CONVERGENT ARCHITECTURES FOR MULTI-ORBIT SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

摘要

Convergent architectures across communications systems utilizing satellites in multiple orbits can provide better services by increasing efficiencies in network infrastructure build out and spectrum utilization. Convergence can be achieved in network, data link and physical layers. Network layer convergence facilitates the use of common building blocks based on industry standards. Data link layer convergence employs dynamic sharing of resources across heterogeneous platforms in different orbits, facilitated by an inter-system knowledge of estimated and actual traffic demand, radio environment and standalone resource availability including the part which may go unutilized. Besides time, frequency, and power dimensions, our convergence framework introduces dynamic awareness of platform location, trajectory, and traffic demands. A centralized and multi-tiered data-broker type resource availability orchestration provides a scalable approach for increased utilization of spectrum, traditionally assigned statically to specific orbits and applications.