Satellite Network Portal Protocol Layer Segmentation for High Latency

Solution Overview

Problem

4G and 5G wireless systems based on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites face frequent beam, satellite, and gateway handovers due to satellite movement, which increases latency and overhead, and existing technologies struggle to hide these effects from the terrestrial Core Network.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a proxy-based and parallel protocol layer configuration to manage the satellite link, where upper layer protocols are anchored in a stationary subsystem to minimize overhead, and lower layer protocols are handled by moving satellite subsystems, with the Media Access Control (MAC) layer scheduling resources and the Radio Resource Control (RRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layers facilitating communication across high-latency connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If satellite movement is accommodated with frequent handovers, then connectivity is maintained, but latency and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol stack is segmented into multiple layers (MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC) with distinct functions. The MAC layer handles satellite link management and handovers, while upper layers remain anchored at the stationary POP, allowing independent optimization of each layer for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The MAC layer acts as an intermediary between the moving satellite link and the stationary upper layers. It absorbs the effects of satellite movement and handovers, shielding the upper layers from these dynamics and preventing latency propagation to the core network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If protocol layers are distributed across moving and stationary subsystems, then overhead is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoverheadVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol stack is segmented into multiple layers (MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC) with distinct functions. The MAC layer handles satellite link management and handovers, while upper layers remain anchored at the stationary POP, allowing independent optimization of each layer for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper protocol layers (PDCP, RRC) are extracted from the moving satellite subsystem and anchored in the stationary POP. This extraction reduces the processing overhead in the moving subsystem while maintaining full protocol functionality in the stationary infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If POP and SNP are located far apart, then network flexibility is improved, but session setup latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidsession setup latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC layer and satellite link are pre-configured and ready for handovers before they are needed. The MAC layer maintains continuous satellite link management, so when handovers occur, the transition is seamless and does not propagate latency to the session setup process in the upper layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The MAC layer acts as an intermediary between the moving satellite link and the stationary upper layers. It absorbs the effects of satellite movement and handovers, shielding the upper layers from these dynamics and preventing latency propagation to the core network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3804169B1Improvements for inter-layer communications in wireless networks including a high latency connection

Publication Date: 2023.09.27 HUGHES NETWORK SYST

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Figure 2B~3
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AI summary

A system and method for interfacing a User Equipment (UE) to a Core Network (CN) is disclosed. The method including: providing a high latency connection; providing a satellite network portal (SNP) to connect to the UE via a satellite link, wherein the SNP includes a Media Access Control (MAC) layer for managing the satellite link and a Radio Layer Control (RLC) layer of the UE; interfacing the UE to the CN with a Point of Presence (POP) including a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer of the UE and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PD CP) layer of the UE; and establishing a session between the CN and the UE via the RRC layer, the PDCP layer and the RLC layer. In the method, network traffic, between the SNP and the POP, over the high latency connection has a latency greater than 10 milliseconds (ms), the session does not timeout due to the latency of the high latency connection, and the MAC layer schedules bandwidth for the establishing over the satellite link.