Satellite BGP Routers for Autonomous Space Internet Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite systems for space-based Internet networks face challenges in efficiently managing inter-satellite communication links to prevent overloading, which can degrade network performance, and require a terrestrial Internet connection for BGP updates, limiting independence from the terrestrial network.
Innovation Solution
A satellite system with a multihop communication network, distributed physical servers, and integrated BGP routers that manage packet routing locally within each satellite, allowing for independent operation and efficient data transmission, even if the terrestrial Internet fails, using inter-satellite communication modules like laser and millimeter wave transceivers for high-speed data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If BGP updates are managed through a ground-based control center, then routing management is achieved, but the system requires terrestrial Internet connection and cannot operate independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BGP routing management function by distributing BGP routers across multiple satellites in the constellation rather than using a single ground-based control center. Each satellite independently runs BGP protocols and manages its own routing tables, enabling the space-based Internet to operate autonomously without requiring continuous terrestrial network connectivity for routing updates.
2Area of stationary object
If inter-satellite communication links are used for data transmission, then network coverage is extended, but the links may become overloaded and degrade performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing capabilities where BGP routers on satellites continuously exchange routing information and adaptively select optimal paths for data transmission. This dynamic route selection allows the network to respond to changing conditions and distribute traffic loads across available inter-satellite links, preventing any single link from becoming overloaded while maintaining extended network coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A satellite system has satellites supporting inter-satellite communication to form a multihop communication network; computing servers distributed over the satellites and networked together to form a space-based Internet network; and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routers integrated to the space-based Internet network. Each satellite is installed with a BGP router to locally manage the servers installed in this satellite. Data packets generated by the servers are transmitted from the servers to the BGP router entirely over an in-satellite local area network for carrying out routing of the data packets, lessening a communication burden on inter-satellite communication. The BGP routers also assign autonomous system (AS) numbers to the servers so as to enable the space-based Internet network to function independently without a need for support from a terrestrial Internet network. It allows a user to access Internet services provided by the space-based Internet network even if the terrestrial Internet network fails.