Gateway Upstream Resource Allocation for Satellite Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing upstream traffic loads and prioritizing communications, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and potential bottlenecks in frequency channels.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a gateway device that dynamically allocates time slots across upstream frequency channels, allowing frequency hopping and prioritized resource allocation based on traffic load thresholds and subscriber terminal capabilities, ensuring efficient use of bandwidth and minimizing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed frequency channel allocation is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but upstream traffic load efficiency deteriorates when channels exceed threshold capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency channel allocation where the gateway device monitors traffic load on each frequency channel and reallocates time slots from overloaded channels to underutilized channels. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing traffic conditions, improving upstream traffic load efficiency while managing allocation complexity through automated gateway control.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device continuously monitors traffic load thresholds on frequency channels and uses this feedback information to make reallocation decisions. When a channel exceeds its threshold capacity, the system detects this condition and triggers reallocation of time slots to balance the load, creating a closed-loop control system that improves efficiency based on actual traffic conditions.
2Productivity
If frequency hopping is implemented, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but subscriber terminal complexity increases due to DCO requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as an intermediary that manages frequency hopping coordination for subscriber terminals. Rather than requiring complex terminal-based frequency management, the gateway monitors channel conditions and directs frequency hopping decisions, simplifying terminal complexity while still achieving improved bandwidth utilization through coordinated frequency allocation.
3Loss of time
If prioritized traffic allocation is implemented, then latency-sensitive application performance is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels of service to different traffic types by implementing prioritized allocation for latency-sensitive applications. The gateway device identifies priority traffic and allocates time slots preferentially to these applications, ensuring low latency performance while managing allocation complexity through structured priority-based rules.
4Productivity
If dynamic reallocation is performed, then bandwidth utilization is enhanced, but system operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs dynamic reallocation automatically based on monitored traffic conditions, enabling the system to self-adjust without manual intervention. This self-service approach enhances bandwidth utilization through continuous optimization while managing operational complexity by automating the reallocation process rather than requiring manual system operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are described for scheduling and mapping upstream communications in a satellite communications system. The disclosure includes various channelization and frequency hopping techniques. A gateway is described to perform novel allocation of time slots on upstream frequency channels to allow frequency hopping. A subscriber terminal may perform frequency hopping according to the allocation, and the range may be limited to the transition range of a digitally controlled oscillator unit at the subscriber terminal. A gateway is described to allocate time slots on different upstream frequency channels in a prioritized manner. Subscriber terminals may receive the allocation, and then control the assignment of their upstream traffic to the time slots.