Abstract: For a communication network using a satellite-involved backhaul, the backhaul outage and restoration states are predicted based on satellite motion data. Based on such predictions, devices providing the radio access portion of the communication network, and devices using the communication network schedule or take actions. Actions can include but are not necessarily limited to: powering equipment up or down, notifying devices or users of upcoming outage or restoration events, inhibiting actions that cannot be completed before an outage, inhibiting new network attachments, adjusting sleep/wake schedules, and providing a local version of a core network or other network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Network nodes maintain network status information (e.g. link availability information) for the entire network. However, the information is maintained to a higher level of precision for some network regions than for others. For example, the network node can be informed of network events in some regions with lower latency than in other regions. Routing information is generated based on the network status information. Multiple different mechanisms can be used to provide network status updates at different levels of precisions. Nodes which generate or relay network status updates can inhibit (e.g. block or delay) passing the updates toward a target node in order to reduce the level of precision of network status information at that target node.

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: A method for distributing link state information in a network includes receiving, by a first node, from a second node, a first control message including the link state information and a first set of forwarding instructions for selecting a network interface from a plurality of network interfaces to use to further propagate the link state information. The method also includes sending over the selected network interface, by the first node, to a third node, based on the first set of forwarding instructions and a status of the plurality of network interfaces, a second control message including the link state information and a second set of forwarding instructions. The second set of forwarding instructions is based on the first set of forwarding instructions and a positional location of the third node within the network.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for communication network management. There is provided an active TE architecture and procedure that rely on the epistemic uncertainty obtained from traffic forecasting models. According to embodiments, the traffic forecasting models can predict the mean of the network traffic demand and can extract one or more of the features relating epistemic uncertainty and the aleatoric uncertainty. According to embodiments, the epistemic uncertainty is used to vary the sampling frequency of network statistics in TE applications, for specific times or specific flows. A time-window can be used to predict network traffic can be varied (e.g. increased or decreased) to adjust the epistemic uncertainty.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing network status information in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. A network node receives a network status update, indicative of a change in network conditions, from another node, e.g. via flooding. Based on a direction of travel of the update, content of at least one counter field of the network status update is adjusted. The update is then propagated, or not, based on the counter fields. A counter field may be increased in response to the update travelling in one direction and decreased in response to the update travelling in an opposite direction. Different counter fields may be adjusted in response to the update travelling in different, e.g. orthogonal, directions. The direction can be determined based on which of plural directional communication interfaces received the update.

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: A method and apparatus for supporting communication in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Network nodes maintain network status awareness for a limited region through flooding notifications. Network nodes may route packets by addressing them to other nodes within the limited region. Notifications of events are propagated not only to nearby nodes whose region includes the event location, but also a certain distance beyond such nearby nodes. This assists in propagating the notifications back toward the nearby nodes, in order to increase the likelihood that each network node maintains required awareness even when network failures occur. A node in receipt of an event notification will adjust its awareness when the node is within a first distance of the event. If the node is within a second, greater distance of the event, the node will refrain from adjusting its awareness but will forward the notification to further nodes.

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 for distributing link state information in a network includes receiving, by a first node, from a second node, a first control message including the link state information and a first set of forwarding instructions for selecting a network interface from a plurality of network interfaces to use to further propagate the link state information. The method also includes sending over the selected network interface, by the first node, to a third node, based on the first set of forwarding instructions and a status of the plurality of network interfaces, a second control message including the link state information and a second set of forwarding instructions. The second set of forwarding instructions is based on the first set of forwarding instructions and a positional location of the third node within the network.

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 and apparatus for supporting communication in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Network nodes maintain network status awareness for a limited region through flooding notifications. Network nodes may route packets by addressing them to other nodes within the limited region. Notifications of events are propagated not only to nearby nodes whose region includes the event location, but also a certain distance beyond such nearby nodes. This assists in propagating the notifications back toward the nearby nodes, in order to increase the likelihood that each network node maintains required awareness even when network failures occur. A node in receipt of an event notification will adjust its awareness when the node is within a first distance of the event. If the node is within a second, greater distance of the event, the node will refrain from adjusting its awareness but will forward the notification to further nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing network status information in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. A network node receives a network status update, indicative of a change in network conditions, from another node, e.g. via flooding. Based on a direction of travel of the update, content of at least one counter field of the network status update is adjusted. The update is then propagated, or not, based on the counter fields. A counter field may be increased in response to the update travelling in one direction and decreased in response to the update travelling in an opposite direction. Different counter fields may be adjusted in response to the update travelling in different, e.g. orthogonal, directions. The direction can be determined based on which of plural directional communication interfaces received the update.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Network nodes maintain network status information (e.g. link availability information) for the entire network. However, the information is maintained to a higher level of precision for some network regions than for others. For example, the network node can be informed of network events in some regions with lower latency than in other regions. Routing information is generated based on the network status information. Multiple different mechanisms can be used to provide network status updates at different levels of precisions. Nodes which generate or relay network status updates can inhibit (e.g. block or delay) passing the updates toward a target node in order to reduce the level of precision of network status information at that target node.

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 route through the limited portion of the network to the target node is determined, other nodes are configured (e.g. via source routing) to cause the packet to traverse the determined route, and the packet is forwarded toward the target node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Network nodes maintain awareness of network status in a limited surrounding region through flooding notifications. Network nodes route packets by addressing them to a selected other node within part or the entire limited surrounding region. Network nodes adjust the portion of the network to which they route packets to match the limited surrounding region, which changes dynamically due to network events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. Network nodes maintain awareness of network status in a limited surrounding region through flooding notifications. Network nodes route packets by addressing them to a selected other node within part or the entire limited surrounding region. Network nodes adjust the portion of the network to which they route packets to match the limited surrounding region, which changes dynamically due to network events.

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.