Abstract: In Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks data routes for point to point and point to multipoint communication sessions in LEO satellite networks are determined by considering session bandwidth, priority, and the constantly changing terminal-satellite and satellite-satellite connectivity. Multiple routes are computed for a session to facilitate automatic adaptive rerouting by satellite payloads when they encounter network failures or congestion conditions.

Abstract: A payload switching architecture for LEO satellite networks minimizes processing and storage requirements of payloads for deployment as small primary or secondary payloads, payloads perform only forwarding functions. Forwarding rules are provisioned in the payloads enabling them to reroute in case of failures or congestion without intervention from a ground station. Configuration rules are provisioned in the payloads enabling them to dynamically establish and remove interplane crosslinks without intervention from a ground station. The central network operations center on the ground computes forwarding rules and configuration rules for payloads and uploads the rules to the payloads.

Abstract: In Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks data routes for point to point and point to multipoint communication sessions in LEO satellite networks are determined by considering session bandwidth, priority, and the constantly changing terminal-satellite and satellite-satellite connectivity. Multiple routes are computed for a session to facilitate automatic adaptive rerouting by satellite payloads when they encounter network failures or congestion conditions.

Abstract: A payload switching architecture for LEO satellite networks minimizes processing and storage requirements of payloads for deployment as small primary or secondary payloads, payloads perform only forwarding functions. Forwarding rules are provisioned in the payloads enabling them to reroute in case of failures or congestion without intervention from a ground station. Configuration rules are provisioned in the payloads enabling them to dynamically establish and remove interplane crosslinks without intervention from a ground station. The central network operations center on the ground computes forwarding rules and configuration rules for payloads and uploads the rules to the payloads.

Abstract: The laser driver circuit of the invention stabilizes the low operating output power level of a laser (301) modulated by a digital input signal, at a fixed preset value L.sub.o, by automatically adjusting the bias current, I.sub.b, supplied to the laser to compensate for variations in the laser threshold due to temperature changes and aging. The circuit includes a fast photodetector (401) which is responsive to the modulated light output of the laser. The photodetector output is combined (306, 308) with a data sensitive reference signal (i.sub.r) and a preset level setting input signal (i.sub.o) which is equal to .eta. times the desired low operating output power level L.sub.o, where .eta. is the coupling coefficient of the photodetector. Reference signal i.sub.r varies in accordance with the input data between a zero value when the input is ZERO and a value equal to what is estimated to be the photodetector output due to the data modulation when the input is ONE.