Multicast Packet Distribution in Satellite Constellation Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multicast protocols for satellite communication networks face challenges with scalability and reliability due to node mobility and inefficient bandwidth utilization, especially when link state updates are slow compared to node movement speeds, leading to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
The technique employs predictable satellite orbits to determine link assignments and reroute packets around broken links within a multi-plane satellite constellation network, using high-speed point-to-point radio links and minimizing link-state overhead, allowing for efficient packet transmission without updated link-state information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional multicast protocols are used in satellite networks, then packet routing can be established, but network performance degrades due to slow link state updates compared to node movement speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores alternative routing paths in routing tables before link failures occur. When a link fails, nodes immediately switch to pre-computed alternative paths without waiting for link state updates, eliminating the delay between failure detection and path switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection by monitoring link status and automatically switching between primary and alternative routing paths. The routing protocol dynamically adapts to link failures by using available backup paths, allowing the network to maintain performance without waiting for complete link state convergence.
2Measurement precision
If link state information is frequently updated to track node movement, then routing accuracy improves, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously updating complete link state information, the patent uses selective updates only when necessary (e.g., when link failures are detected). The system maintains sufficient routing accuracy by updating only critical routing information rather than all link state data, reducing bandwidth consumption while preserving routing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential routing information needed for packet forwarding and separates it from complete link state information. By using simplified routing entries that contain only necessary path information rather than full link state details, the system reduces update bandwidth requirements while maintaining routing accuracy for packet delivery.
3Reliability
If traditional multicast protocols are applied to satellite constellations, then packet distribution can be achieved, but scalability is limited due to network size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite network into multiple independent routing domains, each managed by local routing tables. This segmentation allows the network to scale by adding satellites to existing domains without requiring global routing table updates, as each domain can independently manage its own routing information and failover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal routing protocol that works consistently across different satellite constellations and network configurations. The same routing mechanism handles both single-link failures and multi-domain routing, providing scalable packet distribution capability that adapts to varying network sizes without requiring protocol changes.
4Measurement precision
If multiple link state updates are performed to maintain routing tables, then routing accuracy is maintained, but transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores multiple alternative routing paths in routing tables before failures occur. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for frequent link state updates, as nodes can immediately switch to alternative paths when failures are detected without requiring continuous routing table maintenance or re-computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of link failures into a benefit by using failure detection as a trigger for switching to pre-computed alternative paths. Rather than continuously updating routing tables, the system uses selective updates only when failures occur, transforming the overhead problem into an efficient failure-response mechanism that maintains routing accuracy with minimal transmission overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite network constellation employs a technique for multicasting packets through the network according to the present invention. The network comprises plural satellites in plural orbital planes with each satellite equipped with a plurality of high-speed point-to-point full duplex radio links for inter-satellite communications. A node intending to send a multicast packet to a multicast group or a set of destination satellite nodes initially sends the packet to the orbital planes that include the group members. Once reaching the plane, in-plane routing techniques are used to forward the packet to the intended group members. If there are broken or disabled links, an alternative path is taken to forward the packet without disrupting the functioning links.