Seam Routing Protocol for Satellite Link Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite networks with dynamically changing topologies, such as those found at orbital seams, face challenges in maintaining stable communication links due to the transient nature of inter-satellite connections, leading to high latency and frequent routing table updates.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a seam routing (SR) protocol layer that allows for transparent routing of data across network seams, using a second layer protocol to encapsulate data and provide connectivity instructions, thereby extending the active period of links across seams and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If routing traffic across the orbital seam is attempted, then direct communication between source and destination satellites is achieved, but the link is unstable and sporadically active due to high relative velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a seam routing protocol layer that acts as an intermediary between the unstable physical link and the higher-layer routing protocols. This intermediary layer manages the transient connections across the orbital seam, buffering and forwarding data packets during the brief periods when direct satellite links are active, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seam routing protocol dynamically adapts to the changing topology by continuously monitoring link availability and adjusting routing decisions in real-time. It handles the dynamic nature of seam crossings by activating direct routing when links are stable and switching to alternative paths when links become unstable, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.
2Reliability
If routing traffic to avoid the orbital seam is implemented, then link stability is improved, but routing latency increases due to longer paths with more satellite links
Solution Approach 1:
The routing system dynamically selects between seam-crossing paths and alternative paths based on real-time link conditions. When seam links are stable and available, the system uses direct seam-crossing routes to minimize latency. When seam links become unstable, it dynamically switches to alternative paths, thus balancing reliability and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The seam routing protocol changes routing parameters (such as path selection, hop count thresholds, and latency tolerances) based on the operational context. It adjusts these parameters according to the stability and availability of seam links, optimizing the trade-off between link stability and routing latency for different network conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a second layer protocol for seam routing is introduced, then routing flexibility and link active time are improved, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing functionality into distinct layers: the existing IP layer for end-to-end routing and the new seam routing layer for managing transient link characteristics. This segmentation allows each layer to focus on specific tasks, improving routing flexibility for seam crossings while keeping the added complexity localized to the seam routing layer, transparent to higher-layer protocols.
4Speed
If the orbital seam is crossed with satellites traveling in opposite directions, then direct communication is possible, but the relative velocity causes the link to be active only for a short period
Solution Approach 1:
The seam routing protocol performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing routing paths and buffering data packets before seam crossings occur. It predicts when seam links will be active based on satellite ephemeris data and prepares data for transmission in advance, maximizing the utilization of brief active periods and effectively extending the functional active time of links.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining data buffers and keeping routing state information alive during inactive periods. It continuously monitors link conditions and maintains readiness to transmit data immediately when links become active, ensuring that the useful communication action continues without interruption despite the transient nature of seam links.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for routing data in a network includes receiving, by a first network node, data to be routed using a first layer protocol to a second network node where the first network node is intermittently connected to the second network node over a link spanning a portion of the network. The first network node determines that the link fails to meet a communications criteria and encapsulates the data using a second layer protocol to produce encapsulated data. The second layer protocol is transparent to the first layer protocol and the encapsulated data includes connectivity instructions to route the encapsulated data to the second network node via a third network node. The second network node and the third network node are in communication across the portion of the network and the first network node is able to transmit the encapsulated data to the third network node.