VSAT Earth Station Circuit Switching via Encapsulated SIP Control Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing VSAT systems lack a method for circuit-switching of communicating lines between VSAT earth station apparatuses performing P to P communication in a single hop connection, especially in systems without DAMA apparatuses using the satellite channel in the transmission frequency fixed assignment scheme.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves encapsulating SIP packets in a control signal and transmitting them from an outgoing VSAT earth station apparatus via a relay satellite to a control earth station apparatus. The encapsulated control signal is then transparently transmitted to an incoming VSAT earth station apparatus, where the reception frequency is adjusted to match the transmission frequency of the opposing earth station apparatus based on the SIP packet information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If circuit switching is implemented for P to P communication in single hop connection, then communication flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control earth station as an intermediary to manage circuit switching operations. The control earth station receives circuit switching requests from VSAT earth stations, performs the switching operations, and manages frequency adjustments. This mediator approach allows complex switching functionality to be added without increasing the complexity of individual VSAT earth stations, resolving the contradiction between improved adaptability and reduced system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency adjustment is performed for circuit switching, then communication adaptability is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary frequency allocation where the control earth station pre-configures frequency information for different communication partners. When a circuit switching request is received, the VSAT earth station can quickly adjust to the pre-determined frequency without complex real-time calculations or negotiations. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the time required for frequency adjustment during actual switching operations.
3Reliability
If dedicated control line is used for circuit switching, then control reliability is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control signaling function with the existing SCPC communication framework. Circuit switching requests and responses are transmitted using the established control earth station to VSAT earth station communication channel, which is already dedicated for control purposes in SCPC systems. This merging approach ensures reliable control signaling without adding separate dedicated control infrastructure, maintaining reliability while avoiding additional system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method or a first earth station in a satellite communication system including a plurality of earth stations connected by a single-hop connection accommodating corresponding terminals is provided. The method includes encapsulating a first control message received from a first terminal in a first control signal to transfer the first control signal including the encapsulated first control message through a first controlling line to a second earth station accommodating a second terminal on an incoming side among the plurality of earth stations; and performing circuit-switching of the first communicating line between the first earth station and the second earth station in accordance with the first control message.