Dynamic Satellite Beam Load Balancing for In-Flight Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-flight aircraft experience gaps and reduced service levels due to reliance on static satellite maps, which lack up-to-date information about satellite beam availability and connectivity, leading to inefficient resource management and suboptimal connectivity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic load balancing system where a ground station continuously updates satellite map parameters on aircraft, allowing for real-time adjustments and prioritization of satellite beams to manage network resources effectively, even as conditions change during flight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If static satellite maps are used for satellite beam selection, then device complexity is reduced, but connectivity reliability deteriorates due to outdated information and resource saturation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite map system complexityVSAvoidconnectivity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static satellite map into a dynamic system by continuously updating satellite map parameters (SMPs) with current satellite beam availability, load status, and connectivity information. The ground station generates updated SMPs that are transmitted to aircraft in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the ground station monitors satellite beam load status and connectivity conditions, then uses this information to generate updated satellite map parameters. This closed-loop feedback ensures that aircraft receive accurate, up-to-date information about satellite beam availability and performance, preventing connection to saturated beams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If real-time satellite map updates are implemented, then connectivity reliability is improved, but loss of information is reduced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidload balancing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground station acts as an intermediary that centralizes the complex tasks of monitoring satellite beam status, generating updated satellite map parameters, and distributing this information to aircraft. This intermediary approach maintains high connectivity reliability through real-time updates while managing system complexity by consolidating control functions at the ground station rather than distributing complexity to multiple aircraft systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If aircraft connect to satellite beams based on static maps, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to connection gaps and service interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite beam selection easeVSAvoidin-flight connectivity productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously updating satellite map parameters before aircraft experience connectivity issues. The ground station proactively identifies saturated satellite beams and redirects aircraft to alternative beams with available capacity, preventing connection gaps and service interruptions before they occur, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If dynamic load balancing is implemented, then resource saturation is prevented and service quality is maintained, but loss of time increases due to parameter updates and transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidparameter update time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic updates of satellite map parameters at optimized intervals, balancing the need for current information against the time cost of updates. By updating parameters periodically rather than continuously, the system maintains service quality and prevents resource saturation while minimizing time loss associated with frequent parameter transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11877186B2Dynamic load balancing of satellite beams

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 GOGO BUSINESS AVIATION LLC

AI summary

A dynamic satellite load balancing system measures geographic position and travel information of in-flight aircraft in a fleet of aircraft equipped to establish in-flight connectivity services from a plurality of satellite beams. The in-flight aircraft include an on-board satellite map program with satellite map parameters to indicate which satellite beam of a group of available satellite beams is the most desirable based on the in-flight aircraft's geographic location. The system selects in-flight aircraft, determines load balanced satellite map parameters for the selected aircraft, and transmits the load balanced satellite map parameters to the aircraft to assemble load balanced satellite map programs to relieve wireless data communication saturation conditions on one or more of the satellite beams. The dynamic satellite load balancing system may transmit the load balanced satellite map parameters over an existing satellite data connection to make up-to-date adjustments to the communications load among the group of available satellite beams.