Bandwidth optimization and hitless transport in dynamic free space optical communications networks
First Claim
1. A system for optical communications, comprising:
- a multiplicity of optical communications relay platforms that each move relative to earth and above a surface of the earth, each optical communications relay platform comprising a relay link for communications between adjacent optical communications relay platforms;
a plurality of ground stations at different locations on the surface of the earth, each ground station comprising one or more optical communications links for optical communications with successive optical communications relay platforms, the optical communications links of each ground station being configured for handover connections between the successive optical communications relay platforms as the optical communications relay platforms move relative to the earth, wherein each ground station further comprises an optical switch for sending and receiving optical signals from the optical communications link; and
a link controller, the link controller being configured to control switching of the optical communications links and the relay links for hitless transmission of optical communications signals, the link controller controlling at least one of switching between the optical communications links or switching between the relay links in response to at least one of degradation of an optical communications link or movement of the optical communications relay platforms relative to the earth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for optical communications may include a multiplicity of optical communications relay platforms that each move above a surface of the earth. Each relay platform may include a relay link for communications between adjacent relay platforms. The system may also include a plurality of ground stations. Each ground station may be configured to communicate with another of the ground stations through at least one of the relay platforms. Each ground station may include an optical communications link for optical communications with successive relay platforms. The optical link of each ground station may be configured for handover connections between the successive relay platforms as the relay platforms move relative to the earth. The system may additionally include a network operations center having a link controller. The link controller may be configured to control switching of the communications links for hitless transmission between the ground stations.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for optical communications, comprising:
-
a multiplicity of optical communications relay platforms that each move relative to earth and above a surface of the earth, each optical communications relay platform comprising a relay link for communications between adjacent optical communications relay platforms; a plurality of ground stations at different locations on the surface of the earth, each ground station comprising one or more optical communications links for optical communications with successive optical communications relay platforms, the optical communications links of each ground station being configured for handover connections between the successive optical communications relay platforms as the optical communications relay platforms move relative to the earth, wherein each ground station further comprises an optical switch for sending and receiving optical signals from the optical communications link; and a link controller, the link controller being configured to control switching of the optical communications links and the relay links for hitless transmission of optical communications signals, the link controller controlling at least one of switching between the optical communications links or switching between the relay links in response to at least one of degradation of an optical communications link or movement of the optical communications relay platforms relative to the earth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for dynamically changing free space optical communications links for hitless transmission, the method comprising:
-
detecting degradation of an optical communications link, the optical communications link being from a ground station to an optical communications relay platform; determining a correlation policy match based on the degradation of the optical communications link, wherein the correlation policy match indicates that a switch or change of at least one of;
the optical communications link to another optical communications link, the around station to another ground station, or the optical communications relay platform to another optical communications relay platform is warranted;transmitting a signal to initiate a link decision process for switching the at least one of the optical communications link, the ground station or the optical communications relay platform in response to the correlation policy being matched; identifying a particular optical communications link for optical communications between the ground station and the optical communications relay platform based on at least environmental conditions and communications traffic load offered by the particular optical communications link; determining a new cross-link between the optical communications relay platform and a successive optical communications relay platform based on the link decision process; and switching at least one of the optical communications link to the other optical communications link or a relay link between the optical communications relay platform and the successive optical communications relay platform in response to at least one of the degradation of the optical communications link or movement of the optical communications relay platform. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for dynamically changing free space optical communications links for hitless transmission, the method comprising:
-
determining an optimal ground station for optical communications with a particular optical communications relay platform in response to detecting degradation of an optical communications link; switching to the optimal ground station in response to the optimal ground station being different from a current ground station; determining an optimal optical communications link between the optimal ground station and the particular optical communications relay platform; switching to the optimal optical communications link in response to the optimal optical communications link being different from a current optical communications link; determining an optical cross-connect change between the particular optical communications relay platform and a successive optical communications relay platform in response to at least one of switching to the optimal ground station or switching to the optimal optical communications link; and switching to a new optical cross-connect based on at least one of an optical communications relay platform configuration, available bandwidth or ground station availability. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification