Satellite Inroute Bandwidth Allocation via Priority Queues
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Solution Overview
Problem
In satellite networks, the return direction often experiences congestion due to varying traffic priorities and limited bandwidth, leading to unsatisfied Quality of Service (QoS) as low-priority traffic can block high-priority traffic, causing degraded service rates and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
A method for inroute bandwidth allocation that generates backlog reports, transmits them to an Inroute Group Manager, and allocates bandwidth based on priority queues, ensuring fair distribution across multiple traffic classes to maintain QoS by prioritizing interactive, streaming, and bulk traffic while preventing complete blocking of lower priority traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bandwidth is allocated based on actual demand without priority regulation, then spectrum utilization efficiency is improved, but low priority traffic blocks high priority traffic causing QoS degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth allocation process into multiple priority levels (first priority, second priority, third priority queues). Each priority level is handled separately with dedicated bandwidth allocation, ensuring that high-priority traffic receives guaranteed bandwidth while low-priority traffic uses remaining capacity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining both efficient spectrum utilization and reliable QoS through hierarchical queue management.
2Loss of information
If a VSAT is allowed to occupy the whole channel at scheduled time for large bursts, then overhead percentage is reduced, but other VSATs experience congestion and degraded service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the inroute group manager continuously monitors backlog reports from VSATs and adjusts bandwidth allocation in real-time. Instead of static channel occupation, the system dynamically assigns bandwidth based on current network conditions, traffic priorities, and VSAT-specific parameters. This dynamic approach reduces overhead by allowing large bursts when appropriate while preventing congestion through adaptive resource management.
3Reliability
If bandwidth is allocated to meet interactive traffic priority, then interactive QoS is improved, but streaming and bulk traffic experience reduced service rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different service characteristics to different traffic types within the same network. Interactive traffic in the first priority queue receives guaranteed bandwidth allocation with strict QoS parameters, while streaming and bulk traffic in lower priority queues receive bandwidth from remaining capacity. This localized quality differentiation ensures interactive QoS is met while maintaining acceptable service rates for other traffic types through proportional allocation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for inroute bandwidth allocation supporting multiple traffic priorities in a satellite network including generating a backlog report, transmitting the backlog report to an inroute group manager, receiving a bandwidth allocation from the inroute group manager, and servicing priority queues and transmitting data to a satellite based on the bandwidth allocation from the inroute group manager.