Apparatus and method for efficient live webcasting and network connectivity

摘要

An apparatus and method for providing efficient connectivity to the Internet via a satellite communication link. A particularly useful embodiment of the invention comprises a an apparatus and method for webcasting live events over a satellite communication link. Digital multimedia data is converted to a bitstream format by an encoder. The encoder supplies the bitstream data to an uplink subsystem for transmission to a satellite. The satellite retransmits the data to a ground-based facility which makes the content available to subscribers over the Internet, either directly or through an independent Content Delivery Network. A novel TCP proxy process adjusts for propagation delays associated with the satellite path. Preferably, the TCP proxy resides in the uplink and the ground-based receiver that receives the bitstream data that is transported by the satellite, or by a router configured to provide such a TCP proxy process.