Multi-Modem Satellite Handoff Controller for Mobile Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance and reliability of wireless communication from remote locations, such as commercial aircraft, are often disrupted due to ineffective switching among satellite stations, leading to intermittent service and dropped connections, which adversely affect mobile quality of service (QoS).
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing multiple communication modems to maintain wireless communication between a mobile platform and satellite stations, where a controller coordinates communication links with multiple satellite stations via multiple modems, determining the best satellite station for handoff and calculating the optimal time for handover to ensure continuous communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is switched among several satellite stations during flight, then continuous internet access is enabled, but ineffective switching causes intermittent service and dropped connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the time to handoff communication before the actual handoff occurs. The controller determines when to switch from the first satellite station to the second satellite station by calculating a handoff time based on current communication quality and predicted satellite positions, ensuring seamless transition and preventing dropped connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring communication quality indicators and using this information to adjust handoff timing. The controller receives feedback about the quality of communication over the first communication link and uses this feedback to optimize the handoff calculation, improving reliability of the switching process.
2Reliability
If multiple modems are used to maintain communication links with multiple satellite stations, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions including determining second satellite stations, calculating handoff times, coordinating communication links, and monitoring communication quality. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliable communication through multiple satellite stations while consolidating control logic in a single controller, thereby managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple modems and multiple satellite stations. It manages the complexity of interfacing with multiple satellite stations by centralizing the decision-making logic for handoffs and communication link management, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and device to enable communication between a first and second satellite station and a controller of a mobile platform. The controller includes a processor, a first modem facilitating communication with the first satellite station via a first frequency over a first communication link, and a map of the one or more networks of satellite stations including the second satellite station. The controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite station for communicating with the controller. A second modem is coupled to the controller and facilitates communication with the second satellite station via a second frequency over a second communication link, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communication with the mobile communicator from the first communication link to the second communication link.