Hybrid adaptive networks

Abstract

To provide a hybrid adaptive network (HAN) manager, hybrid adaptive network, and method that use multiple, independent communications networks as a unified communications system.SOLUTION: In an HAN, an HAN manager for managing network connections between user terminals and a plurality of communications networks receives a user request from a user terminal, the user request including connection criteria; based on the user request, sends a service request toward compatible communications networks; receives a bid response from an individual compatible communications network; determines a score for the individual compatible communications network, the score being based at least in part on parameters included in the received bid response; and sends a service selection to the user terminal, the service selection including a communications network with the highest score.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 822,666, entitled "HYBRID ADAPTIVE NETWORK," filed March 22, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 772,402, entitled "HYBRID ADAPTIVE NETWORK," filed November 28, 2018, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present disclosure relates to the management and selection of network connections between user terminals and communication networks having different network characteristics. [Background technology]

[0003] A network connection between a user terminal and a destination network, such as the Internet, may be provided using a communication network or a transport network. The communication network may use different infrastructures (e.g., satellite networks, terrestrial networks, etc.), communication means (e.g., wireless, wired, etc.), communication protocols, etc. The user terminal may be configured to connect to the communication network to enable bidirectional communication between the user terminal and a device at the destination network or a target address on the destination network. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, a hybrid adaptive network (HAN) manager configured to manage and select network connections between a user terminal and a communication network is disclosed. The HAN manager includes a network interface configured to receive network communications from the user terminal and the communication network. The HAN manager also includes a data store including computer-executable instructions. The HAN manager also includes one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the data store. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the HAN manager to receive a user request including connection criteria from the user terminal, transmit a service request toward a compatible communication network based on the user request, receive bid responses from each compatible communication network in response to the service request, determine a score for each compatible communication network based at least in part on parameters included in the received bid response, and transmit a service selection including the highest scoring communication network toward the user terminal.

[0005] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the service selection further includes a ranked list of compatible communication networks, the ranked list being based on a score determined for each of the compatible communication networks. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the network interface further includes an open standard network interface configured to send a control command to the communication network. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the network interface further includes an open standard network interface configured to receive network status information from the communication network. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication network includes two or more communication networks operating in different frequency ranges. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication network includes two or more communication networks operating using different network protocols. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication network includes two or more communication networks operating using different waveforms. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the user request includes a minimum data rate. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the score depends at least in part on previous bid compliance. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the bid responses each include a service delivery probability.

[0006] In some embodiments, a hybrid adaptive network includes a HAN manager of a first aspect and one or more of the communication networks. In some embodiments, a hybrid adaptive network includes a HAN manager of a first aspect and one or more of the user terminals.

[0007] In a second aspect, a method for managing a hybrid adaptive network is provided, the method including: receiving a user request from a user terminal, announcing a service request based on the received user request to a plurality of communications networks, receiving service bids from the plurality of communications networks in response to the announced service request, determining a winning communications network based on an analysis of the received service bids, and allocating service to the user terminal to the winning communications network.

[0008] In some embodiments of the second aspect, analyzing the received service bids includes determining a score for each of the plurality of communication networks. In further embodiments, the method further includes transmitting a fulfillment list of the plurality of communication networks to the user terminal, the fulfillment list including a ranked list of the plurality of communication networks based on the score determined for each of the plurality of communication networks.

[0009] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes receiving network performance information from the dominant communication network. In further embodiments, the method further includes determining an updated dominant communication network in response to the network performance information indicating a degradation in performance of the dominant communication network.

[0010] In some embodiments of the second aspect, allocating the service includes providing credentials that enable a connection between the user terminal, the dominant communication network, and the destination network. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the service request includes the destination network.

[0011] In a third aspect, a method for managing a hybrid adaptive network is provided, the method including: determining a score based on a network performance parameter for each of a plurality of compatible communication networks, transmitting the determined score towards one or more user terminals, receiving information affecting the network performance parameter, and updating the score of the one or more affected compatible communication networks in response to the received information indicating a degradation of the network performance parameter for the one or more affected compatible communication networks.

[0012] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the received information includes weather information. In some embodiments of the third aspect, the received information includes a threat to at least one of the plurality of compatible communication networks. In some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes transmitting the updated score to one or more user terminals. In some embodiments of the third aspect, the degradation in network performance is predicted to occur at a later time.

[0013] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. It is to be understood that not all such advantages may necessarily be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in a manner that achieves or optimizes an advantage or group of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages that may be taught or suggested herein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] Various embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. In addition, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments that are part of this disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 1]1 shows a block diagram of a hybrid adaptive network (HAN) including a HAN controller or manager, multiple transport networks or communication networks, and multi-mode user terminals.

[0016] [Figure 2A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary HAN including a HAN manager, multiple user terminals, multiple transport networks, and a destination network.

[0017] [Figure 2B] 2B shows the HAN of FIG. 2A, in which a user terminal is connected to a destination network via a dominant transport network.

[0018] [Diagram 3] 2B illustrates another exemplary HAN that includes additional user terminals and transport networks compared to the HAN of FIG. 2A.

[0019] [Figure 4] 4 illustrates another exemplary HAN including multiple transport networks providing corresponding multiple spot beams covering multiple user terminals.

[0020] [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary HAN manager.

[0021] [Figure 6A] 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system illustrating how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure. [Figure 6B] 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system illustrating how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure. [Figure 6C]1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system illustrating how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure. [Figure 6D] 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system illustrating how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure. [Figure 6E] 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system illustrating how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure. [Figure 6F] 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system illustrating how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure.

[0022] [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for selecting a dominant communication network based on a user request.

[0023] [Figure 8] 8 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 800 for updating communication network rankings in real time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Headings provided herein, if provided, are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention. overview

[0025] A user connects to a destination network, such as the Internet, using a communication network that provides network communication between a user terminal and a target network address. A communication network may also be referred to as a component network or a transport network. The role of a communication network is to provide a connection between a user terminal and a target or destination network. The communication network may be a satellite network, a terrestrial network, or a terrestrial wireless, and the communication network may be a commercial communication network, a dedicated government communication network, or a combination of both.

[0026] This network communication configuration suffers from many weaknesses. For example, when the communication network breaks down, communication failure occurs. As another example, the network communication in this configuration has a single point of failure, which is the communication network. Therefore, there is a need for a robust and seamless method to re-establish or switch communication networks in the event of a failure or performance degradation.

[0027] Accordingly, to address these and other related problems, exemplary embodiments of a Hybrid Adaptive Network (HAN) configuration are described herein that allows multiple independent communication networks to be used as a unified communication system. The disclosed HAN includes multiple communication networks that can be accessed simultaneously by a user terminal. The disclosed HAN enables a user terminal to seamlessly roam across the multiple communication networks. By providing simultaneous access to multiple communication networks, the disclosed HAN can increase the capability and resilience of a user terminal. For example, these communication networks may span multiple orbital regions, operate across multiple frequency bands, provide independent ground infrastructure, and / or feature different network management and cyber defense implementations, thereby providing inherent diversity and eliminating single points of failure and / or targets of attack.

[0028] Connectivity between user terminals and available communication networks is managed by a HAN manager. The HAN manager may be configured to manage connections between multiple user terminals across multiple different types of communication networks. The HAN manager provides "Communications-as-a-Service (CaaS)" similar to other on-demand services provided to users such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). The HAN manager may be similarly described as providing an on-demand "Network-as-a-service (NaaS)". The HAN manager may be a service that brokers on-demand access to multiple available communication networks, each with different characteristics. The HAN manager may be a cloud-based service, but is not limited to being realized in a cloud environment.

[0029] The HAN manager is configured to manage and select connections to multiple communication networks. The HAN manager may select a dominant communication network or a ranked list of dominant communication networks for a user terminal based at least in part on user requirements, user terminal capabilities (e.g., compatibility with communication networks), knowledge of potential threats or outages to the network, network parameters, the communication network's ability to respond to or mitigate attacks, etc. The HAN manager may determine the dominant communication network using various methods, including, but not limited to, analyzing user requirements, evaluating network capabilities, considering external conditions that may affect network communications, evaluating threats to the communication network, or any combination thereof.

[0030] As an example, the HAN manager may perform a bidding process as a method for determining a preferred communication network. The bidding process analyzes user requirements or connection preferences and communication network characteristics to determine a preferred or preferred communication network for connecting to a requesting user terminal. For example, the HAN manager may receive a user request including a communication request from a user terminal, forward a service request toward multiple communication networks based on the user request, receive bids from communication networks relevant to fulfilling the user requirements, and connect the user terminal to a preferred communication network based at least in part on a scoring of the bids relevant to the user's requirements. Thus, the HAN manager selects one communication network over other available communication networks for a particular user based at least in part on the user requirements, network parameters, and / or network capabilities.

[0031] The disclosed system, device, and method provide several advantages that result in more robust and seamless network connectivity. For example, the disclosed HAN allows multiple independent communication networks to be used as a single, i.e., integrated, communication system. Furthermore, the disclosed HAN allows user terminals to seamlessly roam across multiple communication networks. As another example, the disclosed HAN also eliminates single points of failure to enhance network communications. The disclosed HAN also provides diversity in network communications and hardens network communications against potential attacks and failures. As another example, the disclosed HAN provides a robust, scalable communication network built on open standards. Furthermore, the disclosed HAN can quickly overcome network outages or performance degradation to maintain connectivity even in competitive domains. The disclosed HAN also allows existing network assets to be easily improved and upgraded incrementally. The disclosed HAN also facilitates adaptation to new and / or expanding network communication technologies.

[0032] Other advantages of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods include allowing a user (or user terminal) to specify criteria for network connectivity. The HAN manager receives the specified criteria and identifies candidate communication networks for the user. In some embodiments, the candidate communication networks are based at least in part on the capabilities of the user terminal (e.g., compatibility with the communication network). The HAN manager receives bids from the candidate communication networks for analysis to determine a good or preferred communication network for the user. The HAN manager automatically analyzes the bids from the candidate communication networks and evaluates the capabilities of the user terminal to determine a preferred and / or ranked list of preferred candidate communication networks for the user. The user then connects to the communication network based on the preferred and / or ranked list of candidate communication networks from the HAN manager. In some embodiments, the HAN manager can continuously, intermittently, or periodically update the preferred and / or ranked list of communication networks and send the list to the user. In certain examples, this can be done without the user sending a new or updated request to the HAN manager.

[0033] Other advantages of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods include increasing the resilience of the network against potential adversaries or attackers. At least in part, because user terminals are spread across multiple communication networks, it may be difficult for an attacker to target user terminal communications for data collection, data exploitation, or data denial. This multi-network resilience provides a deterrent to potential attackers. Additionally, the ease with which user terminals can operate on the HAN system increases the time, effort, and cost of a potential attacker.

[0034] 1 shows a block diagram of a HAN 100 including a HAN controller or manager 110, multiple transport or communication networks 120a-120d, and a multi-mode user terminal 130. The HAN 100 can provide a service delivery platform to users, where users tune into or are connected to a communication network that meets the user criteria or requirements. The communication networks to which a user is connected may change over time such that the user terminal experiences superior performance compared to a static connection to a single communication network. The HAN manager 110 can monitor the requirements of individual users and the resources available through the component networks 120a-120d and assign users to a communication network that efficiently or effectively meets the needs of the user at a given time. User requirements or demands, such as the need to operate in a contested environment, or the need for low intercept (LPI) and / or low detectability (LPD) operation, or network parameters, such as maximum data rate, high speed scalability, congestion, availability, and cost per bit, or terrain, may cause the HAN manager 110 to select one communication network (or a subset of communication networks) over other communication networks for a given user terminal. Because of the nature of the hybrid network embodied in the HAN 100, the best or preferred communication network for a user terminal may change based on conditions, user needs or demands, individual use cases, terrain, economics, and / or time.

[0035] The HAN 100 includes a user terminal 130 configured to establish a network connection with each of a plurality of communication networks 120a-120d, shown in the figure using dashed lines. Additionally, the HAN manager 110 is configured to communicate with each of the user terminals 130 and the plurality of communication networks 120a-120d, shown in the figure using solid lines. To enable connection to the plurality of communication networks 120a-120d, the user terminal 130 may include a network selector 132 that is compatible with a variety of different network protocols, waveforms, communication frequency bands, etc. To enable communication between the communication networks and the HAN manager 110, an open standard network interface 112 associated with the HAN manager 110 may be implemented. The open standard network interface 112 is configured to provide a standard means of communicating status information and providing control commands. The communication networks 120a-120c may each include a corresponding translation agent 122a-122c that functions to translate a communication protocol native to the associated communication network into a communication protocol compatible with the open standard network interface 112. In the example of FIG. 1, communications network 120d is configured to conform to open standard network interface 112 and therefore does not include a translation agent.

[0036] The HAN manager 110 or HAN controller is configured to maintain a list of the multiple communication networks 120a-120d including their respective communication network capabilities. The HAN manager 110 is configured to select a dominant communication network from the multiple communication networks 120a-120d for the user terminal 130. The HAN manager 110 can determine the dominant communication network for the user terminal 130 using various methods, including, but not limited to, analysis of user requirements, analysis of network capabilities, analysis of external conditions that may affect network communications, analysis of threats to the communication network, analysis of features and techniques for responding to and mitigating attacks, etc.

[0037] As a particular example, the HAN manager 110 may be configured to perform a bidding process to determine a preferred communication network for the user terminal 130. The bidding process includes the HAN manager 110 receiving information from both the user terminal and one or more of the communication networks 120a-120d, and determining a preferred or preferred communication network based at least in part on an analysis of the received information. For example, the HAN manager 110 may be configured to receive a request from the user terminal 130 to connect to a destination network via an available communication network, the user request including user requirements for the connection. In response, the HAN manager 110 may be configured to identify available communication networks that satisfy the received requirements. The HAN manager 110 may then solicit bids from those communication networks. The HAN manager 110 may also be configured to receive bids from those communication networks and evaluate the received bids to determine a preferred communication network, or a fulfillment list of preferred communication networks. The preferred communication network is determined based on a scoring of the received bids, taking into account the user requirements and / or information about the communication networks stored in the HAN manager 110. The fulfillment list includes a ranked list of communication networks, the ranking being based on a scoring system resulting from an analysis of the received bids. The HAN manager 110 is also configured to establish connections between the user terminals 130 and the dominant communication networks. The HAN manager 110 is configured to monitor the status of the communication networks 120a-120d.

[0038] In some embodiments, the HAN manager 110 is configured to repeat the bidding process or at least evaluate whether another bidding process is beneficial when network conditions change, when user terminal conditions change, and / or when the geography of the user terminal in relation to the communications network changes. By way of example, changes that may initiate another bidding process may include, but are not limited to, changes in security levels, changes in network vulnerabilities, changes in the performance of the communications network, changes in user requirements, changes in the coverage of the communications network for the user terminal (e.g., moving out of a spot beam of a satellite network), etc. In certain embodiments, the bidding process may be resumed without being requested by the user terminal 130 and / or without receiving updated user requirements from the user terminal 130.

[0039] In some embodiments, the HAN manager 110 updates the fulfillment list and / or the preferred communication network without initiating another bidding process. In such embodiments, the HAN manager 110 may be configured to reanalyze the scoring of the communication networks based on the performance parameters of the communication networks. Based on the updated scoring analysis, a new preferred communication network or an updated fulfillment list may be sent to the user terminal 130. The HAN manager 110 may then connect the user terminal 130 to the new preferred communication network or the preferred communication network.

[0040] The HAN manager 110 may also be configured to provide credentials to the destination network so that the user terminal and the destination network can each connect to the dominant communication network. In some embodiments, the HAN manager 110 is also configured to configure the network selector 132 of the user terminal 130 and / or the destination network to route traffic on the dominant communication network.

[0041] The HAN manager 110 is configured to monitor individual user requests, monitor resource availability over the communication networks 120a-120d, and assign the user terminal 130 to the communication network that most efficiently meets the user's needs at any given time. The HAN manager 110 is configured to select one communication network over another for a given user terminal based at least in part on mission parameters (e.g., the need to operate in a contested environment or the need for a particular operation), knowledge of potential threats or outages to the network (e.g., weather, or intentional threats to the network that may result in outages or performance degradation), network parameters (e.g., maximum data rates, network congestion, availability, cost per bit, etc.), network capabilities, and in-network techniques to respond to and mitigate attacks. Due to the nature of hybrid adaptive networks as described above, the preferred or best network may change based on user requests, terrain, economics, time, network performance, threats to the network, etc.

[0042] The HAN manager 110 is configured to provide control and detailed situational awareness to individual user terminals for a diverse population of, for example, millions of users. The HAN manager 110 can also provide a detailed common operational picture and management capabilities for individual users regardless of the communications network currently in use.

[0043] The HAN Manager 110 may be executed using one or more processors and memories present on a general purpose computer or across a distributed computing environment. The functions and components of the HAN Manager 110 may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0044] The HAN manager 110 may have an associated open standard network interface 112. To participate in the HAN 100, each communication network provides a means for receiving commands from and providing status to the HAN manager 110. The open standard network interface 112 specifies the type and structure of information that can be exchanged between the HAN manager 110 and the communication networks 120a-120d in the HAN 100. Thus, the communication networks 120a-120d may be configured to natively communicate with the HAN manager 110 via the open standard network interface 112 (such as communication network 120d) or may be configured to include translation agents that translate status and commands between the open standard network interface 112 and the corresponding communication network (such as communication networks 120a-120c with corresponding translation agents 122a-122c).

[0045] The open standard network interface 112 allows the HAN manager 110 to control multiple communication networks 120a-120d with one or more sets of commands, and allows new communication networks to be added to the HAN 100 without modifying the HAN manager 110. With a simple and extensible interface at the network or control layer (such as an XML Schema or similar framework), communication networks that wish to participate in the HAN 100 can build a translation agent or be built to conform to the open standard network interface 112. A translation agent is a software layer that translates the native control and status functions of the communication networks into a format that conforms to the open standard network interface 112. Software translation agents can be created quickly and inexpensively without modifying proprietary networks or their management systems. However, if the network management systems are already compatible with the open standard network interface 112, a translation agent is not necessary.

[0046] The open standard network interface 112 specifies the type and / or structure of information exchanged between the HAN manager 110 and the component networks 120a-120d in the HAN 100. The open standard network interface 112 allows the HAN manager 110 to control many different component networks with one or more command sets. The open standard network interface 112 allows new networks to be added to the HAN 100 without modifying the HAN manager 110. The open standard network interface 112 manages the connections between user terminals and available communication networks. However, in some embodiments, the HAN manager 110 does not have an associated open standard network interface.

[0047] The plurality of communication networks 120a-120d or transport networks may be any suitable network that connects the user terminal 130 to a destination network, such as the Internet, a private network (Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN)), an entity's internal network, etc. The communication networks may be provided by satellites, satellite constellations, terrestrial networks, terrestrial wireless networks, or any combination thereof. The communication networks 120a-120d may operate using different network protocols, waveforms, frequency bands, etc. The communication networks 120a-120d may be unrelated to each other, such as each communication network being managed or owned by a different entity. The communication networks 120a-120d may be commercial communication networks, government communication networks, or a combination of both. Examples of the communication networks 120a-120d include, but are not limited to, COMSAT, MILSAT, Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS), VIASAT, terrestrial networks, terrestrial wireless networks, and / or other commercial networks, for example. In some embodiments, each of the communication networks 120a-120d may include a network controller (not shown) with which the HAN manager 110 communicates.

[0048] Each communication network 120a-120c includes a corresponding translation agent 122a-122c that enables the communication network to communicate with the HAN manager 110 via the open standard network interface 112. Each translation agent 122a-122c may be a software layer that translates the native control and status functions of the communication network into a format compatible with the open standard network interface 112. Thus, a translation agent for a communication network can be created relatively quickly and inexpensively without modifying proprietary networks or their management systems. For certain communication networks, such as communication network 120d, a translation agent may not be necessary because a network controller or manager for communication network 120d is natively compatible with the open standard network interface 112.

[0049] The communication networks 120a-120d are configured to intermittently transmit status information to the HAN manager 110 via corresponding translation agents as necessary and, if included, via the open standard network interface 112. The status information includes data related to network performance parameters, such as, but not limited to, data rates, interference environment, service delivery probability, prices, service outages, interruptions, service affecting events, threat details, coverage areas, congestion or network load, overall network and user status information, etc.

[0050] In some embodiments, the HAN 100 imposes no compatibility requirements on individual communication networks. For example, there may be no waveform or radio protocol specifications, and no internal management or routing requirements. Individual communication network providers are free to build their own networks as they see fit. This approach can increase or maximize the number of communication networks that are compatible with the HAN 100. A large number of communication networks are available to the HAN 100, and new networks can be added as they emerge. This allows users to benefit from ongoing market-based competition between network providers, which can increase or maximize functionality and resiliency and reduce or minimize costs.

[0051] The user terminal 130 is a multi-mode user terminal configured to operate in multiple frequency bands (e.g., C, X, Ku, Ka, UHF, Mil-Ka, etc.) and support multiple network protocols and waveforms (e.g., VIASAT®, Enhanced Bandwidth Efficient Modem (EBEM), Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW), Digital Video Broadcasting -Second generation (DVB-S2), terrestrial and terrestrial radio, etc.). Thus, the multi-mode user terminal 130 is configured to operate using different communication networks that offer different capabilities in efficiency, performance, resilience, etc. Furthermore, the multi-mode user terminal 130 is configured to use the communication networks 120a-120d in its native format and to be able to use the entire set of protocols of a particular communication network. The user terminal 130 is configured to quickly switch from one operating band and / or protocol to another. In some embodiments, the user terminal 130 is configured to automatically switch between operating bands and / or protocols without human intervention. Thus, the user terminal 130 can provide seamless access to the communication networks 120a-120d of the HAN 100.

[0052] The user terminal 130 may be configured to switch between communication networks if the communication network to which it is connected fails or suffers from degraded performance. In such cases, the user terminal 130 may be configured to automatically switch to the next communication network on its fulfillment list, or may receive a new dominant network from the HAN manager 110 and switch to that communication network. In some embodiments, the user terminal 130 is configured to intermittently receive an updated fulfillment list or an updated dominant communication network from the HAN manager 110 without initiating a bidding process via a user request.

[0053] The user terminal 130 may be customer-provided equipment that includes these capabilities. The network selector 132 provides the ability to switch between different communication networks 120a-120d, with corresponding differences in frequency bands, network protocols, waveforms, etc. This allows the user terminal 130 to be flexible and interoperable. In some embodiments, a software-defined user terminal may be used. A software-defined terminal may be able to switch between different networks and retain interoperability, all as an incremental upgrade to the terminal base. A subset of the user terminals may be upgraded while maintaining compatibility with existing terminals in the installed base. This allows the user terminals to be upgraded in small increments, rather than upgrading all user terminals, avoiding a major overhaul of the installed base. Exemplary Hybrid Adaptive Network

[0054] FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary HAN 200 including a HAN manager 210, multiple user terminals 230a, 230b, multiple transport networks 220a-220d, and a destination network 240. The HAN manager 210 is similar to the HAN manager 110 described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Although not shown, the HAN manager 210 may interface with the transport networks 220a-220d using an open standard network interface as described herein with reference to FIG. 1. The user terminals 230a, 230b are each similar to the multi-mode user terminal 130 described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Although not shown, the user terminals 230a, 230b each include a network selector that allows connection to the various transport networks 220a-220d. The transport networks 220a-220d share characteristics with the communication networks 120a-120d described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Although not shown, one or more of transport networks 220a-d may include a translation agent similar to the translation agent described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Transport networks 220a, 220b are shown as satellite networks, each of which may include one or more satellites to form the transport network. Transport networks 220c, 220d include terrestrial networks. However, it should be understood that each of transport networks 220a-d may include satellite components, terrestrial components, or a combination of both.

[0055] The HAN manager 210 is configured to control each of the elements of the transport networks 220a-220d, the user terminals 230a, 230b, and the destination network 240, as shown by solid lines in the figure. This allows the HAN manager 210 to send and receive status information to the transport networks 220a-220d, control the connections between the transport networks 220a-220d and the user terminals 230a, 230b, and control the connections between the transport networks 220a-220d and the destination network 240. As an example, the HAN manager 210 can issue commands to the user terminals 230a, 230b to create a list of preferred transport networks, including prioritization of the fulfillment networks (e.g., when to switch to a different transport network), indicate the selection of a particular transport network, etc. As another example, the HAN manager 210 can issue control commands to the transport networks 220a-220d that specify the network service requirements (e.g., performance or network effect). Although not shown, the transport networks 220a-220d include network controllers with which the HAN manager 210 communicates.

[0056] Network connectivity is shown using dashed lines between the transport networks 220a-220d, the user terminals 230a, 230b, and the destination network 240. This indicates that each user terminal 230a, 230b can be connected to each transport network 220a-220d. Similarly, the destination network 240 can be connected to each transport network 220a-220d. Although a single destination network is shown, it should be understood that there can be multiple destination networks. Due at least in part to the existence of multiple paths between the user terminals 230a, 230b and the HAN manager 210 through the transport networks 220a-220d, communication between the HAN manager 210 and a particular user terminal can be established even if the transport network fails due to a failure or attack. This allows the HAN manager 210 to update the preferred or predominant transport network or fulfillment list on the user terminal even if the transport network fails. This enhances the resilience of the HAN 200 to network failures. Even in the absence of a network failure, the user terminal 230a, 230b may proactively switch transport networks if network conditions change significantly. The significance of the change may be determined by the user terminal and / or the HAN manager 210. Examples of changes that may prompt a switch to a new transport network include, but are not limited to, link impairment information (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)), inability to achieve forward or return link data rates required to support user requirements, identification of a threat or outage (e.g., network congestion) that may cause a failure or degradation of the service provided, degradation of performance due to weather or other interference (intentional or unintentional), increased network congestion, movement of the user terminal to a different performance coverage area, etc.The user terminals 230a, 230b can change transport networks by receiving an updated preferred transport network from the HAN manager 210 or by moving to the next transport network in a previously received fulfillment list. In some embodiments, the user terminals 230a, 230b can automatically switch transport networks without human intervention.

[0057] The destination network 240 may be any suitable destination, such as the Internet, a private network (Department of Defense Information Network), an access network, a terminal, a "meet-me point," or other such destination. The HAN manager 210 does not need to know the path between the destination network 240 and the user terminals 230a, 230b, since this is handled by the components of the transport networks 220a-220d, the user terminals 230a, 230b, and / or the destination network 240.

[0058] 2B illustrates an example of a user terminal 230a connecting to a destination network 240 via a transport network 220b. The user terminal 230a issues a connection request 260 toward the HAN manager 210, which then determines a preferred transport network and establishes a connection between the user terminal 230a, the transport network 220b, and the destination network 240. The request 260 may include user requirements and / or preferences. The HAN manager 210 identifies available and compatible transport networks that can satisfy the user requirements. After soliciting bids from compatible transport networks, the HAN manager 210 determines which bid is prioritized for the user terminal 230a. The HAN manager 210 provides credentials to the destination network 240 and the user terminal 230a that enable each of the destination network 240 and the user terminal 230a to connect to the preferred transport network 220b. Establishing this connection may include configuring a network selector of the destination network 240 and the user terminal 230a to route the data 270 over the dominant transport network 220b. Thus, the user terminal 230a may transmit the network data 270 to the destination network 240 using the transport network 220b. Thereafter, if a different transport network is determined to be the dominant network, the route may be changed by the HAN manager 210 to go through the different dominant transport network.

[0059] Figure 3 shows another exemplary HAN 300 including additional user terminals 330a-330d and transport networks 320a, 320b compared to the HAN 200 of Figure 2A. The user terminals 330a-330d may be similar to the user terminals 130 described herein with reference to Figure 1. The transport network 320a is a fixed or mobile transport network not controlled by the HAN manager 210. The user terminals 330a, 330b are connected to the destination network 240 via the transport network 320a. The transport network 320b is controlled by the HAN manager 210 and is connected to the destination network 240. The user terminals 330c, 330d are connected to the destination network 240 via the transport network 320b.

[0060] The destination network 240 itself may be connected to other networks 320a, 320b and user terminals 330a-330d, where the HAN manager connects the user terminal 230a to the destination network 240 via the transport network 220b, but the final destination of the network data 370 is the user terminal 330a connected to the destination network 240 via the transport network 320a.

[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary HAN 400 including multiple transport networks 420a-420f providing corresponding multiple spot beams 424 covering multiple user terminals (not shown). The HAN 400 also includes a satellite gateway 426 that connects a destination network 440 to each of the transport networks 420a-420f via a network selector 442. The transport networks 420a-420f are similar to the communication networks 120a-120d and the transport networks 220a-220d described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A. Although the transport networks 420a-420f are illustrated as individual satellites, it should be understood that each transport network 420a-420f may include one or more satellites and one or more terrestrial components to form a transport network. The transport networks 420a-420f may use different network communication protocols and / or waveforms and may use different frequency ranges. The network selector 442 is similar to the network selectors described herein in that it enables the destination network 440 to connect to multiple different transport networks 420a-420f, even if the transport networks use different frequency ranges, network protocols and / or waveforms.

[0062] Although not shown for clarity, it should be understood that the HAN 400 includes a HAN manager similar to the HAN managers described herein with reference to Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 5, and 6A-6F. The HAN manager of the HAN 400 is configured to control the transport networks 420a-420f, the user terminals, and the destination network 440. The HAN manager handles the bidding process disclosed herein and also determines the preferred or predominant transport network and / or determines the fulfillment list for each user terminal. This may occur with or without an associated user request, as described herein. The HAN manager also establishes the connections between each user terminal, the predominant transport network, and the destination network 440.

[0063] The spot beams 424 provided by the various transport networks 420a-420f overlap and cover a large number of user terminals. Thus, an individual user terminal may be covered by multiple spot beams. This allows an individual user terminal to connect to a preferred transport network using the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. For example, a user terminal may send a request to a HAN manager (not shown) to connect to a destination network 440. The HAN manager may determine which transport networks cover the user terminal and may solicit bids from those available transport networks. The HAN manager may then connect the user terminal to the destination network via the preferred transport network based on an analysis of the received bids. This allows the user terminal to switch between available transport networks to improve network performance and / or avoid network failures or performance degradation. Similarly, a mobile user terminal may move between spot beams 424, and the HAN manager may provide a preferred transport network (or an updated fulfillment list) when the user terminal enters and / or leaves the spot beams of one or more new transport networks.

[0064] By way of example, and not limitation, transport network 420a may be a geosynchronous orbit (GEO) Ku-band network, transport network 420b may be an advanced extremely high frequency (AEHF) network, transport network 420c may be a WGS / Skynet network, transport network 420d may be a GEO Ka-band network, transport network 420e may be a medium earth orbit (MEO) Ka-band network, and transport network 420f may be a low earth orbit (LEO) Ku / Ka-band. Thus, spot beam 424 may be provided by a combination of government networks, commercial networks, GEO satellites, MEO satellites, LEO satellites, terrestrial networks, and / or terrestrial wireless networks. Exemplary HAN Manager

[0065] Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary HAN manager 510. The HAN manager 510 is configured to manage network connections between user terminals, communication networks, and destination networks using a bidding and scoring system. The HAN manager 510 is similar to the HAN managers 110, 210, 410, 610 described herein with reference to Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, and 6A-6F and may be implemented in the described HAN systems. The HAN manager 510 may manage connections to transport networks using any method, such as the exemplary methods 700 and 800 described herein with reference to Figures 7 and 8, respectively.

[0066] The HAN manager 510 may include hardware, software, and / or firmware components for managing network connections, communicating with user terminals and communication networks, monitoring communication network status, and scoring bids for communication networks. The HAN manager 510 is configured to receive connection requests from user terminals over the communication network, request bids from the communication network based on the received requests, receive the requested bids, analyze and score the received bids, transmit a preferred communication network or a fulfillment list of communication networks to the requesting user terminal, and establish a connection between the user terminal and the preferred communication network. The HAN manager 510 is also configured to monitor the network status and update the preferred transport network or the fulfillment list in response to changes in the communication network, new user requests, and / or external factors that may affect network performance. The HAN manager 510 includes a data store 511, one or more processors 513, one or more network interfaces 515, a network management module 514, a bidding module 516, and a scoring module 518. The components of the HAN manager 510 can communicate with each other, with external systems, and with other components of the network using a communication bus 519. The HAN manager 510 can be implemented using one or more computing devices. For example, the HAN manager 510 can be implemented using a single computing device, multiple computing devices, a distributed computing environment, or can be located within a virtual device residing in a public or private computing cloud. In a distributed computing environment, one or more computing devices can provide the modules 514, 516, 518 and be configured to provide the described functionality.

[0067] The HAN manager 510 includes a network management module 514 configured to manage and establish network connections between user terminals and component networks. The network management module 514 is configured to send control commands to the user terminals and the communication networks to assist in establishing connections between these components. These commands may be sent to the communication networks and / or user terminals using an open standard network interface, such as those described herein with reference to FIG. 1 in connection with network interface 515.

[0068] The network management module 514 is also configured to receive network status information from associated component networks. In some embodiments, the network management module 514 can monitor the status information and determine whether to initiate a reanalysis of the service bids to update the dominant communication network and / or update the fulfillment list of one or more user terminals. In response to determining that an update is warranted, the network management module 514 communicates with the scoring module 518 to update the analysis of the service bids. In certain embodiments, the network management module 514 forwards the associated status information to the scoring module 518 to enable the scoring module 518 to intermittently, periodically, or continuously update the scores of the communication networks. In such embodiments, a triggering event or condition does not need to occur for the scoring module 518 to update the scores of the communication networks. Thus, the network management module 514 can work in conjunction with the scoring module 518 to prioritize available networks and provide fallback options to user terminals in the event of network degradation or failure. This may occur intermittently or continuously, and updates regarding available communication networks (eg, preferred networks or fulfillment lists) may be pushed to the user terminal.

[0069] The HAN manager 510 includes a bidding module 516. The bidding module 516 is configured to receive connection requests from user terminals. The user requests include user criteria, requirements, and / or settings related to network connections to available communication networks. The bidding module 516 formulates requests for service bids from available communication networks based on the individual connection requests received from the user terminals. The bidding module 516 also receives service bids from the communication networks. The bidding module 516 organizes and stores the bid information in the data store 511 and allows the network management module 514 and the scoring module 518 to access the bid information. In some embodiments, the bidding module 516 is configured to determine available communication networks that are compatible with the connection or user request. In certain embodiments, the connection request includes information regarding network compatibility. In various embodiments, the HAN manager 510 is configured to determine communication networks that are compatible with the connection request.

[0070] The HAN manager 510 includes a scoring module 518. The scoring module 518 analyzes network information and knowledge of potential threats or outages to the communication networks to determine a score for each communication network. The scoring module 518 uses one or more algorithms to determine the score for the communication network. The score may be based at least in part on user criteria included in the connection request from the user terminal and network service information included in the service bid from the communication network. In some embodiments, the scoring module 518 may determine the score based at least in part on network status information. The information included in the service request, the information included in the service bid, and the network status may be combined using weighting factors to determine the score. The scoring module 518 may also take into account the capabilities of the communication network (and in-network techniques) to respond to and mitigate attacks. For example, if user requirements include resiliency of the communication network in the presence of a jammer, the scoring module 518 may be configured to evaluate the inherent characteristics of each communication network to determine a network that has attributes suitable for maintaining connectivity in the event that a jammer attempts to disrupt the communication network.

[0071] In some embodiments, the score may be updated continuously or intermittently, and the results of the update may be transmitted to the user terminal. In certain embodiments, the score update may be triggered by a particular event or condition. For example, the score update may be triggered by receiving a new service request or an update of user criteria from the user terminal. As another example, the score update may be triggered by an external condition, such as a threat to the communication network and / or weather information. As another example, the score update may be triggered by a change in network performance (e.g., caused by network congestion). As another example, the score update may be triggered by a change in the location of the user terminal and / or the communication network. As another example, the score update may be triggered due to reaching a time limit. The time limit may be set by the user terminal, the communication network, or the HAN manager 510.

[0072] The scoring module 518 allows for constant updating of established connections in the associated HAN. The scoring module 518 can be configured to update the scoring in real-time. In this way, the HAN manager 510 can consistently and promptly push recommendations to user terminals to ensure sufficient or improved network performance for users. The scoring module 518 allows the HAN manager 510 to analyze threats to the communication network, which may be immediate potential adverse effects caused by weather information, network congestion, etc., thereby taking a larger view of the state of the communication network and taking action predictively or preemptively to prevent or reduce network degradation or failure for users. The scoring module 518 provides quantitative information based on the user's connection requirements, communication network performance, communication network capabilities, and / or communication network service bidding, and allows for real-time adaptation based on changing conditions. These changing conditions may include, for example, terrain (e.g., the user is on an airplane), data requirements (e.g., high data throughput requirements vs. low data throughput requirements), threats to the network (e.g., denial of service attacks, network congestion, bad weather, etc.), etc. These quantitative assessments can be used to change communication networks before service outages occur. In some embodiments, the scoring module 518 provides predictive models that can be configured to predict congestion, determine if other communication networks are congested, and move user terminals to new communication networks before the user experience is adversely affected.

[0073] The HAN manager 510 includes a network interface 515 configured to connect to any compatible communication network. The network interface 515 can configure the HAN manager 510 to be communication network independent, thereby allowing the HAN manager to connect to any user terminal capable of communicating with a compatible communication network. An open standard network interface as described herein with reference to FIG. 1 can be part of the network interface 515. As described herein, the open standard network interface is configured to receive network status information from the communication network and to send control commands to the communication network and to the user terminal. The status information can be sent to the network management module 514 for further processing and analysis as described herein. Similarly, the network management module 514 can send control commands to the user terminal and the communication network via the network interface 515 and associated open standard network interfaces (if included).

[0074] The HAN manager 510 includes one or more processors 513 configured to control the operation of the modules 514, 516, 518 and the data store 511. The one or more processors 513 implement and use software modules, hardware components, and / or firmware elements configured to manage connections to the transport network through a bidding process. The one or more processors 513 may include any suitable computer processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other suitable microprocessor. The one or more processors 513 may include other computing components configured to interface with the various modules and data stores of the HAN manager 510.

[0075] The HAN manager 510 includes a data store 511 configured to store configuration data, user requirements, network status, network characteristics and capabilities, control commands, databases, algorithms, executable instructions (e.g., instructions to one or more processors 513), etc. The data store 511 can be any suitable data storage device or combination of devices, for example, but not limited to, random access memory, read-only memory, solid state disks, hard drives, flash drives, bubble memory, etc.

[0076] The HAN manager 510 may be implemented in a variety of contexts. For example, the HAN manager 510 may be implemented to provide network connectivity to transportation vehicles (e.g., commercial flights, trains, buses, ships, etc.), to provide wireless network connectivity to customers at facilities (e.g., gas stations, coffee shops, stadiums, etc.), etc. As another example, the HAN manager 510 may be used to provide network connectivity to organizations with user terminals that are distributed in remote environments and / or that are mobile. This may occur in a military context at a forward base, or in a civilian context for a news network that desires network access at a remote news generating location. The HAN manager 510 enables the analysis and ranking of multiple communication networks to determine the communication network that will best serve the user terminal. Exemplary HAN Management Procedures

[0077] Figures 6A-6F show block diagrams of an exemplary HAN system 600 illustrating how a HAN manager 610 establishes a network connection between a user terminal 630 and a dominant communication network based on a bidding procedure. Figure 6A shows a HAN 600 including a HAN manager 610 that is similar to the HAN manager described herein with reference to Figures 1-5. The HAN 600 also includes a user terminal 630 that is similar to the user terminal described herein with reference to Figures 1-3. The HAN 600 also includes communication networks 620a-620c that are similar to the networks described herein with reference to Figures 1-4.

[0078] 6B shows a user terminal 630 sending a user request 652 for service to the HAN manager 610. The user request 652 may include various requirements and priorities. For example, the user request 652 may include data rate (e.g., forward link (FL), return link (RL)), interference environment (e.g., problem-free or contention), user terminal location (e.g., latitude and longitude), user terminal type (e.g., fixed or mobile), mobile terminal type (land, sea, air, or space), terminal RF parameters (EIRP, G / T, etc.), terminal network compatibility. Exemplary user requests are as follows: data rate (10Mbps FL, 2Mbps RL), interference (contention), terminal location (33.13N, 117.28W), terminal type (mobile), mobile terminal type (air), terminal parameters (55dBW, 14.2dB / K), network compatibility (network A, network B).

[0079] 6C illustrates the HAN manager 610 announcing a service request 654 to the communications networks 620a-620c. In certain embodiments, the service request 652 may include a service bid and / or parameters specified in the format of the service bid. The HAN manager 610 formulates the service request 654 based on the user request 652.

[0080] In some embodiments, the service request 654 may be sent to a compatible network specified in the user request 652. In the example of Figure 6C, the user request 652 may indicate that the user terminal 630 is not compatible with network C 620c, and as a result, the HAN manager 610 may not send the service request 654 to network C 620c.

[0081] In some embodiments, the HAN manager 610 does not announce the service request 654 to incompatible networks. Instead, upon receiving the user request 652, the HAN manager 610 first determines available communication networks that are compatible with the service request 654, and then announces the service request 654 only to the compatible networks. In the example of FIG. 6C, the HAN manager 610 may determine that network C 620c is not compatible with the service request 654, and as a result, does not announce the service request 654 to network C 620c.

[0082] In certain embodiments, the HAN manager 610 announces the service request 654 to all available communication networks 620a-620c. In such embodiments, non-compatible communication networks either do not respond to the service request 654 or provide a response that the HAN manager 610 determines does not meet the criteria of the service request 654.

[0083] FIG. 6D illustrates the HAN manager 610 receiving bid responses 656a, 656b from compatible communication networks 620a, 620b. By way of example, the format of the bids may include data rate (e.g., FL, RL), interference environment (e.g., no problem or contention), service delivery probability (0-100%), and / or price ($ / bit, $ / min, $ / bps, etc.). An exemplary bid response 656a from network A 620a is as follows: data rate (8Mbps FL, 2Mbps RL), interference (contention), service delivery probability (95%), and price ($10 / Mbit). An exemplary bid response 656b from network B 620b is as follows: data rate (12Mbps FL, 4Mbps RL), interference (contention), service delivery probability (98%), and price ($50 / Mbit). In this example, network C is not compatible; therefore, it is not eligible to bid.

[0084] 6E shows the HAN manager 610 sending a service selection 658 to the user terminal 630. The service selection 658 can be the communication network with the highest score based on the analysis of the bid responses 656a, 656b. The service selection 658 can be a fulfillment list of communication networks ordered by score based on the analysis of the bid responses 656a, 656b. The analysis of the bid responses can include assigning a score or ranking value to the bid responses 656a, 656b. The process of assigning a score or rank can include variable weighting of parameters of the bid responses 656a, 656b.

[0085] In some embodiments, the scoring criteria may include an evaluation of interference performance (e.g., a number from 1 to 10) based on standoff distance (km) and frequency agility (MHz). The scoring criteria may also include an evaluation of waveform performance (e.g., a number from 1 to 10) based on spreading factor (e.g., a number) and hopping rate (e.g., time delay). The scoring criteria may also include a cybersecurity score (e.g., a number from 1 to 10) and may also include a score of prior bid compatibility (e.g., a number from 1 to 10).

[0086] 6F shows the HAN manager 610 sending a service assignment 659 to the dominant communication network 620a. The HAN manager 610 may also send the service assignment 659 to the user terminal 630. In some embodiments, the service assignment 659 includes credentials that enable a connection between the user terminal 630, the communication network 620a, and a destination network (not shown).

[0087] 7 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method 700 of selecting a dominant communication network based on a user request. Method 700 may be performed by any of the HAN managers described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-6F. For ease of explanation, method 700 is described as being performed by a HAN manager. This should not be understood as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, any steps or portions of method 700 may be performed by any component or combination of components of the systems described herein.

[0088] At block 705, the HAN manager receives a user request for service from a user terminal, which is similar to the user request described with reference to FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the user request may include a destination network, such as the destination networks described herein with reference to FIGS. 2A-4. The user request may be sent whenever the user terminal desires to connect to a communications network and / or whenever performance requirements of the user terminal change. In some embodiments, method 700 resumes each time a user request is received from the user terminal.

[0089] At block 710, the HAN manager announces a service request formulated from the user request to communication networks in the hybrid adaptive network. This is similar to the service request described with reference to FIG. 6C. The available communication networks may change dynamically. In some examples, method 700 may return to block 710 in response to a change in network availability. In some embodiments, the HAN manager does not send the service request to an incompatible network. In such embodiments, the incompatible communication network may be identified in the user request and / or the HAN manager may determine a communication network that is not compatible with the service request.

[0090] At block 715, the HAN manager receives service bids from compatible communication networks, similar to the service bids described with reference to FIG. 6D. In some embodiments, the service bids may be sent to the HAN manager without the HAN manager requesting a bid in response to a change in the corresponding communication network. For example, if performance or price changes, the HAN manager may request an updated service bid, or the affected communication network may send an updated service bid without first receiving a request from the HAN manager. If an updated service bid is received, method 700 may resume at block 715.

[0091] At block 720, the HAN manager selects a dominant communication network based on the determined scores of the service bids. In some embodiments, the HAN manager creates a fulfillment list including a ranked list of compatible communication networks based on the determined scores of the service bids. Scoring the received service bids may include determining a weighted score of parameters included in the service bids. This is similar to the selection described with reference to FIG. 6E. The service selection (e.g., dominant communication network and / or fulfillment list) may be transmitted to the requesting user terminal.

[0092] In some embodiments, the HAN manager repeats method 700 from block 720 when there is a change in network performance of one or more of the compatible communication networks. In particular examples, the HAN manager monitors the status of the communication networks to determine if there is a change in network performance or other relevant network parameters. Thus, in response to such changes, the HAN manager recalculates the score or rank for each compatible communication network. If there is a change in score, in the dominant communication network and / or in order of the fulfillment list, the HAN manager can send updated service selections to the affected or associated user terminals.

[0093] At block 725, the HAN manager allocates the service to the communication network with the winning bid, similar to the allocation described with reference to Figure 6F. The HAN manager can be configured to notify the user terminal of the winning network as well as the winning network. The network connection can be established via a translation agent, as described herein, allowing a user to connect to and communicate with each compatible communication network using the same interface.

[0094] Method 700, as described herein, represents a bidding process used to establish an initial connection with a communications network, which may be repeated based on changing conditions or criteria. For example, method 700 may be initiated at any suitable step of the method upon the occurrence of some triggering event or condition. Examples of triggering events include, but are not limited to, a change in the state of the communications network, a change in the state of the user terminal, or a change in the state of a threat to the communications network (e.g., natural threats such as weather, non-natural threats such as equipment failure, intentional threats such as denial of service attacks). In some embodiments, the user terminal is configured to update the HAN manager with the link performance of the communications network to which it is connected. If the link performance changes, an update to the service selection may be triggered (e.g., method 700 resumes at a suitable step of the method). This may be desirable, for example, if there is a service level agreement (SLA) with the user and it is beneficial to maintain at least a minimum level of service to meet the SLA (which may benefit from a switch of communications networks).

[0095] Another triggering event may be the expiration of a bid. In some embodiments, a service bid may have a validity period. As long as the service bid is still valid, the user terminal may use the communication network. A service bid may have a validity period, for example, but not limited to, a few hours, days, weeks, months, etc. After a bid expires, method 700 may be repeated by beginning with a suitable step such as requesting new service bids at block 710 or determining new scores for bids that are still valid at block 720.

[0096] Other triggering events may include a user terminal requesting a re-bid, the HAN manager determining that the prevailing communications network no longer meets the user requirements, the HAN manager determining that network characteristics have changed, etc.

[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method 800 for updating a communication network ranking in real time. Method 800 may be performed by any of the HAN managers described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-6F. For ease of explanation, method 800 is described as being performed by a HAN manager. This should not be understood as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, any steps or portions of method 800 may be performed by any component or combination of components of the systems described herein.

[0098] At block 805, the HAN manager determines a score for the compatible communication networks. The score or ranking may be determined based on user criteria, user requirements, service bids, network performance, etc., as described herein.

[0099] At block 810, the HAN manager transmits the scores to the associated user terminals, which may include user terminals that are compatible with the communications network whose score or ranking has changed. This allows the user terminals to change the communications network in which the preferred communications network resides. The HAN manager transmits or pushes the updated scores or rankings to the user terminals without the user terminals necessarily requesting the updated information. This is advantageous because it allows the user terminals to connect to better communications networks without first requesting an update to the communications network's scoring or ranking.

[0100] At block 815, the HAN manager receives information related to the performance of the communications network. This information includes parameters directly related to network performance as provided by the communications network itself (e.g., information contained in service bids). This information also includes data related to external factors that may affect the weather, classified information regarding threats to the network, etc. The information received by the HAN manager at this block is adaptive over time and may include any suitable factors that affect network performance.

[0101] At block 820, the HAN manager determines whether the trigger criteria has occurred and, in response to a determination that the trigger criteria has occurred, returns to block 805 to update the analysis of the communications network. The trigger criteria may include any of the criteria described herein, such as, but not limited to, a change in network performance, a change in user requirements, an external threat to the network, a higher-level option becoming available, etc.

[0102] Method 800 can be used as a predictive model. For example, method 800 can be used to predict network congestion and see if other networks are congested. In response, a HAN manager can move user terminals before the user experience is adversely affected.

[0103] Additionally, method 800 can constantly update the scoring or ranking of the communication network. These updates can be triggered in real time. As a result, the HAN manager constantly or consistently pushes recommendations to the user terminals. Method 800 enables the HAN manager to accept and respond to possible threats. Threats arise, for example, in response to analysis of weather information, network congestion, confidential information regarding potential attacks against the network, etc. Method 800 enables the HAN manager to analyze the network performance as a whole, including external factors that may not be considered by other similar systems. Method 800 can be triggered by an updated request from the user terminal, but this is not required, at least in part because the HAN manager is consistently updating the scores and rankings of the communication network. Terminology and Additional Embodiments

[0104] Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for managing connections to a transport or communication network based on a bidding and scoring process. As used herein, the terms "transport network," "communication network," and "component network" are used interchangeably. These terms include, but are not limited to, communication networks that provide network connectivity between user terminals and destination networks, as described herein. These networks may include satellite networks, terrestrial networks, terrestrial wireless networks, or any combination thereof.

[0105] The present disclosure describes various features, any one of which is not solely responsible for the benefits described herein. It will be understood that various features described herein may be combined, modified, or omitted, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Other combinations and subcombinations other than those specifically described herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are intended to form part of the present disclosure. Various methods have been described herein in conjunction with various flowchart steps and / or stages. It will be understood that in many cases, certain steps and / or stages may be combined such that multiple steps and / or stages shown in the flowcharts may be performed as a single step and / or stage. Also, certain steps and / or stages may be divided into additional subcomponents that are performed separately. In some cases, the order of steps and / or stages may be rearranged and certain steps and / or stages may be omitted entirely. It will also be understood that the methods described herein may be modified such that additional steps and / or stages to those methods shown and described herein may also be performed.

[0106] Some aspects of the systems and methods described herein may be advantageously implemented using, for example, computer software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of computer software, hardware, and firmware. Computer software may include computer executable code stored on a computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium) that, when executed, performs the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the computer executable code is executed by one or more general-purpose computer processors. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in light of this disclosure that any feature or function that can be implemented using software executed on a general-purpose computer may also be implemented using a different combination of hardware, software, or firmware. For example, such modules may be implemented completely in hardware using a combination of integrated circuits. Alternatively or additionally, such features or functions may be implemented, in whole or in part, using a dedicated computer designed to perform the specific functions described herein, rather than by a general-purpose computer.

[0107] A plurality of distributed computing devices may be substituted for any one of the computing devices described herein. In such distributed embodiments, the functionality of one computing device is distributed (e.g., over a network) such that some functions are performed on each of the distributed computing devices.

[0108] Some embodiments may be described with reference to formulas, algorithms, and / or flowchart diagrams. These methods may be implemented using computer program instructions executable on one or more computers. These methods may also be implemented as a computer program product, either separately or as a component of a device or system. In this regard, each formula, algorithm, block, or flowchart step, and combinations thereof, may be executed by hardware, firmware, and / or software including one or more computer program instructions embodied in computer-readable program code logic. As will be understood, any such computer program instructions may be loaded into one or more computers, including but not limited to general purpose or special purpose computers, or other programmable processing devices, to form a machine, such that the computer program instructions executing on the computer or other programmable processing device perform the functions specified in the formulas, algorithms, and / or flowchart diagrams. It will also be understood that each formula, algorithm, and / or flowchart diagram block, and combinations thereof, may be executed by a dedicated hardware-based computer system that executes specific functions or steps, or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer-readable program code logic means.

[0109] Additionally, computer program instructions, such as embodied in computer readable program code logic, that can instruct one or more computers or other programmable processing devices to function in a particular manner may also be stored in a computer readable memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium), such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory perform the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded into one or more computers or other programmable computing devices and cause the one or more computers or other programmable computing devices to perform a series of operating steps, resulting in a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executing on the computers or other programmable processing devices result in formulas, algorithms, and / or steps for performing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0110] Some or all of the methods and tasks described herein may be performed by a computer system and may be fully automated. In some cases, a computer system may include multiple separate computers or computing devices (e.g., physical servers, workstations, storage arrays, etc.) that communicate and interoperate over a network to perform the described functions. Each such computing device typically includes a processor (or multiple processors) that executes program instructions or modules stored in memory or other non-transitory computer-readable storage media or devices. Various functions disclosed herein may be embodied in such program instructions, although some or all of the disclosed functions may alternatively be performed in application-specific circuitry (e.g., ASICs or FPGAs) of the computer system. When a computer system includes multiple computing devices, these devices may, but need not, be co-located. The results of the disclosed methods and tasks may be persistently stored by converting physical storage devices, such as solid-state memory chips and / or magnetic disks, to a different state.

[0111] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, throughout this specification and claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, i.e., "including, but not limited to," rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense. The word "coupled," as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements, which may be directly connected or connected by one or more intermediate elements. In addition, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar meaning, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherever the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural may also include the plural or singular, respectively. The word "or," when referring to a list of two or more items, includes all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. The word "exemplary" is used exclusively herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0112] The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein. Various modifications to the examples described in the present disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The teachings of the present invention provided herein may be applied to other methods and systems, and are not limited to the above methods and systems, and further embodiments may be provided by combining elements and functions of the various embodiments described above. Thus, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in various other forms, and further, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A HAN (Hybrid Adaptive Network) manager configured to manage a network connection between a user terminal and a communication network, the HAN manager comprising: a network interface configured to receive network communications from the user terminal and the communications network; a data store containing computer executable instructions; one or more processors configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the data store; The computer executable instructions may be for the HAN manager to: receiving a user request including connection criteria from a user terminal; transmitting a service request toward a compatible communications network based on the user request; receiving bid responses from respective compatible communications networks in response to said service request; determining, for each compatible communications network, a score based at least in part on parameters included in said received bid responses; A HAN manager causes a service selection to be sent towards the user terminal, the selection including the communication network with the highest score.

2. 2. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the service selection further comprises a ranked list of compatible communication networks, the ranked list being based on the scores determined for each compatible communication network.

3. 3. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the network interface further comprises an open standard network interface configured to send control commands to the communication network.

4. 4. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the network interface further comprises an open standard network interface configured to receive network status information from the communication network.

5. 5. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises two or more communication networks operating in different frequency ranges.

6. 6. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises two or more communication networks operating using different network protocols.

7. HAN manager according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication network comprises two or more communication networks operating using different waveforms.

8. 8. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the user requirements include a minimum data rate.

9. 9. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the score depends at least in part on previous bid compliance.

10. The HAN manager of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bid responses each include a service delivery probability.

11. A hybrid adaptive network comprising a HAN manager according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and one or more of said communication networks.

12. A hybrid adaptive network comprising a HAN manager according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and one or more of said user terminals.

13. 1. A method for managing a hybrid adaptive network, comprising: receiving a user request from a user terminal; announcing, to a plurality of communication networks, a service request based on the received user request; receiving service bids from the plurality of communication networks in response to the announced service request; determining a dominant communications network based on an analysis of the received service bids; and and allocating service of the user terminal to the dominant communication network.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein analyzing the received service bids includes determining a score for each of the plurality of communication networks.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: transmitting an implementation list of the plurality of communication networks to the user terminal, the implementation list comprising a ranked list of the plurality of communication networks based on the score determined for each of the plurality of communication networks.

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising receiving network performance information from the dominant communication network.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining an updated dominant communication network in response to network performance information indicating a degradation in performance of the dominant communication network.

18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein allocating the service comprises providing credentials enabling a connection between the user terminal, the dominant communication network and a destination network.

19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the service request includes a destination network.

20. 1. A method for managing a hybrid adaptive network, comprising: determining a score for each of a plurality of compatible communication networks based on network performance parameters; transmitting the determined scores to one or more user terminals; receiving information affecting said network performance parameters; and updating the scores of the affected one or more compatible communication networks in response to the received information indicating a degradation of the network performance parameters of the affected one or more compatible communication networks.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the received information includes weather information.

22. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein the received information comprises a threat to at least one of the plurality of compatible communications networks.

23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising transmitting updated scores to the one or more user terminals.

24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the degradation in network performance is predicted to occur later.

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