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US-20260128951-A1 - Satellite Bandwidth Allocation System and Related Methods

US20260128951A1US 20260128951 A1US20260128951 A1US 20260128951A1US-20260128951-A1

Abstract

A system and method for efficiently distributing available bandwidth of a satellite beam among network service providers (NSPs) and virtual network operators (VNOs) associated with the NSPs. The method involves defining bandwidth allocations for each NSP and VNO, receiving demands, dividing the available bandwidth among NSPs and sub-dividing it among VNOs based on respective demands, Minimum Information Rates (MIN), Committed Information Rates (CIR), and Maximum Information Rates (MAX). The method supports multiple traffic priorities, prevents bandwidth starvation, and rebalances bandwidth allocation using a throttle factor during heavy traffic. By sorting demands in ascending order and smoothing beam utilization, the method ensures fairness and efficiency in satellite beam usage.

Inventors

  • Fernando SECALI DE OLIVEIRA FILHO
  • Yuanlai Zhou
  • Hsui-Chu HUANG
  • Xuehong YANG

Assignees

  • HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241102

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A computer-implemented method for distributing an available bandwidth of a satellite beam, the method comprising: defining, for network service providers (NSPs) and one or more virtual network operators (VNOs) associated with one of the NSPs, a bandwidth allocation comprising a Minimum Information Rate (MIN), a Committed Information Rate (CIR) and a Maximum Information Rate (MAX); receiving a demand for each of the NSPs and each of the one or more VNOs; dividing among the NSPs the available bandwidth by limiting a respective assigned bandwidth for one of the NSPs in turn by a respective demand, a respective MIN, a respective CIR and a respective MAX; sub-dividing among the VNOs the respective assigned bandwidth of an associated NSP by limiting the respective assigned bandwidth of each of the one or more VNOs in turn by a respective demand, a respective MIN, a respective CIR and a respective MAX; and allocating the respective assigned bandwidth for each of the one or more VNOs, wherein the respective MIN, the respective CIR and the respective MAX are distinct for each of the one or more VNOs.
  2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the available bandwidth is reduced by a beam MAX threshold associated with the satellite beam.
  3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the NSPs is a home NSP and redirecting a leftover bandwidth of the available bandwidth to the home NSP.
  4. 4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein one of the one or more VNOs associated with the home NSP is a non-peak VNO and the sub-dividing redirects a leftover bandwidth of the available bandwidth to the non-peak VNO.
  5. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dividing of the available bandwidth of the satellite beam is based on weights associated with the NSPs.
  6. 6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dividing comprises satisfying the CIR of NSPs prior to making a best effort to satisfy the MAX of the NSPs if a leftover bandwidth of the satellite beam is greater than a beam threshold after satisfying the CIR.
  7. 7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sub-dividing of a leftover bandwidth of one of the NSPs is based on weights of the one or more VNOs associated with the one of the NSPs.
  8. 8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sub-dividing comprises satisfying the CIR of all the VNOs prior to making a best effort to satisfy the MAX of all the VNOs if the respective available bandwidth of the associated NSP is greater than zero after satisfying the CIR.
  9. 9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the allocating further comprises allocating bandwidth to terminals associated with all of the VNOs having a non-zero demand, wherein the bandwidth allocated to the terminals is determined as a minimum of available slots, a service plan rate plus carryover, and a backlog per frame.
  10. 10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the satellite beam comprises an inroute.
  11. 11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the satellite beam is serviced by a plurality of carrier rate organizers.
  12. 12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the VNOs supports priorities, and the sub-dividing sub-divides the respective assigned bandwidth across the priorities prior to the allocating.
  13. 13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising supporting a flexible number of traffic priorities for the sub-dividing.
  14. 14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising preventing bandwidth starvation among all the VNOs.
  15. 15 . The method of claim 1 further comprising sorting in an ascending order, prior to the sub-dividing, the respective demand of the each of the one or more VNOs, wherein the sub-dividing is performed in the sorted order.
  16. 16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising rebalancing the assigned bandwidth to all the VNOs using a throttle factor to allocate less bandwidth to terminals during heavy traffic to reduce a waiting time of other terminals, wherein the throttle factor is based on bandwidth utilization and throughput utilization.
  17. 17 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising smoothing a beam utilization rate of the satellite beam.
  18. 18 . A system to allocate an available bandwidth of a satellite beam, the system comprising a bandwidth allocator configured to: define, for network service providers (NSPs) and one or more virtual network operators (VNOs) associated with one of the NSPs, a bandwidth allocation comprising a Minimum Information Rate (MIN), a Committed Information Rate (CIR) and a Maximum Information Rate (MAX); receive a demand for each of the NSPs and each of the one or more VNOs; divide among the NSPs the available bandwidth by limiting a respective assigned bandwidth for one of the NSPs in turn by a respective demand, a respective MIN, a respective CIR and a respective MAX; sub-divide among the VNOs the respective assigned bandwidth of an associated NSP by limiting the respective assigned bandwidth of each of the one or more VNOs in turn by a respective demand, a respective MIN, a respective CIR and a respective MAX; and allocate the respective assigned bandwidth for each of the one or more VNOs, wherein the respective MIN, the respective CIR and the respective MAX are distinct for each of the one or more VNOs.
  19. 19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the bandwidth allocator sub-divides by satisfying the CIR of all the VNOs prior to making a best effort to satisfy the MAX of all the VNOs if the respective available bandwidth of the associated NSP is greater than zero after satisfying the CIR.
  20. 20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the bandwidth allocator is further configured to rebalance the assigned bandwidth to all the VNOs using a throttle factor to allocate less bandwidth to terminals during heavy traffic to reduce a waiting time of other terminals, wherein the throttle factor is based on bandwidth utilization and throughput utilization.

Description

FIELD The present teachings relate to bandwidth allocation methods for managing the distribution of available bandwidth in a satellite network among various network service providers (NSPs) and virtual network operators (VNOs). BACKGROUND In communications, efficient bandwidth allocation is crucial for ensuring optimal network performance and user satisfaction. Bandwidth allocation methods are essential for managing the distribution of available bandwidth among various network service providers (NSPs) and virtual network operators (VNOs). Satellite networks, in particular, face unique challenges in bandwidth allocation due to their inherent limitations in available spectrum and the need to serve a diverse range of users across vast geographical areas. These methods must address the dynamic nature of network traffic, which can vary significantly based on user demand, time of day, and other factors. Traditional bandwidth allocation techniques often struggle to balance the competing needs of different users and services, leading to issues such as network congestion, suboptimal resource utilization, and user dissatisfaction. The prior art allocates bandwidth across different customers sharing a satellite network under different network conditions. This can lead to bandwidth wastage. In some conventional systems, bandwidth allocation to NSPs/VNOs fails to consider demand, and the specific MIN, CIR and/or MAX values associated therewith. This approach can lead to inefficient use of available bandwidth and may not prevent bandwidth starvation among the NSPs and/or VNOs. Additionally, a lack of support for a flexible number of traffic priorities can limit the ability to efficiently distribute bandwidth among VNOs with different service requirements. Furthermore, existing methods for rebalancing bandwidth among VNOs may not effectively reduce waiting times for other terminals. While some systems attempt to adjust bandwidth allocation based on real-time traffic conditions, the lack of a comprehensive throttle factor calculation incorporating factors such as bandwidth utilization and throughput utilization. SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present teachings improve on the prior art. They provide: Network utilization as an input for bandwidth allocation;Introduction of CIR as reserved bandwidth and MAX as a best effort assignment;Throttle factor to keep the waiting time of bandwidth allocation of terminal in a reasonable range, usually on an Inroute;Flexible number of traffic priorities, for example, to up to 8 priorities;Multi-level bandwidth distribution;Multi-directional bandwidth distribution (usable on Inroute and Outroute). In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a computer-implemented method for distributing an available bandwidth of a satellite beam, the method including: defining, for network service providers (NSPs) and one or more virtual network operators (VNOs) associated with one of the NSPs, a bandwidth allocation including a Minimum Information Rate (MIN), a Committed Information Rate (CIR) and a Maximum Information Rate (MAX); receiving a demand for each of the NSPs and each of the one or more VNOs; dividing among the NSPs the available bandwidth by limiting a respective assigned bandwidth for one of the NSPs in turn by a respective demand, a respective MIN, a respective CIR and a respective MAX; sub-dividing among the VNOs the respective assigned bandwidth of an associated NSP by limiting the respective assigned bandwidth of each of the one or more VNOs in turn by a respective demand, a respective MIN, a respective CIR and a respective MAX; and allocating the respective assigned bandwidth for each of the one or more VNOs, wherein the respective MIN, the respective CIR and the respective MAX are distinct for each of the one or more VNOs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the available bandwidth is reduced by a beam MAX threshold associated with the satellite beam. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein one of the NSPs is a home NSP and redirecting a leftover bandwidth of the available bandwidth to the home NSP. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein one of the one or more VNOs associated with the home NSP is a non-peak VNO and the sub-dividing redirects a leftover bandwidth of the available bandwidth to the non-peak VNO. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein the dividing of the available bandwidth of the satellite beam is based on weights associated with the NSPs. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a