BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION ACROSS BEAMS IN A MULTI-BEAM SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for allocating bandwidth resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the bandwidth resources defined in resource units, the method comprising:
- receiving a resource request from each of at least a subset of the plurality of terminals in each beam of the plurality of beams, the resource requests identifying an amount of requested resource units for the requesting terminal;
generating per-beam resource request data associated with a defined time duration based at least in part on the received resource requests;
identifying an amount of allocatable resource units for the defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; and
dynamically allocating, responsive to the per-beam resource request data, a subset of the amount of allocatable resource units to each of the plurality of beams to generate a per-beam resource unit allocation for the defined time duration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Satellite communications systems, methods, and related devices are described. In one embodiment, a satellite communications system is configured to dynamically allocate bandwidth and frequencies among different beams. Bandwidth request data may be received and compiled from the terminals. The satellite may be configured with different beam coverage areas, and may dynamically allocate bandwidth and particular frequency channels to different beam coverage areas based on the requests. In each of a series of one or more epochs, and according to the bandwidth requests, there may be allocations among carrier groups, traffic classes, and particular terminals. The setup of slot structure and selection of modes for particular terminals is also addressed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for allocating bandwidth resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the bandwidth resources defined in resource units, the method comprising:
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receiving a resource request from each of at least a subset of the plurality of terminals in each beam of the plurality of beams, the resource requests identifying an amount of requested resource units for the requesting terminal; generating per-beam resource request data associated with a defined time duration based at least in part on the received resource requests; identifying an amount of allocatable resource units for the defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; and dynamically allocating, responsive to the per-beam resource request data, a subset of the amount of allocatable resource units to each of the plurality of beams to generate a per-beam resource unit allocation for the defined time duration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for allocating bandwidth resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the bandwidth resources defined in resource units, the system comprising:
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a per-beam request compilation module configured to; receive one or more resource requests from each of at least a subset of the plurality of terminals in each beam of the plurality of beams, the resource requests identifying an amount of requested resource units for the requesting terminal; and generate per-beam resource request data associated with a defined time duration based at least in part on the received resource requests; a system resource module configured to identify an amount of allocatable resource units for the defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; and a per-beam allocation module, communicatively coupled with the per-beam request compilation module and the system resource module, configured to dynamically allocate, responsive to the per-beam resource request data, a subset of the amount of allocatable resource units to each of the plurality of beams to generate a per-beam resource unit allocation for the defined time duration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for allocating bandwidth resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the bandwidth resources defined in resource units, the system comprising
the plurality of terminals in each beam of the plurality of beams, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of terminals in each beam is each configured to transmit a resource request identifying an amount of requested resource units for the requesting terminal; - and
a network control center in communication with the at least a subset of the terminals via satellite, and configured to; receive the transmitted resource requests; generate per-beam resource request data associated with a defined time duration based at least in part on the received resource requests; identify an amount of allocatable resource units for the defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; and dynamically allocating, responsive to the per-beam resource request data, a subset of the amount of allocatable resource units to each of the plurality of beams to generate a per-beam resource unit allocation for the defined time duration. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A device for allocating bandwidth resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the bandwidth resources defined in resource units, the device comprising:
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means for receiving a resource request from each of at least a subset of the plurality of terminals in each beam of the plurality of beams, the resource requests identifying an amount of requested resource units for the requesting terminal associated with a defined time duration; means for generating per-beam resource request data for the defined time duration based at least in part on the received resource requests; means for identifying an amount of allocatable resource units for the defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; and means for dynamically allocating, responsive to the per-beam resource request data, a subset of the amount of allocatable resource units to each of the plurality of beams to generate a per-beam resource unit allocation for the defined time duration.
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Specification