Satellite Router Adaptation Layer for BGP Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication networks rely on proprietary routing protocols over space links, which are costly to develop and maintain, limit flexibility, and require extensive training, whereas standard Internet routing protocols like BGP are not effectively utilized due to proprietary addressing schemes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a router adaptation layer on satellite hubs and VSATs to facilitate the use of standard routing protocols like BGP over space links, mapping proprietary addressing to standard IP addressing, and using industry-standard protocol stacks to enable scalable, flexible, and reliable routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary routing protocols are used over satellite space links, then routing functionality is provided, but development and maintenance costs are high, flexibility is limited, and extensive training is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device that acts as an intermediary between the proprietary satellite network and standard IP networks. The gateway performs protocol conversion, translating proprietary routing protocols into standard IP routing protocols (such as BGP, OSPF, or RIP). This allows satellite networks to leverage well-established standard protocols while maintaining compatibility with existing satellite infrastructure, thereby reducing development costs and improving flexibility without sacrificing routing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the routing function into two distinct parts: the satellite network layer using proprietary protocols for direct satellite communication, and the IP network layer using standard protocols for terrestrial networking. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with its own optimized protocol stack, enabling standard IP routing protocols to be used in the IP network layer while maintaining proprietary protocol support in the satellite layer.
2Reliability
If proprietary routing protocols are used over space links, then routing is supported, but the protocols need significant upkeep to match constantly changing enterprise networks
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as an adaptable intermediary that can dynamically translate between proprietary satellite protocols and various standard IP routing protocols. When enterprise networks change or new routing requirements emerge, the gateway can be configured to support different standard protocols without requiring changes to the underlying satellite proprietary protocol implementation, thus providing flexibility and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic routing capabilities where the gateway can adapt its routing behavior based on current network conditions, topology changes, and policy requirements. The system supports dynamic route propagation, route filtering, and policy-based routing, allowing it to respond to constantly changing enterprise network configurations while maintaining stable satellite link connectivity.
3Reliability
If proprietary routing protocols are used over space links, then routing functionality is provided, but it adds burden to enterprise personnel for learning and creates dissonance with standard routing protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway abstracts the complexity of proprietary satellite routing protocols by handling all protocol translation and conversion internally. Enterprise personnel only need to configure and manage standard IP routing protocols, which are universally understood and documented. The gateway manages the proprietary protocol interactions automatically, eliminating the need for staff to learn specialized proprietary protocols while maintaining full routing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway creates a virtual copy of the standard IP routing environment within the satellite network context. By implementing standard IP routing protocol stacks in the gateway, the system replicates familiar networking behaviors and interfaces, allowing enterprise personnel to apply their existing knowledge of standard protocols to satellite network management without needing to learn proprietary alternatives.
4Adaptability or versatility
If standard Internet routing protocols like BGP are not used, then proprietary addressing schemes can be maintained, but the rich feature set of BGP cannot be leveraged
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs address translation between proprietary satellite addressing schemes and standard IP addressing. This allows standard Internet routing protocols like BGP to be used in the IP network layer, providing access to their rich feature sets including route filtering, policy-based routing, multi-protocol support, and advanced routing algorithms, while the gateway handles the complexity of proprietary address mapping in the satellite layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements address translation that maps proprietary satellite network addresses to standard IP addresses. This parameter transformation allows routing decisions to be made using familiar IP addressing and routing table structures, while the gateway automatically handles the conversion to and from proprietary satellite addresses, enabling standard protocols to leverage their full feature sets without requiring changes to satellite addressing infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication system, an apparatus and a method to route an Internet Protocol (IP) datagram with a standard Internet routing protocol over a space link. The method including: routing according to the standard Internet routing protocol including a current routing table including routing via the space link; receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) datagram including a destination; querying the routing stack to determine whether the destination is linked via the space link; and forwarding the IP Datagram to a space link address when IP datagram's destination is linked via the space link.