MOBILITY ACROSS SATELLITE BEAMS USING L2 CONNECTIVITY

• US 20100265878A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Inventors: Chandran, Girish, Lau, Jason, Foxworthy, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,457,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18541 for handover of resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18591 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0016 Hand-off preparation specially adapted for end-to-end data sessions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/142 over the same radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing mobility across satellite beams, are described. The system includes a first core node, a second core node in communication with the first core node at layer-2 of the OSI model (L2), and a first gateway in communication, at L2, with the first core, the first gateway configured to provide access to a first spot beam at a first location. The system further includes a second gateway in communication, at L2, with the second core node, the second gateway configure to provide access to a second spot beam at a second location, and a mobile device, at the first location, in communication with the first gateway via the first spot beam, wherein the mobile device is assigned an IP address by the first core node. The mobile device moves from the first location to the second location. Further, the first gateway, in response to the mobile device moving from the first location to the second location, notifies the second gateway, through the first core node and the second core node, that the mobile device is moving to the second location, and transmits the session information to the second gateway, and the second gateway, in response to the notification, maintains connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.

Claims

1. A system for providing mobility across satellite beams, the system comprising:

a first core node;

a second core node in communication with the first core node at layer-2 of the OSI model (L2);

a first gateway in communication, at L2, with the first core, the first gateway configured to provide access to a first spot beam at a first location;

a second gateway in communication, at L2, with the second core node, the second gateway configure to provide access to a second spot beam at a second location;

a mobile device, at the first location, in communication with the first gateway via the first spot beam, wherein the mobile device is assigned an IP address by the first core node, and wherein the mobile device moves from the first location to the second location;

the first gateway, in response to the mobile device moving from the first location to the second location, notifies the second gateway, through the first core node and the second core node, that the mobile device is moving to the second location, and transmits the session information to the second gateway; and

the second gateway, in response to the notification, maintains connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.

2. A system for providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 1, wherein the mobile device is travelling in one or more of the following:

a train, a car, and an airplane.

3. A system for providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 1, further comprising a third gateway in communication with the second core node, at L2, the third gateway provides access to a third spot beam at a third location.

4. A system for providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 3, wherein the mobile device moves from the second location to the third location.

5. A system for providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 4, wherein in response to the mobile device moving from the second location to the third location, the second gateway notifies the third gateway, through the second core node, of the mobile device moving to the third location, and transmits the IP address to the third gateway, the third gateway, in response to the notification, maintains connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.

6. A method of providing mobility across satellite beams, the system comprising:

providing access to a first spot beam at a first location serviced by a first gateway;

providing access to a second spot beam at a second location serviced by a second gateway;

assigning a mobile device, at the first location, an IP address by the first gateway, wherein the mobile device moves from the first location to the second location;

in response to the mobile device moving from the first location to the second location, notifying the second gateway, through a first core node and a second core node, that the mobile device is moving to the second location;

transmitting the session information to the second gateway; and

in response to the notification, maintaining connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.

7. A method of providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 6, wherein the mobile device is travelling in one or more of the following:

a train, a car, and an airplane.

8. A method of providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 6, wherein a third gateway is in communication with the second core node, at L2, and providing access, by the third gateway, to a third spot beam at a third location.

9. A method of providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 8, wherein the mobile device moves from the second location to the third location.

10. A method of providing mobility across satellite beams as in claim 9, wherein in response to the mobile device moving from the second location to the third location, the second gateway notifies the third gateway, through the second core node, of the mobile device moving to the third location, and transmits the IP address to the third gateway, the third gateway, in response to the notification, maintains connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.

11. A computer-readable medium having sets of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, causes the one or more computers to:

provide access to a first spot beam at a first location serviced by a first gateway;

provide access to a second spot beam at a second location serviced by a second gateway;

assign a mobile device, at the first location, an IP address by the first gateway, wherein the mobile device moves from the first location to the second location;

in response to the mobile device moving from the first location to the second location, notify the second gateway, through a first core node and a second core node, that the mobile device is moving to the second location;

transmit the session information to the second gateway; and

in response to the notification, maintain connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.

12. A computer-readable medium as in claim 11, wherein the maintaining of connectivity of the mobile device is seamless.

13. A computer-readable medium as in claim 12, wherein the seamless maintaining of the connectivity of the mobile device comprises maintaining the mobile device'"'"'s IP address and/or session data.

14. A computer-readable medium as in claim 11, wherein the first location and the second location are geographically diverse locations.

15. A computer-readable medium as in claim 11, wherein the mobile device is travelling in one or more of the following:

a train, a car, and an airplane.

16. A computer-readable medium as in claim 11, wherein a third gateway is in communication with the second core node, at L2, and providing access, by the third gateway, to a third spot beam at a third location.

17. A computer-readable medium as in claim 16, wherein the mobile device moves from the second location to the third location.

18. A computer-readable medium as in claim 17, wherein in response to the mobile device moving from the second location to the third location, the second gateway notifies the third gateway, through the second core node, of the mobile device moving to the third location, and transmits the IP address to the third gateway, the third gateway, in response to the notification, maintains connectivity with the mobile device using the IP address.