Satellite Payload Routing IP Packets Regenerative Subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite communication systems face inefficiencies in routing Internet Protocol (IP) packets across multi-beam networks, leading to increased delay and reduced quality of service due to the need for multiple satellite hops, and lack backward compatibility with analog systems.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a digital channelizer and a regenerative communications subsystem (RCS) that processes signals from uplink beams, reduces satellite hops by allowing selective routing and processing of IP packets, and includes a controller for managing the flow of signals between the channelizer and RCS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If multiple satellite hops are used for routing IP packets in traditional satellite networks, then signal coverage can be extended across multiple beams, but transmission delay increases and quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary routing mechanism where the satellite payload acts as an active router rather than a passive transponder. The payload includes a routing processor that receives IP packets, determines optimal ground station destinations using routing tables, and directs packets through intermediate satellites or directly to destination beams. This intermediary routing function reduces the number of satellite hops required, thereby decreasing transmission delay while maintaining flexible packet routing capabilities across multi-beam networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic routing where routing decisions are made in real-time based on current network conditions, satellite positions, and packet destination requirements. The routing processor dynamically updates routing tables and adjusts packet paths between satellite hops, enabling adaptive optimization of transmission delay while maintaining versatility in routing different packet types across varying network configurations.
2Reliability
If regenerative payloads are implemented to process and regenerate signals, then signal quality and routing efficiency improve, but backward compatibility with analog systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing regenerative processing selectively in specific parts of the satellite payload architecture rather than uniformly across all signal paths. The payload includes both regenerative components (for digital packet processing and routing) and transparent transponder components (for analog signal relay). This allows the system to provide high signal quality and routing efficiency for IP packet services while maintaining backward compatibility with analog satellite communication systems through the transparent path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal satellite payload capable of performing multiple functions: it can process and regenerate digital IP packets with intelligent routing, while simultaneously relaying analog signals in transparent mode. The payload architecture integrates both regenerative and transparent operational modes, allowing a single satellite to serve both modern digital packet networks and legacy analog communication systems, thereby achieving both improved signal quality and backward compatibility.
3Productivity
If digital channelizers are used to divide and control bandwidth, then bandwidth allocation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite payload into distinct functional modules: a digital channelizer for bandwidth division and control, a routing processor for packet routing decisions, and transparent transponder paths for analog signals. This segmentation allows efficient bandwidth allocation through the channelizer while managing overall system complexity by isolating complex digital processing functions in dedicated modules that can be independently configured and maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
An example system for satellite payload communications includes a digital channelizer and a regenerative communications subsystem (RCS). The digital channelizer includes a plurality of inputs for receiving a plurality of signals from a plurality of uplink beams and a plurality of outputs for outputting the plurality of signals. The RCS includes a plurality of inputs selectably coupled to the digital channelizer outputs to receive signals from selected ones of the digital channelizer outputs and a plurality of outputs selectably coupled to the digital channelizer inputs to transmit the processed signals to selected ones of the digital channelizer inputs. The RCS is configured to process selected ones of the plurality of signals to produce processed signals.