Satellite Channelizer Routing via Worst-Fit Bin-Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current space-qualified ASIC technology is unable to design extremely high capacity strictly non-blocking channelizers, leading to blocking conditions in satellite communication networks, and the complexity of dynamically reprogramming subchannel filters and combiners renders rearrangeably non-blocking channelizer designs impractical, resulting in communication failures despite available resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control system that executes a worst-fit increasing bin-packing algorithm to achieve a uniformly distributed load across the channelizer's input-output paths, allowing for partial or full preemption of lower priority communications to accommodate high priority requests, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing blocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strictly non-blocking channelizer design is implemented, then blocking is eliminated, but the device complexity and manufacturing capability requirements exceed current space-qualified ASIC technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from static hardware architecture (internal speedup factors) to dynamic software control (control algorithms). By using a bin-packing algorithm that distributes cross-connection requests across available time slots and resources, the system achieves non-blocking operation without requiring the complex internal speedup hardware of strictly non-blocking designs.
2Reliability
If a rearrangeably non-blocking channelizer design is implemented, then blocking can be eliminated through dynamic rearrangement, but the operational delays and complexity of dynamically reprogramming subchannel filters and combiners make the design impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating optimal cross-connection assignments using a bin-packing algorithm before actual communication occurs. The control algorithm analyzes resource availability and distributes requests across time slots in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming dynamic reprogramming during actual communication operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics at the control algorithm level rather than at the hardware reprogramming level. The bin-packing algorithm dynamically adjusts cross-connection assignments based on real-time resource availability, achieving flexibility without the operational delays of dynamically reprogramming subchannel filters and combiners.
3Ease of manufacture
If a first fit increasing bin-packing algorithm is used to control the channelizer, then the algorithm is simple to implement, but it leads to blocking conditions in the fastest possible manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach of first-fit algorithms by using worst-fit increasing bin-packing. Instead of placing cross-connection requests in the first available resource slot, the algorithm intentionally places them in the least loaded slots, distributing traffic more evenly across available resources and preventing early blocking while maintaining algorithmic simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Concepts and technologies disclosed herein for routing information through a blocking splitter-combiner switching network. A control system can execute a control module and communicates with one or more satellites. The control module can generate and transmit control data for controlling traffic or other communication over a channelizer at a satellite. A satellite network operator can generate a cross-connection request that is processed by the satellite control at a ground control station or a processor on the satellite. The cross-connection requests a cross-connection for transmitting satellite user information within or across satellite beams. The control system can attempt to identify an output channel. If the output channel is found, the connection can be established. If the output channel is not found, the control system can execute various operations to partially or fully preempt other communications to accommodate a higher priority connection request.