Satellite Backhaul Failover Using a Secondary Cellular Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular network downtime is caused by backhaul communication interruptions, which existing systems struggle to address effectively, leading to significant downtime even in highly reliable networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a redundant backhaul system with a secondary cellular network core, utilizing satellite connections to maintain communication when primary wired connections fail, and configuring core network functions to accommodate satellite latency and bandwidth differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a primary backhaul connection is used for cellular network communication, then communication speed and reliability are improved, but the system is vulnerable to backhaul communication interruptions causing downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork uptimeVSAvoidbackhaul system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backhaul system is segmented into a primary backhaul connection for normal operation and a secondary backhaul connection for redundancy. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity during normal operation while providing fault protection through the secondary connection that remains dormant until needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary backhaul connection is pre-configured and made available before any failure occurs. Network functions and configurations are prepared in advance on the secondary connection, enabling immediate failover without requiring complex real-time decision-making or reconfiguration during a failure event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a secondary cellular network core is implemented for redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackhaul redundancyVSAvoidcloud processing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary cellular network core components are designed to be multi-functional, serving both as standby redundancy and as active processing resources. When activated, the same cloud processing resources that provide redundancy can immediately handle traffic, eliminating the need for dedicated idle resources and maximizing resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically allocates cloud processing resources based on operational state. During normal operation, minimal resources are allocated to the secondary core. Upon failover, resource allocation dynamically increases to meet full operational demands, optimizing the balance between redundancy and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If satellite backhaul connection is used during primary backhaul failure, then network continuity is maintained, but latency increases compared to wired connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork continuityVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters when switching from primary to secondary backhaul. Configuration parameters such as timing advance values, power levels, and protocol timing are adjusted to optimize performance for satellite connection characteristics, thereby minimizing the impact of inherent satellite latency on overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If core network functions are configured for satellite latency, then satellite connection performance is optimized, but wired connection efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite connection performanceVSAvoidconnection type flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different configuration parameters are applied locally to the secondary cellular network core based on the specific backhaul connection type. The secondary core maintains satellite-optimized parameters when connected via satellite, while the primary core uses parameters optimized for wired connections. This localized configuration approach allows each connection type to operate at optimal performance without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250380164A1Redundant satellite backhaul using a secondary cellular network core

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 BOOST SUBSCRIBERCO LLC

AI summary

Various arrangements for providing redundant backhaul for a cellular network are provided herein. A secondary cellular network core can be in communication with a primary cellular network core. The secondary cellular network core can be configured such that components of the secondary cellular network core are optimized for satellite communications, while the components of the primary cellular network core are optimized for wired communications. In response to a determination that the primary backhaul connection is not available for accessing the primary cellular network core, cellular network services can instead be provided via the satellite backhaul connection and the secondary cellular network core.