Shared Hub Modem Chassis for Scalable Satellite Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite communication networks face challenges in scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency, as they require dedicated equipment for each satellite and network, making it difficult to add new users or adjust bandwidth, and configuration changes can disrupt the system and require significant coordination and time.
Innovation Solution
A scalable communication system that shares common equipment between multiple independently administered networks, allowing for reconfiguration and expansion of communication capacity, bandwidth, and satellite connections using a single hub modem chassis and protocol processor, enabling seamless addition of users and resources without requiring new hub modem chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated hub modem chassis are used for each satellite and network, then network reliability and isolation are improved, but device complexity and capital expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared hub modem chassis that can serve multiple satellite networks through virtualization. The single physical chassis is divided into multiple virtual chassis instances, each independently managing a specific satellite network. This universal infrastructure replaces the need for multiple dedicated physical chassis while maintaining network isolation and reliability through virtual boundary enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the shared physical hub modem chassis into multiple virtual chassis instances (e.g., virtual chassis A, B, C). Each virtual chassis is further segmented into independent network domains that can be independently configured, managed, and isolated. This segmentation allows one physical system to provide the reliability of multiple dedicated systems while reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional satellite networks are added to a teleport, then communication capacity is improved, but device complexity and installation expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shared hub modem chassis is designed to universally support multiple satellite networks simultaneously. When a new satellite network needs to be added, the system creates a new virtual chassis instance within the existing physical infrastructure, allowing the teleport to expand communication capacity without adding new physical chassis or undergoing complex reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic adaptability where virtual chassis instances can be created, configured, activated, or deactivated through software control. This dynamic capability allows the teleport to flexibly adjust communication capacity by adding or removing virtual network instances on-demand, rather than requiring static physical additions that increase device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration changes are made to the network, then network adaptability is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into isolated virtual chassis instances, the patent confines configuration changes to specific virtual domains. When a configuration change is made in one virtual chassis, it remains isolated and does not propagate disruptions to other virtual chassis or the underlying physical infrastructure, thereby maintaining overall system stability while allowing necessary adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual chassis acts as an intermediary layer between the physical hub modem chassis and the satellite networks. Configuration changes are applied at the virtual chassis level, which mediates and buffers the impact on the physical system. This intermediary abstraction allows flexible configuration changes while protecting the stability of the underlying physical infrastructure and other networks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If new users are added to the network, then communication capacity is improved, but installation time and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-establishing virtual chassis instances and network templates before actual user deployment. When new users need to be added, they can be rapidly instantiated using pre-configured virtual infrastructure and templates, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration and coordination during user onboarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualized architecture enables self-service user provisioning where new users can be automatically allocated resources and configured through automated processes. The system autonomously handles user addition by allocating bandwidth, configuring network parameters, and activating services without requiring extensive manual coordination, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining communication capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system, method, computer program product, and apparatus include common equipment shared between multiple independently administered networks. The common equipment is reconfigurable and expandable and provides changed communication capacity and functions when additional elements are added or reconfigured. Configurable features include, for example, communication bandwidth, Quality of Service, and a number of communication satellites included in the communication system. The common equipment includes expandable elements including, for example, a single hub modem chassis that can expand to communicate with more than one communication satellite and a protocol processor that can share a protocol processing task with another protocol processors.