Hierarchical Throughput Assignment in Satellite Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and enforcing multi-tier throughput assignments in satellite networks is complex due to varying service level agreements and resource allocation across multiple entities, leading to potential overuse of resources and the need for efficient throughput management.
Innovation Solution
A satellite network throughput management system that includes gateway-level and system-level monitoring systems to aggregate and enforce throughput usage, restricting excess usage by entities and allocating excess bandwidth, using a database to define allocated throughput amounts and enforce restrictions across multiple satellite gateways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hierarchical multi-tier service level arrangement is implemented where service providers purchase bulk access and resell to multiple entities, then network access flexibility and service differentiation are improved, but system complexity and difficulty of throughput management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite network into multiple hierarchical tiers (system-level, gateway-level, entity-level) with independent throughput monitoring and enforcement at each level. This segmentation allows complex multi-tier service arrangements to be managed through modular, hierarchical control rather than monolithic management, resolving the contradiction between service flexibility and management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary throughput monitoring systems at each hierarchical level that act as mediators between upper-level allocations and lower-level usage. These intermediaries translate high-level service level agreements into enforceable throughput restrictions, simplifying management while maintaining flexibility.
2Reliability
If throughput restrictions are enforced at multiple hierarchical levels (system-level and gateway-level), then resource overuse is prevented and service level agreement compliance is improved, but system complexity and monitoring overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into distributed components at system-level and gateway-level, each responsible for enforcement at their respective tier. This segmentation prevents single-point complexity while maintaining comprehensive compliance through hierarchical distribution of monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges throughput monitoring and enforcement functions into existing gateway infrastructure, combining multiple functions (throughput monitoring, restriction enforcement, service level agreement validation) into integrated gateway-level systems. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable compliance.
3Productivity
If excess bandwidth is dynamically allocated to entities based on available capacity, then network resource utilization and productivity are improved, but throughput management complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes preliminary throughput allocations and restrictions at system-level and gateway-level before actual data transmission occurs. These pre-defined limits are enforced automatically by monitoring systems, eliminating the need for complex real-time control decisions while enabling dynamic resource utilization within established bounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service throughput management where monitoring systems automatically detect, measure, and enforce throughput restrictions without human intervention. Entities receive throughput allocations and the system automatically ensures compliance, improving ease of operation while maintaining high resource utilization through automated dynamic allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various arrangements for monitoring and enforcing multi-tier throughput assignments in a network, such as satellite-based communication network, are presented. Throughput usage may be monitored on a beam-level, satellite-level, gateway-level, and system level. Throughput usage for individual satellite terminals may be aggregated and used to determine the throughput usage on an entity-by-entity basis. An entity can have one or more sub-entities to which throughput is allocated. Excessive throughput usage for higher-tier entities can result in throughput being restricted for satellite terminals associated with lower-tier entities.