and on the PSTN (14).