Optical Data Link Scheduling for High-Volume Satellite Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transfer methods, such as radio frequency telecommunications and ground-based fiber optics, are limited in bandwidth and cannot efficiently handle large data volumes, especially from remote areas, and physical data transfer solutions have high carbon footprints and scalability issues.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing optical links between ground stations and satellites, considering past cloud cover conditions, data validity periods, and station capacities to prioritize and schedule data transfers, ensuring data is transferred before expiration and within storage limits, using geostationary or low-Earth orbit satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If radio frequency telecommunications networks are used for data transfer, then connectivity is provided, but bandwidth is limited and cannot handle large data volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic wave transmission with optical transmission using laser beams. This substitution enables significantly higher bandwidth and data transfer rates, resolving the contradiction between handling large data volumes and maintaining high transfer speeds. The optical communication system allows petabyte-scale data transfers that are impossible with conventional radio frequency networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter from radio frequency waves to optical frequencies. This parameter change enables exploitation of the vastly larger available bandwidth in the optical spectrum, directly addressing the limitation of radio frequency networks in handling large data volumes while maintaining high transfer speeds.
2Productivity
If ground-based fiber optic data transfer solutions are used, then high bandwidth is achieved, but deployment to remote areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces satellites as intermediary nodes between ground-based optical terminals in remote areas and the central data collection center. This intermediary approach enables high-speed optical communication without requiring physical fiber optic cables to be laid to every remote location, thus maintaining high transfer speeds while dramatically improving deployment flexibility to remote, mobile, or hard-to-reach areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the communication infrastructure from a two-dimensional ground-based fiber optic network to a three-dimensional space-based optical network using satellites. This dimensional change allows coverage of remote areas, oceans, and mobile platforms without the constraint of physical cable deployment, achieving both high transfer speeds and universal adaptability.
3Quantity of substance
If physical storage devices are transported for data transfer, then data can be moved, but carbon footprint is high and scalability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical transportation of physical storage devices with wireless optical data transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for physical transport entirely, thereby eliminating the associated carbon footprint while enabling transfer of vastly larger data volumes through the high-bandwidth optical communication channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying/transmission of data rather than physical movement of storage media. Data is converted to optical signals and transmitted through the atmosphere via laser beams, creating an intangible copy that can be transmitted instantly over any distance within the satellite's coverage area, eliminating transport emissions entirely.
4Productivity
If optical links are used for data transfer, then high bandwidth is achieved, but cloud cover can block the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the optical communication system to atmospheric conditions. The system continuously monitors cloud cover and weather conditions, dynamically adjusting transmission parameters, selecting alternative transmission windows, or switching to standby satellites when atmospheric conditions are unfavorable, thereby maintaining high transfer speeds while compensating for reliability issues caused by cloud cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs beforehand cushioning by maintaining multiple satellite links in readiness and pre-planning alternative transmission paths. When cloud cover or atmospheric interference threatens to block the optical signal, pre-positioned alternative satellites or transmission time windows are activated, ensuring continuous high-speed data transfer without interruption despite adverse weather conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-speed data transfer exceeding one terabit per second, optimizing data freshness and storage capacity utilization, while minimizing environmental impact and deployment challenges.
Implementation Method 1
A method for collecting data via optical link is proposed... transfer large volumes of data... via a satellite with an optical link to both the transmitting stations and the receiving center. Indeed, in clear weather, the optical data transfer rate between a ground station and a satellite can potentially reach speeds exceeding one terabit per second.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for data collection by optical link, which comprises: - collecting past cloud coverage conditions of a plurality of client transmitting stations on the ground; - collecting past cloud coverage conditions of at least one data receiving centre on the ground; - determining the likelihood of success for data transfers from a transmitting station to a receiving centre, via at least one predetermined telecommunication satellite, for several predetermined amounts of data, on the basis of past cloud coverage conditions at the same time of the year; - collecting, for each transmitting station, information relating to the data to be transferred; - determining a priority order associated with the client transmitting stations for transfers of predetermined volumes of data; - selecting an active client transmitting station, according to the predetermined priority order; and - activating the data transfer for the selected client transmitting station.