Resource deployment optimizer for non-geostationary and/or geostationary communications satellites

Abstract

Systems, methods and techniques are presented for discovering optimal solutions to satisfy communication traffic demands to a NGSO and GSO satellite constellations used for telecommunication. When multiple ground demands (mobile and stationary) are present, a satellite constellation requires an assignment of satellite resources to optimally match the ground demands. The systems, methods and techniques presented can utilize an optimization structure to maximize the objective function, using linear programming in combination with simulation and predictive features. The techniques presented determine optimal or quasi-optimal allocation of scarce and highly constrained satellite resources in an efficient manner. These techniques take into account maximizing capacity while protecting other geostationary and non-geostationary networks.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to satellite systems and more particularly, to the provision of a novel, system and method for characterizing and allocating resources in a satellite communications system serving a plurality of users, stationary or mobile, or any combination of stationary and mobile users.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Communication networks exist which include one or more satellites in Earth orbit, including satellites in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO). NGSO satellites may be in low Earth orbit (LEO) or medium Earth orbit (MEO). In some cases, a network may include satellites in two or more different types of Earth orbits, including networks with satellites in both GSO and NGSO orbits. Satellites may have a number of antennas (or antenna arrays) arranged to direct one or multiple beams over a coverage area. Satellites typically employ a number of radio wave frequencies or frequency bands so they can communicate through multiple channels at th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The systems, methods, and techniques described in this patent text present a way to efficiently allocate scarce satellite resources to meet multiple demand for service in a NGSO satellite constellation. By using an optimization formulation, the system can maximize the objective function, while considering factors like maximizing system capacity, revenue, and protecting other networks from interference. The technique takes into account the large number of permutations and combinations of user terminals and satellite resources, and presents an approach that reduces complexity and results in a good solution. This approach may prioritize minimum satisfaction, balance average and minimum satisfaction, or balance average satisfaction and aggregate capacity ratio / revenue ratio. The system may also consider latency and jitter as optimization objectives, while penalizing changes in latency from a PoP to a given user through a modification of the optimization objective. Overall, the patent presents a technical solution to efficiently allocate satellite resources for telecommunication services in a network where user terminals are optimized through an optimization formulation.

Problems solved by technology

The satellite resource allocation problem lies at the core of a NGSO constellation's system resource management.

Images