Abstract: A method for forwarding a packet in a network may be performed by a network node of a first packet network and includes the following steps. Receiving the packet that includes a destination packet address of the packet, where the destination packet address indicates a terminal of a second packet network. Obtaining a Manhattan address of a Manhattan node based on a time, the destination packet address, and a lookup address function, where the terminal accesses a Manhattan network through the Manhattan node, and the Manhattan network provides a connection between the first packet network and the second packet network. Sending a Manhattan routing packet addressed to the Manhattan node to the Manhattan network, where the Manhattan routing packet includes the packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting network intrusions such as reordering attacks, e.g. in a Hyperledger™ Fabric. A temporal graph is generated which represents actions of nodes according to an ordered secure transaction process, along with latencies and ordinal values of the actions. An embedding of the temporal graph is generated in which the latencies and ordinal values are processed together. The embedding is passed to a detection module such as a machine learning system. Various potential characteristics of, and computations for generating, the embedding are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting training of an AI model at the nodes of a network is provided. The network includes control plane configured to maintain up-to-date current state information for the network, including for each node in the network. The network includes an AI model steering apparatus coupled to the control plane and configured to determine, based on an indication of the AI model and the current state information or portions thereof relevant for training the AI model, and, if obtained, the training parameters, at least one node for training of the AI model using resources and training data available to the node. The AI model steering apparatus may determine a knowledge network topology including a group of candidate nodes for training the AI model and determine a sequence of nodes from the group to form a route for training the AI model.

Abstract: A method of routing a packet in a network with a Manhattan grid geometry arranged in columns and rows, including receiving, by a source network node, a packet and extracting a destination address of the destination node. Each of the links of the network has a nominal routing cost of one hop and the plurality of links including additional links connecting respective opposing ends of each of the plurality of columns and opposing ends of each of the plurality of rows of the Manhattan grid. Then determining a plurality of distances between the source network node and the destination network node based on the Manhattan grid geometry. Selecting a minimum distance from the plurality of distances and transmitting the packet on an interface associated with the minimum distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting network intrusions such as reordering attacks, e.g. in a Hyperledger™ Fabric. A temporal graph is generated which represents actions of nodes according to an ordered secure transaction process, along with latencies and ordinal values of the actions. An embedding of the temporal graph is generated in which the latencies and ordinal values are processed together. The embedding is passed to a detection module such as a machine learning system. Various potential characteristics of, and computations for generating, the embedding are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing a data packet in a network, with device locations defined based on geodesics. The devices in the network may be satellites. Locations are defined for candidate devices for receiving the packet as well as a further (e.g. final) destination for the packet. The candidate device which is closest to the further destination can then be selected and the data packet routed to this device. The selecting may use a comparator tree. A distance metric for evaluating closeness may be determined using geodesic parameters representing the location of the candidate device and the location of the further destination. The geodesic parameters may represent the intersection of a pair of great circles which have a same inclination as orbital paths of the devices as satellites.

Abstract: Service disrupting operations for a mobile node (e.g. a LEO or MEO satellite) are scheduled to automatically take place when the platform is at a certain location or enters a region. Service disrupting operation may be performed, and the mobile node taken out of service, when the mobile node's physical location matches a target region, at which the services of the mobile node are not in high demand. Alternatively, service disrupting operation may be performed when the mobile node is proximate to a ground station which facilitates the associated service disruption. The service disruption may correspond to a reconfiguration for purposes of serving a different regional communication network.

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: The present invention provides a method and apparatus used to reduce the estimated field of uncertainty of satellite positions in space. This reduced field of uncertainty estimate reduces link acquisition time of satellites as they establish inter-satellite optical links between each other. The method and apparatus reduces the estimated field of uncertainty by combining estimated field of uncertainty generated by multiple independent sources. The method further includes combining estimated field of uncertainty generated using existing field of uncertainty techniques with estimated filed of uncertainty created by a machine vision detection and location module. This machine vision detection and location module generates an estimated field of uncertainty that is a result of executing of one or more algorithms to process digital imagery data provided by a passive digital camera.

Abstract: A method for configuring a communication network, including obtaining information indicative of current status of nodes of the communication network, links between said nodes of the communication network or a combination thereof; processing the information to determine a network configuration based on the obtained information, the network configuration implementable in the communication network by adjusting one or more of said nodes, one of more of said links between said node, or a combination thereof, wherein said processing comprises evaluating at least the network configuration based on a connectivity metric indicative of an extent to which said nodes are interconnected via said links; and providing instructions directing one or more underlying resources to implement the network configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a communication network based on a distance metric. Information indicative of current status of communication network nodes, links between the nodes, or a combination thereof is obtained and processed to determine a network configuration. The network configuration is implementable in the communication network by adjusting one or more nodes or links. The processing includes evaluating network configurations based on a distance metric, which is indicative of lengths of shortest paths which interconnect nodes of the network. Instructions directing underlying resources to implement the network configuration can be provided. An apparatus can be a supervisory device including a network interface and a computer processor.

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 and apparatus for configuring a communication network based on a distance metric. Information indicative of current status of communication network nodes, links between the nodes, or a combination thereof is obtained and processed to determine a network configuration. The network configuration is implementable in the communication network by adjusting one or more nodes or links. The processing includes evaluating network configurations based on a distance metric, which is indicative of lengths of shortest paths which interconnect nodes of the network. Instructions directing underlying resources to implement the network configuration can be provided. An apparatus can be a supervisory device including a network interface and a computer processor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for supporting estimation of inter-satellite link acquisition times in a satellite constellation. The method includes computing or generating an indication of a statistical model based on observations for prior link acquisition times. The method further includes communicating an indication such as a statistical model for link acquisition times or related parameters through a communication network, or a combination thereof. The indication may be communicated using one or more transmission techniques or protocols, such as flooding, a link state protocol or gossip protocol. Based on the disseminated indication, future link acquisition times can be predicted by satellites in the satellite constellation. Embodiments of the invention use a statistical-based computation approach, such as regression modelling or random variable modelling, to estimate link acquisition times or associated estimation parameters.

Abstract: A method for configuring a communication network, including obtaining information indicative of current status of nodes of the communication network, links between said nodes of the communication network or a combination thereof; processing the information to determine a network configuration based on the obtained information, the network configuration implementable in the communication network by adjusting one or more of said nodes, one of more of said links between said node, or a combination thereof, wherein said processing comprises evaluating at least the network configuration based on a connectivity metric indicative of an extent to which said nodes are interconnected via said links; and providing instructions directing one or more underlying resources to implement the network configuration.

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. For each one of multiple destination devices capable of further handling of the packet for routing to a destination (e.g. ground station) a respective cost or utility associated with forwarding the packet to that destination device is determined. For a given value k, an unsorted subset of k of the destination devices for which said costs are lowest or said utilities are highest is determined, without necessarily fully sorting the plurality of destination devices by cost or utility. The data packet is then forwarded to a selected one of this subset of destination devices. Cost may correspond to distance from destination device (e.g. satellite) to the further destination. Sorting networks and selector networks can be used, for example as implemented in hardware, to generate the unsorted subset.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus used to reduce the estimated field of uncertainty of satellite positions in space. This reduced field of uncertainty estimate reduces link acquisition time of satellites as they establish inter-satellite optical links between each other. The method and apparatus reduces the estimated field of uncertainty by combining estimated field of uncertainty generated by multiple independent sources. The method further includes combining estimated field of uncertainty generated using existing field of uncertainty techniques with estimated filed of uncertainty created by a machine vision detection and location module. This machine vision detection and location module generates an estimated field of uncertainty that is a result of executing of one or more algorithms to process digital imagery data provided by a passive digital camera.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for supporting estimation of inter-satellite link acquisition times in a satellite constellation. The method includes computing or generating an indication of a statistical model based on observations for prior link acquisition times. The method further includes communicating an indication such as a statistical model for link acquisition times or related parameters through a communication network, or a combination thereof. The indication may be communicated using one or more transmission techniques or protocols, such as flooding, a link state protocol or gossip protocol. Based on the disseminated indication, future link acquisition times can be predicted by satellites in the satellite constellation. Embodiments of the invention use a statistical-based computation approach, such as regression modelling or random variable modelling, to estimate link acquisition times or associated estimation parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing packets in a network, such as a satellite mesh network. For each one of multiple destination devices capable of further handling of the packet for routing to a destination (e.g. ground station) a respective cost or utility associated with forwarding the packet to that destination device is determined. For a given value k, an unsorted subset of k of the destination devices for which said costs are lowest or said utilities are highest is determined, without necessarily fully sorting the plurality of destination devices by cost or utility. The data packet is then forwarded to a selected one of this subset of destination devices. Cost may correspond to distance from destination device (e.g. satellite) to the further destination. Sorting networks and selector networks can be used, for example as implemented in hardware, to generate the unsorted subset.