DUAL MODE SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

A communications network is capable of using time division multiple access (TDMA) techniques, code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques, or a combination of both. A subscriber unit (30) makes a request for a traffic channel over a CDMA pilot channel or a TDMA broadcast channel. A satellite (20) or a base station (40) receives the request and determines whether to assign a TDMA or CDMA traffic channel. The downlink and uplink can have the same access scheme (e.g., TDMA) or different access schemes (e.g., TDMA on the uplink and CDMA on the downlink).