Bandwidth Profile Allocation for LEO Satellite Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite networks face challenges in bandwidth management due to their dynamic topology, leading to high packet drop rates and congestion, which results in inefficient utilization of resources and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a resource manager system that prioritizes packet transmission based on destination and quality of service, using virtual queuing techniques and bandwidth profiles to optimize the allocation of resources and reduce congestion by dynamically adjusting allocations and discarding packets that do not meet certain criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If packets are admitted to the LEO satellite network without bandwidth profile-based allocation, then network connectivity is maintained, but packet drop rates increase and bandwidth utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidpacket delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary bandwidth allocation and admission control by evaluating bandwidth profiles before packets are admitted to the network. The resource manager pre-calculates available bandwidth on uplinks, downlinks, and ISLs, and only admits packets that conform to available bandwidth profiles, preventing future congestion and packet drops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The resource manager continuously monitors network state including link utilization, congestion conditions, and satellite positions. This feedback is used to dynamically adjust bandwidth allocations and admission decisions in real-time, optimizing both bandwidth utilization and packet delivery reliability as network conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If bandwidth allocation is dynamically adjusted based on network state, then congestion is reduced and bandwidth utilization improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidbandwidth management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bandwidth management system is segmented into distinct functional components: bandwidth profile generation, state monitoring, admission control, and resource allocation. Each component handles a specific aspect of bandwidth management, making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable while achieving dynamic optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resource manager acts as an intermediary between network terminals and the physical network resources. It abstracts the complexity of dynamic bandwidth allocation by providing a centralized control point that translates high-level bandwidth profiles into specific resource allocations, shielding terminals from complexity while achieving optimal utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If packets are prioritized based on destination and quality of service, then transmission efficiency improves, but routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidrouting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality levels and priority treatments to different packets based on their destination and service requirements. Each packet is evaluated against bandwidth profiles that specify quality parameters for specific destinations, allowing differentiated treatment without requiring complete reconfiguration of the routing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes packet handling parameters such as priority queues, transmission timing, and path selection based on destination and quality of service requirements. These parameter changes are managed through bandwidth profiles that dynamically adjust transmission characteristics without fundamentally altering the routing protocol structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the network topology is continuously monitored and adapted to, then packet drop rates decrease, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The resource manager performs bandwidth profile updates and network state evaluations at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action is sufficient to track the moving topology of LEO satellites while significantly reducing processing overhead compared to continuous monitoring, maintaining packet delivery reliability without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3520246B1System and method for bandwidth profile based allocation and management of a time-varying topology network
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 HUGHES NETWORK SYST
  • EP3520246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520246B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3520246B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed methods include a resource manager in a multiple node network receiving a demand for additional bandwidth, from a terminal, and the resource manager having updated information on the state of the mobile node network and, using that the state information, performing test allocation of the requested bandwidth to the requesting terminal. Disclosed methods include determining whether previous commitments of service can be met with the test allocation in place. Associated with a positive result, an allocation is sent to the terminal.