Artificial satellite, space data center, business device, content distribution business device, network business device, server business device, space data center business device, ground equipment, low-orbit broadband constellation business device, on-demand content distribution method, and live video content distribution method

Abstract

To make it possible to implement on-demand content distribution in a rational manner by satellite communication.SOLUTION: An artificial satellite includes a recording device 43, a reproduction relay device 72, and a transmitting device 74. The recording device 43 stores in a distribution request database 61 data indicating a distribution request for identifier-added content uploaded to the recording device 43 via a communication device 45 by at least one of upload devices constituting a group of upload devices present on the ground. The reproduction relay device 72 modulates data indicating the identifier-added content stored in the recording device 43 into a transmission signal based on a distribution command. The transmitting device 74 transmits the transmission signal modulated by the reproduction relay device 72 as the identifier-added content corresponding to a target distribution request to the upload device that has uploaded the data indicating the target distribution request to the recording device 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to satellites, space data centers, business devices, content distribution business devices, network business devices, server business devices, space data center business devices, ground equipment, low-earth orbit broadband constellation business devices, on-demand content distribution methods, and live video content distribution methods. [Background technology]

[0002] In satellite communication systems, as the operational life in orbit becomes longer, flexible payloads that can dynamically respond to fluctuations in communication traffic due to changes in user needs over time are desired. Furthermore, research is underway to fully digitize satellite-mounted equipment and optimize variable parameters corresponding to the frequency, time, and space domains, thereby making the most of satellite resources. Cloud computing technology is also advancing. Furthermore, to reduce the burden on centralized processing methods due to the dramatic increase in data volume and faster communication speeds, and to increase speed through parallel processing, decentralized processing and the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming more common. However, when decentralized processing and the IoT are implemented in terrestrial systems installed on the ground, issues arise, such as increased power consumption and increased heat emissions due to faster processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 146750 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a satellite communication system employing a flexible payload according to the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, a terrestrial NOC (Network Operation Center) collects information indicating the communication traffic of multiple gateways, selects a means for optimizing the frequency domain, time domain, and space domain to reduce the bias in the communication traffic indicated by the collected information, derives optimal values ​​for variable parameters of the communication device based on the selected means, and transmits the derived optimal values ​​as command values ​​to the satellite. Furthermore, in the prior art, no method for delivering on-demand content via satellite communication has been established. The present disclosure aims to streamline on-demand content distribution via satellite communications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The satellite according to the present disclosure includes: An artificial satellite that communicates directly or indirectly with each upload device that constitutes an upload device group that is composed of at least one upload device located on the ground, data relating to the identified content; A distribution request database that stores data indicating distribution requests for content with identifiers. and a recording device for storing the A calculator and A communication device including a receiving device, a transmitting device, a processing device, and a regenerative repeater device. Equipped with each upload device constituting the group of upload devices is either an edge server or a user device; when the satellite indirectly communicates with a target upload device that is one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, the satellite communicates with the target upload device via a gateway; the recording device stores data indicating the identifier-associated content uploaded to the recording device via the communication device by at least one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, and stores in the distribution request database data indicating a distribution request for the identifier-associated content uploaded to the recording device via the communication device by at least one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, The computer selects, as a selected upload device, an upload device that has uploaded data indicating a target distribution request, which is a distribution request included in the distribution request database, to the recording device; a distribution command is given to the communication device to distribute data indicating the identifier-added content corresponding to the target distribution request via the replay relay device; the receiving device receives data indicating identifier-associated content uploaded by at least one of the upload devices constituting the group of upload devices; the processing device converts the data received by the receiving device into data in a format that can be stored in the recording device, and stores the converted data in the recording device; the replay relay device modulates data indicating the identifier-attached content stored in the recording device into a transmission signal based on the distribution command; The transmitting device transmits to the selected uploading device a transmission signal modulated by the replay repeater as the identifier-added content corresponding to the target distribution request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a transmitting device provided on a satellite transmits a transmission signal modulated by a replay repeater as identifier-associated content corresponding to the target distribution request to a selected uploading device that has uploaded data indicating the target distribution request to a recording device provided on the satellite. Here, the selected uploading device is located on the ground. The identifier-associated content may be on-demand content. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, on-demand content distribution can be rationally realized via satellite communication. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a satellite communication system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a geostationary satellite 30 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terrestrial data center 90 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terrestrial data center 90 according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a mesh communication network according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the effects of the second embodiment. [Figure 17] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the effects of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the effects of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the description of the embodiments and drawings, the same elements and corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals. The description of elements given the same reference numerals will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. Arrows in the drawings mainly indicate the flow of data or the flow of processing. Furthermore, "unit" may be read as "circuit," "step," "procedure," "processing," or "circuitry" as appropriate. In this specification, an artificial satellite may also be referred to simply as a satellite.

[0009] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] ***Configuration Description*** FIG. 1 shows an overview of a satellite communication system 1. The satellite communication system 1 includes a geostationary satellite 30, a plurality of gateways 20, and a terrestrial data center 90. As a specific example, the geostationary satellite 30 includes an edge server 42. The geostationary satellite 30 can communicate with the gateway 20. Note that communication between the geostationary satellite 30 and the gateway 20 may be performed via a communication satellite. The geostationary satellites 30 may form a satellite constellation. The satellite communication system 1 may include an artificial satellite that is not a geostationary satellite instead of the geostationary satellite 30. The gateway 20 is a communication device having a relay function and is typically operated by a communication carrier. The terrestrial data center 90 is a data center deployed on the ground, and is a specific example of a data center used in cloud computing. The terrestrial data center 90 is capable of communicating with the geostationary satellite 30. Note that communication between the terrestrial data center 90 and the geostationary satellite 30 may be performed via a relay device or the like. Furthermore, each user on the Earth 600 has a user device 91. Specific examples of the user device 91 include a relay device owned by a user company or a mobile terminal owned by the user. The user device 91 is capable of communicating with the gateway 20. Note that communication between the user device 91 and the gateway 20 may be performed via a relay device or the like.

[0011] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of a satellite communication system 1. The satellite communication system 1 comprises a geostationary satellite 30, a terrestrial system 50, a terrestrial data center 90, and user equipment 91. Notations such as "-1" are used to distinguish between multiple elements. N, M, and L each represent a natural number. The ground system 50 includes a plurality of gateways 20, a tracking and control facility, a Network Operation Center (NOC), and a Security Operation Center (SOC). The user device 91B is typically a device used in BtoB (Business-to-Business). Typically, a company or the like that has a contract with a telecommunications carrier owns the user device 91B. The user device 91C is typically a device used in BtoC (Business-to-Consumer). Typically, an individual that has a contract with a telecommunications carrier owns the user device 91C. The terrestrial data center 90 exists within a cloud provider network and is communicatively connected to at least one of the multiple gateways 20. The cloud provider network is a network used by cloud computing providers. There may be multiple terrestrial data centers 90, and each terrestrial data center 90 may be communicatively connected to some of the multiple gateways 20. The geostationary satellite 30 includes a satellite bus system communication device that communicates with the tracking and control facility, a computer 41, an edge server 42, and a communication device 45. The communication device 45 includes a beam control device 46 and a beam forming device 47. The communication device 45 is also called a mission system communication device. BF is an abbreviation for beam forming. The edge server 42 is a server that communicates with the terrestrial data center 90, and corresponds to the edge server of the terrestrial data center 90. The edge server 42 includes a recording device 43. The edge server 42 does not necessarily have to include the recording device 43. The computer 41 and the edge server 42 may be configured integrally.

[0012] 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the geostationary satellite 30. The hardware configuration of the geostationary satellite 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The geostationary satellite 30 includes a satellite control device 31, a communication device 32, a propulsion device 33, an attitude control device 34, and a power supply device 35. The geostationary satellite 30 may include components that realize various other functions, but Fig. 3 will explain the satellite control device 31, the communication device 32, the propulsion device 33, the attitude control device 34, and the power supply device 35.

[0013] The satellite control device 31 is a computer that controls the propulsion devices 33 and the attitude control device 34, and includes a processing circuit. Specifically, the satellite control device 31 controls the propulsion devices 33 and the attitude control device 34 in accordance with various commands transmitted from the ground system 50 and the like. The communication device 32 is a device that performs communication with the outside of the geostationary satellite 30 . The propulsion device 33 is a device that provides thrust to the geostationary satellite 30, changing the speed of the geostationary satellite 30. The attitude control device 34 is a device for controlling attitude elements such as the attitude of the geostationary satellite 30, its angular velocity, and line of sight. The attitude control device 34 changes each attitude element to a desired direction. Alternatively, the attitude control device 34 maintains each attitude element in a desired direction. The attitude control device 34 includes an attitude sensor, an actuator, and a controller. The attitude sensor is a device such as a gyroscope, an Earth sensor, a sun sensor, a star tracker, a thruster, and a magnetic sensor. The actuator is a device such as an attitude control thruster, a momentum wheel, a reaction wheel, and a control moment gyro. The controller controls the actuator according to measurement data from the attitude sensor or various commands from the ground system 50, etc. The power supply unit 35 includes devices such as a solar cell, a battery, and a power control device, and supplies power to each device mounted on the geostationary satellite 30.

[0014] The processing circuit provided in the satellite control device 31 will now be described. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or a processor that executes a program stored in memory. In the processing circuit, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware and the remaining functions may be realized by software or firmware. In other words, the processing circuit can be realized by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. Specifically, the dedicated hardware may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0015] 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the terrestrial data center 90. The terrestrial data center 90 communicates with the geostationary satellite 30. The terrestrial data center 90 is connected to a ground-side communication device 810, and communicates with the geostationary satellite 30 via the ground-side communication device 810. The terrestrial data center 90 may include a mobile terminal. The configuration of each device provided in the gateway 20 and the geostationary satellite 30 may be the same as the configuration of the terrestrial data center 90.

[0016] The ground data center 90 includes a processor 710 as well as other hardware such as a main memory device 720, an auxiliary memory device 730, an input interface 740, an output interface 750, and a communication interface 760. In Fig. 4, the interfaces are denoted as IF. The processor 710 is connected to other hardware via a signal line 770 and controls this other hardware.

[0017] The terrestrial data center 90 includes a control unit 711 as a functional element. The functions of the control unit 711 are realized by hardware or software. The control unit 711 executes processing in accordance with instructions from a satellite communication program.

[0018] ***Explanation of Operation*** The operating procedure of the satellite communication system 1 corresponds to a satellite communication method. The program that realizes the operation of the satellite communication system 1 corresponds to a satellite communication program. The satellite communication program is a general term for programs that run in each device included in the satellite communication system 1. The satellite communication program may be recorded on a computer-readable non-volatile recording medium. Specific examples of the non-volatile recording medium include an optical disk or a flash memory. The satellite communication program may be provided as a program product.

[0019] <Operation Example 1 According to Embodiment 1> FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. In this operation example, a recording device 43 records information indicating communication traffic between a communication device 45 and at least one of a plurality of gateways 20 deployed on the ground. When there is a bias in the communication traffic among the plurality of gateways 20, a computer 41 derives values ​​of variable parameters for controlling a beamforming device 47 so as to reduce the bias in the communication traffic among the plurality of gateways 20, and transmits information indicating the derived values ​​of the variable parameters to a beam control device 46. Deriving the values ​​of the variable parameters involves obtaining setting values ​​for the variable parameters. The beam control device 46 receives the information indicating the values ​​of the variable parameters derived by the computer 41 and controls the beamforming device 47 based on the values ​​of the variable parameters indicated by the received information. As a specific example, the beam control device 46 changes the frequency, beam width, and pointing direction of the beamforming device 47 based on the received variable parameters.

[0020] In recent years, in order to accommodate the changing needs of users due to the increasing speed and capacity of communication satellites and the longer operation periods in orbit, communication equipment has become fully digitalized and flexible payload technology using digital beamforming technology has advanced. Meanwhile, there is an increasing need for high-speed broadband satellite communication systems using high-throughput satellites (HTS), which enable large-capacity communications by using beam control devices with broadband channelizers.

[0021] The purpose of this operation example is to build a space-based high-speed broadband satellite communication system by autonomously, dynamically, and timely monitoring and managing communication devices called flexible payloads under conditions where communication traffic changes by transferring at least a part of the resource management functions conventionally performed in the ground system 50 to on-orbit. The communication devices called flexible payloads have flexibility in frequency allocation and service coverage.

[0022] In recent years, flexible payloads have been moving towards full digitalization, which ensures flexibility by changing frequency allocation, beam width, and line of sight through variable beam control using digital channelizers and digital beamforming. However, flexible payloads do not need to be limited to digital devices, and an inexpensive satellite communications system 1 may be constructed using a flexible payload that combines digital and analog devices.

[0023] Fluctuations in communication traffic are fluctuations in the amount of data sent and received. When there is a large deviation in the amount of data sent and received by each of multiple gateways 20, the data rate can be leveled out by increasing the number of beam types so as to widen the frequency band directed toward gateways 20 with large amounts of data, or by increasing the number of beams per unit service area, thereby expanding the transmission capacity.

[0024] As an example of implementing the function of a geostationary satellite 30 monitoring communication traffic and managing the resources of the digital payload of a communication device 45 based on the monitoring results, a specific example of optimization control using an optimization algorithm will be described. In this example, a computer 41 first monitors changes in the communication volume of each of multiple gateways 20 deployed on the ground. Next, based on the monitoring results, the computer 41 flexibly controls the digital beam to optimally allocate resources such as the power and communication capacity of the geostationary satellite 30, thereby leveling the data rate among each of the multiple gateways 20. As a specific example, the optimization algorithm is an algorithm that determines the values ​​of variable parameters that control a beamforming device 47.

[0025] Here, beamforming technology refers to a technology for transmitting radio waves, sound waves, or ultrasound waves in a specific direction or receiving them from a specific direction. Known beamforming technologies include a technology for controlling the transmission power of each of multiple transmission / reception modules in an active phased array antenna (APAA) to control the direction and beam width of the transmission beam, and a technology for controlling the transmission power of each of multiple transmission / reception modules. Beamforming devices that use multiple feeds to form beams have also become known in recent years. A traveling wave tube amplifier (TWTA) or a solid-state power amplifier (SSPA) is used as the amplifier in the beamforming device 47.

[0026] A known example of the beam control device 46 is a channelizer that changes the routing of multiple channels. Specifically, the channelizer selects multiple frequency bands, such as the Ka band or the Ku band, or performs frequency control known as frequency hopping, which changes the center frequency and bandwidth used within the same frequency band. The channelizer also controls the beam width, direction, and power of a beamforming device.

[0027] In general communication resource management, resources of a digital payload are managed, but the communication device 45 according to this operation example may manage resources of an analog payload or a semi-digital payload that is a mixture of analog and digital.

[0028] As in this operation example, by performing the communication resource management operation that has conventionally been performed on the ground in the geostationary satellite 30, it is possible to reduce the burden on the ground. Furthermore, according to this operation example, the optimization management is adapted to the time-varying user needs, and the optimization management of communication traffic is performed autonomously in space, thereby reducing the burden on the ground system 50.

[0029] <Operation Example 2 According to Embodiment 1> In this operation example, an edge server 42 is deployed on the geostationary satellite 30 to turn the geostationary satellite 30 into an IoT (Internet of Things) system, and part of the processing of the ground system 50 is distributed to the IoT-enabled geostationary satellite 30, thereby aiming to reduce the amount of heat emitted by the ground system 50.

[0030] 6 shows a configuration example of a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. In this operation example, an edge server 42 of a terrestrial data center 90 deployed on the ground includes a recording device 43. This operation example is the same as operation example 1 according to embodiment 1.

[0031] (Cloud Computing Explained) As the amount of information increases with the advancement of the information society, the increase in power consumption and heat dissipation measures have become issues. In particular, in centralized systems, the increase in power consumption and heat dissipation measures for supercomputers and large-scale data centers have become serious issues. On the other hand, in space, heat can be released into deep space through radiative cooling. Therefore, a system could be conceived in which satellites are equipped with supercomputers or data centers to realize a cloud environment, and after processing in orbit, only the necessary data is transmitted to users on Earth. This system would maintain a cloud environment and also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Earth by reducing greenhouse gas emissions on Earth. The edge server 42 mounted on the geostationary satellite 30 has at least some of the functions of a cloud data center that was previously installed on the ground, and by performing at least some of the processing of the cloud data center in orbit, it has the effect of contributing to reducing the processing burden on the ground. According to the conventional technology, in order to set the variable parameters of the flexible payload, traffic monitoring is performed on the ground, and analysis processing for optimization to reduce bias between gateways and setting of the variable parameters are performed on the ground and transmitted to the satellite. According to this operation example, the processing that was previously performed on the ground is performed autonomously in space, thereby reducing the processing burden on the ground.

[0032] Furthermore, according to this operation example, when communicating large volumes of data between the terrestrial data center 90 and the edge server 42 in geostationary orbit, the data rate between the gateways 20 is leveled, thereby enabling high-speed, large-volume communication via multiple gateways 20. Furthermore, by transmitting information from the terrestrial data center 90 provided in the terrestrial cloud environment to the edge server 42 in orbit, it is possible to share information between the terrestrial data center 90 and the edge server 42, or to distribute information between the terrestrial data center 90 and the edge server 42.

[0033] <Operation Example 3 According to Embodiment 1> This operation example corresponds to an operation example that extends operation example 1 or 2 according to embodiment 1. The computer 41 according to this operation example derives the value of a variable parameter using an inference model that has learned the relationship between the communication traffic of each of the multiple gateways 20 and the value of the variable parameter. In this operation example, the terrestrial data center 90 is equipped with a software model that simulates the satellite communication system 1.

[0034] Advances in machine learning technology, such as deep learning using AI (Artificial Intelligence), have enabled the computer 41 to realize many functions by equipping it with AI. The AI-equipped computer 41 monitors the communication traffic of the gateway 20 in orbit and performs optimal control of the fully digital equipment in response to fluctuations in the monitored communication traffic. Meanwhile, research has been progressing in recent years in which cloud service providers apply a modeling technique called SDN (Software Defined Network) to terrestrial assets to analyze fluctuations in user needs, and apply a modeling technique called VSN (Virtual Satellite Network) to satellite assets to optimize communication traffic in software according to fluctuations in user needs. The software model equipped in the terrestrial data center 90 reflects the results of this research. The simulator included in the terrestrial data center 90 uses the software model to analyze fluctuations in user needs, generates training data or a training model based on the analysis results, and uploads the generated training data or training model to the edge server 42. The computer 41 updates the optimization algorithm using the uploaded training data or training model. Therefore, the simulator can improve the performance of the AI ​​included in the computer 41 and the effectiveness of machine learning.

[0035] An operation example of the satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example will be described. First, the terrestrial data center 90 analyzes the variable parameters of the beamforming device 47, which are variable parameters for reducing the imbalance in communication traffic between each of the multiple gateways 20, by simulation using a software model. Next, the terrestrial data center 90 derives recommended parameter values, which are appropriate variable parameters corresponding to the time transition of user needs, based on the results of analyzing the variable parameters, and transmits information indicating the derived recommended parameters and the results of analyzing the variable parameters as training data to the edge server 42. Specific examples of the information indicating the results of analyzing the variable parameters include information indicating a bias in communication traffic between each of the multiple gateways 20, or information indicating the characteristics of the bias, such as the time period in which the bias occurs. Next, the computer 41 receives information from the edge server 42 indicating the recommended parameters derived by the terrestrial data center 90 and the results of analyzing the variable parameters, and generates an inference model by performing machine learning such as deep learning using the received information as training data.

[0036] Factors that can cause fluctuations in communication traffic include the need to change beam control parameters on a large scale in real time, such as the need for frequent parameter updates when using communication satellites during disasters, etc. Another factor that can cause fluctuations is the need for annual parameter updates to accommodate changes in user needs during the design life of a geostationary satellite, which lasts for 15 years or more. Variable parameters for controlling flexible payloads include parameters corresponding to the frequency domain, the spatial domain, and the time domain. Parameters corresponding to the frequency domain are parameters that change the composition ratio in accordance with changes in needs within frequency bands in which telecommunications carriers and other entities have frequency rights, such as the P band, L band, S band, C band, X band, Ku band, Ka band, Q band, or V band. Parameters corresponding to the spatial domain are parameters that change the terrestrial service area by changing the beamwidth and line of sight of multiple beams. Parameters corresponding to the time domain are parameters that respond to various needs, such as real-time optimal control, adaptation to diurnal variations between day and night, adaptation to seasonal variations, and response to annual variations. Furthermore, when the communication target is a mobile object, it is necessary to ensure service coverage according to the range of movement of the mobile object and to change the beam field of view. In order to handle these many variable parameters, it is reasonable for the computer 41 to be equipped with artificial intelligence, store the results of parameter control based on past communication resource management and the fluctuation results of traffic monitoring resulting from the parameter control results in the edge server 42, and update the optimization algorithm using machine learning. The input to the inference model is information related to the communication traffic of each of the multiple gateways 20. As a specific example, this information may be information indicating the imbalance of communication traffic among the multiple gateways 20 or input information for user needs fluctuation analysis. The input information for user needs fluctuation analysis will be described using a specific example. If it is empirically determined that user needs fluctuate with a strong correlation over time, it is reasonable for the inference model to derive recommended parameter values, which are variable parameters appropriate for the time evolution of user needs. As another specific example, if there is a change in factors that are strongly correlated with the number of users, such as population change or regional distribution of population density, the optimal values ​​for the total communication volume and beam direction change. Therefore, it is reasonable to derive recommended parameter values, which are variable parameters appropriate for the change in factors that are strongly correlated with the number of users. As another specific example, if user needs change due to changes in the communication environment, such as new technological development or the development of social infrastructure, it is reasonable to derive recommended parameter values, which are variable parameters appropriate for the user needs accompanying the change in the communication environment. Therefore, when generating an inference model, the computer 41 may use, as part of the training data, input information in a user needs fluctuation analysis, such as information indicating time trends in user needs, information indicating fluctuations in factors that are strongly correlated with the number of users, or information indicating fluctuations in the communication environment, instead of information indicating bias in communication traffic between each of the multiple gateways 20, as information related to the communication traffic of each of the multiple gateways 20. The inference model generated in this way corresponds to an inference model that has learned the relationship between the communication traffic of each of the multiple gateways 20 and the values ​​of the variable parameters. In addition, the terrestrial data center 90 may generate the inference model.

[0037] <Operation Example 4 According to Embodiment 1> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding operation example 1 or 2 according to embodiment 1. In this operation example, the terrestrial data center 90 is provided with a software model that simulates the satellite communication system 1.

[0038] An operation example of the satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example will be described. First, the terrestrial data center 90 analyzes variable parameters for reducing the imbalance in communication traffic among the plurality of gateways 20 through simulation using a software model. Next, the terrestrial data center 90 generates an optimization algorithm to be used by the computer 41 based on the results of analyzing the variable parameters, and transmits information indicating the generated optimization algorithm to the edge server 42. Next, the edge server 42 receives the information indicating the optimization algorithm, and transmits the received information indicating the optimization algorithm to the computer 41 . Next, the computer 41 receives the information indicating the optimization algorithm, and replaces the optimization algorithm recorded in the recording device of the computer 41 with the received optimization algorithm.

[0039] ***Other Configurations*** <Variation 1> In this embodiment, the functions of control unit 711 are realized by software. As a modified example, the functions of control unit 711 may be realized by hardware. Figure 7 shows this modified example.

[0040] The terrestrial data center 90 includes an electronic circuit 780 in place of the processor 710 . The electronic circuit 780 is a dedicated electronic circuit that realizes the functions of the control unit 711 . Specifically, the electronic circuit 780 is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC (Integrated Circuit), a GA (Gate Array), an ASIC, or an FPGA. The functions of the control unit 711 may be realized by one electronic circuit, or may be realized by distributing the functions among a plurality of electronic circuits. As another modification, some of the functions of the control unit 711 may be realized by the electronic circuit 780, and the remaining functions may be realized by software.

[0041] The processor 710, the electronic circuit 780, the main memory device 720, and the auxiliary memory device 730 are collectively referred to as processing circuitry. That is, in the terrestrial data center 90, the functions of the control unit 711 are realized by the processing circuitry.

[0042] Embodiment 2 The following mainly describes the differences from the above-described embodiment with reference to the drawings. A method for achieving both on-demand content distribution and live video distribution using satellite communication lines is highly anticipated. This embodiment proposes a method for reducing terrestrial communication traffic by having a geostationary satellite equipped with an edge server and a regenerative repeater multicast content to users who have requested the content distribution. Here, the edge server includes a database that stores data indicating content distribution requests collected by a low-earth orbit broadband constellation. This embodiment also proposes a space data center in which a low-earth orbit constellation collects data indicating distribution requests, and a geostationary satellite multicasts content corresponding to the distribution requests by utilizing a regenerative repeater and beam control.

[0043] The satellite communications business is undergoing a transitional period with the advent of fully digital satellites. In the conventional satellite communications business, the mainstream business model was that broadcasters, who produced content based on advertising revenue, would simultaneously broadcast it to a wide area using bent-pipe communications satellites. However, in recent years, with the spread of the Internet on the terrestrial level, the number of business models that distribute on-demand content and receive revenue from users through fees has rapidly increased, resulting in an increase in communications traffic. Therefore, there is growing expectation for the use of satellite communications using fully digital satellites as a measure to alleviate communications traffic on the terrestrial level. However, currently, there is no established method for delivering on-demand content via satellite communications, so the inherent advantages of satellites are not being utilized. Geostationary satellites have advantages such as the ability to broadcast simultaneously over a wide area, but they also have weaknesses such as the need for huge antennas to enable direct two-way communication between smartphones. On the other hand, while the rapid development of low-orbit broadband constellations has shown promise in enabling direct communication with smartphones, they are not particularly adept at simultaneously distributing large amounts of content over a wide area. This is because transmitting the same content to a huge number of users individually using a low-orbit broadband constellation would require a huge number of repeated inter-satellite communications, making it irrational.

[0044] The reason for the congestion of terrestrial communication traffic due to the increase in on-demand users is the same as the fact that low-orbit broadband constellations are not good at simultaneously distributing data over a wide area. Therefore, simultaneous broadcasting by geostationary satellites is considered to be an effective measure to alleviate terrestrial communication traffic. A specific example of easing terrestrial communication traffic is when geostationary satellites broadcast data to multiple edge servers located in different locations, each of which caches the distributed data and then distributes it to users in the vicinity. Therefore, this embodiment provides a method for rationally realizing on-demand content distribution by satellite communication. As a specific example, first, a low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating requests for delivery of on-demand content with ID (Identification) and uploads the collected data to a geostationary satellite. Next, each user device located in a wide area downloads the data from the geostationary satellite. This example makes it possible to utilize the benefits of both systems. If a geostationary satellite acts as an edge server to store ID-attached digital content and then plays back and relays it in response to distribution requests, on-demand content distribution via satellite communications can be realized. When three or more geostationary satellites dispersed in the longitudinal direction above the equator form a circular communication network through two-way communication, it becomes possible to realize on-demand content distribution services to the whole world. In this case, a space data center concept using a low-earth orbit broadband constellation in combination will enable live video distribution to the whole world.

[0045] Furthermore, unlike the bent-pipe system used in broadcasting satellites, flexible payloads, with their advanced digital onboard equipment, can achieve simultaneous distribution in a variety of ways. Specifically, flexible payloads enable streamlining, such as distributing different content to different regions and increasing transmission capacity to areas with high-density distribution requests. Furthermore, when distributing a wide variety of content over a wide area, increasing transmission capacity by expanding the communication bandwidth can enable the distribution of individual content in a short time. Furthermore, in this case, distributing diverse content in a time-sharing manner can reduce user wait times for distribution to a level that is less stressful for users. Thus, multicasting using flexible payloads allows for simultaneous distribution that is superior in both quality and quantity to the bent-pipe system.

[0046] In the distribution of on-demand content, stakeholders include content distribution companies, satellite operators, network operators, server operators (such as cloud servers and edge servers), and low-earth orbit satellite communication operators. The source of funds for the operation of the distribution system is revenue from user fees, and the operation of the distribution system is based on a mutual contractual relationship regarding communication line usage fees and server usage fees. Therefore, by equipping each operator with a communication line usage monitoring device and a server usage monitoring device, the calculation basis for each operator's usage fees becomes clear. Furthermore, each operator can obtain information that contributes to optimizing system operation, such as the number and placement of edge servers, content update frequency, and storage period.

[0047] Recently, there are high expectations for the use of AI in space. As a specific example, an AI computer installed on a satellite will perform machine learning to learn conditions and algorithms that contribute to optimizing the operation of communication systems, and then, based on the results of the machine learning, optimally distribute content through orbital beam control, which is expected to dramatically improve communication traffic on the ground.

[0048] Recently, new business models have emerged through joint ventures or teamings between multiple stakeholders. As a specific example, if all or some of the satellite operators, server operators, network operators, low-orbit broadband constellation operators, and content distributors engage in a space data center business and implement a business that implements an on-demand content distribution method that automatically translates the spoken language contained in on-demand distribution content and distributes data including data showing the results of the automatic translation from the space data center, on-demand content can be distributed to all users around the world who live in areas where the development of digital communication infrastructure is lagging behind.Specific examples of on-demand distribution content include American Hollywood movies, Korean dramas, or Japanese animation works. On-demand content delivery and live video delivery are characterized by the fact that the amount of data required for a delivery request is very small, yet the number of delivery requests is enormous. On the other hand, the amount of data required for each content delivery request is large, and the same data is sent to a huge number of users. Furthermore, while there is a bidirectional relationship between requests and delivery, content delivery is characterized by its unidirectional nature. Therefore, it is considered reasonable to divide the roles so that the low-orbit broadband constellation handles the uplink corresponding to distribution requests, and the geostationary satellite, which is good at multicast, handles the downlink corresponding to distribution. Generally, satellite communications using geostationary satellites have the disadvantage of latency, but because both on-demand content distribution and live video distribution are one-way, latency of a few seconds is not a problem.

[0049] Specific examples of effective methods for charging for content that is broadcast simultaneously include a method in which data representing ID-attached content is encrypted so that only users who have paid and obtained an encryption key can decrypt the encrypted data, and a conventional method in which passwords are managed in a membership system by linking them to the user IDs of users who have paid. Recently, the price of communications satellites has been collapsing due to the need to compete with terrestrial communications infrastructure in cost. This is a pricing method that assumes that the Internet line is simply via space, and that large amounts of data content must be delivered to each user individually, resulting in a huge number of deliveries. However, if we consider the communication value index that takes into account the efficiency of collecting communication line usage fees, which are calculated by multiplying the number of users charged for content distributed in a single simultaneous broadcast, then on-demand distribution via satellite has a communication value several orders of magnitude higher than on-demand distribution via terrestrial communication lines, including users in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is not well developed. Therefore, if on-demand delivery using space data centers becomes practical, it will eliminate the enormous amount of wasteful work that has traditionally occurred in terrestrial communication lines. Examples of wasteful work include the transmission of the same content and repeated transmissions between distant locations. Therefore, if on-demand delivery becomes practical, the total amount of communication traffic will decrease dramatically, making it difficult to recover the fees for terrestrial communication lines, and it is thought that the competitiveness of terrestrial communication operators will decline relatively. It goes without saying that the practical application of on-demand delivery from space data centers will represent a paradigm shift in a desirable direction from the perspective of the SDGs, such as reducing energy loss. From this perspective, even if the costs required for construction appear to be high, space data centers are considered to have a reason for their existence.

[0050] When the term "regenerative repeater" is used for a terrestrial mobile base station, the generation of the mobile communication system may be distinguished. When distinguishing between generations of the mobile communication system, specific examples of terrestrial mobile base stations include an evolved NodeB (eNB), which is a 4G (Generation) base station, or a next-generation NodeB (gNB), which is a 5G base station. In this application, when the term "regenerative repeater" is used, there is no intention to distinguish between generations of mobile communication systems, and the term "regenerative repeater" may also be read as "content playback device."

[0051] ***Explanation of Operation*** <Operation Example 1 According to Embodiment 2> The processes executed in the satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example correspond to the processes constituting the on-demand content distribution method. FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. The artificial satellite in this operation example communicates directly or indirectly with each upload device that constitutes the upload device group. A specific example of the artificial satellite is a geostationary satellite 30. The upload device group is composed of at least one upload device located on the ground. Each upload device that constitutes the upload device group is either an edge server 42 or a user device 91. When the artificial satellite indirectly communicates with a target upload device that is one of the upload devices that constitutes the upload device group, the artificial satellite communicates with the target upload device via the gateway 20. The artificial satellite includes a recording device 43, a computer 41, and a communication device 45, and a specific example is a geostationary satellite 30. The recording device 43 stores a distribution request DB (Database) 61, which is a database of data indicating distribution requests for identifier-associated content. The recording device 43 stores data indicating identifier-associated content that has been uploaded to the recording device 43 via the communication device 45 by at least one of the upload devices that make up the upload device group. A specific example of this data is distribution content 62. The recording device 43 also stores in the distribution request DB 61 data indicating a distribution request for identifier-associated content that has been uploaded to the recording device 43 via the communication device 45 by at least one of the upload devices that make up the upload device group. The distribution request DB 61 is made up of data indicating distribution requests, and is also called an ID-attached distribution content distribution request DB. ID is synonymous with identifier. The distribution content 62 is data indicating the distribution content, and is also called ID-attached distribution content. The computer 41 selects, as the selected upload device, the upload device that uploaded data indicating the target distribution request, which is a distribution request included in the distribution request DB 61, to the recording device 43. The computer 41 gives a distribution command to the communication device 45 to distribute data indicating the identifier-attached content corresponding to the target distribution request via the replay relay device 72. The communication device 45 includes a receiving device 73 , a transmitting device 74 , a processing device 71 , and a regenerative repeater device 72 . The receiving device 73 receives data indicating identifier-attached content uploaded by at least one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group. The receiving device 73 receives data from at least one of the gateway 20, the edge server 42, and the user device 91. The processing device 71 has a function of processing data. The processing device 71 converts the data received by the receiving device 73 into data in a format that can be stored in the recording device 43, and stores the converted data in the recording device 43. A specific example of the converted data is the distribution content 62. Based on the distribution command, the regenerative repeater 72 modulates data indicating the identifier-attached content stored in the recording device 43 into a transmission signal. The regenerative repeater 72 may be a general regenerative repeater. The transmitting device 74 transmits the transmission signal modulated by the replay repeater 72 as the identifier-added content corresponding to the target distribution request to the selected upload device. Each of the computer 41, the edge server 42, and the recording device 43 may be a general-purpose computer.

[0052] In recent years, the demand for on-demand delivery of digital content has been increasing rapidly, which has led to an increase in terrestrial communication traffic in a method in which content is temporarily stored in a cloud server deployed on the ground or in edge servers 42 distributed around the ground, and then delivered to multiple users after specifying the destination. Temporarily storing frequently used content is called caching, and distributing it to multiple users after specifying the destinations is called multicasting. As a measure to improve the communication environment on the ground, a system that delivers digital content on demand via satellite communication, taking advantage of the wide area coverage of artificial satellites, is eagerly awaited. In this operation example, ID-attached distribution content is cached in the recording device 43 provided on the artificial satellite, and multicast to a plurality of users in response to a content distribution request. There are two methods for delivering on-demand content: one is to multicast ID-attached content stored in a recording device 43 equipped on the satellite directly to users, and the other is to cache the content from the satellite to an edge server 42, which then multicasts it to users.

[0053] In recent years, as communication devices on satellites have become fully digitalized, satellites can communicate both via gateway 20 and directly with edge server 42 or user device 91. Therefore, edge server 42 may transmit data indicating ID-attached content to a satellite via gateway 20, or edge server 42 or user device 91 may transmit data indicating ID-attached content directly to a satellite. Similarly, the user device 91 may transmit data indicating a delivery request for ID-attached content directly to the satellite, or the edge server 42 may collect the data indicating the delivery request and upload the collected data to the satellite. The replay relay device 72 edits the data indicating the ID-attached content temporarily stored in the recording device 43 into the form of transmission data. The transmitting device 74 multicasts the data edited by the replay relay device 72 to the distribution destination specified by the computer 41.

[0054] It should be noted that the edge server 42 and the user device 91 may each be located on the ground or in space. The recording device 43 provided on the satellite is sometimes called an edge server 42.

[0055] <Operation Example 2 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example is an extension of the operation example 1 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to an example of an on-demand content distribution method. In this operation example, the target edge server, which is an edge server 42 that constitutes the upload device group, collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 that constitutes the upload device group, and uploads the collected data directly or indirectly to a recording device 43 provided in the artificial satellite described in operation example 1 of embodiment 2. The artificial satellite according to this operation example distributes content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device 43.

[0056] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. As shown in Fig. 9, this operation example is a method in which an edge server 42 collects data indicating a request for ID-attached content distribution without using a low-earth-orbit broadband constellation, and uploads the collected data to an artificial satellite.

[0057] <Operation Example 3 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example is an extension of the operation example 1 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to an example of an on-demand content distribution method. In this operation example, a target edge server 42 that is an edge server 42 constituting the upload device group receives low-earth orbit satellite collected data from the low-earth orbit broadband constellation, and uploads the received low-earth orbit satellite collected data directly or indirectly to a recording device 43 provided in the artificial satellite described in operation example 1 according to embodiment 2. The low-earth orbit satellite collected data is data indicating a distribution request collected by the low-earth orbit broadband constellation from at least one user device 91 constituting the upload device group. The artificial satellite according to this operation example distributes content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device 43.

[0058] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. As shown in Fig. 10, the on-demand content distribution method according to this operation example is a method of collecting data indicating a distribution request for ID-assigned content using a low-earth orbit broadband constellation and uploading the collected data to a geostationary satellite 30. In addition, when neither the artificial satellite described in operation example 1 according to embodiment 2 nor a low-earth orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO (Geostationary Orbit-Low Earth Orbit) communication device, this method uploads data indicating the distribution request to the geostationary satellite 30 via an edge server 42 installed on the ground. The low-earth orbit satellite 80 may also serve as the edge server 42 that collects data indicating a distribution request. The edge server 42 according to this operation example may also collect data indicating a distribution request from a user that is transmitted by direct communication of a smartphone. Low Earth Orbit broadband constellations such as Starlink (registered trademark), which are currently being developed, are equipped with a communication device for communicating with the ground and a LEO-LEO (Low Earth Orbit-Low Earth Orbit) communication device, and therefore can collect data indicating distribution requests for ID-attached content from users on the ground. However, since low Earth Orbit broadband constellations do not have a GEO-LEO communication device, data uploading to the artificial satellite described in Operation Example 1 according to the second embodiment is performed via an edge server 42 installed on the ground.

[0059] <Operation Example 4 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example is an extension of the operation example 1 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to an example of an on-demand content distribution method. In this operation example, the satellite described in operation example 1 according to embodiment 2 is a geostationary satellite 30, and is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. The GEO-LEO communication device performs communication between the geostationary satellite 30 and a low-earth orbit satellite 80. At least one low-earth orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. The satellite and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation are communicatively connected via a GEO-LEO communication link. The GEO-LEO communication link is a communication link between the geostationary satellite 30 and the low-earth orbit satellite 80. The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 constituting an upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a recording device 43 provided in the satellite via the GEO-LEO communication link. The satellite distributes identifier-attached content corresponding to the data indicating the distribution request uploaded to the recording device 43. The hardware configuration of the low-earth orbit satellite 80 is similar to that of the geostationary satellite 30 .

[0060] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. As shown in Fig. 11, when the artificial satellite described in Operation Example 1 according to Embodiment 2 and a low-earth orbit satellite 80 are each equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device, the low-earth orbit satellite 80 can directly upload data indicating a distribution request that the low-earth orbit satellite 80 has collected to itself. The low-earth orbit satellite 80 may also function as the edge server 42 that collects data indicating distribution requests. The edge server 42 may also collect data indicating distribution requests from users that are transmitted via direct communication from their smartphones.

[0061] <Operation Example 5 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding operation example 4 according to the second embodiment. In this operational example, the space data center comprises a geostationary satellite constellation and a low-orbit broadband constellation. The geostationary satellite constellation comprises three or more satellites described in operational example 1 according to embodiment 2, which are distributed longitudinally. Each satellite comprising the geostationary satellite constellation has a recording device 43 which is an edge server 42. Each satellite comprising the geostationary satellite constellation is a geostationary satellite 30, and is equipped with a GEO-GEO communication device that performs bidirectional communication between adjacent satellites above the equator. The three or more satellites comprising the geostationary satellite constellation form a circular communication network above the equator. At least one satellite comprising the geostationary satellite constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device that performs communication between the geostationary satellite 30 and a low-orbit satellite 80. At least one low-orbit satellite 80 comprising the low-orbit broadband constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. The geostationary satellite constellation and the low-orbit broadband constellation communicate using the GEO-LEO communication device. The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a recording device 43 provided in an artificial satellite constellation of geostationary satellites. The geostationary satellite group and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation implement the on-demand content distribution method described in Operation Example 4 according to the second embodiment.

[0062] When an artificial satellite functions as an edge server 42, in order to realize on-demand distribution of digital content to users all over the world, it is rational to distribute the digital content cached in the edge server 42 directly to users via satellite communication lines. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. As shown in Fig. 12, three or more satellites in geostationary orbit perform two-way communication to form a circular communication network above the equator, and if the geostationary satellite group establishes communication with a low-orbit broadband constellation that forms a communication network with user devices 91 located all over the world, a communication network can be formed from an edge server 42 in geostationary orbit to users all over the world. Therefore, this operation example has the effect of realizing on-demand distribution of digital content to users all over the world.

[0063] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a low-orbit broadband constellation according to this operational example. As shown in FIG. 13, a ring-shaped communication network and a mesh-shaped communication network are formed in the low-orbit broadband constellation. Specifically, the low-orbit broadband constellation has multiple orbital planes, and in each orbital plane, each low-orbit satellite 80 communicates with each of the low-orbit satellites 80 flying in front of and behind it. Furthermore, a target orbit satellite communicates with an adjacent orbital satellite. A target orbital satellite is a low-orbit satellite 80 flying in a target orbital plane, which is one of multiple orbital planes. An adjacent orbital satellite is a low-orbit satellite 80 flying in an orbital plane adjacent to the target orbital plane.

[0064] The worldwide spread of the Internet and the growing demand for digital content distribution have created the problem of increased and concentrated communication traffic. Currently, it is thought that load reduction measures such as decentralization using edge servers 42 will lead to further development of users and further increase demand. A rational solution to this problem is to configure edge servers 42 in a wide-area and hierarchical manner to handle content distribution requests. Therefore, a space data center concept is effective, in which satellites equipped with edge servers 42 are placed at the top of the hierarchical structure to build a communication network with user devices 91 located all over the world. Here, this communication network includes a low-earth-orbit broadband constellation. The space data center is equipped with a regenerative repeater 72, and delivers content to users via a lower-level terrestrial edge server 42 in the hierarchical structure in response to content delivery requests, thereby distributing the communication traffic load and operating the communication network. In this case, it is rational to upload data representing the content of live distribution providers to the space data center and deliver the uploaded data worldwide in real time. Also, in order to accommodate the increase in data volume due to the trend toward higher definition video content, it is rational to utilize the flexibility of the digital payloads carried by artificial satellites to optimally control communication spot beams according to needs.

[0065] <Operation Example 6 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding operation example 4 according to the second embodiment. In this operational example, the space data center, like in operational example 5 according to embodiment 2, comprises a geostationary satellite constellation and a low-orbit broadband constellation. Each satellite constellation is a geostationary satellite 30 and is equipped with a GEO-GEO communication device. The geostationary satellite constellation forms a circular communication network above the equator. In the low-orbit broadband constellation, multiple orbital planes are distributed longitudinally. Each low-orbit satellite 80 orbiting in a low orbit in each of the multiple orbital planes performs bidirectional communication with each low-orbit satellite 80 flying in front of or behind it, forming a circular communication network. Furthermore, each orbital plane of the multiple orbital planes performs inter-orbit communication with other orbital planes, forming a mesh communication network in the low-orbit broadband constellation. At least one satellite constellation of geostationary satellites is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. At least one low-orbit satellite 80 constellation of low-orbit broadband constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. The geostationary satellite group and the low-orbit broadband constellation perform bidirectional communication using a GEO-LEO communication device. At least one low-orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-orbit broadband constellation is equipped with an edge server 42. The low-orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a recording device 43 provided in an artificial satellite constellation of the geostationary satellite group. The artificial satellite and the low-orbit broadband constellation implement the on-demand content distribution method described in Operation Example 4 according to the second embodiment.

[0066] When communication traffic of a geostationary satellite 30 increases, it is effective to alleviate the communication traffic of the geostationary satellite 30 by distributing edge servers 42 on orbit. Each low-orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-orbit satellite constellation is equipped with a recording device 43 as an edge server 42, data representing content is uploaded from the ground to the edge server 42, the edge server 42 stores the uploaded data, and the edge server 42 uploads the data representing the content to the geostationary satellite 30 as needed via a ring communication network and LEO-GEO communication, thereby enabling distributed management. Figure 14 is a diagram explaining a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. In addition, when each low-orbit satellite 80 constituting a low-orbit satellite group is used as an edge server 42, it is reasonable for the low-orbit satellite group to adopt an orbit known as the Dawndusk orbit, which is a sun-synchronous orbit with a local sun time of 06:00 or 18:00, and to configure the low-orbit satellite group so that the heat generated by the recording device 43 is exhausted anti-sunside. A method in which a low-earth orbit satellite 80 also functions as an edge server 42 is described in [Reference 1] and elsewhere.

[0067] [Reference 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 065256 Brochure

[0068] <Operation Example 7 According to Embodiment 2> 15 shows an example of the configuration of a satellite communication system 1 according to this operation example. The satellite communication system 1 executes a live video content distribution method. The following mainly describes the differences from operation example 1 according to embodiment 2. In this example of operation, the satellite 81 communicates directly or indirectly with each upload device that makes up the upload device group. The communication device 45 includes a receiving device 73, a transmitting device 74, and a processing device 71. Each upload device constituting the upload device group is either an edge server 42 or a user device 91. When the satellite 81 indirectly communicates with a target upload device that is one of the upload devices that make up the upload device group, the satellite 81 communicates with the target upload device via the gateway 20. The recording device 43 stores a distribution request DB 61. The distribution request DB 61 is a database of data indicating distribution requests for identifier-attached live video content. The recording device 43 stores in the distribution request DB 61 data indicating distribution requests for identifier-attached live video content that has been uploaded to the recording device 43 via the communication device 45 by at least one upload device constituting the upload device group. The computer 41 selects, as the selected upload device, the upload device that uploaded data indicating the target distribution request, which is a distribution request included in the distribution request DB 61, to the recording device 43. The computer 41 gives a distribution command to the communication device 45 to distribute, via the processing device 71, data indicating the identifier-attached live content corresponding to the target distribution request. The receiving device 73 receives data indicating the identifier-attached live video content uploaded by at least one of the upload devices that make up the upload device group. The processing unit 71 modulates the data received by the receiving unit 73 into a transmission signal. The transmitting device 74 distributes the transmission signal modulated by the processing device 71 as the identifier-added live video content corresponding to the target distribution request to the selected upload device.

[0069] In a live broadcasting service called live video distribution, content is distributed in real time to users who request live video content distribution. Therefore, instead of temporarily storing the received data and then replaying it, the satellite modulates the received data using a processing circuit to generate transmission data, which is then distributed to the users who requested the distribution. This satellite communication method is called the bent-pipe method. Data indicating ID-attached live content may be uploaded from the edge server 42 to the satellite 81, but the user may also upload the data directly to the satellite 81. Each of the edge server 42 and the user equipment 91 may be located on the ground or in space.

[0070] Multicast and live streaming have different communication traffic, with the latter requiring more communication traffic from satellites. However, this operational example has the advantage of increasing the responsiveness of live streaming as the communication capacity of satellites expands in the future. Furthermore, an increase in the number of major users, such as corporations, could change the distribution of communication traffic.

[0071] In this operation example, the target edge server, which is the edge server 42 that constitutes the upload device group, may collect data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 that constitutes the upload device group, and upload the collected data directly or indirectly to the recording device 43 provided in the satellite 81. In addition, the satellite 81 may distribute identifier-attached live video content that corresponds to the data indicating the distribution request uploaded to the recording device 43.

[0072] In this operation example, the target edge server, which is an edge server 42 that constitutes the upload device group, receives data indicating a distribution request collected by the low-orbit broadband constellation from at least one user device 91 that constitutes the upload device group as low-orbit satellite collected data from the low-orbit broadband constellation, and may upload the received low-orbit satellite collected data to a recording device 43 directly or indirectly.

[0073] <Operation Example 8 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example is an extension of operation example 7 according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to an example of a live video content distribution method. In this operation example, the satellite 81 is a geostationary satellite and may be equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. At least one low-earth orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. The satellite 81 and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation are communicatively connected by a GEO-LEO communication line. The low-orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 that constitutes a group of upload devices, and uploads the collected data to a recording device 43 provided on the satellite 81 via a GEO-LEO communication line. The satellite 81 distributes the identifier-attached live video content corresponding to the data indicating the distribution request uploaded to the recording device 43.

[0074] <Operation Example 9 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding the operation example 7 according to the second embodiment. The space data center according to this example of operation is composed of a geostationary satellite group dispersed in the longitude direction and a low-orbit broadband constellation. The geostationary satellite group is composed of four or more artificial satellites 81. The recording device 43 provided in each of the satellites 81 constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is an edge server 42. Each of the satellites 81 constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is a geostationary satellite 30 and is equipped with a GEO-GEO communication device. Three or more satellites 81 constituting the geostationary satellite constellation form a circular communication network above the equator. At least one of the satellites 81 constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. At least one low earth orbit satellite 80 that makes up the low earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with GEO-LEO communications equipment. The geostationary satellites and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation communicate using GEO-LEO communication equipment. The low-orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 that constitutes a group of upload devices, and uploads the collected data to a recording device 43 provided on an artificial satellite 81 that constitutes a group of geostationary satellites. The geostationary satellite group and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation implement the live video content distribution method described in the eighth operational example according to the second embodiment.

[0075] To realize live video distribution to users all over the world, it is reasonable to use the bent-pipe broadcasting function of satellites to simultaneously distribute the video to users located over a wide area in real time. A communications satellite in geostationary orbit can receive data indicating content from live video distribution users, modulate the received data in real time in orbit, and use the modulated data to broadcast live to users across a wide area using a bent-pipe broadcasting function. Furthermore, three or more geostationary satellites 30 can broadcast live content to the entire world via a circular communications network in geostationary orbit. However, for users in high latitude regions, including the polar regions, there is a limit to the communication field of geostationary satellites, so it is reasonable to carry out live streaming via low-orbit broadband constellations for high latitude regions.

[0076] <Operation Example 10 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding operation example 1 or operation example 7 according to the second embodiment. A communication device 45 according to this operation example includes a beam control device 46 and a beam forming device 47.

[0077] A communication device 45 equipped with a beam control device 46 and a beamforming device 47 can relatively efficiently deliver content to a selected gateway 20, a selected edge server 42, or a selected user equipment 91 using a high-capacity concentrated beam called a spot beam.

[0078] <Operation Example 11 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding operation example 10 according to the second embodiment. At least some of the upload devices constituting the upload device group according to this operation example are mobile objects.

[0079] The use of the Internet on mobile objects such as ships or aircraft has become widespread. As a result, mobile objects can act as edge servers 42 to provide communication services to passengers. Also, privately owned ships or aircraft can act as users. The satellite 81 equipped with the beam control device 46 can change the direction of the communication beam depending on the position of the mobile unit.

[0080] <Operation Example 12 According to Embodiment 2> This operation example corresponds to an operation example obtained by expanding the operation example 1 according to the second embodiment. The computer 41 in this operation example uses an inference model that has learned the relationship between the distribution of communication traffic of identifier-associated content and time fluctuations in multiple edge servers 42 that make up a group of upload devices to analyze the priority for delivering each of the multiple identifier-associated content and the order in which each of the multiple identifier-associated content will be delivered to each upload device, and determines the sequence in which the content will be beam-controlled and delivered.

[0081] As the use of AI in space progresses, by using an inference model that learns the distribution of delivery requests for ID-attached content at each edge server 42 and how that distribution changes over time, and predicts daily and seasonal variations, changes in the composition ratio between the number of individual users and the number of corporate users, and future increases and decreases in ID-attached content requests due to the impact of events occurring on the ground, it will be possible to quickly and rationally deliver content through relay playback, thereby reducing the total amount of communication traffic and saving satellite resources such as electricity.

[0082] As the digital communications environment improves, the need for on-demand and live video distribution is increasing, and there is a strong demand for wide-area, streamlined content distribution via satellite communications as a measure to alleviate the excessive communication traffic on the ground. As a result of advances in full digitalization and flexibility of communication satellites, communication satellites are now able to communicate directly not only with multiple gateways 20 deployed on the ground, but also with multiple edge servers 42 and multiple user devices 91. Furthermore, by equipping the communication device 45 with the beam control device 46 and the beamforming device 47, the communication device 45 can selectively communicate with the edge servers 42 and user devices 91 that are unevenly distributed over a wide area, and can transmit digital data quickly and efficiently. To achieve on-demand distribution via satellite communication, a configuration is required in which the recording device 43 stores data indicating ID-attached content, and the replay relay device 72 distributes the data stored in the recording device 43. Also, to achieve on-demand distribution, a mechanism is required to collect distribution requests for ID-attached content. Therefore, in operation example 1 according to embodiment 2, data indicating distribution requests for ID-attached content collected by edge servers 42 used by content distribution providers is stored in recording device 43, and computer 41 selects edge servers 42 that have collected the most distribution requests, and the ID-attached content is distributed by replay relay device 72. There are various methods for determining whether each edge server 42 has collected many delivery requests. The method may be a method in which the content distributor determines in advance the number of requests as a criterion for determining whether the number of delivery requests is large, or a method in which a predetermined number of edge servers 42 are selected in descending order of the number of delivery requests collected by relative comparison between multiple edge servers 42.

[0083] <Operation Example 13 According to Embodiment 2> The space data center according to this operational example includes a geostationary satellite group, a low-earth orbit satellite group, and ground facilities. The geostationary satellite group is composed of three or more geostationary satellites 30 that are distributed in the longitude direction. The low-earth orbit satellite group is composed of multiple low-earth orbit satellites 80. The ground facilities operate and control each of the geostationary satellite group and the low-earth orbit satellite group. Each geostationary satellite 30 constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is equipped with an edge server 42, a regenerative repeater 72, and a GEO-GEO communication device. The geostationary satellite constellation forms a circular communication network above the equator. At least one geostationary satellite 30 constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. Each low-orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-orbit satellite constellation flies in one of multiple orbital planes dispersed in the longitude direction. Each low-orbit satellite 80 orbiting in each of the multiple orbital planes performs bidirectional communication with each low-orbit satellite 80 flying in front of or behind it, forming a circular communication network, and each orbital plane of the multiple orbital planes performs inter-orbit communication with other orbital planes, forming a mesh communication network. At least one low-orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-orbit satellite constellation is equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device. At least one low-orbit satellite 80 constituting the low-orbit satellite constellation is equipped with an edge server 42. The geostationary satellites and the low earth orbit satellites communicate bidirectionally using a GEO-LEO communication device. The low-orbit satellite group collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device 91 that constitutes the upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a target edge server, which is an edge server 42 provided on a geostationary satellite 30 that constitutes the geostationary satellite group. Each upload device that makes up the upload device group is either an edge server 42 or a user device 91. The geostationary satellite group distributes, to each upload device that has uploaded data indicating a distribution request to the target edge server, on-demand content corresponding to the distribution request indicated by the data uploaded by each upload device.

[0084] <Operation Example 14 According to Embodiment 2> In one implementation of this operation example, the business device executes the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of operation examples 2 to 4 according to embodiment 2, and also includes a communication line usage monitor device. The communication line usage monitor device measures the communication traffic of the on-demand content and records data indicating the measurement results.

[0085] In one implementation of this operation example, the business device executes the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of operation examples 2 to 4 according to embodiment 2, and also includes a server usage monitor device. The server usage monitor device records data indicating the data volume of each on-demand content and the storage period for each on-demand content.

[0086] In one embodiment of this operation example, the business device includes a communication line usage monitor device and a server usage monitor device, and performs on-demand distribution in the space data center described in operation example 13 of embodiment 2.

[0087] In one embodiment of this operation example, the recording device 43 includes a communication line usage monitor device or a server usage monitor device as a monitor device. In this embodiment, the computer 41 updates the learning inference algorithm of the inference model by machine learning the output information of the monitor device.

[0088] Stakeholders involved in on-demand content distribution include content distribution providers, satellite operators, network operators, server operators (such as cloud servers or edge servers), and low-earth orbit satellite communications operators. The operation of a system for delivering on-demand content is funded by user fees, and the system is operated based on a contractual relationship based on mutual communication line and server usage fees. Therefore, by providing each operator with a communication line usage monitoring device and a server usage monitoring device, the basis for calculating usage fees becomes clear. The information collected by each device contributes to optimizing system operation, such as the number and placement of multiple edge servers 42, content update frequency, and storage period. Here, the communication line usage monitoring device and the server usage monitoring device each execute processing based on an algorithm that ensures mutual transparency between operators regarding on-demand content distribution.

[0089] In addition, new business models have recently emerged through joint ventures or teamings between multiple stakeholders. If all or some of the satellite operators, server operators, network operators, low-orbit broadband constellation operators, and content distribution operators engage in the space data center business, and use American Hollywood movies, Korean dramas, and Japanese animation works as on-demand distribution content, and implement a business of distributing on-demand distribution content from the space data center by utilizing machine translation and implementing an on-demand content distribution method, it will be possible to distribute on-demand content to all users around the world who live in areas where digital communication infrastructure is not well developed. In this case, a communication line usage monitor and a server usage monitor are effective for setting contract conditions according to the degree of contribution of each of the multiple businesses and for monitoring the actual activity status.

[0090] <Operation Example 15 According to Embodiment 2> In one example of this operation example, the business device according to operation example 14 of embodiment 2 includes an automatic translation device. The business device automatically translates the spoken language included in on-demand content or live video content using the automatic translation device, and distributes data including the results of the automatic translation.

[0091] In one example of this operation example, the reproducing repeater 72 according to the first operation example of the second embodiment includes an automatic translation device. The automatic translation device performs automatic translation on the speech language included in each of the identifier-attached contents. The reproducing repeater 72 modulates data indicating the result of the automatic translation into a transmission signal.

[0092] Although machine translation may be performed by content business equipment, as machine translation has become more sophisticated, satellite operators may also perform machine translation using the playback processing circuitry of their satellites. Note that automatic translation by a satellite in orbit corresponds to machine translation being performed by the business equipment that operates the satellite.

[0093] <Operation Example 16 According to Embodiment 2> In this operation example, the content distribution business device includes a communication line usage monitor device and a server usage monitor device. The content distribution business device aggregates communication line usage fees and server usage fees by implementing the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of operation examples 2 to 4 of embodiment 2 or the live video content distribution method described in operation example 7 or 8 of embodiment 2.

[0094] <Operation Example 17 According to Embodiment 2> In this operation example, the network business device includes a communication line usage monitor device that tallies communication line usage fees, which are usage fees to be charged to a content business device that performs the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of operation examples 2 to 4 according to the second embodiment or the live video content distribution method described in operation example 7 or 8 according to the second embodiment.

[0095] <Operation Example 18 According to Embodiment 2> In this operation example, the server business device includes a server usage monitor device, and charges a server usage fee as compensation for renting out memory areas of at least one of the cloud server and the edge server 42. The server business device tallies the server usage fee to be charged to a content business device that implements the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of operation examples 2 to 4 according to the second embodiment, or the live video content distribution method described in operation example 7 or 8 according to the second embodiment.

[0096] <Operation Example 19 According to Embodiment 2> In this operation example, the space data center business device is composed of all or part of the content business device, network business device, and server business device that perform on-demand distribution in the space data center described in operation example 14 of embodiment 2.

[0097] <Operation Example 20 According to Embodiment 2> The business device according to this operation example is a business device constituting the space data center business device described in operation example 19 according to embodiment 2, and is any one of a content business device, a network business device, and a server business device.

[0098] <Operation Example 21 According to Embodiment 2> In one embodiment of this operation example, the ground equipment operates and controls the space data center described in any one of operation examples 5, 6, 9, and 14 of embodiment 2. The configuration of the ground equipment may be the same as the configuration of the terrestrial data center 90.

[0099] In one example of this operation example, the ground equipment controls the operation of the artificial satellite described in the first or seventh operation example according to the second embodiment.

[0100] <Operation Example 22 According to Embodiment 2> The low-earth orbit broadband constellation business device according to this operational example charges a communication line usage fee to a communication line utilization business device using the low-earth orbit broadband constellation. The low-earth orbit broadband constellation business device includes a low-earth orbit satellite 80 equipped with a GEO-LEO communication device, and uploads data indicating a distribution request from a user by the on-demand content distribution method described in operational example 4 according to the second embodiment.

[0101] ***Explanation of the effect of the second embodiment*** FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating conventional content distribution. FIG. 16 shows distribution from a terrestrial core server to a user. In conventional content distribution, content is stored in a core server deployed on the ground and distributed to users via terrestrial communication lines. In this case, content is distributed individually to users in remote locations. Therefore, in conventional content distribution, repeated long-distance communications have led to issues such as concentrated load on the core server and increased communication traffic.

[0102] One way to solve this problem is to distribute multiple edge servers 42, pre-store (precast) content from a core server to each edge server 42, and distribute the content from each edge server 42 to nearby user devices 91. Figure 17 is a diagram explaining this method. Figure 17 shows distributed distribution to users via terrestrial edge servers. This method achieves load distribution and reduces the number of long-distance communications.

[0103] In one example of an on-demand content distribution method according to the present embodiment, the functions of the core server are transferred to an edge server 42 provided on a satellite, and content is precast to each of the edge servers 42 distributed on the ground by simultaneous distribution (multicast) from the satellite. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating this example. FIG. 18 shows simultaneous distribution from the satellite to the terrestrial edge servers and distributed distribution from the terrestrial edge servers to users. This example eliminates the need to repeatedly perform long-distance communications to precast content from the core server to each edge server 42, thereby reducing the total amount of communication traffic. The improvement in communication traffic due to multicasting is believed to depend on the statistical distribution of content popularity. Analysis has shown that the distribution of the top 20 most popular contents accounts for 80% of all distribution. If this analysis is actually realized, and the on-demand content distribution method according to this embodiment simultaneously distributes the top 20 contents to edge servers 42 scattered over a wide area, and each edge server 42 provides a distribution service to nearby user devices 91, the total amount of communication traffic corresponding to long-distance communications from the core server to each edge server 42 can be reduced by 20%.

[0104] A specific example of a method of directly multicasting to users is a method in which user equipment 91, which has uploaded data indicating a distribution request for on-demand content, downloads data indicating a key for decrypting the on-demand content and data indicating a timetable showing the simultaneous distribution schedule for the content, and then downloads the content to the storage of user equipment 91 in the same manner as video recording a BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcast. Here, BS broadcasts require a recording time equal to the playback time of the content. However, according to the on-demand content distribution method of this embodiment, the download time of the content is short. Therefore, this embodiment has the effect of enabling content distributors to distribute a wide variety of content. Furthermore, by increasing the frequency of distribution of popular content, there is an effect that the time users have to wait for distribution can be reduced.

[0105] Today's cinema complexes have multiple screens within the same facility, and attract customers by screening a wide variety of popular content simultaneously and repeatedly. With the advancement of satellite beam control capabilities, a cinema complex can be analogized by utilizing beam control capabilities to simultaneously broadcast a wide variety of content multiple times by using different frequencies, areas, and time slots. This analogy has the effect of increasing the number of on-demand content options available to users and the flexibility of reception time slots. Furthermore, if distribution of content worldwide using the on-demand content distribution method according to this embodiment becomes possible in the future at the same time as the premiere of a new movie, a wide variety of new movies will be available even in areas where facilities such as cinema complexes are not available and the number of contents that can be screened is limited. Furthermore, while movie theaters require a commitment of real time, digital content download time is short, so it is expected that utilizing the on-demand content distribution method according to this embodiment will be more effective in attracting users.

[0106] Recently, home delivery systems have become more sophisticated, and many products purchased online can be delivered overnight. As an analogy to a home delivery system, a space data center could function as an automated collection and delivery system in a home delivery system, collecting digital content in response to a digital content delivery request and simultaneously delivering the digital content at night when communication traffic is low. Nighttime communication allows users to save on communication costs. Home delivery systems are streamlined by having delivery personnel deliver a wide variety of content in different regions. On the other hand, the on-demand content delivery system according to this embodiment has the effect of streamlining the delivery system by having artificial satellites deliver delivery personnel over a wide area.

[0107] In the current on-demand content distribution business, users pay a fee for the content as well as a communication fee to a communication carrier. On the other hand, if a business operator developing a business relating to the on-demand content distribution method according to this embodiment creates an investment recovery model based on content charging, collecting fees including an on-orbit server usage fee and a communication line usage fee, the business operator can realize a highly competitive user charging model by improving efficiency through satellite multicasting.

[0108] ***Other embodiments*** Although the first embodiment has been described, it is also possible to combine multiple parts of this embodiment. Alternatively, it is also possible to implement this embodiment in part. In addition, this embodiment may be modified in various ways as needed, and may be implemented in any combination, either as a whole or in part. It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its applications, and uses. The procedures described may be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 satellite communication system, 20 gateway, 30 geostationary satellite, 31 satellite control device, 32 communication device, 33 propulsion device, 34 attitude control device, 35 power supply device, 41 computer, 42 edge server, 43 recording device, 45 communication device, 46 beam control device, 47 beam forming device, 50 ground system, 61 distribution request DB, 62 distribution content, 71 processing device, 72 regenerative repeater device, 73 receiving device, 74 transmitting device, 80 low-orbit satellite, 81 artificial satellite, 90 ground data center, 91, 91B, 91C user equipment, 600 Earth, 710 processor, 711 control unit, 720 main memory device, 730 auxiliary memory device, 740 input interface, 750 output interface, 760 communication interface, 770 signal line, 780 electronic circuit, 810 ground communication device.

Claims

1. An artificial satellite that communicates directly or indirectly with each upload device that constitutes an upload device group that is composed of at least one upload device located on the ground, a recording device for storing data relating to identifier-associated content and a distribution request database in which data indicating distribution requests for identifier-associated content is compiled; A calculator and A communication device including a receiving device, a transmitting device, a processing device, and a regenerative repeater device. Equipped with each upload device constituting the upload device group is either an edge server or a user device; when the satellite indirectly communicates with a target upload device that is one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, the satellite communicates with the target upload device via a gateway; the recording device stores data indicating the identifier-associated content uploaded to the recording device via the communication device by at least one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, and stores in the distribution request database data indicating a distribution request for the identifier-associated content uploaded to the recording device via the communication device by at least one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, The computer selects, as a selected upload device, an upload device that has uploaded data indicating a target distribution request, which is a distribution request included in the distribution request database, to the recording device; a distribution command is given to the communication device to distribute data indicating the identifier-added content corresponding to the target distribution request via the replay relay device; the receiving device receives data indicating identifier-associated content uploaded by at least one of the upload devices constituting the group of upload devices; the processing device converts the data received by the receiving device into data in a format that can be stored in the recording device, and stores the converted data in the recording device; the replay relay device modulates data indicating the identifier-attached content stored in the recording device into a transmission signal based on the distribution command; The transmitting device is an artificial satellite that transmits to the selected uploading device a transmission signal modulated by the replay repeater as the identifier-attached content corresponding to the target distribution request.

2. a target edge server that is an edge server constituting the upload device group collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data directly or indirectly to a recording device provided in the artificial satellite according to claim 1; The on-demand content distribution method, wherein the artificial satellite distributes content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device.

3. a target edge server that is an edge server constituting the upload device group receives, from a low-earth orbit broadband constellation, data indicating a distribution request collected by the low-earth orbit broadband constellation from at least one user equipment constituting the upload device group, as low-earth orbit satellite collected data, and uploads the received low-earth orbit satellite collected data directly or indirectly to a recording device provided in the artificial satellite according to claim 1; The on-demand content distribution method, wherein the artificial satellite distributes content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device.

4. The artificial satellite according to claim 1 is a geostationary satellite, and the satellite is located between the geostationary satellite and a low earth orbit satellite. a GEO-LEO communication device for performing communication; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constituting a low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with the GEO-LEO communication device; The satellite and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation are communicatively connected by a GEO-LEO communication line, which is a communication line between a geostationary satellite and a low-earth orbit satellite; The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the group of upload devices, and uploads the collected data to a recording device provided on the satellite via the GEO-LEO communication line; The on-demand content distribution method, wherein the artificial satellite distributes content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device.

5. A space data center comprising a geostationary satellite group consisting of three or more artificial satellites according to claim 1, which are distributed in a longitudinal direction, and a low-orbit broadband constellation, a recording device provided in each of the satellites constellation of geostationary satellites is an edge server; Each of the satellites constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is a geostationary satellite and includes a GEO-GEO communication device that performs bidirectional communication between adjacent satellites above the equator; the three or more artificial satellites constituting the geostationary satellite group form a circular communication network above the equator, At least one of the satellites constellation of geostationary satellites includes a GEO-LEO communication device that performs communication between the geostationary satellite and a low earth orbit satellite; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constituting the low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with the GEO-LEO communication device; the geostationary satellites and the low earth orbit broadband constellation communicate using the GEO-LEO communication device; The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a recording device provided in an artificial satellite constellation of the geostationary satellite group; The geostationary satellite group and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation are a space data center that implements the on-demand content distribution method of claim 4 .

6. A space data center comprising a geostationary satellite group consisting of three or more artificial satellites according to claim 1, which are distributed in a longitudinal direction, and a low-orbit broadband constellation, Each of the satellites constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is a geostationary satellite and includes a GEO-GEO communication device that performs bidirectional communication between adjacent satellites above the equator; the geostationary satellites form a circular communication network above the equator, In the low-earth orbit broadband constellation, a plurality of orbital planes are distributed in a longitudinal direction, A circular communication network is formed by each low-orbit satellite orbiting in each of the plurality of orbital planes performing bidirectional communication with each low-orbit satellite flying before and after it, and a mesh communication network is formed in the low-orbit broadband constellation by each of the plurality of orbital planes performing inter-orbit communication with other orbital planes, At least one of the satellites constellation of geostationary satellites includes a GEO-LEO communication device that performs communication between the geostationary satellite and a low earth orbit satellite; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constituting the low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with the GEO-LEO communication device; The geostationary satellite group and the low earth orbit broadband constellation are performing two-way communication using an inter-LEO communication device; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constellation includes an edge server; The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a recording device provided in an artificial satellite constellation of the geostationary satellite group; The satellite and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation are a space data center that implements the on-demand content distribution method of claim 4.

7. A satellite that communicates directly or indirectly with each upload device that constitutes an upload device group consisting of at least one upload device located on the ground, a recording device that stores a distribution request database that is a database of data indicating distribution requests for identifier-attached live video content; A calculator and a communication device including a receiving device, a transmitting device, and a processing device; Equipped with each upload device constituting the upload device group is either an edge server or a user device; when the satellite indirectly communicates with a target upload device that is one of the upload devices constituting the upload device group, the satellite communicates with the target upload device via a gateway; the recording device stores in the distribution request database data indicating a distribution request for the identifier-added live video content uploaded to the recording device via the communication device by at least one upload device constituting the group of upload devices; The computer selects, as a selected upload device, an upload device that has uploaded data indicating a target distribution request, which is a distribution request included in the distribution request database, to the recording device; giving the communication device a distribution command to distribute data indicating the identifier-attached live content corresponding to the target distribution request via the processing device; the receiving device receives data indicating identifier-attached live video content uploaded by at least one upload device constituting the group of upload devices; The processing device modulates the data received by the receiving device into a transmission signal; The transmitting device is a satellite that distributes a transmission signal modulated by the processing device to the selected uploading device as identifier-attached live video content corresponding to the target distribution request.

8. a target edge server that is an edge server constituting the upload device group collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data directly or indirectly to a recording device provided in the artificial satellite according to claim 7; The live video content distribution method, wherein the satellite distributes live video content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device.

9. 9. The live video content distribution method of claim 8, wherein a target edge server, which is an edge server constituting the upload device group, receives data indicating a distribution request collected by the low-orbit broadband constellation from at least one user device constituting the upload device group as low-orbit satellite collected data from a low-orbit broadband constellation, and uploads the received low-orbit satellite collected data directly or indirectly to the recording device.

10. The artificial satellite according to claim 7 is a geostationary satellite, and includes a GEO-LEO communication device for performing communication between the geostationary satellite and a low earth orbit satellite, At least one low-earth orbit satellite constituting a low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with the GEO-LEO communication device; The satellite and the low-earth orbit broadband constellation are communicatively connected by a GEO-LEO communication line, which is a communication line between a geostationary satellite and a low-earth orbit satellite; The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the group of upload devices, and uploads the collected data to a recording device provided on the satellite via the GEO-LEO communication line; The satellite distributes live video content with an identifier corresponding to data indicating a distribution request uploaded to the recording device.

11. A space data center comprising a geostationary satellite group consisting of four or more artificial satellites according to claim 7, which are distributed in a longitudinal direction, and a low-orbit broadband constellation, a recording device provided in each of the satellites constellation of geostationary satellites is an edge server; Each of the satellites constituting the geostationary satellite constellation is a geostationary satellite and includes a GEO-GEO communication device that performs bidirectional communication between adjacent satellites above the equator; the three or more artificial satellites constituting the geostationary satellite group form a circular communication network above the equator, At least one of the satellites constellation of geostationary satellites includes a GEO-LEO communication device that performs communication between the geostationary satellite and a low earth orbit satellite; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constituting the low-earth orbit broadband constellation is equipped with the GEO-LEO communication device; the geostationary satellites and the low earth orbit broadband constellation communicate using the GEO-LEO communication device; The low-earth orbit broadband constellation collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device constituting the upload device group, and uploads the collected data to a recording device provided in an artificial satellite constellation of the geostationary satellite group; The geostationary satellite group and the low earth orbit broadband constellation are a space data center that implements the live video content distribution method of claim 10.

12. 10. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a beam control device and a beam forming device.

13. The satellite according to claim 12, wherein at least some of the upload devices constituting the group of upload devices are mobile bodies.

14. The artificial satellite of claim 1, wherein the computer uses an inference model that has learned the relationship between the distribution of communication traffic of identifier-assigned content and time fluctuations in the plurality of edge servers that make up the upload device group to analyze the priority of distribution of each of the plurality of identifier-assigned content and the order in which each of the plurality of identifier-assigned content is to be distributed to each upload device, and determines a sequence in which the content is beam-controlled and distributed.

15. A space data center comprising a geostationary satellite group consisting of three or more geostationary satellites dispersed in a longitudinal direction, a low-earth orbit satellite group consisting of a plurality of low-earth orbit satellites, and ground facilities for operating and controlling each of the geostationary satellite group and the low-earth orbit satellite group, Each geostationary satellite constellation includes an edge server and a regenerative repeater, and a GEO-GEO communication device that performs bidirectional communication between adjacent satellites above the equator; the geostationary satellites form a circular communication network above the equator, Each of the low-earth orbit satellites constituting the low-earth orbit satellite group flies in one of a plurality of orbital planes that are distributed in a longitude direction, a circular communication network is formed by each low-orbit satellite orbiting in each of the plurality of orbital planes performing two-way communication with each low-orbit satellite flying in front of or behind it, and each of the plurality of orbital planes performs inter-orbit communication with other orbital planes, so that the group of low-orbit satellites forms a mesh communication network; At least one geostationary satellite constellation comprises a GEO-LEO communication device that performs communication between the geostationary satellite and a low earth orbit satellite; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constellation is equipped with the GEO-LEO communication device; the geostationary satellites and the low earth orbit satellites perform two-way communication using the GEO-LEO communication device; At least one low-earth orbit satellite constellation includes an edge server; The low-orbit satellite group collects data indicating a distribution request from at least one user device that constitutes an upload device group that is composed of at least one upload device located on the ground, and uploads the collected data to a target edge server that is an edge server provided in a geostationary satellite that constitutes the geostationary satellite group; each upload device constituting the upload device group is either an edge server or a user device; The geostationary satellite group is a space data center that distributes on-demand content corresponding to the distribution request indicated by the data uploaded by each upload device to each upload device that has uploaded data indicating a distribution request to the target edge server.

16. A business device that executes the on-demand content distribution method according to claim 2, A communication line usage monitor device that measures communication traffic of on-demand content and records data showing the measurement results. Business equipment provided.

17. A business device that executes the on-demand content distribution method according to claim 2, A business device includes a server usage monitor that records data indicating the amount of data for each on-demand content and the storage period for each on-demand content.

18. A business device for performing on-demand distribution in the space data center according to claim 15, a communication line usage monitor device that measures communication traffic of on-demand content and records data indicating the measurement results; a server usage monitor device that records data indicating the data volume of each on-demand content and the storage period of each on-demand content; A business device comprising:

19. The recording device further comprises: The monitor device is a communication line usage monitor device according to claim 16 or a server usage monitor device according to claim 17. Equipped with 15. The satellite according to claim 14, wherein the computer updates the learning inference algorithm of the inference model by machine learning the output information of the monitor device.

20. The business device further comprises an automatic translation device; 19. The business device according to claim 16, wherein the automatic translation device automatically translates the spoken language contained in on-demand content or live video content, and distributes data including the results of the automatic translation.

21. The regenerative repeater device is equipped with an automatic translation device, the automatic translation device performs automatic translation of the speech language included in each of the identifier-attached contents; 2. The satellite according to claim 1, wherein the regenerative repeater modulates data indicating the results of the automatic translation into a transmission signal.

22. a communication line utilization monitor device according to claim 16; The server usage monitor device according to claim 17, A content distribution business device comprising: A content distribution business device that aggregates communication line usage fees and server usage fees by implementing the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of claims 2 to 4 or the live video content distribution method described in any one of claims 8 to 10.

23. A network business device comprising the communication line utilization monitor device according to claim 16, A network business device that tallies communication line usage fees to be charged to a content business device that implements the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of claims 2 to 4 or the live video content distribution method described in any one of claims 8 to 10.

24. A server business device that charges a server usage fee as compensation for renting a memory area of ​​at least one of a cloud server and an edge server, A server usage monitor device according to claim 17, A server business device that tallies server usage fees to be charged to a content business device that implements the on-demand content distribution method described in any one of claims 2 to 4 or the live video content distribution method described in any one of claims 8 to 10.

25. A space data center business device comprising all or part of a content business device, a network business device, and a server business device that executes on-demand distribution in the space data center according to claim 18.

26. A business device constituting the space data center business device according to claim 25, The business device is one of a content business device, a network business device, and a server business device.

27. A ground facility for operating and controlling the space data center according to any one of claims 5, 6, 11 and 18.

28. A ground facility for controlling the operation of the artificial satellite according to claim 1 or 7.

29. A low-orbit broadband constellation business device that charges a communication line usage fee to a communication line usage business device using a low-orbit broadband constellation, a low earth orbit satellite having a GEO-LEO communication device for performing communication between the geostationary satellite and the low earth orbit satellite; 5. A low earth orbit broadband constellation enterprise device that uploads data indicating a distribution request from a user according to the on-demand content distribution method of claim 4.

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