Satellite Optical Subcarrier Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communications networks face challenges in efficiently transmitting and receiving data due to limitations in bandwidth allocation and congestion management, particularly in satellite constellations with varying transceiver capacities and orbits.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses optical subcarriers for data transmission and reception between satellites via free-space optical communication, allowing for concurrent data transmission to multiple satellites with different bandwidth allocations based on transceiver capabilities, and dynamic reassignment of optical subcarriers to optimize network capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If pooled bandwidth allocation is used to reduce device complexity, then network capacity is optimized, but congestion management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments bandwidth into pooled and dedicated portions, allowing the system to optimize network capacity through pooling while maintaining congestion control through dedicated allocations. This segmentation enables different transceivers to share common resources while each maintains guaranteed minimum capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where transceivers can switch between pooled and dedicated bandwidth based on network conditions and traffic demands. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize capacity utilization while maintaining operational control during congestion events.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated bandwidth allocation is used to improve congestion management, then network capacity optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pooled and dedicated bandwidth allocation mechanisms into a unified system. The pooled portion optimizes overall network capacity by allowing flexible resource sharing, while the dedicated portion ensures congestion management through guaranteed allocations, achieving both goals simultaneously.
3Productivity
If optical subcarriers are dynamically reassigned to optimize network capacity, then bandwidth allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial dynamic reassignment of optical subcarriers, focusing computational resources on reassigning only the pooled portion of bandwidth while keeping dedicated allocations stable. This partial action approach optimizes bandwidth efficiency without requiring complete system reconfiguration, reducing overall complexity.
4Device complexity
If a mix of high and low-capacity transceivers is deployed to reduce costs, then device complexity varies across the network, but congestion management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different transceivers to have different capacity characteristics while ensuring each location receives appropriate pooled and dedicated bandwidth allocations. This enables cost-effective heterogeneous deployment while maintaining uniform congestion management performance across the network through localized resource allocation.
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 enables efficient data transmission by alleviating congestion through pooled and dedicated bandwidth allocation, optimizing network capacity, and reducing operational costs by deploying a mix of high and low-capacity transceivers across the network.
Implementation Method 1
transmit, using the first transceiver, a plurality of first groups of optical subcarriers to a plurality of second communications modules via free-space optical communication
Implementation Method 2
receive, using the first transceiver, plurality of second groups of optical subcarriers from the second communications modules via free-space optical communication
Data Source
AI summary
An example method is performed by a terrestrial control system communicatively coupled to a constellation of satellites. According to the method, instructions are transmitted to a first satellite of the constellation to transmit a plurality of first groups of optical subcarriers to a plurality of second satellites of the constellation via free-space optical communication. The first groups of optical subcarriers carry first data and each of the first groups of optical subcarriers is associated, respectively, with a different communications module of the second satellites. Further, instructions are transmitted to the second satellites to transmit a plurality of second optical subcarriers to the first satellite via free-space optical communication. The second groups of optical subcarriers carry second data and each of the second groups of optical subcarriers is associated, respectively, with a different communications module of the second satellites.