Schedule-Driven Satellite Handover Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless handover technologies in satellite-based communication systems experience high latencies, loss of service, and limited scalability and flexibility, leading to degraded user experience and reduced availability of wireless services due to complexities such as satellite movement and beam pointing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A schedule-driven handover scheme that predicts and schedules handover events in advance, enabling low latency and efficient transitions between satellites and satellite terminals by using a route distribution service to generate and distribute communication schedules based on topology information and device availability, reducing the need for real-time adjustments and minimizing service disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time handover adjustments are made in satellite-based communication systems, then service continuity can be maintained, but latency increases and system complexity grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements schedule-driven handover where handover events are predicted and scheduled in advance based on topology information and device availability. The route distribution service generates communication schedules before handovers occur, allowing the system to prepare handover parameters and select target satellites beforehand, thus reducing actual handover latency while maintaining service continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wireless handover technologies are used in satellite-based communication systems, then basic handover functionality is achieved, but scalability and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover control function into a dedicated route distribution service that operates independently from the communication links. This service separately manages topology information, device availability data, and schedule generation, allowing the system to scale flexibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity. Each component handles specific tasks rather than requiring full-handover-capability across all system elements.
3Productivity
If schedule-driven handover is implemented, then latency is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the system requires advanced scheduling infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The route distribution service performs multiple functions: it generates communication schedules, predicts handover events, manages topology information, and coordinates with satellites and user equipment. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional service, the system achieves high handover efficiency without requiring separate complex infrastructure for each function, thus improving productivity while controlling infrastructure complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and non-transitory media are provided for low latency handovers. An example method can include receiving, by a satellite, a schedule of communications between the satellite and one or more gateways; requesting, based on the schedule, a handover from a link between the satellite and a gateway to a different link between the satellite and the gateway or a different gateway; prior to a completion of the handover, processing packets bicasted over the link between the satellite and the gateway and the different link between the satellite and the gateway or the different gateway; performing the handover from the link between the satellite and the gateway to the different link between the satellite and the gateway or the different gateway; and after the handover, transmitting, by the satellite, one or more packets via the different link between the satellite and the gateway or the different gateway.