Dynamic bandwidth resource allocation for satellite downlinks
First Claim
1. A method performed by a satellite resource control unit for allocating downlink resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams of a spot-beam satellite, the downlink resources defined in resource units, the satellite resource control unit in communication with the plurality of terminals via the plurality of beams, the method comprising:
- aggregating, at the satellite resource control unit, terminal parameter information to identify a cumulative guaranteed downlink rate for each of the plurality of beams;
identifying a measured rate of downlink resource units for each of the plurality of beams for a past time duration;
identifying, for each beam, an amount by which the measured rate exceeds the cumulative guaranteed downlink rate, the amount comprising an excess measured rate;
identifying an amount of allocatable downlink resource units for a future defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network;
allocating a first portion of allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the first portion proportionally corresponding to the cumulative guaranteed downlink information rate for each beam; and
allocating, after the first portion is allocated, a remaining second portion of the allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the second portion proportionally corresponding to the respective excess measured rate for each beam.
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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 among different downlink beams. The satellite may receive and compile traffic measurements and terminal parameters. The satellite may be configured with different downlink beam coverage areas, and may dynamically allocate downlink bandwidth and particular frequency channels to different beam coverage areas based on the measurements and parameters. The satellite may also assign frequency channels and time slots based on such measurements and parameters.
92 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method performed by a satellite resource control unit for allocating downlink resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams of a spot-beam satellite, the downlink resources defined in resource units, the satellite resource control unit in communication with the plurality of terminals via the plurality of beams, the method comprising:
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aggregating, at the satellite resource control unit, terminal parameter information to identify a cumulative guaranteed downlink rate for each of the plurality of beams; identifying a measured rate of downlink resource units for each of the plurality of beams for a past time duration; identifying, for each beam, an amount by which the measured rate exceeds the cumulative guaranteed downlink rate, the amount comprising an excess measured rate; identifying an amount of allocatable downlink resource units for a future defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; allocating a first portion of allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the first portion proportionally corresponding to the cumulative guaranteed downlink information rate for each beam; and allocating, after the first portion is allocated, a remaining second portion of the allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the second portion proportionally corresponding to the respective excess measured rate for each beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for allocating downlink resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the downlink resources defined in resource units, the system comprising:
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a terminal parameter module configured to aggregate terminal parameter information to identify a cumulative guaranteed downlink rate for each of the plurality of beams; a downlink beam measurement module, in communication with the terminal parameter module, and configured to; identify a measured rate of downlink resource units for each of the plurality of beams for a past time duration; identify, for each beam, an amount by which the measured rate exceeds the cumulative guaranteed downlink rate, the amount comprising an excess measured rate; a resource allocation module, in communication with the terminal parameter module and the beam measurement module, and configured to; identify an amount of allocatable downlink resource units for a future defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; allocate a first portion amount of allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the first portion proportionally corresponding to the cumulative guaranteed downlink information rate for each beam; and allocate, after the first portion is allocated, a remaining second portion of the allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the second portion proportionally corresponding to the respective excess measured rate for each beam. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A device for allocating downlink resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network having a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams, the downlink resources defined in resource units, the device comprising:
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means for aggregating terminal parameter information to identify a cumulative guaranteed downlink rate for each of the plurality of beams; means for downlink beam measurement, wherein the means for downlink beam measurement identifies a measured rate of downlink resource units for each of the plurality of beams for a past time duration and identifies, for each beam, an amount by which the measured rate exceeds the guaranteed downlink rate, the amount comprising an excess measured rate; means for resource allocation, wherein the means for resource allocation identifies an amount of allocatable downlink resource units for a future defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network, allocates a first portion amount of allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the first portion proportionally corresponding to the cumulative guaranteed downlink information rate for each beam, and allocates, after the first portion is allocated, a remaining second portion of the allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the second portion proportionally corresponding to the respective excess measured rate for each beam. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A satellite communications system for allocating downlink resources in a multi-beam satellite communications network, the downlink resources defined in resource units, the system comprising:
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a plurality of terminals in each of a plurality of beams; and a resource allocator system in communication via satellite with each of the plurality of terminals in each of the plurality of beams, the resource allocator system configured to; aggregate terminal parameter information to identify a cumulative guaranteed downlink rate for each of the plurality of beams; identify a measured rate of downlink resource units for each of the plurality of beams for a past time duration; identify, for each beam, an amount by which the measured rate exceeds the guaranteed downlink rate, the amount comprising an excess measured rate; identify an amount of allocatable downlink resource units for a future defined time duration for the multi-beam satellite communications network; allocate a first portion amount of allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the first portion proportionally corresponding to the cumulative guaranteed downlink information rate for each beam; and allocate, after the first portion is allocated, a remaining second portion of the allocatable downlink resource units among each of the plurality of beams for the future defined time duration, the allocation of the second portion proportionally corresponding to the respective excess measured rate for each beam.
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Specification