Method and apparatus for load sharing in a satellite communication system
First Claim
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1. A method of dynamically distributing traffic load among satellite nodes in a communication system comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a power consumption level of a first satellite node having a first antenna coverage pattern comprised of a first plurality of antenna beams, said first plurality of antenna beams having a first antenna beam; and
communicating with a subscriber unit over a first communication channel within said first antenna beam, the communicating step contributing to said power consumption level,when the monitoring step determines that said power consumption level exceeds a predetermined level, the method further comprises the steps of;
identifying a second satellite node having a second antenna coverage pattern comprised of a second plurality of antenna beams which at least partially overlaps said first antenna coverage pattern creating an overlap region, said second plurality having a second antenna beam that at least partially overlaps said first antenna beam;
transferring communications with said subscriber unit from said first satellite node to said second satellite by switching off said first communication channel within said first antenna beam, and switching on said first communication channel in said second antenna beam; and
communicating with said subscriber unit over said first communication channel within said second antenna beam after the transferring step, the communicating step contributing to a power consumption level of said second satellite node.
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Abstract
In a satellite cellular communication system, subscriber traffic is shared between satellites whose antenna coverage patterns overlap during some portion of their orbit. When the power consumption of one satellite exceeds a predetermined level, subscriber units are transferred to cells of a second satellite whose antenna coverage pattern overlaps that of the first satellite. After the subscriber units are transferred, channel assignments are redone to prevent interference with subscriber units in other cells.
53 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of dynamically distributing traffic load among satellite nodes in a communication system comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a power consumption level of a first satellite node having a first antenna coverage pattern comprised of a first plurality of antenna beams, said first plurality of antenna beams having a first antenna beam; and communicating with a subscriber unit over a first communication channel within said first antenna beam, the communicating step contributing to said power consumption level, when the monitoring step determines that said power consumption level exceeds a predetermined level, the method further comprises the steps of; identifying a second satellite node having a second antenna coverage pattern comprised of a second plurality of antenna beams which at least partially overlaps said first antenna coverage pattern creating an overlap region, said second plurality having a second antenna beam that at least partially overlaps said first antenna beam; transferring communications with said subscriber unit from said first satellite node to said second satellite by switching off said first communication channel within said first antenna beam, and switching on said first communication channel in said second antenna beam; and communicating with said subscriber unit over said first communication channel within said second antenna beam after the transferring step, the communicating step contributing to a power consumption level of said second satellite node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A communication system that dynamically distributes traffic load among neighboring nodes comprising:
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a first node having a first antenna coverage pattern and a first set of cells associated therewith, said first set of cells including a first cell; a second node that is moving with respect the first node and has a second antenna coverage pattern and a second set of cells associated therewith, said second set of cells partially overlapping said first set of cells creating an overlap region said second set of cells including a second cell that is overlapping said first cell; and a control facility for monitoring a power consumption level of said first node, wherein said power consumption level is determined in part by a subscriber unit communicating within said first cell on a first communication channel, Wherein the control facility includes a processor for identifying said second node when said power consumption level exceeds a predetermined level, said processor transferring communications with said subscriber unit from said first node to said second node by switching off said first communication channel within said first cell, and switching on said first communication channel in said second cell. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification