Satellite Subbeam Handover via Predictive Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional handover processes between subbeams in non-geosynchronous satellite communication systems introduce significant delays and inefficiencies due to the need for lengthy protocols and reserve capacity management, leading to poor performance and impaired satellite utilization.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing orbital mechanics and resource scheduling to predict handover events, providing grant data for seamless communication transitions between subbeams, including time synchronization and frequency allocation, allowing for low latency handovers without extensive hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover protocols are used between subbeams, then communication reliability is maintained, but handover latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting handover events before they occur using orbital mechanics calculations. The network management system calculates predicted locations of user terminals and identifies upcoming handover events in advance, allowing the system to prepare grant data and resource allocations before the actual handover is needed, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts handover timing and resource allocation based on real-time orbital positions and predicted terminal locations. Instead of using fixed, conservative handover protocols, the system continuously updates handover predictions and grant data allocations based on changing orbital mechanics, enabling faster and more adaptive handover execution
2Reliability
If reserve capacity is allocated for handover events, then handover reliability is improved, but satellite utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for reserve capacity by performing preliminary handover predictions and grant data allocations. Instead of setting aside unused resources for potential handovers, the system calculates which handovers will occur based on orbital mechanics and prepares grant data in advance, ensuring reliable handovers while keeping satellite resources fully utilized for actual communication needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses orbital mechanics calculations and predicted terminal locations to self-determine handover events and required resource allocations. This self-service approach replaces the need for conservative reserve capacity with intelligent, prediction-based resource management that maintains reliability while maximizing satellite utilization efficiency
3Reliability
If complex handover protocols are implemented, then communication reliability is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary handover predictions and grant data allocations based on orbital mechanics, which simplifies the actual handover execution. By calculating predicted locations and identifying handover events in advance, the system reduces the complexity of real-time handover protocols while maintaining reliability through pre-computed resource allocations
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical handover protocols with orbital mechanics-based predictions. Instead of using complicated signal-based handover detection and negotiation protocols, the system uses mathematical orbital calculations to predict handover events, substituting a simpler, more deterministic approach that reduces system complexity while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Satellites provide communication between devices such as user terminals and gateways to other networks, such as the Internet. Non-geosynchronous orbit satellites move relative to user terminals, passing in and out of communication over time. The user terminal itself may also move. Each satellite maintains a plurality of subbeams, each directed towards a different area on the Earth for a portion of an orbit. Based on a predicted location for the user terminal, a handover from a first subbeam to a second subbeam is determined. To minimize disruption due to the handover, communication resources associated with the second subbeam are allocated and provided to the user terminal and the satellite in advance. At the handover time, if the user terminal is within a threshold distance of the predicted location, the user terminal may transition to using the second subbeam. Otherwise, the user terminal may continue to use the first subbeam.