Method for broadcasting a distribution into communication groups, and associated computer program product and electronic device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for broadcasting a distribution into communication groups for a set of electronic devices comprising a network controller and third-party electronic devices. Each electronic device is identified by a unique identifier. The method is implemented by the network controller and comprises at least broadcasting, to each third-party electronic device, an ordered list of the identifiers of the electronic communication devices and at least one list of one or more boundaries. The at least one list of one or more boundaries comprises at least one rank in the ordered list of identifiers, delimiting a boundary between two communication groups. At least one electronic device the identifier of which is ranked before said rank in the ordered list belongs to a first communication group. At least one electronic communication device the identifier of which is ranked after said rank in the ordered list belongs to a second communication group.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Method for disseminating a distribution into communication groups, product computer program and associated electronic device

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of disseminating a communication group distribution for a set of electronic communication devices comprising a network controller, and third-party electronic devices, each electronic communication device being identified by a unique identifier.

[0004] The present invention also relates to an electronic communication device and a computer program product suitable for implementing such a process.

[0005] The present invention relates to the field of communication in mesh topology. Mesh topology is a communication configuration in which each member of the topology is able to communicate with every other member. In this respect, mesh topology differs from star topology, in which each network member communicates only with the network controller, which then acts as a relay.

[0006] In this field, it is known that the bandwidth, also called throughput, between one pair of electronic communication devices is not identical to the bandwidth between another pair of devices.

[0007] Bandwidth is notably limited by the intrinsic characteristics of the receiving antennas of electronic communication devices.

[0008] Furthermore, bandwidth is sometimes limited by weather conditions around each electronic communication device. Indeed, the presence of rain or storms has detrimental effects on the propagation of electromagnetic waves, thus limiting bandwidth.

[0009] As an example, a first communication device is capable of communicating with a second communication device only at a bandwidth of 1 Mbits / s, while it is capable of communicating with a third communication device at a bandwidth of 2 Mbits / s.

[0010] In this situation, setting the first device's communication bandwidth to 2 Mbps for all its communications would lead to data loss for communication devices with a maximum bandwidth lower than this value. Conversely, setting the first device's communication bandwidth to the lowest available bandwidth ensures communication integrity but significantly slows down communication to the third device.

[0011] To overcome this problem, it is common practice to divide communication devices into different communication groups. Each group is, for example, specific to each electronic device. Thus, each communication device communicates with all other communication devices in the same group, at the same bandwidth.

[0012] For example, for one of the first communication devices, a first communication group is formed by the other first communication device and the bandwidth is 1 Mbit / s. For this same first communication device, a second communication group is formed by the other communication devices and the bandwidth is 2 Mbit / s.

[0013] Such a distribution is called a multi-ACM distribution.

[0014] In order for each communication device to have access to the distribution, the network controller broadcasts it to the other communication devices.

[0015] For this purpose, it is known that the network controller sends, to each third-party device, a sequence of binary numbers indicating, for each communication device in the set, the group to which it belongs.

[0016] An example of such a message is partially illustrated in Figure 1.

[0017] From Figure 1, we understand that, in a sequence of binary numbers, the group associated with a communication device is coded on a number of bits equal to:

[0018] [MATH 1]

[0019] round (log2(Nb ACM ))

[0020] where Nb ACM is the number of distinct groups, log2(. ) is the base-2 logarithm, and round is the function rounded up to the nearest integer.

[0021] Since, in each sequence of binary numbers, a group is indicated for each communication device, the message length in number of bits is at least equal to

[0022] [MATH 2]

[0023] Number disp * round (log2(Nb ACM ))

[0024] where Nb disp is the total number of communication devices.

[0025] The distribution includes a sequence of binary numbers for each electronic communication device; the number of bits in the message is at least equal to:

[0026] [MATH 3]

[0027] (Number disp ) * Nb disp * round (log2(Nb ACM )) As an example and in a classic way, the number of bits needed to transmit a distribution of 32 communication devices into 2 groups for each communication device, represents 1024 bits.

[0028] These 1024 bits represent a significant portion of a message that also contains information other than the distribution. Therefore, the dissemination of this distribution limits the number of addressable communication devices.

[0029] In particular, the message typically includes naming information for communication devices, the network topology formed by the communication devices, and allocation information such as communication power, throughput, bandwidth, or other factors.

[0030] As an example, if it was desired to move to a set of 64 devices, divided into 2 groups for each device, the number of bits required would be 4096.

[0031] Similarly, if it were desired to move to 32 devices, divided into 3 groups for each device, the number of bits required would be 2048 bits.

[0032] These configurations are therefore not feasible with such a distribution.

[0033] The invention aims to solve this problem by proposing a diffusion method in which the distribution of devices in groups is more compact.

[0034] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for disseminating a communication group distribution for a set of electronic communication devices comprising a network controller and third-party electronic devices, each electronic communication device being identified by a unique identifier, the method being implemented by the network controller and being characterized in that it comprises at least the following step:

[0035] dissemination, to each third-party electronic device, of an ordered list of identifiers of electronic communication devices, and at least one boundary list(s),

[0036] in which at least one boundary list(s) includes at least one rank in the ordered list of identifiers, delimiting a boundary between two communication groups, in which at least one electronic communication device, whose identifier is ranked before said rank in the ordered list, belongs to a first communication group, and

[0037] wherein at least one electronic communication device, whose identifier is listed after said rank in the ordered list, belongs to a second communication group distinct from the first communication group. In some embodiments, the method comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination(s):

[0038] the identifiers in the ordered list of identifiers are ordered according to a signal-to-noise ratio value from a communication between the electronic communication device and the network controller;

[0039] at least one list of boundary(s) includes at least one rank for each electronic communication device;

[0040] at least one boundary list(s) includes a single boundary list(s) common to each electronic communication device in the set; during the broadcast stage, a single message including the ordered list of identifiers and the boundary list(s) is sent to each third-party electronic device;

[0041] Each electronic communication device is capable of communicating with the other electronic communication device(s) in the set of communication devices, via a satellite, preferably a transparent satellite;

[0042] The process further includes, prior to the diffusion stage, the following steps:

[0043] o obtaining, for each electronic communication device, a signal-to-noise ratio of communications between said electronic communication device and the network controller,

[0044] o ranking the identifiers in ascending or descending order of the signal-to-noise ratios obtained, to form the ordered list of identifiers, and

[0045] o determination of at least one rank forming at least one list of boundary(s); and

[0046] The acquisition stage includes the following sub-steps:

[0047] o reception, from each electronic communication device, of a test signal, and

[0048] o For each electronic communication device, calculate the signal-to-noise ratio of the received test signal,

[0049] The noise-to-communication ratio is said to be the signal-to-noise ratio of the received test signal. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement a broadcasting method as defined above.

[0050] The invention also relates to an electronic communication device, called a network controller, suitable for integration into a set of electronic communication devices, the other electronic communication devices then being called third-party electronic devices, each of the set of electronic communication devices then being identified by a unique identifier,

[0051] the network controller being capable of disseminating, to each third-party electronic device, an ordered list of identifiers of electronic communication devices, and at least one list of boundary(s),

[0052] in which at least one list of boundary(s) includes at least one rank in the ordered list of identifiers, delimiting a boundary between two communication groups,

[0053] in which at least one electronic communication device, whose identifier is ranked before said rank in the ordered list, belongs to a first communication group, and

[0054] in which at least one electronic communication device, whose identifier is ranked after said rank in the ordered list, belongs to a second communication group distinct from the first communication group.

[0055] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the attached drawings, among which:

[0056] Figure 1 is a representation of a distribution disseminated according to the prior art; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a set of communication devices comprising an electronic communication device according to the invention;

[0057] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a communication between two electronic communication devices from the whole of Figure 1;

[0058] Figure 4 is a representation of an example of an ordered list of identifiers of electronic communication devices, obtained by the device according to the invention;

[0059] Figure 5 is a representation of an example of a list of boundaries obtained by the device according to the invention;

[0060] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of Figure 2 in which the communication groups corresponding to one of the electronic communication devices are shown; and

[0061] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a diffusion method according to the invention. Figure 2 represents a set of 10 electronic communication devices.

[0062] The set 10 includes a network controller 12 and third-party electronic devices 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0063] For simplicity of understanding, only six third-party devices 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F are shown in Figure 2. It is clear that the present invention is not limited to such a number of third-party devices 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F. Typically, the set 10 comprises at least 16, 32, 64, or even 128 third-party devices 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0064] For example, each electronic communication device 12, 14 is carried on board its respective ship. The network controller 12 is then preferentially carried on a ship of significantly larger dimensions than the ships carrying each third-party device 14.

[0065] According to an unrepresented variant, only the tier 14 devices are respectively mounted on a ship, with the network controller 12 being integrated into a ground-based system.

[0066] Referring to Figure 2, each electronic communication device includes, for example, an antenna 16 and a computer 18 connected to the respective antenna 16. The antennas 16 in question are already known.

[0067] Each antenna 16 is designed to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, for example in the 30-31 GHz frequency range. During transmission, the computer 18 controls the respective antenna 16 to emit a signal selected by the computer 18. During reception, the antenna 16 transmits the received electromagnetic signals to the respective computer 18 for processing.

[0068] Each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F of the set 10 is capable of exchanging signals with each of the other devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F. The set 10 therefore communicates in a mesh topology.

[0069] The network controller 12 is aware of the topology of the assembly 10. To this end, each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F is identified by a respective and unique identifier. Each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F knows its own identifier and the identifiers of the other devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0070] For example, the identifier of each device is 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and a sequence of bits. It is then understood that the number of bits needed to form each identifier is equal to:

[0071] [MATH 4]

[0072] round(log2(Nb dispFigure 3 illustrates an example of communication between two communication devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F. In Figure 3, a communication between the network controller 12 and a first third device 14A is arbitrarily represented. Each communication between two devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F of the set 10 is similar.

[0073] With reference to Figure 3, communications between the network controller 12 and the first third device 14A are carried out via a satellite 20, for example a transparent satellite 20.

[0074] A transparent satellite is a satellite designed to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals without altering the content of the received signals. Thus, during transmission, the transparent satellite amplifies the received signals, without changing their content, so that the receiving device can receive them. Using a transparent satellite allows electromagnetic signals to be transmitted between two communication devices that are farther apart than if they communicated directly without such a satellite.

[0075] In Figure 3, communication is represented from the first third-party device 14A to the network controller 12.

[0076] This communication is therefore made up of a first transmission 22, called upstream transmission 22, from the first third device 14A, to the satellite 20; and a second transmission 24, called downstream transmission 24, from the satellite 20, to the network controller 12.

[0077] As explained previously, to improve the speed of communications, for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, communication groups G1, G2, G3 are formed.

[0078] It was cleverly noted that the distribution could be formulated by an ordered list 26 of the identifiers of the electronic communication devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and at least one list of boundary(s) 28.

[0079] According to a first embodiment, the distribution includes a list of boundary(s) 28 for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, of the set.

[0080] Figure 4 illustrates the ordered list of identifiers. Referring to Figure 4, the ordered list includes each identifier arranged in a defined order, an example of which will be described below.

[0081] In the example in Figure 4, the identifier of network controller 12 is 000, and the identifiers of third-party devices 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, and 14F are 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, and 110, respectively. Since the number of bits required to form each identifier is equal to round(log2(Nb)), disp )), the number of bits needed to form the ordered list 26 is equal to:

[0082] [MATH 6]

[0083] Number disp * round(log2(Nb disp ))

[0084] Each list of boundary(s) includes at least one rank, in the ordered list of identifiers, delimiting a boundary between two communication groups.

[0085] At least one electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, whose identifier is ranked before said lower rank in the ordered list, belongs to a first communication group. At least one electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, whose identifier is ranked after said lower rank in the ordered list, belongs to a first communication group. At least one electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, whose identifier has a rank higher than said integer in the ordered list, belongs to a second communication group distinct from the first communication group.

[0086] For example, each rank represents the position, in the ordered list 26, of the device belonging to the following group. It is then understood that the number of ranks in the boundary list is equal to:

[0087] [MATH 7]

[0088] Number ACM- 1

[0089] The ordered list containing each identifier, the number of bits needed to formulate each rank is equal to round(log2(Nb disp ))

[0090] Also, each boundary list comprises a number of bits equal to:

[0091] [MATH 8]

[0092] (Number ACM - 1) * round(log2(Nb disp ))

[0093] Each list of boundary(s) 28 cleverly presents delimitations (also called boundary) between different groups in the ordered list of identifiers 26.

[0094] For example, at least one boundary list(s) 28 includes a boundary list for each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0095] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a boundary list for the first tier 14A device in a distribution into three groups G1, G2, G3.

[0096] In the example in Figure 5, the boundary list includes the following ranks: 010 and 101. In other words, a first group G1 is formed by the electronic communication devices 14B, 14D ranked in first and second positions in the ordered list 26. A second group G2 is formed by the devices 14A, 12, 14C ranked in third, fourth and fifth positions in the ordered list 26. A third group G3 is formed by the devices 14F, 14E ranked in sixth and seventh positions in the ordered list 26.

[0097] Figure 6 is a schematic representation identical to that of Figure 2, in which the first G1, second G2 and third G3 groups associated with the first third device 14A are represented by lines encircling devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0098] In the embodiment in which the distribution includes a boundary list(s) 28 for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the number of bits required to broadcast the boundary lists is equal to:

[0099] [MATH 9]

[0100] Number disp * (Number ACM - 1) * round(log2(Nb disp ))

[0101] Thus, it follows that the number of bits required to broadcast the distribution according to the invention is equal to:

[0102] [MATH 10]

[0103] Number disp * round(log2(Nb disp )) + Nb disp * (Number ACM - 1) * round(log2(Nb disp which simplifies to:

[0104] [MATH 11]

[0105] Number ACM * Number disp * round(log2(Nb disp ))

[0106] As an illustration, to distribute, according to the invention, a distribution of 32 devices into 2 groups, only 320 bits are needed, compared to the 1096 bits of the prior art.

[0107] The diffusion according to the invention then makes it possible to broadcast a distribution of 64 devices in 2 groups with 728 bits, a distribution of 32 devices in 3 groups with 480 bits, or even 64 devices in 3 groups with 1152 bits.

[0108] According to a second embodiment, the distribution includes a single boundary list 28 common to all devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F of set 10.

[0109] In this second embodiment, the number of bits required to broadcast the distribution is equal to:

[0110] [MATH 12]

[0111] Number disp * round(log2(Nb disp )) + (Nb ACM - 1) * round(log2(Nb disp which simplifies to:

[0112] [MATH 13]

[0113] Number ACM + Number disp - 1) * round(log2(Nb disp )) As an illustration, to distribute, according to the second embodiment, a distribution of 32 devices into 2 groups, only 165 bits are needed, compared to the 1096 bits of the prior art.

[0114] The broadcast according to the second embodiment then allows the broadcasting of a distribution of 64 devices in 2 groups with 390 bits, a distribution of 32 devices in 3 groups with 170 bits, or even of 64 devices in 3 groups with 396 bits.

[0115] The computer 18 of the network controller 12 is designed to broadcast, via its antenna 16, to each third device 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the ordered list of identifiers and the border list(s).

[0116] An example of obtaining ordered lists 26 and boundary(s) 28 will now be described.

[0117] Each third-party device 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F and the network controller 12 are designed to transmit a test signal to the network controller 12. Each test signal preferably includes the Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) of the antenna 16 of the third-party device 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0118] As explained with reference to Figure 2, the antenna 16 of the network controller 12 is configured to receive each test signal via satellite 20.

[0119] The calculator 18 of the network controller 12 is then suitable for calculating the signal-to-noise ratio of each received test signal.

[0120] For this purpose, calculator 18 uses, for example, a classically known method, for example by searching for a known reference sequence by correlation.

[0121] The calculator 18 is then suitable for classifying the calculated signal-to-noise ratios in ascending order, and for forming the ordered list of identifiers 26 as being the list of identifiers of the electronic communication devices corresponding to each signal-to-noise ratio.

[0122] In the example in Figure 4, the device with the highest signal-to-noise ratio is tier 14B, followed by tier 14D, then tier 14A, then network controller 12, then tier 14C, then tier 14F, and finally tier 14E.

[0123] In the unrepresented variant, the signal-to-noise ratios are ranked in descending order. The ordered list of identifiers then presents an order reversed from that described above.

[0124] The network controller's computer 18 is then preferably designed to determine at least one rank in the ordered list of identifiers and to generate at least one list of boundaries. For example, if a single list of boundaries is common to all 10 devices, the network controller's computer 18 is designed to determine the rank(s) by comparing each signal-to-noise ratio value to one or more successive thresholds. For example, in a distribution into three communication groups, two predefined thresholds are considered.

[0125] The ranks correspond preferentially to the ranking of the last device whose signal-to-noise ratio is greater than a respective predefined threshold.

[0126] Alternatively, each device includes its own boundary list, the network controller 12 calculator 18 is suitable for determining, for example, for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, one or more ranks by comparing the signal-to-noise ratio of said device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F to the signal-to-noise ratios of the other devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0127] Thus, optionally, the calculator 18 is capable of calculating, for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the difference between the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to said device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and the signal-to-noise ratio of each other device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F. Then the calculator 18 is capable of determining, for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the rank(s) delimiting, in the ordered list, the devices for which the calculated difference is less than a respective threshold.

[0128] The calculator 18 is then able to form, for each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, a list of respective boundary(s) 28 comprising the respective determined ranks.

[0129] Other ways of determining the ranks are also possible.

[0130] Preferably, the calculator 18 of each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F is an electronic circuit designed to manipulate and / or transform data represented by electronic or physical quantities in registers of the calculator and / or memories into other similar data corresponding to physical data in register memories or other types of display devices, transmission devices or storage devices.

[0131] As specific examples, each calculator 18 is realized in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0132] Alternatively, when the actions implemented by the computer 18 are carried out in the form of one or more software programs, that is, in the form of a computer program, also called a computer program product, they are also capable of being recorded on a computer-readable medium (not shown). A computer-readable medium is, for example, a medium capable of storing electronic instructions and being connected to a bus of a computer system. Examples of such a readable medium include an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, ROM, RAM, any type of non-volatile memory (e.g., FLASH or NVRAM), or a magnetic card. A computer program comprising software instructions is then stored on the readable medium.

[0133] An example of a method 100 for disseminating a distribution into communication groups for a set 10 of electronic communication devices will now be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0134] Process 100 is implemented by network controller 12.

[0135] Initially, each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F transmits, preferably via satellite 20, the test signal to the network controller 12.

[0136] The process 100 preferably includes a obtaining step 110, during which the network controller 12 obtains, for each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, a signal-to-noise ratio of the communications between said device and the network controller 12.

[0137] For example, the acquisition step 110 includes a reception substep 112, during which the network controller 12 receives, from each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the corresponding test signal.

[0138] For example also, the acquisition step 110 further includes a calculation substep 114, during which the network controller 12 calculates for each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the signal-to-noise ratio of the received test signal.

[0139] The communication noise ratio indicated in obtaining step 110 is then said signal-to-noise ratio of the received test signal.

[0140] Then, process 100 preferably includes a step 120 of ranking the identifiers in ascending or descending order of the signal-to-noise ratios obtained, to form the ordered list of identifiers.

[0141] For this purpose, the network controller 12, for example, sorts the received signal-to-noise ratios in descending order and replaces each signal-to-noise ratio value with the identifier of the corresponding electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, in order to obtain the ordered list of identifiers. Optionally, during the sorting step 120 and before proceeding with the sorting itself, the network controller 12 normalizes each signal-to-noise ratio by the transmission power of the test signal received from the corresponding electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F.

[0142] According to this optional add-on, the network controller 12 ranks the identifiers in ascending or descending order of normalized signal-to-noise ratios to form the ordered list of identifiers.

[0143] The process preferably then includes a step 130 of determining at least one rank forming the boundary list(s), for example as described previously.

[0144] The process further includes a broadcasting step 140, in which the network controller 12 broadcasts to each third electronic device 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and preferably to each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, the ordered list 26 of the identifiers of the electronic communication devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and of the boundary list(s) 28.

[0145] To this end, preferably, the network controller 12 sends, to each electronic communication device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, or only to each third device 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, a single message including the ordered list of identifiers 26 and the boundary list(s) 28.

[0146] Following the implementation of the process, each device 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F receives the ordered list 26 and the boundary list(s) 28, and is able to determine, by its computer 18, its respective communication groups by applying its own boundary list(s) 28, or the single boundary list(s) 28 where applicable, to the ordered list of identifiers 26.

[0147] According to one variant, the broadcast process 100 includes only the broadcast step 140. According to this variant, the ordered list of identifiers and the boundary list(s) are, for example, provided directly to the network controller 12.

[0148] The method 100 and the network controller 12 according to the invention make it possible to distribute the communication group distribution G1, G2, G3 with a very small number of bits. Thus, thanks to the method 100 and the controller 12 according to the invention, it is possible to provide for a set 10 of electronic communication devices 12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, larger than the prior art, operating in multi-ACM or more communication groups for the same number of communication devices, or both.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Method (100) of disseminating a group distribution (G1, G2, G3) of communication for a set (10) of electronic communication devices comprising a network controller (12) and third-party electronic devices (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) being identified by a unique identifier, the process (100) being implemented by the network controller (12) and being characterized in that it comprises at least the following step: dissemination (140), to each third electronic device (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), of an ordered list (26) of the identifiers of the electronic communication devices (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), and of at least one list of boundary(s) (28), in which at least one list of boundary(s) (28) includes at least one rank in the ordered list of identifiers (26), delimiting a boundary between two communication groups (G1, G2, G3), in which at least one electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 140, 14D, 14E, 14F), whose identifier is ranked before said rank in the ordered list (26), belongs to a first communication group (G1; G2), and in which at least one electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 140, 14D, 14E, 14F), whose identifier is classified after said rank in the ordered list (26), belongs to a second communication group (G2; G3) distinct from the first communication group (G1; G2).

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the identifiers of the ordered list of identifiers (26) are ordered according to a value of a signal-to-noise ratio from a communication between the electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 140, 14D, 14E, 14F) and the network controller (12).

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one boundary list(s) (28) includes at least one rank for each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 140, 14D, 14E, 14F).

4. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one boundary list(s) (28) comprises a single boundary list(s) (28) common to each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) of the assembly (10).

5. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the dissemination step (140), a single message comprising the ordered list of identifiers and the boundary list(s) is sent to each third-party electronic device.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) is suitable for communicating with the other electronic communication device(s) (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) of the set (10) of communication devices (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), via a satellite (20), preferably a transparent satellite (20).

7. A method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising, prior to the diffusion step (140), the following steps: obtaining (110), for each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), a signal-to-noise ratio of communications between said electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) and the network controller (12), ranking (120) of the identifiers in ascending or descending order of the signal-to-noise ratios obtained, to form the ordered list of identifiers (26), and determination (130) of the at least one rank forming the at least one list of boundary(s) (28).

8. A method (100) according to claim 8, wherein the production step (110) comprises the following substeps: reception (112), from each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), of a test signal, and for each electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), calculation (114) of the signal-to-noise ratio of the received test signal, the communication noise ratio being said signal-to-noise ratio of the received test signal.

9. Product computer program comprising software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement a method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Electronic communication device (12), referred to as network controller (12), suitable for integration into a set (10) of electronic communication devices (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), the other electronic communication devices (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) then being referred to as third-party electronic devices, each of the set (10) of electronic communication devices (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F) then being identified by a unique identifier, the network controller (12) being suitable for disseminating, to each third-party electronic device (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), an ordered list (26) of the identifiers of the electronic communication devices (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), and at least one list of boundary(s) (28), in which at least one list of boundary(s) (28) includes at least one rank in the ordered list of identifiers (26), delimiting a boundary between two communication groups (G1, G2, G3), in which at least one electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), whose identifier is ranked before said rank in the ordered list (26), belongs to a first communication group (G1; G2), and in which at least one electronic communication device (12, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F), whose identifier is classified after said rank in the ordered list (26), belongs to a second communication group (G2; G3) distinct from the first communication group (G1; G2).

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