Abstract: Data communications methods and systems for data packets transmitted via tunnel sessions. Satellite data communication system providing data communication services between two or more network node devices via a satellite or other data communication system are typically associated with round trip times that can cause delay in the exchange of data. Many conventional protocols, such as TCP, are not well designed for operating across links with such long delays. To address this and provide a more acceptable end-user experience, the system can include a common acceleration and optimization processor configured to provide various network acceleration and/or optimization functions and a tunnel processor configured to provide tunnel protocol-specific processing for multi-protocol encapsulated traffic.

Abstract: A method and system for service management of a complex network including: computing, at a computer, a weather impact score for geographic areas within a coverage area of a satellite; predicting, based on the weather impact score for each of the geographic areas, a degradation of at least one of the satellite links serving a respective geographic area; and sending a notification about the degradation. The method may include calculating, with a computer, a peak Quality of Service (QoS) for each of the satellite links; aggregating, for a duration, transmission errors to calculate an actual QoS for each of the satellite links; and displaying a drill-down dashboard comprising a color-code for each of the satellite links, wherein the color-code corresponds to a severity of a respective discrepancy between a respective peak QoS and a respective actual QoS of a respective satellite link.

Abstract: A method for wireless data communications over a network is provided. Data packets are intended for a first terminal configured for a first communications protocol. Further data packets are intended for a second terminal configured for a second communications protocol and for the first protocol. The data packets are formatted as data bursts in accordance with the first protocol for transmission over a network channel that is configured based on the first protocol. The further data packets are formatted as data bursts in accordance with the second protocol for transmission over the network channel, and for transmission at a higher throughput rate of the second protocol (not compatible with the first protocol). The data bursts of the first protocol are transmitted over the channel for receipt by the first terminal. The data bursts of the second protocol are transmitted over the channel for receipt by the second terminal.

Abstract: A satellite communications system includes both LEO and MEO satellites, a gateway node (GN) which includes a MEO-GN modem and a LEO-GN modem, and a user terminal (UT) which includes a MEO-UT modem and a LEO-UT modem. The MEO-GN modem transmits data communications to the UT via the MEO satellites. The MEO-UT modem receives the data communications from the MEO-GN modem. The MEO UT modem forwards control messages regarding the data communications received from the MEO-GN modem, via a control message tunnel, to the MEO-GN modem. Via the control message tunnel, (i) the MEO-UT modem provides the control messages to the UT-LEO modem, (ii) the LEO-UT modem transmits the control messages to the LEO-GN modem via the LEO satellites, and (iii) the LEO-GN modem provides the control messages to the MEO-GN modem.

Abstract: A method of switching from a first gateway within a plurality of first gateways to a second gateway in a network includes precaching configuration information on the second gateway, that is within the first gateways, prior to switch-over to the second gateway. The first gateway from which the second gateway is being switched is identified. The second gateway is configured in accordance with the configuration of the first gateway based on the precached configuration information prior to the switch-over to the second gateway. Data traffic from data applications using the network is replicated and sent to the first gateway and the second gateway. Bandwidths allocated to terminals in the network are frozen in association with the switch-over to the second gateway. The bandwidths allocated to the terminals in the network are unfrozen based at least in part on an indication of completion of the switch-over to the second gateway.

Abstract: A system comprises a modem, configured to transmit data modulated based on an intermediate frequency within one of a C, X, or Ku band, and a single-stage block-up converter having an input electrically coupled via one inter-facility link cable to the modem, and an output electrically coupled to a high-power amplifier. The single-stage block-up-converter is configured to up-convert the intermediate frequency to a satellite communication frequency within the Ka, Q, or V band.

Abstract: A method is provided for interleaving frequency reuse plans of multiple satellites to form an aggregate frequency reuse cell plan. A first plurality of spot beams is generated by a first satellite for a first frequency reuse plan based on radio frequency (RF) spectrum bands. A second plurality of spot beams is generated by a second satellite for a second frequency reuse plan based on the RF spectrum bands. The first and second plurality of spot beams are interleaved to generate an aggregate frequency reuse cell plan. According to the aggregate frequency reuse plan, each of a first plurality of cells is covered by a combination of at least two of the plurality of spot beams of the first satellite, and each of a first plurality of cells is covered by a combination of at least two of the plurality of spot beams of the second satellite.

Abstract: A method of switching from a first gateway within a plurality of first gateways to a second gateway in a network includes precaching configuration information on the second gateway, that is within the first gateways, prior to switch-over to the second gateway. The first gateway from which the second gateway is being switched is identified. The second gateway is configured in accordance with the configuration of the first gateway based on the precached configuration information prior to the switch-over to the second gateway. Data traffic from data applications using the network is replicated and sent to the first gateway and the second gateway. Bandwidths allocated to terminals in the network are frozen in association with the switch-over to the second gateway. The bandwidths allocated to the terminals in the network are unfrozen based at least in part on an indication of completion of the switch-over to the second gateway.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing communication between a base station and different generation terminals includes a multi-protocol stack capable of processing user traffic received from different generation terminals. The apparatus also includes a common physical layer that receives user traffic from different generation terminals and identifies the generation of the terminal sending the user traffic. The user traffic is then processed and routed based on the terminal generation. Traffic can be prioritized across current and legacy terminal types based on a variety of factors.

Abstract: A monitoring tool to facilitate real-time system performance monitoring, fault detection, fault isolation, and fault remediation verification, wherein the monitoring tool is connected to each of a plurality of gateways within a network, including a request reporter module configured to record results of URL access requests from one or more end users, a processing module configured to calculate a set of metrics based on success and failure rates for each of the URL access requests recorded by the request reporter and distinguish between failures related to the network and failures unrelated to the network, and a consolidator module configured to organize and present the set of metrics into a format useable for monitoring the network.

Abstract: A receiver determines whether an outbound carrier frequency among a plurality of outbound carrier frequencies, as received, includes interference. Based at least in part on a result of the determining, a new outbound carrier frequency is selected for the receiver. Optionally, the receiver sends an interference report to a system controller.

Abstract: Various arrangements for adaptive modulation of terminal to satellite communications are presented herein. A terminal may access a feedback data structure to perform a lookup based on a power level received as feedback. Based on performing the lookup using the power level in the feedback data structure, the terminal may determine a type of modulation to be used. The terminal may transmit one or more data packets to the satellite using the determined type of modulation without changing communication channel or requesting permission via the satellite to change modulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, and one method includes storing, storing, in association with a backup gateway resource, a first and second primary to backup (P2B) pairing coefficient, and a first and second backup to primary (B2P) pairing coefficient. The first and second P2B pairing coefficients correspond to a first and second P2B pairing, respectively. The first and second B2P pairing coefficients are indicative of a metric of switching from the backup GWR to the first and second primary GWRs. A respective unavailability metric is received from the first primary GWR, second primary GWR, respectively, and backup GWR. A P2B pairing is selected selecting, based at least partially on the first and second P2B pairing coefficients , and first and the second B2P pairing coefficients. Traffic is switched to the backup GWR from the one of the first primary and second primary GWR corresponding to the selected P2B pairing.

Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a satellite terminal comprising: a modem; and a radio frequency unit (RFU) configured to amplify and frequency upconvert a transmit signal for transmission over an inroute channel of a satellite communications network, the RFU comprising: an input power meter configured to measure a first power level of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal transmitted from the modem to an input of the RFU; an upconverter configured to frequency upconvert the IF signal to obtain a radio frequency (RF) signal; and an output power meter configured to measure a second power level of the RF signal. By taking the readings from the input and output power meters of the RFU, one or more calibration related functions, including a determination of the power loss due to the IF cable or a determination of the upconverter's gain, may be automatically performed at the satellite terminal.

Abstract: Arrangements for optimizing bandwidth of a satellite communication link are presented. A first satellite gateway system may transmit a first data set to a satellite to be relayed by the satellite to a first instance of user equipment. A second satellite gateway system may transmit a second data set to the satellite to be relayed by the satellite to a second instance of user equipment. A satellite gateway management system may determine that the second satellite gateway system has greater available bandwidth. The satellite gateway management system may route a third data set to be transmitted to the first instance of user equipment to the second satellite gateway system. The second satellite gateway system may transmit the third data set and beam steering data to the satellite, such that the satellite targets a downlink spot beam on the first instance of user equipment.

Abstract: A method for balancing inroute traffic load that contains both guaranteed QoS and best effort traffic. Hierarchical grouping levels are defined with the lowest level corresponding to inroutes within the system. Certain levels have common symbol rates, modulation rates, or both. When a new terminal requires admission, it is assigned to entries in the different hierarchical levels so that the inroute traffic load across all levels are balanced. Terminals are admitted to inroutes based, in part, on their channel quality indicator. Inroute traffic load can periodically rebalance based on elapsed time or terminal redistribution.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time monitoring of terminals in a satellite communication system is disclosed. The method includes creating a configuration profile specifying a reporting format for one or more object status, and transmitting the configuration profile to a terminal. The terminal subsequently generates a report containing the requested object status based on the configuration profile. The report is provided to a gateway responsible for managing the terminal using available space within existing traffic. The gateway subsequently forwards report to at least one destination entity.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Impairments (RFI) compensator and a process to remove RFI is disclosed. The RFI compensator including: a conjugator to conjugate a signal {tilde over (x)}[n] to provide a signal {tilde over (x)}*[n]; and a filter to apply coefficients that equalize a linear distortion of the signal {tilde over (x)}[n] and reject an interfering image of the signal {tilde over (x)}*[n]. The signal {tilde over (x)}[n] maybe a single wideband carrier or may include multiple carriers at different carrier frequencies.

Abstract: A low-profile array and a low-profile radiating element including: a stripline feed layer; a High Order Floquet (HOFS) part layer; and a radome layer in direct contact with the HOFS part layer, where the HOFS part layer is disposed between the stripline feed layer and the radome layer, and the radome layer includes a high dielectric constant (dk) environmentally robust material.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for training and using machine learning models to detect problems in a satellite communication system. In some implementations, one or more feature vectors that respectively correspond to different times are obtained. The feature vector(s) are provided as input to one or more machine learning models trained to receive at least one feature vector that includes feature values representing properties of the satellite communication system and output an indication of potential causes of a condition of the satellite communication system based on the properties of the satellite communication system. A particular cause that is indicated as being a most likely cause of the condition of the satellite communication system is determined based on one or more machine learning model outputs received from each of the one or more machine learning models.