Satellite Communication Resource Allocation for Air Traffic Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air traffic management communication systems fail to meet strict temporal constraints for message delivery, particularly during low traffic loads with occasional peaks, leading to non-compliance with time requirements for longer messages, even with existing centralized and random allocation methods.

Innovation Solution

A method for optimized allocation of satellite communication resources that involves receiving messages with associated time references and delay requirements, calculating a centralized scheduling, and broadcasting an allocation plan to ensure timely message transmission, reducing the number of messages delivered outside their constraints without increasing network capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If centralized allocation methods are used to manage satellite communication resources, then resource sharing capability is improved, but timing constraint compliance deteriorates during temporary traffic spikes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource sharing capabilityVSAvoidtiming constraint compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having terminals pre-calculate and submit capacity requests with embedded time references and minimum transmission time calculations before actual message transmission is needed. The control center pre-calculates scheduling decisions based on these advance requests, allowing it to allocate resources proactively rather than reactively during traffic spikes, thus maintaining timing constraint compliance while managing multiple aircraft terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If random allocation methods are used to allow immediate access to communication resource, then ease of operation is improved, but timing constraint compliance deteriorates due to fragment collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmediate access capabilityVSAvoidtiming constraint compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates fragment collisions by having terminals pre-calculate the exact time slots needed for message transmission based on message size and minimum transmission time requirements. The control center consolidates these pre-calculated requests and allocates specific time slots in advance, so when transmission occurs, there are no collisions requiring retransmissions, thus maintaining timing constraints while keeping the system simple to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having terminals continuously monitor their message queues, calculate capacity requirements based on pending messages with their time references, and submit updated capacity requests to the control center. This feedback loop allows the control center to adjust allocations dynamically while maintaining timing constraints, preventing the fragment collisions that plague random allocation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If message transmission capacity is increased to meet timing constraints, then productivity is improved, but network saturation occurs during high traffic periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery speedVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having terminals pre-calculate their transmission needs and submit capacity requests in advance. The control center consolidates these requests and allocates time slots efficiently, ensuring that messages are transmitted at the maximum necessary capacity without exceeding network limits, thus achieving high productivity without causing saturation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by dynamically adjusting message transmission scheduling based on time references, message sizes, and queue states. Instead of using fixed high capacity allocations that cause saturation, the system varies transmission parameters (time slots, allocation priorities) to match actual demand, maintaining high productivity when needed while avoiding network saturation during lower traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2540010B1Method for the optimized allocation of a satellite communication resource and associated communication system
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 THALES SA
  • EP2540010B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540010B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540010B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the time allocation of a satellite communication resource and to an associated communication system. The method comprises: (i) the transmission (202) by the terminal of a request indicating the input date of a message in the system and the time requirement thereof; and (ii) the allocation (204) of the communication resource to the message by processing the request using a message arrangement calculation while taking into account the input date of the message into the system and the time requirement thereof.