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Abstract

A method for operating a satellite communications terminal (10) that transmits one of digital voice or data signals during a frame period. The terminal includes a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter including an RF power amplifier. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing the terminal with a power source including a battery, a high energy density capacitor (HEDC), and a switching circuit for selectively coupling one or both to an output of the power source, the output of the power source being coupled at least to the RF power amplifier; (b) storing predetermined threshold values, including at least a data rate threshold value and a transmitter power level threshold value; (c) comparing at least one of a transmission rate and a transmission power level to be used during a next frame period to the stored data rate and power level threshold values; and (d) responsive to the comparison, controlling the switching circuit so as to select one or both of the battery and HEDC for coupling to the output of the power source. In a preferred embodiment the step of storing includes an initial step of receiving at least one of the data rate threshold value and the transmitter power level threshold value from a satellite that is linked to a terrestrial station. The step of storing further includes an initial step of inputting at least one of a mode flag and an on/off flag from a terminal user interface, and storing the inputted flag in a memory. In this case the step of comparing is responsive to the stored flags for selecting whether to connect only the battery, or only the HEDC, or both the battery and the HEDC in parallel to the output of the power source.

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First Claim