Location-based communication network operation scheduling

Abstract

Service interruption operations of mobile nodes (e.g., LEO or MEO satellites) are scheduled to proceed automatically when the platform is in a certain location or enters a certain area. And when the physical position of the mobile node is matched with the target area with low service requirement of the mobile node, a service interruption operation can be executed, and the mobile node is enabled to stop service. Alternatively, when the mobile node is close to a ground station that causes an associated service interruption, a service interruption operation may be performed. The service interruption may correspond to a reconfiguration for serving different regional communication networks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to communication networks, such as satellite networks, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for scheduling operations within a communication network, such as by configuring nodes of the communication network. Background Art

[0002] Network and network node outage operations are often scheduled based on time of day or network connectivity. For example, some software upgrades are scheduled to occur during off-peak hours, such as between midnight and 4:00 a.m. in North America. In another example, Updates are usually scheduled for 1:00 AM, as demand is expected to be lower for most users during this time.

[0003] Mobile node (e.g. satellite) networks introduce new challenges and limitations in scheduling service disruption operations. Mobile satellite constellations may provide coverage of the entire world, and off-peak hours are not necessarily applicable. This can make time-based scheduling of service disruption operations problematic and may not be feasible.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that obviates or mitigates one or more limitations of the prior art.

[0005] The purpose of providing this background information is to disclose information believed by the applicant to be potentially relevant to the present invention. It is not necessarily admitted, nor should it be construed, that any of the above information constitutes prior art against the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method, apparatus and system for scheduling communication network operations, especially mobile node (e.g., satellite) service interruption operations (e.g., operations that affect one or more services provided by or through a mobile node), wherein the scheduling is based at least in part on the location of the mobile node. When the location of the mobile node (e.g., satellite) has relatively low operational requirements for the mobile node, the mobile node can be triggered to perform a service interruption operation. In this way, the impact of the associated service interruption (which may reduce or suspend the mobile node's capabilities) is reduced. Additionally or alternatively, when the mobile node is in a convenient location (e.g., close to a ground station), the service interruption operation can be triggered to facilitate communications that may be required for the service interruption operation. The mobile node can monitor its own location (or receive a location indication) and self-trigger a service interruption operation based on the location.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a networked computerized system for scheduling service interruption operations is provided. The system may include one or more non-terrestrial mobile nodes of a network. At least one of the one or more mobile nodes may include a location service module for determining a current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes. At least one of the mobile nodes may include a system management module for initiating at least one service interruption operation that requires suspending or reducing the operating capacity of at least one of the mobile nodes. The initiation is based at least in part on the current physical location being at a target physical location.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system management networked computerized device is provided for determining at least one service interruption operation to be initiated by the system management device when one or more non-ground mobile nodes of a network are at a target physical location. The at least one service interruption operation requires suspending or reducing the operating capacity of the one or more mobile nodes. The system management device may also determine that at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location, and in response to such determination, initiate the at least one service interruption operation. The determination may include: receiving a notification of the target physical location from a (e.g., ground) control center or another device. The determination may include: receiving an indication of the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes from one or more of a (e.g., ground) control center, a location service module of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes, and another device. The determination may include: sending a target location request to the location service module, the target location request including the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a location service networking computerized device located within a non-terrestrial mobile node of a network. The location service device may receive a target location request from a system management module including a target physical location of a mobile node. The location service device may also determine whether a current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location, and when the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location, the location service device may send a target location indication to the system management module. In response to receiving the target location indication, the system management module may initiate at least one service interruption operation.

[0010] The technical effect of the above embodiment is that a mobile network node, such as a satellite, can perform service interruption operations, such as maintenance or reconfiguration operations, based on physical location rather than another factor such as time. The physical location can be selected to limit or minimize the impact of the service interruption.

[0011] In an embodiment, the system management module may identify the target physical location of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

[0012] In an embodiment, the system management module schedules one or more of: the at least one service interruption operation; a suspension of the at least one service interruption operation; a continuation of the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the target physical location.

[0013] In an embodiment, the system management module may suspend the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes leaving the target physical location or the current physical location being at a second target physical location different from the target physical location. The system management module may also resume the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes returning to the target physical location or the current physical location being at a third target physical location different from the target physical location and the second target physical location. The technical effect is that when the mobile node is in multiple different physical locations, the service interruption operation may be implemented in multiple separate steps, each of which may be selected to limit the impact of the service interruption.

[0014] In an embodiment, the non-terrestrial mobile node may be a satellite. The satellite may be one or a combination of: a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, a plurality of LEO satellite constellations, a hybrid satellite constellation including LEO satellites and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, or a satellite constellation including LEO satellites and geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites.

[0015] In an embodiment, the target physical location may be a physical location where the operational demand for the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is expected to be below a predetermined threshold. The target physical location may be a physical location where the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is close to a ground station that caused the at least one service interruption operation.

[0016] In an embodiment, the system management module may send a target location request to a location service module including at least the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes. The location service module may receive the target location request from the system management module or a ground control center or both. In response to receiving the target location request, when the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location, the location service module may send a target location indication to the system management module.

[0017] In an embodiment, the location services module may determine an indication of the current physical location and further transmit the indication of the current physical location to the system management module. The system management module may receive the indication of the current physical location and determine, based at least in part on such indication, that the current physical location is at the target physical location. Additionally or alternatively, the location services module may determine that the current physical location is at the target physical location and transmit such indication to the system management module.

[0018] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation may be a network configuration operation. The network configuration operation may include configuring the at least one of the mobile nodes to stop providing a communication service associated with a first network in a first area and start providing the communication service or another communication service associated with a second network in a second area. The first area may be associated with the first network, the second area may be associated with the second network, and the target physical location may be between the first area and the second area.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for scheduling (e.g., service interruption) network operations is provided, including obtaining, by a system management module, information indicating the current status of non-terrestrial mobile nodes of the network, links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof. This method may also include processing the information to determine a network configuration based on the obtained information. The network configuration may be implemented in the network by adjusting one or more of the mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof. The system management module may schedule such adjustments to be implemented when the one or more mobile nodes are at a target physical location.

[0020] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation may be a mobile node link configuration operation. The mobile node link configuration operation may include adjusting the at least one of the mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof when the at least one of the mobile nodes is at the target physical location.

[0021] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation may be one or a combination of the following: a mobile node configuration operation; a mobile node self-test operation; a mobile node update operation; a restart operation of one or more functions of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to fully or partially implement any method disclosed herein.

[0023] Embodiments are described above in conjunction with various aspects of the present invention, and these embodiments can be implemented based on these aspects. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments can be implemented in conjunction with the aspects in which they are described, but can also be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments of the aspect. When the embodiments are mutually exclusive or otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments can be described in conjunction with one aspect, but can also be applied to other aspects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A system for scheduling service interruption operations according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 An example is shown in which the current physical location of a mobile node according to an embodiment of the present invention is at the target physical location.

[0027] Figure 3 An example is shown in which the current physical locations of multiple mobile nodes according to the embodiment of the present invention are at the target physical locations.

[0028] Figure 4A An example of a target physical location and an associated mobile node according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 4B An example of a target physical location and an associated mobile node according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 5 An exemplary method for scheduling a mobile node service interruption operation according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0031] Fig. 6A The operation of triggering a service interruption operation based on location in an embodiment of the present invention is shown, with an emphasis on the system management module.

[0032] Figure 6BThe operation of triggering service interruption based on location in another embodiment of the present invention is shown, with the focus on the location service module.

[0033] Figure 6C The operation of triggering service interruption based on location in another embodiment of the present invention is shown, with emphasis on the location service module and the system management module.

[0034] Fig.6D The operation of triggering a service interruption operation based on location according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown, specifically regarding mobile node or link adjustment.

[0035] Fig. 7A An example of links of mobile nodes of a network in a geometric mesh network arrangement before link configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 7B An example of links of mobile nodes of a network in a geometric mesh network arrangement after link configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0037] Figure 8 An example is shown in which the mobile node according to the embodiment of the present invention is located at a target physical location between two areas.

[0038] Fig. 9 The device provided by the embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0039] It should be noted that throughout the drawings, similar features are identified by similar reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, apparatus and systems for scheduling service interruption operations in a network with mobile nodes (eg, in a satellite constellation). These operations are scheduled based on the physical location of the mobile node (eg, satellite orbital location).

[0041] A noteworthy aspect of embodiments of the present invention is the concept of scheduling service interruption operations based on the location of a mobile node (e.g., a satellite). For example, it is expected that when a satellite is located in an area where there is limited or minimal demand for the operation of the satellite, system interruptions are also limited or minimal. For example, these areas may be polar regions, or at sea but away from shipping lanes. Therefore, service interruption operations may be scheduled to be performed when the satellite is in such a position. Therefore, for example, satellites in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation may be affected (e.g., regularly or irregularly) by service interruption operations that may interrupt or affect services provided by or through the satellite, and these operations are scheduled to limit or minimize such interruptions.

[0042] In various embodiments, service interruption operations may also be scheduled to occur when a mobile node (e.g., a satellite) is positioned so that it is in direct connection with a management system. For example, this may occur when a satellite passes by one or more specific components external to the satellite (e.g., a ground station, a control center, or other equipment). This facilitates service interruption operations that may require lower latency or more reliable communications with these specific external components.

[0043] Other activities may also be scheduled based on the location of a mobile node, such as a satellite. For example, a satellite may have usage restrictions in each country. Thus, for example, a satellite may be reconfigured when it transitions between physical locations in different countries where different communication services utilizing mobile nodes may be provided by different network operators operating at different frequencies.

[0044] In an embodiment, the mobile nodes of the network are non-terrestrial, i.e., not supported by the ground or water. The mobile nodes of the network may be satellites in Earth orbit. In such an embodiment, the mobile nodes may run along a predictable orbital path, primarily due to, for example, satellite inertia. Alternatively, the mobile nodes may float or fly at a given altitude above the Earth.

[0045] In various embodiments, the mobile nodes of the network may be or may include a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a satellite constellation, or multiple LEO satellite constellations. For example, such multiple constellations may involve multiple columns of LEO satellites, each column including multiple satellites, which are spaced apart and move along the same or similar orbital tracks at the same or similar altitudes.

[0046] In various embodiments, the mobile nodes of the network may be or may include a mixed satellite constellation of LEO satellites and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites. For example, this may involve multiple columns of LEO satellites, some of which may communicate with specific MEO satellites at different levels of the orbit.

[0047] In various embodiments, the mobile nodes of the network may be or may include a mixed satellite constellation of LEO satellites and geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites. For example, this may involve multiple columns of LEO satellites, some of which may communicate with specific GEO satellites at different levels of the orbit. It should be noted that GEO satellites are not generally in different physical locations (relative to the surface of the earth) at different times, and therefore, service interruption operations on these nodes are not necessarily scheduled based on their current physical location. However, service interruption operations on these nodes may be scheduled based on the current physical location of other mobile nodes.

[0048] In an embodiment, a service interruption operation of a mobile node or involving a service interruption operation of a mobile node is scheduled based on an event that the current physical location (e.g., ephemeris) of the mobile node is at a target physical location (which may be a point, arc segment, or region of space). The current physical location of the mobile node may be determined using various methods, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, non-limiting examples of which include: using a global positioning system (GPS) located within the mobile node (particularly for mobile nodes in low orbit and below); TM ); receiving location information through ground stations (e.g., Integrated Global Service IGS) or other devices that can track the mobile node using star tracking, using gyroscopes, and using predictive calculations based on, for example, the speed and trajectory of the mobile node; or a combination thereof. The ground station can use a combination of sensors (e.g., laser or radar sensors) and predictive calculations to track the location of the mobile node. The mobile node can use information from the ground station or other mobile nodes, and possibly also use predictive calculations to track its own location.

[0049] In an embodiment, one, some or all mobile nodes may include a location service module. The location service module may be used to determine the current physical location of one or more mobile nodes (e.g., periodically or substantially continuously over time), for example using the various methods described above. The location service module may also receive a target location request (e.g., from a system management module of the mobile node, a ground control station, a control center, another device), the target location request including at least the target physical location of at least one mobile node. In response to receiving the target location request, the location service module may be used to send a target location indication (e.g., to the system management module) when the current physical location of the at least one mobile node is at the target physical location. Therefore, the location service module may be provided with an indication of the target physical location and respond by indicating when the mobile node arrives at the target physical location.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the location services module may transmit the current physical location of at least one mobile node to the system management module, for example in the form of periodic or substantially continuous location updates. In such an embodiment (or in other embodiments in which the system management module receives an indication of the current physical location), the system management module may be configured to determine when the current physical location is at a target physical location based at least in part on the indication of the current physical location. For example, the system management module may compare the indication of the current physical location with a known target physical location. Thus, the location services module or the system management module may determine whether the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location in order to prompt a service interruption operation.

[0051] In an embodiment, a target physical location may be defined as an area (e.g., a portion of a track or trajectory, or an area in space) that meets specific criteria associated with performing one or more service interruption operations. Such criteria may include: low (or zero) demand for services provided by the mobile node to, for example, user equipment or a network due to the mobile node being located in a remote area (e.g., at sea, in a sparsely populated area, near the Arctic Circle); the mobile node is sufficiently far away from equipment that may be inadvertently affected by the service interruption operation (e.g., waterways, various network-based systems); the mobile node is close to a specific (e.g., ground) control center, ground station, or another device; or a combination of the above. The target physical location may be a physical location where at least one of the one or more mobile nodes involved in the service interruption operation is close to a ground station that causes (at least one) service interruption operation. For example, the service interruption operation may require a certain degree of communication with a ground station, and the ground station requires or benefits from such proximity (e.g., due to signal strength, line-of-sight communication, or low latency conditions).

[0052] In an embodiment, the target physical location may be a physical location where the operational demand for one or more mobile nodes involved in the service interruption operation is expected to be below a predetermined threshold. The threshold may be predetermined for each specific service interruption operation and may be fixed or adjustable. The threshold may be determined by one or more of: a system management module, a control center external to the mobile node, a ground station, another device (e.g., a system management module of another mobile node), and a combination thereof. For example, the operation may require an operational interruption condition of the mobile node, and in order to mitigate or minimize the impact of the operational interruption, the operation may be scheduled to be performed when demand is low, or when other devices (e.g., another mobile node) can at least partially compensate for the service interruption during the service interruption operation affecting the mobile node.

[0053] In an embodiment, the area defining the target physical location may be a two-dimensional (2-D) geographic area, a geometric area, a geographic point, a geometric area (e.g., 2-D from the perspective of the mobile node), an arc of a track path, or a combination thereof. The area may have a uniform boundary, a non-uniform boundary, or a combination thereof. Adjacent areas defining different corresponding target physical locations may be adjacent, may be separated by gaps, may share (e.g., a portion of) an area boundary, or may partially overlap. One or more smaller areas may be included in a larger area. The current physical location of the mobile node may be considered to be at the target physical location when the current physical location of the mobile node is located anywhere within the physical space area defining the target physical location, including when the current physical location is on or at a region boundary.

[0054] In an embodiment, the target physical location may be determined by one or more of: a system management module, a control center external to the mobile node, a ground station, or another device (e.g., a system management module of another mobile node), or a combination thereof. The target physical location may be defined based on, for example, a history of demand for operation of the mobile node at that location being below a threshold. The threshold may be an absolute threshold (e.g., defined by demand being below a given value) or a relative threshold (e.g., defined by demand being below a given level as a percentage of average or maximum demand).

[0055] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation may involve more than one mobile node. In this case, the current physical location of some or all mobile nodes involved in the service interruption operation may need to be in the same target physical location (or alternatively, in one or more different specific target physical locations) to initiate the service interruption operation. During a portion (or stage) of the service interruption operation to be completed, during the initiation, start and completion of the service interruption operation, or during the combination of the above situations, some or all mobile nodes may need to be in their corresponding target physical locations. For example, the initiation of the service interruption operation involving several mobile nodes may require two mobile nodes to be in their corresponding target physical locations (for example, it can be the same target physical location, or it can overlap or be adjacent to each other). This can be followed by different stages of the same service interruption operation, and the stage requires the third mobile node to be in its corresponding target physical location, and so on. Therefore, for example, the service interruption operation involving more than one mobile node may not require all nodes involved in the service interruption operation to be in the target physical location all the time when the service interruption operation is performed (or undergoes its different stages). For example, when all mobile nodes of the network move along their corresponding paths and are in different target physical locations, this service interruption operation may involve these mobile nodes in sequence.

[0056] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation may require or be associated with pausing or reducing the operational capability of at least one mobile node. The service interruption operation may be a reconfiguration operation. The service interruption operation may be a maintenance operation. For example, maintenance may involve temporarily taking certain mobile node capabilities offline for reconfiguration, testing, or restarting. Some or all of the services provided by the mobile node may need to be partially or completely suspended, reset, restarted (or continued) for the entire duration or a portion of the duration of the service interruption operation. Therefore, as described above, in order to mitigate the operational impact, the system management module may initiate a service interruption operation (needing to suspend or reduce the operational capability of one or more mobile nodes) based at least in part on the current physical location being at the target physical location.

[0057] In an embodiment, a service interruption operation may be initiated, suspended and restarted (or continued) based at least in part on the current physical location of the mobile node. When the current physical location of the mobile node is in one location, the service interruption operation may be performed at least in part. Different parts of the service interruption operation may be performed at different separate time intervals, during each time interval, the current physical location is at different locations in a plurality of target physical locations. For example, when the mobile node is in a first target physical location, a service interruption operation may be initiated. Then, when the mobile node is in a second target physical location, the service interruption operation may be suspended, and the second target physical location is different from the first target physical location. Alternatively or additionally, when the mobile node leaves the target physical location where the service interruption operation was initiated, the service interruption operation may be suspended. The system management module may be based at least in part on the current physical location of the mobile node returning to the (original) first target physical location (e.g., after a full track) or the current physical location being in a third target physical location different from both the (original) first target physical location and the second target physical location to resume the service interruption operation. Therefore, the service interruption operation may be suspended and resumed according to the physical location. This may occur with some types of service interruption operations, while other types (such as requiring a restart) may not necessarily be suitable for such a pause and resume operation. Therefore, service interruption operations can be performed intermittently based on location.

[0058] In an embodiment, the service interruption (e.g., reconfiguration) operation is a network configuration operation in which the mobile node is used to operate according to certain network protocols. The network configuration operation may include configuring the mobile node to stop providing (e.g., cellular) communication services associated with one network (e.g., network provider) and start providing (e.g., cellular) communication services or another communication service associated with another network (e.g., network provider). The area may be a target physical location, or the target physical location may correspond to a boundary or space between areas, as described elsewhere herein. The above two networks may be deployed in different geographic areas, such as different countries / regions.

[0059] A mobile node moving along its (e.g., orbital) path may cross different (e.g., geographic, geometric, coordinate) regions, wherein in each region, the services (e.g., cellular communication services) provided by the mobile node to one or more devices (e.g., user equipment, such as a cellular phone) may be provided by different service operators. The mobile node may be or act as a gNodeB (also known as gNB, next generation NodeB), providing direct cellular communication services to user equipment (UE). The UE may connect to the mobile node (e.g., satellite) using standard protocols, and the mobile node may route the UE's traffic to the core network directly through a ground station or through one or more additional mobile nodes until it reaches a suitable ground station.

[0060] In an embodiment, the mobile node is used to automatically reconfigure between different operating modes corresponding to different service operators or providers (when in a target physical location) when the mobile node moves between different areas associated with these corresponding service operators or providers. A given operating mode may correspond to, for example, using certain communication frequencies or protocols (e.g., TDMA or CDMA) used by the corresponding service operator or provider to provide communication services. A given operating mode may include: advertising that the mobile node is providing communication services; sending and receiving signals according to signaling and protocols associated with the communication services; and generally acting in a manner consistent with a node of the corresponding service operator or provider.

[0061] In an embodiment, the first area may be associated with one network, the second area may be associated with a second network, and the target physical location may be a location between the first area and the second area, for example based on criteria described elsewhere herein. The first area and the second area may be areas in space where the mobile node may function as part of the first network and the second network, respectively.

[0062] In an embodiment, the mobile nodes of the network are arranged in a geometrically regular mesh configuration that includes communication links between (e.g., neighboring) mobile nodes. Such a configuration is expected in satellite networks because the orbital positions of satellites in a constellation must generally be precisely defined. In a satellite network (e.g., from an orbiting platform), hard failures of a single satellite or its links are difficult and costly to repair. For example, the problematic satellite needs to be captured and possibly returned to the ground for corrective action. The satellite may also need to be replaced. Due to the cost and time required for such service interruption operations, hard failures are likely to accumulate in the network and its satellite nodes until action is required.

[0063] As an alternative, according to some embodiments of the present invention, mobile node (e.g., satellite) resources can be reused to improve network performance in situ. This can be achieved by reusing connections such as inter-satellite links (ISLs), for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. US17 / 226,786 and US17 / 314 / 940.

[0064] In an embodiment, the service interruption (e.g., reconfiguration) operation may be a mobile node link configuration (e.g., reconfiguration) operation. When at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location, the link configuration operation may include adjusting one or more of the links between the one or more mobile nodes (e.g., neighbor nodes sharing a communication link), or a combination thereof.

[0065] The link configuration operation may be implemented using underlying resources, such as the mobile node itself, or components of the mobile node, or other equipment generally available for performing mobile node adjustment or network configuration operations, whether physical, electrical, or otherwise. The underlying resource may be a physical actuator (e.g., a thruster, such as a propellant rocket) that is capable of rotating the mobile node. Instructions may be provided to the mobile node (or its associated systems) that, when implemented, may cause the mobile node to physically reconfigure to implement the link configuration. The instructions may cause the mobile node to adjust operations, such as communications operations, in a manner that implements the network configuration. For example, the adjustment in operation may involve adjusting which communications equipment is used to support a given mobile node link, or which communications channel or frequency is used, or which of multiple communications modes (e.g., wireless or optical) is used, etc. The adjustment may depend on what options are available on the particular mobile node to change aspects that may affect its operation. Reference Fig. 7A and 7B , which is described in more detail elsewhere in this paper.

[0066] In an embodiment, the service interruption (eg, reconfiguration) operation may be a mobile node configuration operation, a mobile node self-test operation, a mobile node update operation, a restart operation of one or more functions of the mobile node, or a combination thereof.

[0067] In an embodiment, the mobile node configuration operation may include some or all elements of one or more of a network configuration out-of-service operation and a link configuration out-of-service operation, as described elsewhere herein.

[0068] In an embodiment, the mobile node self-test operation may include testing whether the node and / or its components and functions are operating normally. The mobile node self-test operation may be routine. The mobile node self-test operation may be, for example, scheduled by a system management module (e.g., based at least in part on the target physical location). The result of the mobile node self-test may be transmitted by the mobile node to one or more of the following: a system management module, a control center outside the mobile node, a ground station, another device (e.g., a system management module of another mobile node), or a combination thereof. It should be noted that such an operation may require temporarily suspending the conventional operation of the mobile node, such as communication, sensing, or computing.

[0069] In an embodiment, the mobile node update operation may include software updates of various components of the mobile node, including the system management module and the location services module.

[0070] In an embodiment, the restart operation of one or more functions of the mobile node may include completely or partially shutting down one or more functions of the mobile node, including functions of the system management module and the location service module.

[0071] Figure 1 A system for scheduling service interruption operations according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. A mobile node 100 includes a system management module 200 and a location service module 300, which can communicate with each other. One or both of the system management module 200 and the location service module 300 can communicate with an external component 050, such as a control center 010, a ground station 020, and another device 030 (e.g., another mobile node or a component thereof), which are all outside the mobile node 100 and can participate in or promote some or all of the functions of the system management module 200 and the location service module 300. The system management module 200 has some or all of the following functions: determining, scheduling, initiating, suspending, and resuming (or initiating continuation) one or more service interruption operations 400. The service interruption operation 400 may include, for example: a network configuration operation 410; a mobile node link configuration operation 420; a mobile node configuration operation 430; a mobile node self-test operation 440; a mobile node update operation 450; a restart operation 460 of one or more functions of the mobile node; any other service interruption operation 470 that requires at least partially suspending or reducing the operating capability of at least one mobile node; or a combination thereof.

[0072] In an embodiment, the functionality of the system management module described above may include communicating with one or all of the location service module 300, one or more external components 050, and any other components (not shown) of the mobile node 100. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such communications may include sending and / or receiving information, instructions, requests, reports, data, status updates, instructions, etc. The location service module provides information based on or indicating the current physical location of the mobile node to the system management module. The mobile node may include a processor and a memory, or equivalent electronic components, and at least one communication interface, such as a wireless or optical communication transmitter, receiver, or both. These components of the mobile node may be used to provide other functional aspects of the system management module, the location service module, and the mobile node, such as those functional aspects that are adjusted due to service interruption operations.

[0073] In an embodiment, a service disruption operation is scheduled (initiated, suspended, continued) based at least in part on a target physical location of one or more mobile nodes, depending on how many mobile nodes are participating in or potentially affected by the particular service disruption operation.

[0074] like Figure 2 As shown in , according to an embodiment, a mobile node 100 having a current physical location 110 at each moment can move along its path 115. As shown, the current physical location 110 of the mobile node 100 is at a target physical location 150 defined by its region boundary 190, as described elsewhere herein. In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the control center 010, the ground station 020, or another device 030 can be located near the target physical location. For example, the target physical location can be a location above these entities in Earth orbit.

[0075] like Figure 3As shown, according to an embodiment, the current physical location of the mobile node being at the target physical location 150 includes the mobile node being at or within the region boundary 190 of the target physical location 150. For example, when both mobile nodes are at the target physical location 150, such as when the first mobile node 101 moves along the first path 115 and has the first current physical location 110 at the region boundary 190 of the target physical location 150, and when the second mobile node 102 moves along the second path 125 and has the second current physical location 120 within the region boundary 190 of the target physical location 150, a service interruption operation requiring two mobile nodes may be initiated. If the current physical location of one of the mobile nodes required for the service interruption operation is not at the target physical location (e.g., the third mobile node 103 moves along the third path 135 and has the third current physical location 130 outside the region boundary 190 of the target physical location 150), such a service interruption operation may not be initiated at least until the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location as required by the scheduling initiation of the service interruption operation.

[0076] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation may require that several mobile nodes (or their current physical locations) be at the same target physical location or at different target physical locations. Figure 4A and 4B As shown in , the target physical location required for a particular service interruption operation may be a neighboring 157 ( Figure 4B ) and share a portion of their respective region boundaries (e.g., 193, 194); may be separated by a gap 155 in which no service interruption operation action is triggered; may include an overlapping position 156, or a combination thereof (not shown).

[0077] In an embodiment, the service interruption operation can be performed at different target physical locations. Different parts of the service interruption operation can be performed at different corresponding target physical locations. For example, Figure 4A As shown in , such a service interruption operation requiring a mobile node may be scheduled to be initiated when the current physical location 110a of the mobile node 100 is at the first target physical location 151. As the mobile node 100 moves along its path 115, it eventually leaves the first target physical location 151. Such a service interruption operation may be scheduled to be paused when the current physical location 110b of the mobile node 100 is not at the first target physical location 151. As the mobile node 100 continues to move along its path 115, it passes through a gap 155 between the first target physical location 151 and the second target physical location 152. The service interruption operation may be scheduled to continue or resume when the current physical location 110c of the mobile node 100 is at the second target physical location 152.

[0078] In another example, Figure 4B As shown in , a service interruption operation (e.g., requiring three mobile nodes) can be scheduled to be initiated when the first current physical location 110 of the first mobile node 101 is at a first target physical location 151 defined by a first area boundary 191, the second current physical location 120 of the second mobile node 102 is at a second target physical location 152 defined by a second area boundary 192, and the third current physical location 130 of the third mobile node 103 is at a third target physical location 153 defined by a third area boundary 193.

[0079] Figure 5 An example of an operation (also referred to as an action) for scheduling one or more service interruption operations is shown. The system management module 200 of the mobile node may determine 610 when the mobile node (or its current physical location) is at a target physical location to initiate (one or more) service interruption operations, which (one or more) service interruption operations require suspending or reducing the operating capacity of at least one mobile node. In an embodiment, when the mobile node is at the target physical location, more than one service interruption operation may be (e.g., partially or substantially) performed simultaneously. The system management module may schedule 665 the initiation of (one or more) service interruption operations, and if necessary, the suspension and continuation of (one or more) service interruption operations based at least in part on the current physical location of at least one mobile node involved in the service interruption operation being at the target physical location. Scheduling may include specifying that an operation is performed when a specified condition is met. The system management module may determine 630 (possibly with the help of a location service module) when at least one mobile node involved in the service interruption operation (and its current physical location) is at the target physical location. When at least one mobile node involved in the service interruption operation (and its current physical location) is at the target physical location, the system management module may initiate 660 (one or more) service interruption operations.

[0080] exist Fig. 6A In the exemplary embodiment shown in , the system management module 200 can be a networked computerized device or can be a part of a networked computerized device. Such a system management device 201 can include some or all of the features of the system management modules described elsewhere herein. The system management device 201 (or its system management module 200) determines 610 a service interruption operation to be initiated by the system management device when one or more mobile nodes are at a target physical location, and the service interruption operation requires suspending or reducing the operating capacity of one or more mobile nodes.

[0081] The system management device 201 (or its system management module 200) also determines 630 that at least one mobile node is at a target physical location. Such determination may include receiving a notification 620 of a target physical location from a control center 010, a ground station 020, another device 030, or a combination thereof. Such a notification 620 may include an identification of at least one target physical location. Thus, the target physical location itself may be indicated to the system management device, for example, separately from the current physical location. Such a notification 620 may include one or more service interruption operations associated with at least one target physical location included therein. Such a determination may include the system management device 201 receiving a current physical location 650 (e.g., an indication of the current physical location) of one or more mobile nodes from one or more of the following: the control center 010; the location service module 300 of the associated mobile node, the ground station 020, another device 030, or a combination thereof. Then, the system management device 201 may determine 631 that the current physical location 650 of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location 150 upon receiving (e.g., periodic or substantially continuous) information about the current physical location 650 of the one or more mobile nodes.

[0082] In some embodiments, the notification 620 of the target physical location and the current physical location 650 (e.g., an indication of the current physical location) can be combined together. For example, the control center 010, the ground station 020, or another device 030 can send a message to the system management device 201 to indicate that the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location.

[0083] In embodiments, the characteristics of current physical location 650 may be substantially the same as the characteristics of the current physical location and its specific instance, as described elsewhere herein (e.g., Figure 2 , 3 , 110, 120, 130, 110a, 110b, 110c in 4A, 4B and 4C).

[0084] In some embodiments, to determine 630 that one or more mobile nodes are at a target physical location, the system management device 201 may send a target location request 605 including the target physical location 150 of the one or more mobile nodes to the location services module 300. The system management device 201 may also receive a target location indication 615 from the location services module 300. The location services module sends the target location indication 615 at least when the current physical location 650 of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location 150.

[0085] After determining 630 that one or more mobile nodes are at the target physical location, the system management device 201 may initiate 660 a scheduled service interruption operation.

[0086] Thus, there are at least two different approaches to initiating 660 a scheduled service interruption operation. In a first approach, the location services module 300 determines 630 that the mobile node is at the target physical location and sends a target location indication 615. In a second approach, the location services module 300 (or another device) sends current physical location updates 650, and the system management module 200 determines 631 that the current physical location is at the target physical location based on these current physical location updates. One or both of these approaches may be utilized.

[0087] In an embodiment, the initiation 660 of a scheduled service interruption operation may additionally or alternatively include pausing and resuming (resuming) the scheduled service interruption operation.

[0088] exist Figure 6B In the exemplary embodiment shown in , the location service module 300 can be a networked computerized device 301 of the mobile node 100 or can be a part of the networked computerized device. Such a location service device 301 can include some or all of the features of the location service module 300 described elsewhere herein. The location service device 301 (or its location service module 300) receives a target location request 605 including a target physical location 150 of the mobile node from the system management module 200 of the mobile node 100. The location service device 301 (or its location service module 300) can, for example, periodically or substantially continuously detect 651 the current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100 (e.g., determine, track, monitor, obtain information including the current physical location). Such detection 651 can be facilitated 652 by one or more of the following: the control center 010, the ground station 020, another device 030, or a combination thereof. For example, the ground station can track the current physical location of the mobile node and send a corresponding indication of the location of the mobile node.

[0089] like Figure 6B As further shown in FIG. 6 , the location services device 301 (or its location services module 300) determines 631 whether the detected current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100 is at the target physical location 150. The location services device 301 (or its location services module 300) also sends a target location indication 615, which includes an indication that the current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100 is at the target physical location 150. The target location or indication 615 thereof is sent to the system management module 200. In response, at least in part, to receiving the target location indication 615, the system management module 200 initiates 660 at least one (e.g., scheduled) service interruption operation associated with the current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100 being at the target physical location 150.

[0090] exist Figure 6CIn the exemplary embodiment shown in , operations or actions for scheduling service interruption operations are provided. The method includes: the system management module 200 of at least one mobile node 100 identifies 670 a target physical location 150 of at least one mobile node 100. This identification 670 can be facilitated 671 by one or more of: the control center 010, the ground station 020, another device 030, or a combination thereof, such as by sending relevant information or a request to the system management module 200. Facilitation can include sending a message with relevant information, such as a notification 620 of the target physical location described elsewhere herein.

[0091] like Figure 6C As further shown in , the method includes the location service module 300 of at least one mobile node 100 determining 651 a current physical location 650 of at least one mobile node 100 (e.g., detecting, tracking, monitoring, obtaining information including the current physical location). This determination can be continuous, such as periodically or substantially continuously in time.

[0092] like Figure 6C As further shown, the method includes: the system management module 200 schedules 665 one or more of the following based at least in part on the target physical location 150: at least one service interruption operation; suspension of at least one service interruption operation; continuation of at least one service interruption operation; or a combination thereof.

[0093] like Figure 6C As further shown in FIG. 6 , the method includes the system management module 200 sending a target location request 605 to the location service module 300 including at least a target physical location 150 of at least one mobile node.

[0094] like Figure 6CAs further shown in FIG. 1 , the method includes: the location service module 300 receives a target location request 605 from the system management module 200, or receives a target location request 605a from an external component (e.g., a control center 010, a ground station 020, another device 030), or both operations, the target location request 605, 605a including at least a target physical location 150 of at least one mobile node 100. In response to receiving the target location request 605 and further in response to the current physical location 650 reaching the target physical location 150, the location service module 300 may send a target location indication 615 to the system management module 200. In addition to or as an alternative to sending the target location indication 615, the location service module 300 may transmit the current physical location 650 of the at least one mobile node 100 to the system management module 200 (e.g., periodically or substantially continuously). The system management module 200 may receive such transmission information, for example as an indication of a current physical location 650 of at least one mobile node 100 , and use the transmission information to determine 631 that the current physical location 650 is at a target physical location 150 based at least in part on such indication.

[0095] In response to the system management module itself determining 631 that the current physical location 650 is at the target physical location 150, or in response to receiving an equivalent indication via the target location indication 615, the method includes the system management module 200 initiating 660 at least one service interruption operation. Thus, the service interruption operation is based at least in part on the current physical location 650 of the at least one mobile node 100 being at the target physical location 150.

[0096] exist Fig.6D In the exemplary embodiment shown in , operations or actions for scheduling network service interruption operations are provided. The system management module 200 of the mobile node 100 can obtain (e.g., receive after sending a corresponding request) information 680 indicating the current state of the mobile node, the link between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof of the network. The system management module 200 can process the obtained information 680 to determine 681 a network configuration 682 based on the obtained information 680. Such a network configuration 682 can be implemented in the network by adjusting 690 one or more mobile nodes 100, one or more links between the mobile nodes 100, or a combination thereof. Such an adjustment 690 may include some or all of the features of the service interruption operation, as described elsewhere herein. The system management module 200 can schedule 683 such an adjustment 690 to be implemented when one or more mobile nodes 100 are at the target physical location 150. Alternatively, the control center 010, the ground station 020, or another device 030 can make a determination 681 and provide this information to the system management module 200.

[0097] like Fig.6DAs further shown in FIG. 6 , in order to schedule 683 such an adjustment 690 based at least in part on the target physical location 150 of one or more mobile nodes 100, the system management module 200 may send a target location request 605 to the location service module 300 of the (e.g., associated) mobile node 100. The target location request 605 may include at least the target physical location 150 of the mobile node 100 involved in the adjustment 690. The location service module 300 may determine 651 at least the current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100. After receiving the target location request 605 including the target physical location 150, the location service module 300 may determine 631 when the current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100 is at the target physical location 150. Once the location service module 300 makes such a determination 631, it may send a target location indication 615 to the system management module 200 indicating that the current physical location 650 of the mobile node 100 is at the target physical location 150 included in the target location request 605.

[0098] like Fig.6D As further shown in FIG. 6 , in response to receiving the target location indication 615, the system management module 200 may initiate 684 an adjustment 690 of one or more mobile nodes 100, one or more links between mobile nodes 100, or a combination thereof, e.g., according to a schedule 683. Alternatively, the system management module 200 may determine that the current physical location of the mobile device is at the target physical location in a different manner, as described elsewhere herein.

[0099] Fig. 7A and 7B An exemplary embodiment of mobile nodes 100 arranged in a geometric grid is shown, wherein neighboring nodes communicate with each other via node links (e.g., inter-satellite links or ISLs). Each mobile node 100 is represented by a circle and includes a mobile node instance 101, 102, with four underlying resource 145 instances (e.g., point-to-point communication links), as described elsewhere herein. The number and capabilities of each underlying resource for each mobile node may vary.

[0100] Fig. 7A The dashed lines in represent two inoperative node links 140 of the adjacent first mobile node 101 and the second mobile node 102, wherein the node link failure of the first mobile node is caused by the failure of the corresponding first underlying resource 145a, and the node link failure of the second mobile node is caused by the failure of the corresponding second underlying resource 145b. The link configuration operation or the exemplary instance of link reconfiguration described elsewhere in this document can be implemented to enable the mobile nodes 101, 102 to reuse their corresponding failed underlying resources 145a, 145b, for example, to improve the overall mobile node network performance. Figure 7BAs shown in FIG. 1 , the first bottom layer resource 145a and the second bottom layer resource 145b are used to form a single inoperative node link 140, which effectively replaces Fig. 7A , there is a link configuration of two inoperative node links 140 as shown in . Such a link configuration operation can be scheduled to be initiated, for example, when the first mobile node 101 and the second mobile node 102 are both at the same (e.g., defined by a sufficiently large area boundary of the target physical location) target physical location. Alternatively, such a link configuration operation can be scheduled to be initiated, for example, when the first mobile node 101 (and its current physical location) is at the first target physical location and the second mobile node 102 (and its current physical location) is at the second target physical location, for example, when a suitable target physical location cannot be determined to accommodate the two mobile nodes.

[0101] like Figure 8 As shown in , when the current physical location 110 of the mobile node 100 moving along its path 115 is between the first area 161 and the second area 162, the network configuration operation described elsewhere herein can be initiated. The first area 161 and the second area 162 can be separated by a gap 155, or can be adjacent (not shown). The target physical location 150 for initiating the network configuration operation can be defined as spanning the gap 155 along the path 115 of the mobile node 100. If the first area 161 is adjacent to the second area 162 (i.e., adjacent to each other), the target physical location can be generally defined as a physical point (e.g., geographic coordinates with latitude and longitude values) that intersects the path 115 of the mobile node 100 (not shown). If the first area 161 overlaps with the second area 162 (not shown), the target physical location can be generally defined as having an overlap between the first area and the second area (e.g., Figure 4B The first area 161 and the second area 162 may be areas where the service of the mobile node 100 is needed, so when the mobile node is located between these areas, that is, in the gap 155, it is desired to perform a service interruption operation.

[0102] Service disruption network maintenance and reconfiguration is considered to be a significant driver of operating expenses. Therefore, techniques to reduce operating costs are urgently needed. Embodiments of the present invention can reduce operating costs by reducing the impact of service disruption operations, such as by causing these operations to be performed when the mobile node is in a specific location where the impact of these operations on service is limited. These operations are scheduled based on mobile node location rather than time. Global operation scheduling can be performed at "off-peak" geographic locations rather than based on specific times. In addition, embodiments alleviate or avoid the need to map mobile node locations to time of day for scheduling purposes.

[0103] Fig. 91 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 1000 according to different embodiments of the present invention, which can perform any or all operations of the above methods and features explicitly or implicitly described herein. For example, a computer equipped with a network function can be configured as the electronic device 1000.

[0104] As shown, the device includes a processor 1010 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or a special-purpose processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other such processor unit), a memory 1020, a non-transitory mass storage element 1030, an I / O interface 1040, a network interface 1050, and a transceiver 1060, all of which are communicatively coupled via a bidirectional bus 1070. According to certain embodiments, any or all of these elements may be utilized, or only a subset of these elements may be utilized. In addition, the device 1000 may include multiple instances of certain elements, such as multiple processors, multiple memories, or multiple transceivers. In addition, elements of the hardware device may be directly coupled to other elements without a bidirectional bus. In addition to or in lieu of processors and memories, other electronic components such as integrated circuits may be used to perform the desired logical operations.

[0105] The memory 1020 may include any type of non-transient memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), any combination of these memories, etc. The mass storage element 1030 may include any type of non-transient storage device, such as a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, a disk drive, an optical drive, a USB drive, or any computer program product for storing data and machine executable program code. According to some embodiments, the memory 1020 or the mass storage element 1030 may record thereon statements and instructions that can be executed by the processor 1010 for performing any of the above-mentioned method operations.

[0106] It should be understood that although specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the technology. Therefore, the specification and drawings are only to be regarded as an illustration of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalent forms within the scope of the invention. Specifically, providing a computer program product or program element or a program storage (storage / memory) device such as a magnetic wire, tape, disk or optical wire, optical tape or optical disk for storing machine-readable signals, for controlling the operation of a computer according to the method of the technology and / or constructing some or all of its components according to the system of the technology, all fall within the scope of the technology.

[0107] The actions associated with the methods described herein may be implemented as coded instructions in a computer program product. In other words, a computer program product is a computer-readable medium on which software codes are recorded to perform the methods when the computer program product is loaded into a memory and executed on a microprocessor of a wireless communication device.

[0108] Furthermore, each operation of the method may be performed on any computing device (e.g., personal computer, server, PDA, etc.), and may be performed according to one or more program elements, modules or objects or a portion of one or more program elements, modules or objects generated from any programming language (e.g., C++, Java, etc.). In addition, each operation or a file or object implementing each of the operations may be performed by dedicated hardware or a circuit module designed for this purpose.

[0109] Through the description of the above embodiments, the present invention can be implemented only by hardware, or by software and necessary general hardware platforms. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention can be embodied in the form of a software product. The software product can be stored in a non-volatile or non-transient storage medium, and the non-volatile or non-transient storage medium can be a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB flash drive, or a removable hard disk. The software product includes many instructions that enable a computer device (a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform the method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. For example, such execution may correspond to the simulation of the logical operation described herein. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the software product may additionally or alternatively include a plurality of instructions that enable a computer device to perform the operation of configuring or programming a digital logic device.

[0110] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded only as an illustration of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and are to be construed as covering any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalent forms within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A networked computerized system for scheduling service interruption operations, characterized in that: The system comprises: One or more non-terrestrial mobile nodes of a network, at least one of the one or more mobile nodes comprising: a location service module, the location service module being configured to determine a current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes; A system management module is configured to initiate at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location being at a target physical location, the at least one service interruption operation requiring suspending or reducing an operational capability of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The system management module schedules one or more of: the at least one service interruption operation; a suspension of the at least one service interruption operation; a continuation of the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the target physical location.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The non-terrestrial mobile node is a satellite.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that The satellite is one of the following or a combination thereof: a low-orbit LEO satellite constellation, a plurality of LEO satellite constellations, a hybrid satellite constellation including LEO satellites and medium-orbit MEO satellites, or a satellite constellation including LEO satellites and geosynchronous orbit GEO satellites.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The target physical location is a physical location where an operational demand on the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is expected to be below a predetermined threshold.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The target physical location is a physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes that is proximate to a ground station that caused the at least one service interruption operation.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The system management module is further configured to send a target location request to the location service module, wherein the target location request at least includes the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The location service module is further configured to receive a target location request from the system management module or the ground control center or both, wherein the target location request at least includes the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

9. The system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The location service module is further configured to, in response to receiving the target location request, send a target location indication to the system management module when the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The location service module is further configured to transmit at least one of the current physical location and an indication that the current physical location is at the target physical location to the system management module.

11. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The system management module is also used for: receiving, from the location services module, an indication of the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes; Based at least in part on the indication of the current physical location, it is determined that the current physical location is at the target physical location.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The system management module is also used to suspend the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes being away from the target physical location or the current physical location being in a second target physical location different from the target physical location.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The system management module is also used to restore the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes returning to the target physical location or the current physical location being at a third target physical location different from the target physical location and the second target physical location.

14. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The service interruption operation is a network configuration operation.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that The network configuration operation includes: The at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is configured to stop providing a communication service associated with a first network in a first area and to start providing the communication service or another communication service associated with a second network in a second area.

16. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that The first area is associated with the first network, the second area is associated with the second network, and the target physical location is between the first area and the second area.

17. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The service interruption operation is a mobile node link configuration operation.

18. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The mobile node link configuration operation includes: When the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location, the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof are adjusted.

19. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The service interruption operation is one or a combination of: a mobile node configuration operation; a mobile node self-test operation; a mobile node update operation; a restart operation of one or more functions of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

20. A system for managing a networked computerized device, characterized in that: Used for: determining at least one service disruption operation to be initiated by the system management device when one or more non-terrestrial mobile nodes of the network are at a target physical location, the at least one service disruption operation requiring suspending or reducing an operational capability of the one or more mobile nodes; determining that at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location; In response to the determining that the at least one of the one or more mobile network nodes is at the target physical location, the at least one service disruption operation is initiated.

21. The system management device according to claim 20, characterized in that: The determining that the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location includes receiving notification of the target physical location from a control center or another device.

22. The system management device according to claim 20, characterized in that: Determining that at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location includes receiving an indication of the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes from one or more of: a control center; a location service module of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes; another device.

23. The system management device according to claim 20, characterized in that: The determining that the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location includes sending a target location request to a location service module, the target location request including the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

24. The system management device according to claim 23, characterized in that: Also used for: When the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location, a target location indication is received from the location service module.

25. The system management device according to claim 22, characterized in that: The determining that the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location includes determining that the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location.

26. A location service networked computerized device, characterized in that: Used for: receiving a target location request from a system management module of a non-terrestrial mobile node of a network, the target location request including a target physical location of the mobile node; determining whether the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location; When the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location, sending a target location indication to the system management module; wherein the system management module initiates at least one service interruption operation in response to receiving the target location indication; The location service device is located in the non-ground mobile node of the network.

27. A method for scheduling a service interruption operation, characterized in that: The method comprises: a system management module of at least one of the one or more non-terrestrial mobile nodes of the network identifying a target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes; a location services module of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes of the network determining a current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes; The system management module initiates at least one service disruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location being at the target physical location, the service disruption operation requiring suspending or reducing an operational capability of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method also includes scheduling, by the system management module, one or more of: the at least one service interruption operation; a suspension of the at least one service interruption operation; a continuation of the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the target physical location.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The mobile node is a satellite.

30. The system according to claim 29, characterized in that The satellite is one of the following or a combination thereof: a low-orbit LEO satellite constellation, a plurality of LEO satellite constellations, a hybrid satellite constellation including LEO satellites and medium-orbit MEO satellites, or a satellite constellation including LEO satellites and geosynchronous orbit GEO satellites.

31. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The target physical location is a physical location where an operational demand on the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is expected to be below a predetermined threshold.

32. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The target physical location is a physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes that is proximate to a ground station that caused the at least one service interruption operation.

33. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further includes: the system management module sending a target location request to the location service module, the target location request including at least the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

34. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further includes: the location service module receiving a target location request from the system management module or a ground control center or both, the target location request including at least the target physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

35. The method according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that The method further includes, in response to receiving the target location request, sending, by the location service module, a target location indication to the system management module when the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location.

36. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further includes: the location service module transmitting at least one of the current physical location and the current physical location being in the target physical location to the system management module.

37. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: the system management module receiving, from the location services module, an indication of the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes; The system management module determines that the current physical location is at the target physical location based at least in part on the indication of the current physical location.

38. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 37, characterized in that The method also includes suspending, by the system management module, the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes being away from the target physical location or being at a second target physical location different from the target physical location.

39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that The method also includes: the system management module resumes the at least one service interruption operation based at least in part on the current physical location of at least one of the one or more mobile nodes returning to the target physical location or being at a third target physical location different from the target physical location and the second target physical location.

40. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The initiating the at least one service interruption operation further comprises: The system management module configures the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes to stop providing a communication service associated with a first network in a first area and to start providing the communication service or another communication service associated with a second network in a second area.

41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The first area is associated with the first network, the second area is associated with the second network, and the target physical location is between the first area and the second area.

42. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The initiating the at least one service interruption operation further comprises: The system management module adjusts the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof when the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes is at the target physical location.

43. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The initiation of the at least one service interruption operation by the system management module further includes one or a combination of the following: initiating a mobile node configuration operation; initiating a mobile node self-test operation; Initiating a mobile node update operation; initiating a restart operation of one or more functions of the at least one of the one or more mobile nodes.

44. A method for scheduling service interruption network operations, characterized in that: The method comprises: The system management module obtains information indicating current status of non-terrestrial mobile nodes of the network, links between said mobile nodes, or a combination thereof; processing the information to determine a network configuration based on the obtained information, the network configuration being implementable in the network by adjusting one or more of the mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof; The system management module schedules the adjustment of the one or more mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof to be implemented when the one or more mobile nodes are at a target physical location.

45. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that The method further comprises: The system management module sends a target location request to a location service module, the location service module is used to determine the current physical location of the mobile node, and the target location request includes the target physical location of the mobile node.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the current physical location of the mobile node is at the target physical location, the system management module receives a target location indication from the location service module.

47. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that The method further comprises: In response to receiving the target location indication, the system management module initiates the adjustment of the one or more of the mobile nodes, one or more of the links between the mobile nodes, or a combination thereof.

48. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method according to any one of claims 27 to 47.

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