Common Control Plane for Seamless Satellite-WAN Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional networks often require operator intervention and experience service disruptions during WAN handovers due to separate control and data planes, especially in satellite and terrestrial communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A common control plane framework with a single, continuous control channel (e.g., L-band or S-band satellite connection) is used to manage connectivity between a remote unit and multiple WANs, enabling seamless handovers and session maintenance without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control and data planes are used in conventional networks, then network management and data forwarding can be independently optimized, but service disruptions and operator intervention are required during WAN handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control plane and data plane into a unified architecture where the common control plane manages both control signaling and data traffic. This integration eliminates the need for separate plane management during handovers, enabling seamless transitions without operator intervention while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common control plane acts as an intermediary that coordinates both control and data plane operations during WAN handovers. It manages the handover process centrally, ensuring that control signaling and data forwarding are synchronized, thereby eliminating service disruptions and removing the need for manual operator intervention.
2Reliability
If a common control plane with single continuous control channel is used, then seamless handovers and session maintenance are enabled, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common control plane is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions including control signaling, data forwarding, authentication, and handover management. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional architecture, the system achieves seamless session continuity while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane architecture is segmented into modular functional blocks that can be independently managed and deployed. This segmentation allows the complex common control plane to be built from manageable components, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining the ability to provide seamless handovers and session maintenance through coordinated operation of these modular elements.
3Ease of operation
If manual operator intervention is required for WAN handovers, then network control and security are maintained, but service disruptions occur and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The common control plane performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing control channels and preparing handover parameters before actual WAN handovers occur. Authentication and session information are maintained in advance, allowing the handover to execute automatically without operator intervention and without service disruption, thereby eliminating both handover time loss and manual operation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automated handovers where the common control plane autonomously manages the entire handover process including session maintenance, authentication, and data plane switching. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual operator intervention while maintaining security and control, achieving both automated operation and instantaneous handover execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A wide area network (WAN) communication framework having a common control plane and method for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the wide area network (WAN) communication framework comprises: a plurality of management systems, each for controlling access to and traffic for one of a plurality of WANs that include satellite and terrestrial communication networks; a remote unit capable of communicably coupling to the plurality of WANs; and a master network management system (MNMS). The MNMS is communicably coupled to the plurality of management systems and coupled to the remote unit to aggregate control information from the plurality of management systems and the remote unit to determine which WANs of the plurality of WANs for the remote unit to use, wherein the MNMS uses a common control plane communicably coupled to the remote unit for control and routing of control traffic, including information indicating which WANs of the plurality of WANs to which the remote terminal can connect, the common control plane including a single, continuous control channel to which the remote terminal is connectable simultaneously with a connection to a WAN of the plurality of WANs.