TECHNIQUE FOR LEAST COST ROUTING FOR MOBILE SATELLITE SYSTEMS EMPLOYING A GSM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

摘要

A method and apparatus for achieving least cost call routing (i.e., shortest terrestrial path between mobile terminal (49) and a fixed terminal (40) for a mobile communications system (48) by integrating a cellular satellite communications system (45) with an existing GSM network to form an extended satellite GSM system and an enhanced satellite GSM system. The extended satellite GSM system incorporates the advantages facilitated by the GSM network with the extended coverage capability of the mobile satellites (45), and achieves least cost routing by registering a mobile terminal (49) with one designated gateway (i.e., home gateway 41). In accordance with another embodiment, the enhanced satellite GSM system achieves least cost call routing for all mobile terminal originated and terminated calls by minor modifications to the mobile terminal and home location register (41c). The resulting arranged has minimal impact on the GSM network system operation by incorporating standard GSM procedures and protocols.