Method, apparatus, and system for designing and planning a shared satellite communications network
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented satellite network planning system comprising:
- a spreadsheet configured to contain embedded satellite network planning equations and receive data that is used as input for the embedded equations, said spreadsheet being an application that runs on an industry-standard operating system, said spreadsheet including a user interface configured to prompt a user to enter the data as predetermined satellite network parameters but not display the embedded equations;
a processor configured to execute the embedded equations using the data input via the user interface and to determinea final satellite network design that includes at least one hub terminal, at least one satellite, and at least one remote terminal,a total number of upstream carriers, downstream carriers and an information rate for each upstream carrier and downstream carrier,performance characteristics of the final satellite network including a frame length of each upstream carrier and an oversubscription of each downstream carrier, and to determine the transmission rate and a bandwidth for the upstream and downstream carriers for the final satellite network design, the transmission rate including bits needed in a carrier and being calculated based on Quadrative Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation, and demand information, encryption information, and packet assembly and disassembly data being used to further analyze the upstream and the bandwidth available for each time slot, anda cost per month for using a satellite network according to the final satellite network design; and
a display mechanism configured to display the final satellite network design with both text and graphics, said graphics including an image of a spectral occupancy of the downstream carriers.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented satellite network planning system that enables a user to plan a satellite communications network, using an industry-standard spreadsheet as a platform. The spreadsheet contains embedded equations used to produce a network design that describes components of a physical layer of the planned network (i.e. hub terminals, satellite, and remote terminals), and provides bandwidth allocations and traffic engineering features of the planned network. The spreadsheet includes a user-friendly interface that prompts the user to enter predetermined network parameters but does not display the embedded equations. The result is a user-friendly interface that is familiar enough for most LAN users, designers, and product managers to use and understand the results provided by the network planning system. The use of the industry-standard spreadsheet including the user-friendly interface reduces design time, allows non-technical managers to use the tool, and saves money for the user.
28 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented satellite network planning system comprising:
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a spreadsheet configured to contain embedded satellite network planning equations and receive data that is used as input for the embedded equations, said spreadsheet being an application that runs on an industry-standard operating system, said spreadsheet including a user interface configured to prompt a user to enter the data as predetermined satellite network parameters but not display the embedded equations; a processor configured to execute the embedded equations using the data input via the user interface and to determine a final satellite network design that includes at least one hub terminal, at least one satellite, and at least one remote terminal, a total number of upstream carriers, downstream carriers and an information rate for each upstream carrier and downstream carrier, performance characteristics of the final satellite network including a frame length of each upstream carrier and an oversubscription of each downstream carrier, and to determine the transmission rate and a bandwidth for the upstream and downstream carriers for the final satellite network design, the transmission rate including bits needed in a carrier and being calculated based on Quadrative Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation, and demand information, encryption information, and packet assembly and disassembly data being used to further analyze the upstream and the bandwidth available for each time slot, and a cost per month for using a satellite network according to the final satellite network design; and a display mechanism configured to display the final satellite network design with both text and graphics, said graphics including an image of a spectral occupancy of the downstream carriers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for planning a satellite network comprising steps of:
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embedding satellite network planning equations in a spreadsheet application operating on an industry-standard operating system; prompting a user to enter data as predetermined satellite network parameters via the spreadsheet; receiving the data as input to the satellite network planning equations; processing the input using the satellite network planning equations; determining a final satellite network design that includes at least one hub terminal, at least one satellite, and at least one remote terminal; determining a total number of upstream carriers and downstream carriers and an information rate for each upstream carrier and downstream carrier; determining performance characteristics of the final satellite network design including a frame length of each upstream and an oversubscription of each downstream and determining the transmission rate and a bandwidth for the upstream and downstream carriers for the final satellite network design, the transmission rate including bits needed in a carrier and being calculated based on Quadrative Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation, and demand information, encryption information, and packet assembly and disassembly data being used to further analyze the upstream and the bandwidth available for each time slot; determining a cost per month for using the final satellite network design; displaying the final satellite network design; displaying the performance characteristics of the final satellite network design; and displaying the cost split as a total cost per month of the final satellite network and a cost per month of each site of the final satellite network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer program product storing program instructions for execution on a computer system, which when executed by the computer system configures the computer system to operate as a computer-implemented satellite network planning system comprising:
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a spreadsheet configured to contain embedded satellite network planning equations and receive data that is used as input for the embedded equations, said spreadsheet being an application that runs on an industry-standard operating system, said spreadsheet including a user interface configured to prompt a user to enter the data as predetermined satellite network parameters but not display the embedded equations; a processor configured to execute the embedded equations using the data input via the user interface and to determine a final satellite network design that includes at least one hub terminal, at least one satellite, and at least one remote terminal, a total number of upstream carriers and downstream carriers and an information rate for each upstream carrier and downstream carrier, performance characteristics of the final satellite network including a frame length of each upstream carrier and an oversubscription of each downstream carrier, and to determine the transmission rate and a bandwidth for the upstream and downstream carriers for the final satellite network design, the transmission rate including bits needed in a carrier and being calculated based on Ouadrative Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation, and demand information, encryption information, and packet assembly and disassembly data being used to further analyze the upstream and the bandwidth available for each time slot, and a cost per month for using the final satellite network; and a display mechanism configured to display the final satellite network deign with both text and graphics, said graphics including an image of a spectral occupancy of the downstream carriers.
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Specification