Virtual Node State Transfer for Satellite Resource Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and complexity of deploying and maintaining satellites for organizations that require specialized operations, such as military or civilian observation, limit the use of satellite technology due to the expense of creating and launching entire satellites for non-continuous operations.

Innovation Solution

The development of a system that allows software applications to execute as virtual nodes on satellite platforms, sharing resources and utilizing virtual machines or containers, enabling efficient management and deployment of applications across multiple satellites, with a ground control system managing scheduling and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organizations deploy entire satellites for specialized operations, then operational capability is ensured, but cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational capabilityVSAvoidsatellite deployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The satellite system is segmented into multiple virtual nodes, each capable of executing independent software applications. Organizations can deploy only the specific virtual node containing their required application, rather than deploying an entire satellite. This segmentation allows independent deployment, operation, and termination of individual applications without affecting other users or requiring continuous satellite presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single satellite platform provides universal service to multiple organizations by hosting different virtual nodes with different applications. The satellite infrastructure (transponders, processors, memory) is shared among multiple users through virtualization, allowing one satellite to perform multiple specialized operations simultaneously for different organizations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If entire satellites are deployed for specialized operations, then application execution is guaranteed, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication execution guaranteeVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple application executions are merged into a single satellite platform through virtual nodes. The satellite's computational resources, memory, and communication capabilities are combined and shared among multiple virtual nodes, each running different applications for different organizations. This merging increases resource utilization efficiency while maintaining application execution guarantees through virtualization isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The satellite platform dynamically allocates resources to virtual nodes based on current operational needs. Virtual nodes can be created, activated, deactivated, or removed dynamically without requiring physical satellite changes. This dynamic resource allocation ensures that resources are efficiently utilized while guaranteeing execution capabilities when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If continuous satellite operations are maintained, then service availability is improved, but operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining continuous satellite operations, the system uses periodic action where virtual nodes are activated only when specific applications need to run. The satellite can enter low-power modes or terminate unnecessary virtual nodes between usage periods, reducing operational costs while maintaining service availability when needed through rapid virtual node deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Virtual node state information is copied and transferred between satellite passes or to ground-based systems. This allows the satellite to terminate virtual nodes between operations and reconstruct them later using copied state data, reducing the need for continuous operation while maintaining service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10530468B2State transfer among virtualized nodes in spaceborne or airborne systems

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for deploying applications in spaceborne and airborne systems, among others. In one example, an airborne or spaceborne physical node comprises a communication interface configured to receive software payloads, and logistical control elements of the physical node. The physical node further comprises a virtualized execution system configured to execute ones of the software payloads deployed on the physical node as associated virtual nodes that share resources of the physical node.