Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data using moving communication nodes. A network element can communicate with a plurality of moving communication simultaneously. The network element identifies a plurality of potential initial nodes for transmitting data to a desired destination. The network element can then evaluate each of the potential initial nodes using one or more selection criteria. The initial node can be selected from the plurality of potential initial nodes as the potential initial node that best satisfies the selection criteria. The transmission to the initial node can act as the first link in a data route from the network element to the desired geographic destination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing link state information are provided. Network nodes propagate link state information via a control plane flooding operation. A first network node can initiate this propagation in response to a local link state change. In addition, some network nodes can via data plane messaging to transmit link state information to a remote node of the network. The remote node responds to the message by initiating a control plane flooding operation at that location. The remote node can be selected based on a variety of criteria, such as network traffic conditions, location, or network topology. Multiple remote nodes can be prompted in this manner to initiate flooding operations.

Abstract: There are provided a method, system and computer program product for preventing unauthorized use of a deep reinforcement learning agent. The DRL agents are trained to behave as expected only when they observe the one or more required secret operational keys. In some embodiments, the DRL agents are further trained to operate at a diminished capacity when the one or more required secret operational keys are unused.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data using moving communication nodes. A network element can communicate with a plurality of moving communication simultaneously. The network element identifies a plurality of potential initial nodes for transmitting data to a desired destination. The network element can then evaluate each of the potential initial nodes using one or more selection criteria. The initial node can be selected from the plurality of potential initial nodes as the potential initial node that best satisfies the selection criteria. The transmission to the initial node can act as the first link in a data route from the network element to the desired geographic destination.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for operating functions at mobile network nodes is provided. Locations of target devices to be serviced by network functions, and locations of moving network nodes potentially hosting the network functions are determined. The network functions are then caused to operate at one or more of the network nodes during a specified time. These network nodes are selected to be proximate to the target devices during the specified time. The selecting is based on locations of the target devices and on locations of the network nodes. A virtual function can be deployed on a satellite network in such a manner that the function stays close to a target device, even though the satellites may move out of overhead position.

Abstract: The present invention is provides a method and apparatus for routing a data packet in a network. For each nearby device capable of routing the packet toward a further destination, an associated cost or utility is determined. The device with lowest cost or highest utility is selected and the packet is forwarded toward same. The selecting may use a comparator tree. The cost or utility may be associated with forwarding the data packet from the candidate device toward the further destination. The cost or utility may be based on a distance from candidate device to the further destination, and may be determined using a Haversine function or approximation thereof, or by computing an inner product of a first vector and a second vector originating at a center of Earth, the first vector directed toward the candidate device, the second vector directed toward the further destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Geographic routing is employed in which packets specify their physical destination location. Network nodes maintain physical location information for nodes, along with routing information, for a limited portion of the network which is local thereto. At each node and for each packet, a target node is selected from the limited portion. The target node may be the node which is closest in orthodromic distance to the physical destination location. Based on the routing information, a next node belonging to the limited portion of the network and located along an available network path between the node and the target node is determined, and the packet is forwarded to the next node.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for operating functions at mobile network nodes is provided. Locations of target devices to be serviced by network functions, and locations of moving network nodes potentially hosting the network functions are determined. The network functions are then caused to operate at one or more of the network nodes during a specified time. These network nodes are selected to be proximate to the target devices during the specified time. The selecting is based on locations of the target devices and on locations of the network nodes. A virtual function can be deployed on a satellite network in such a manner that the function stays close to a target device, even though the satellites may move out of overhead position.

Abstract: A method is provided for setting an attribute of a link between an aerial network node and another node. The method comprises determining that a geographic condition of the link in relation to the aerial network node is satisfied. The method further comprises setting at least one attribute of the link to match at least one attribute associated with the geographic condition. Further, an aerial network node is provided including a network interface, a processor, and a non-transient computer readable memory for storing instructions which when executed by the processor configure the aerial network node to determine that a geographic condition of a link between the aerial network node and another node, in relation to the aerial network node is satisfied. The network node is further configured to set at least one attribute of the link to match at least one attribute associated with the geographic condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interacting with a distributed database is provided. The database includes plural storage devices. Plural keys are generated and associated with a data item. Plural operations, such as storage or retrieval operations are then initiated on the distributed database. Each operation specifies a different key acting as an index for a corresponding data record. The keys can be generated using functions operating on an initial descriptor. For example, the characters of the descriptor can be reordered to produce new keys. As such, a data item can be stored in multiple different storage devices to provide redundancy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing link state information are provided. Network nodes propagate link state information via a control plane flooding operation. A first network node can initiate this propagation in response to a local link state change. In addition, some network nodes can via data plane messaging to transmit link state information to a remote node of the network. The remote node responds to the message by initiating a control plane flooding operation at that location. The remote node can be selected based on a variety of criteria, such as network traffic conditions, location, or network topology. Multiple remote nodes can be prompted in this manner to initiate flooding operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Geographic routing is employed in which packets specify their physical destination location. Network nodes maintain physical location information for nodes, along with routing information, for a limited portion of the network which is local thereto. At each node and for each packet, a target node is selected from the limited portion. The target node may be the node which is closest in orthodromic distance to the physical destination location. Based on the routing information, a next node belonging to the limited portion of the network and located along an available network path between the node and the target node is determined, and the packet is forwarded to the next node.

Abstract: The present invention is provides a method and apparatus for routing a data packet in a network. For each nearby device capable of routing the packet toward a further destination, an associated cost or utility is determined. The device with lowest cost or highest utility is selected and the packet is forwarded toward same. The selecting may use a comparator tree. The cost or utility may be associated with forwarding the data packet from the candidate device toward the further destination. The cost or utility may be based on a distance from candidate device to the further destination, and may be determined using a Haversine function or approximation thereof, or by computing an inner product of a first vector and a second vector originating at a center of Earth, the first vector directed toward the candidate device, the second vector directed toward the further destination.

Abstract: A plurality of network nodes, under the control of a network controller, are configured to perform a method to direct packets in a packet flow from a source to a destination. In one embodiment, the network controller transmits an instruction to a first node in a network instructing the first node to transmit a first packet in the packet flow along a first route from the source to the destination, the first route having a first delay. The network controller also transmits an instruction to a node in the network to transmit a second packet in the packet flow along a second route different from the first route, the second route having a second delay, the second delay having a duration less than a duration of the first delay. The network controller further transmits an instruction to a node in the second route to delay the second packet in order to delay arrival of the second packet at the destination.

Abstract: A method in a mobile network including a first node configured to receive packets through a point-to-point tunnel from a second node. The method comprises a third node performing steps of: accessing tunnel information identifying the point-to-point tunnel; encapsulating a packet using a tunnel header containing the accessed tunnel information; and sending the encapsulated packet to the first node.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention pertain to methods and devices that allow user equipment (UE), such as for example wireless devices, to reconfigure their respective antennas in a dynamic manner to allow connection to additional or fewer logical networks, also being referred to as network slices. Changing the configuration of the array of antennas may include changing an existing configuration, or allocation, of the antennas that are currently communicating with a first number of logical networks into a different configuration of antennas for communicating with a second, different second number of logical networks. In some cases this may mean that antennas that were allocated for communicating with a primary logical network are re-allocated for communicating with a second logical network, with other antennas remaining in communication with the primary logical network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for instantiating network slices using connectivity and computing resources, is provided. Information regarding connectivity and computing resources for supporting network slices is used to identify shared risk groups. Each shared risk group includes those resources expected to be disabled by a common failure event. A first set of functions, such as virtual network functions, belonging to a network slice, is instantiated on a first subset of the resources. The union of all shared risk groups which include at least one of the first subset of resources is disjoint from the union of all shared risk groups which include at least one of a second subset of resources. The second subset of resources is allocated for instantiating a second set of functions which are redundant with the first set of functions. As such, redundant network slices and/or functions thereof can be provided which are robust to failure.

Abstract: A controller and method for fault detection is provided in network cloud environments is provided. The controller may transmit a request to activate at least two scout functions at deployment locations in the network cloud environment, each scout function operable to execute one or more evaluation operations to collect and report evaluation information relating to its corresponding deployment location. The controller may receive at least one evaluation report comprising an evaluation of computational or communication resource availability at the deployment locations.

Abstract: A distributed payment system integrated in network resources allows for the distributed processing of digital currency transactions in existing network elements and allows for each node to act as a revenue source by charging for provided services. The systems and methods can provide a requesting entity the means for payment of use of the network resources of a provisioning entity. The network resources that are used can enable the provision of services that can include packet routing and forwarding, access to resources such an antennae and delivery of content.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a system and method for determining the propagation delay for a signal to traverse an optical fiber between two transceivers. The method is performed by the first transceiver and includes transmitting a message to the second transceiver over a first optical fiber. The method further includes receiving on the first optical fiber a reply message from the second transceiver including an indication of the internal time for the second transceiver to transmit the reply message. The method further includes determining the time interval from the time the message was transmitted to the time the first transceiver received the reply message. The method further includes calculating the propagation delay from the time interval and the internal time. The method further includes configuring the first transceiver to receive data traffic from the second transceiver on a second optical fiber.