Networked Scheduling for Satellite Spectral Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional satellite communication systems face inefficiencies in scheduling decisions and Modulation and Coding (MODCOD) selections due to bursty data traffic patterns, leading to sub-optimal channel quality reporting and interference management, which affects throughput and spectral efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a networked scheduling approach that optimizes scheduling decisions across multiple co-channel beams, utilizing a global resources manager and networked scheduler to determine channel states and set MODCOD schemes based on instantaneous traffic patterns, thereby improving spectral efficiency and interference management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional beam-level autonomous scheduling is used, then each gateway can independently manage its resources, but scheduling decisions lack global coordination leading to sub-optimal spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges autonomous beam-level scheduling with network-level coordination by having gateways exchange scheduling information and jointly determine MODCOD selections. The network scheduler coordinates across multiple gateways while beam schedulers maintain local autonomy, combining both approaches to achieve global optimization without sacrificing local operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network scheduler as an intermediary that coordinates between autonomous beam schedulers and the global resources manager. This intermediary enables information exchange and joint decision-making for MODCOD selection, allowing beam-level autonomy to be maintained while achieving network-wide spectral efficiency optimization.
2Device complexity
If MODCOD selection is based on averaged channel quality reporting, then implementation is simple, but the delay and averaging cause sub-optimal decisions for bursty traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static averaged channel quality reporting to dynamic instantaneous traffic loading-based MODCOD selection. The system adapts MODCOD choices to the actual bursty traffic conditions in real-time, allowing optimal performance for varying traffic patterns while maintaining manageable complexity through network-level coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the basis for MODCOD selection from averaged channel quality metrics to instantaneous traffic loading parameters. By using traffic loading information that reflects current network conditions without averaging delays, the system achieves optimal throughput for bursty traffic while keeping implementation complexity manageable through centralized coordination.
3Ease of manufacture
If initial MODCOD is based on offline calculations and link budgets, then design is simplified, but adaptability to instantaneous traffic conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains preliminary offline link budget calculations for system design simplicity while adding real-time adaptability through network-level coordination. The offline calculations provide a foundation, but the network scheduler dynamically adjusts MODCOD selections based on instantaneous traffic loading conditions, combining design simplicity with operational adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the network scheduler receives traffic loading information from multiple gateways and adjusts MODCOD selections accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to instantaneous traffic conditions while maintaining the simplicity of offline design calculations as a baseline.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for networked scheduling is disclosed. The method includes: providing a gateway; a plurality of channels assigned to a color reuse scheme including colors, wherein some of the plurality of channels assigned to one of the colors comprise a set of co-channels; associating the set of co-channels with the gateway; generating a traffic pattern for the set of co-channels for an upcoming allocation slot; determining a channel state of each co-channel in the set of co-channels per the traffic pattern; and setting a Modulation and Coding scheme (MODCOD) of each co-channel in the set of co-channels based on the respective channel state.