Store and Forward Satellite Access with Data Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems using satellites with discontinuous feeder links face challenges in maintaining continuous communication due to intermittent availability of feeder links, leading to inefficiencies in data handling and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that involves creating an endpoint proxy at a space vehicle (SV) to simulate an end device in a terrestrial network, allowing for storage and forwarding of communication data during periods when the feeder link is unavailable, and subsequently forwarding the data when the feeder link becomes available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If store and forward operation is implemented at the satellite to enable access during feeder link unavailability, then communication continuity is improved, but system complexity increases due to endpoint proxy and data storage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an endpoint proxy as an intermediary component that simulates end device behavior and enables store and forward operation. The proxy is created at the satellite when feeder link is unavailable, allowing the satellite to store communications and forward them later when connectivity is restored, thus maintaining communication continuity while managing complexity through a dedicated intermediary mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating the endpoint proxy and storing communications at the satellite before the feeder link becomes available. The proxy is set up in advance and communications are buffered during the unavailability period, so that when connectivity is restored, data can be immediately forwarded without interruption, ensuring continuous service
2Reliability
If communications are stored at the satellite during feeder link unavailability, then data delivery reliability is improved, but data handling efficiency decreases due to storage and forwarding delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates the endpoint proxy and stores communications at the satellite in advance during feeder link unavailability. This preliminary action ensures that data is ready for immediate forwarding when connectivity is restored, maintaining reliability while minimizing delays through proactive data buffering before the actual delivery event
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the satellite monitors feeder link availability status and dynamically creates or updates the endpoint proxy accordingly. When the feeder link becomes available, the system receives feedback about connectivity status and immediately forwards stored communications, optimizing the balance between reliability and efficiency through continuous status monitoring and responsive data forwarding
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) communicates with remote endpoints by accessing a space vehicle (SV) in store and forward (S&F) mode when the SV has no feeder link to a network. The SV includes RAN and CN capability to enable the UE to communicate with an on board proxy. The UE sends mobile originated (MO) voice and data to the proxy in a packaged data set and receives mobile terminated voice and data from the remote endpoints also as a packaged data set. When the SV has a feeder link, the proxy forwards the packaged MO data set to a second proxy in an S&F center. The second proxy may unpackage the packaged MO data set and forward the MO data to the remote endpoints or forward the packaged MO data set for unpackaging by a remote endpoint. The packaging can significantly reduce SV access time by the UE.