Satellite Internet Constellation Data Routing via Inter-Satellite Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite internet constellation systems face challenges in providing low latency and efficient data network connectivity, especially in areas far from terrestrial internet gateways, due to high latency and limited ground station coverage.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a network of interconnected satellite dishes arranged in concentric layers around client and server locations, coupled with inter-satellite links (ISLs) using optical space lasers, to route data traffic directly to internet gateways and content delivery networks (CDNs), reducing latency and increasing bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data traffic is routed through traditional ground stations for satellite internet connectivity, then global coverage is achieved, but latency increases and bandwidth is limited in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces inter-satellite links (ISLs) that enable three-dimensional routing through space, allowing data to travel between satellites in different orbital planes and positions. This spatial dimensionality change creates direct routing paths that bypass traditional ground station constraints, reducing latency by eliminating multiple ground-based hops while maintaining global coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs intermediate satellites as mediators in the data transmission path. Instead of direct user-to-ground station communication, data routes through selected intermediate satellites that relay information across the constellation. This intermediary mechanism enables optimized routing decisions that minimize latency while distributing network traffic across multiple satellite nodes
2Adaptability or versatility
If ground stations are deployed in remote areas to provide internet access, then coverage is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the internet gateway function from physical ground stations and relocates it to satellites within the constellation. By taking out the gateway functionality from terrestrial infrastructure and placing it in space, the system achieves global coverage through satellite mobility without requiring physical ground station deployments in remote areas, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal satellite gateway that serves multiple functions: it acts as an internet gateway for multiple user terminals across different geographic regions, provides inter-satellite routing, and enables both uplink and downlink communications. This multi-functional satellite gateway replaces the need for multiple location-specific ground stations, achieving broad coverage with reduced infrastructure
3Productivity
If multiple hops are used to route data between user equipment and data centers, then network flexibility is maintained, but latency and bandwidth are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary routing decisions at the satellite network level, where the system pre-establishes optimal data paths through the satellite constellation before data transmission begins. By performing routing selection in advance based on satellite positions, user locations, and destination data centers, the system minimizes transmission hops and latency while maintaining routing flexibility for different data flows
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces latency by minimizing hops between user equipment and data centers/CDNs, enhances bandwidth availability, and provides global coverage without the need for physical ground stations in remote areas.
Implementation Method 1
inter-satellite links (ISLs) using optical space lasers
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for wireless communications. For example, a system can include a plurality of satellite dishes provided about a first location and configured for communication with a satellite internet constellation. Each respective satellite dish can be communicatively interconnected with one or more satellite dishes of the plurality of satellite dishes. The system can include a user equipment (UE) communicatively coupled to an adjacent satellite dish of the plurality of satellite dishes. Data traffic of the UE can be routed from the adjacent satellite dish to a selected satellite dish of the plurality of satellite dishes. The data traffic of the UE can be transmitted to the satellite internet constellation using the selected satellite dish. The data traffic of the UE can be routed to an internet gateway using one or more inter-satellite links (ISLs) between respective pairs of satellites of the satellite internet constellation.