NZ540650A - Satellite bandwidth management system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A satellite bandwidth planning system includes the data sets for transponders and circuits of the satellite bandwidth system held in a computer memory and a display system configured to display a graphical representation 500 of the circuits 505 etc hosted on one or more transponders. A user can select a graphical representation of one of the circuits and change the position of the selected graphical representation, the changed position representing a proposed change of frequency of the circuit corresponding to the graphical representation. A bandwidth plan generator generates and outputs a bandwidth plan based on any proposed changes of frequency recorded by the user repositioning of the graphical representation of the one or more circuits. A command gateway implements the frequency changes to circuits hosted by the transponders in a concordance with the bandwidth plan that is output to the command gateway. With reference to Fig 5 progressing to Fig 6, being able to see a visual representation of the circuit frequency assignments on the interface makes it a simple matter for the user to de-fragment frequency assignments for a transponder.

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 12 JUN 2006 RECEIVED No: 540650 Date: 10 June 2005 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SATELLITE BANDWIDTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD We, NETWORKADVANTAGE HOLDINGS LIMITED, a New Zealand company of Suite 410, North City Plaza, Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 SATELLITE BANDWIDTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a satellite bandwidth management and planning system and method. The invention is particularly but not solely designed for performing defragmentation on available bandwidth to minimise wasted bandwidth and thereby optimise bandwidth allocation.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION In the course of operating satellite services, customers periodically want to upgrade their bandwidth. A satellite service provider endeavours to optimise bandwidth allocation by "grooming" their available bandwidth to minimise wasted bandwidth and 15 avoid increased cost overhead. This grooming requires that the satellite equipment frequencies of one or several other customers be changed.

Customers are often resistant to transponder grooming because it is a change that benefits the service provider and not the affected customer, it requires the customer to 20 provide local expertise that costs time and effort, and it requires a scheduled outage with the risk of error and delay of reinstatement.

^ Service providers are often resistant to transponder grooming because it requires skilled resource to coordinate the change, it adds stress and overhead cost to service operation 25 and customers may refuse to cooperate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention in one form provides a satellite bandwidth planning system having a 30 plurality of transponder data sets and a plurality of circuit data sets maintained in computer memory. A display is configured to display a graphical representation of one or more circuits hosted on one of the transponders. A user input device is configured to enable a user to select the graphical representation of one of the circuits and to change 3 the position of the user selected graphical representation, the changed position representing a proposed change of frequency of the circuit corresponding to the graphical representation. A bandwidth plan generator is configured to generate and output a bandwidth plan based on any proposed changes of frequency reported by user 5 repositioning of one or more of the circuits.

In another form the invention provides a satellite bandwidth planning system. Transponder data sets and circuit data sets are maintained in computer memory. A computer enabled means is used to modify the transponder data sets and/or the circuit 10 data sets.

A bandwidth plan generator is configured to generate and output a bandwidth plan based on the modified transponder data sets and/or circuit data sets.

In another form the invention provides a method of effecting changes to one or more 15 satellite circuits within a satellite network. The method includes the steps of presenting on a display device a graphical representation of the one or more satellite circuits to a user. Elements of the graphical representation correspond to configurational elements of the satellite circuits. Positional changes are received from the user to the elements of the graphical representation on the display device. The positional changes represent changes 20 to the one or more satellite circuits. A representation of the changed satellite circuit(s) is stored in computer memory as a transponder bandwidth plan. The transponder bandwidth plan is exposed to a command gateway, the command gateway configured to automatically schedule the bandwidth plan. The bandwidth plan is implemented by effecting changes to one or more satellite circuits in accordance with 25 the bandwidth plan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Preferred forms of the satellite bandwidth management and planning system will now be 30 described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a transponder grooming system; FIG. 2 shows the Circuits tab of a sample graphical user interface in accordance with "INTELLECTUAL PROPSftTY OPRQE OF N.Z. 19 OSC 2007 _5_E.CE.iy E.D 3A the invention; FIG. 3 shows the Transponders tab of the GUI of FIG 2; FIG. 4 shows the Customer Information tab of the GUI of FIG 2; FIG. 5 shows the bandwidth optimiser of the GUI of FIG. 2 before optimisation; 19 °EC 2007 4 FIG. 6 shows the bandwidth optimiser of FIG. 5 after optimisation; FIG. 7 shows a bandwidth plan before optimisation; FIG. 8 shows the bandwidth plan of FIG. 7 after optimisation; and FIG. 9 shows the configuration output of the plan of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a preferred form satellite service network or system 100 in which one form of the present invention may be implemented. A 10 communications satellite 102 receives uplinks and converts them into downlinks. Each link occupies bandwidth which means the frequency of a link is actually a range of frequencies. For example an uplink can have a frequency between 23.5 and 23.8 units and a downlink between 31.2 and 31.5 units. This bandwidth is then expressed as 0.3 units. This is referred to as a piece of bandwidth, the satellite being capable of servicing 15 an entire range for example from 23 through 50. Data is communicated through uplink and downlink pairs which must match in capacity.

The satellite can only accept one uplink on a given piece of bandwidth at any given time unless it is using CDMA. Downlinks are similarly limited, only one information stream 20 can occupy any given piece of bandwidth. Adjacent pieces of bandwidth must be separated by a small piece of unused bandwidth in order for the links to be recognised and received separately. This unused bandwidth is referred to as a guard band.

Satellite access is achieved at a customer site 105 through ground hardware usually 25 consisting of one or more satellite modems 11 OA or 110B, a node controller (site) 115, and a high gain antenna (not shown). The antenna has to be aimed precisely so as to avoid directing a beam toward any other satellite in the region. The modem(s) 110 control a frequency in the bandwidth occupied by the link. The modems themselves are controlled manually or locally through a serial port or other link on the modem.

The node controller 115 could be located at customer premises 105 and is connected to the customer satellite modem(s) 110 with the primary objective to command the satellite modems to change frequency and power during a "transponder grooming" action.

Further customer site 120 includes satellite modem 125 and node controller 130. Customer site 140 includes modem 145 and node controller 150.

At a network management site 160 a node controller (hub) 165 coordinates all network 5 activity via the control paths indicated between hub 165 and node controllers 115, 130 and 150 respectively.

Alternatively a node controller at a network hub co-ordinates network activity via one or several control paths including via tunnelled TCP/IP to modem of simple 10 Ethernet/serial converter or dial up telephone modem or dedicated control channel, over any physical transmission medium including satellite, cable or wireless or combination thereof.

The system 100 also includes a command gateway 170. The command gateway 170 15 controls satellite bandwidth allocation and system database software. The command gateway 170 includes at least a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a hard drive. Typically one command gateway 170 is required per network 100.

Within system 100, links can be changed without the link dropping only for a very 20 limited set of changes of the modem parameters. Power may be adjusted without dropping the carrier. Other changes in the encoding, bandwidth or frequency will force the carrier to be dropped and reacquired. Any communications on the links at the time this happens will be lost. Modems have limitations with respect to encoding and capabilities. The size of a guard band is related to the frequencies as well as the size of 25 the frequency band.

Other limitations on frequency bands may have to do with the site specific blockage of signals or interference from other RF activities. A piece of bandwidth may therefore be simply unusable in some places. It may also be limited by the capabilities of the RF 30 chain at a site.

Satellite operators allow use of pieces of bandwidth in return for revenue. This is usually in a lease arrangement but the transaction can take other forms. The users 6 include satellite operators, telecommunication companies, teleport operators and other businesses. The pieces of bandwidth managed are referred to as "bandwidth domains". Sales agents subdivide their pieces of bandwidth into smaller pieces for specific uses and users.

Inevitably as the users' requirements cause them to change parameters of the various links over time, buying more or less bandwidth from the sales agents, the bandwidth available to the sales agents becomes fragmented and filled with pieces of bandwidth that are too small to be useful to anyone but too large to be ignored. This is referred to 10 as "fragmentation" and in the environment of the sales agent costs money. A description of the bandwidth available to any given sales agent and its current set of allocations and subdivisions within the applicable domain can be referred to as a "bandwidth map". Defragmentation of their bandwidth domain is desirable for economic reasons. This involves changes to the bandwidth map and actual changes to 15 the bandwidth and satellite links sold to specific users or customers.

Sales agents must currently compute changes to their bandwidth map, work out what shifts are permitted given the limitations of modems, unusable bandwidth and guard band requirements. This is labour intensive and requires uncommon skill. The sales 20 agents then have to communicate with the users and obtain permission and support at the customers site for changing the modems at the customer sites to the bandwidth map. Operators with the skills to alter modem settings and establish links are also relatively uncommon, and their time is valued highly. The modems at both ends of a satellite link must be altered to successfully effect the change. The process of making these 25 adjustments is called "transponder grooming" in which a transponder on the satellite provides a bandwidth and it is this transponder that is "groomed".

In system 100 a satellite operator or service provider uses a bandwidth planner 180 to optimise the transponder bandwidth allocation. The bandwidth planner 180 includes a 30 graphical view of the transponder frequency plan as will be described below. The bandwidth planner 180 includes a user input device (not shown). A user input device includes a mouse, keyboard or stylus/touch sensitive screen combination. 7 In one embodiment the bandwidth planner 180 is a personal computer or similar on which is installed and operating software sufficient to enable the personal computer to function as a bandwidth planner. The bandwidth planner is interfaced to the command gateway 170. Data manipulated on the bandwidth planner in one embodiment is stored 5 in a database on the hard drive of the bandwidth planner 180. In another embodiment only the random access memory (RAM) of the bandwidth planner is used by the user. All database operations are performed on data maintained in computer memory in the command gateway 170.

The operator has the ability to select part of the network and change the characteristics by for example a select and move operation using a mouse or equivalent. The planner 180 has knowledge of modem and transponder constraints so that the operator cannot initiate an illegal action. A mask is used to define available bandwidth and prevent access to bandwidth segments where control is not part of the system. The bandwidth 15 planner 180 may also include data such as the history of changes.

When the operator has decided on a preferred or optimum "grooming" plan for the transponder, the operator can then save changes, print a list of affected customers, links and modem frequency changes, along with the sequence of actions. Prepared emails 20 may be automatically sent to the affected customers notifying of the impending change and scheduled outage time.

The list and sequence of actions generated by the bandwidth planner 180 is able to be committed to the command gateway 170 and entered as a scheduled bandwidth change 25 for controlled execution and verification.

The bandwidth planner is also able to provide access to and maintenance of archived records of previous transponder loading configurations.

FIG. 2 shows a sample graphical user interface 200 implemented and running on the bandwidth planner 180. As shown in FIG. 2 the user interface 200 includes a Circuits tab 205, a Transponders tab 210 and a Customer information tab 215. The graphical user interface displays to the user a single table 220 in which each row of the table 8 represents a single circuit. While the particular columns or fields shown in the table can be varied, it is envisaged that the data fields include at least a Circuit identifier 225 representing an identifier identifying the particular circuit.

The data fields could also include a Bit Rate 230 representing the bit rate in bits/second of the circuit, modulation type (not shown), FEC type 235 to be used for the circuit, FEC rate 240 and whether or not Reed Solomon (RS) 245 coding is to be used on the circuit, a power 250 or RS rate showing the encoding rate to be used for the circuit if Reed Solomon coding is to be used and a Transponder identifier 255 representing one of 10 a plurality of transponders on which the circuit is to be hosted.

The data also includes the originating site and a terminating site as well as the originating modem 260 representing the modem that will be uplinking the circuit, and the terminating modem 265 representing the modem that will be downlinking the 15 circuit. Each row in the table represents a circuit data set maintained in computer memory. These circuit data sets could be stored on bandwidth planner device 180, on further storage devices interfaced to bandwidth planner device 180 or on the command gateway 170.

FIG. 3 shows the data displayed to a user once the Transponders tab is selected. The preferred form transponder interface 300 includes a Transponder identifier 305 representing one of a plurality of transponders and a Satellite identifier 310 representing a satellite on which the transponder resides.

The interface may also include an Up Link Centre Frequency 315 and Down Link Centre Frequency 320 representing the centre frequency of the input and output frequencies to and from the transponder respectively. The data could also include a Bandwidth 325 value of the transponder and a Notification Email Address 330 representing an email address to which the notification of changes on the transponder 30 are sent to.

As shown in FIG. 3 the Transponders tab also displays details of frequencies that may be used on the transponder. Each row in table 340 represents a transponder data set maintained .

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 19 DEC 2007 RECEIVED 9 in computer memory. These data sets include a Start Frequency 345 and Stop Frequency 350 representing the frequency at which the usable section of the transponder should begin and end respectively. These transponder data records or data sets are also maintained in computer memory, for example on bandwidth planner device 180, or on 5 further storage devices interfaced to the bandwidth planner 180, or on the command gateway 170.

FIG. 4 shows the customer information data displayed by the user selecting the customer information tab. The interface 400 includes a customer/site information panel 10 405 containing a tree 410 representing the customers' sites and modems and a customer information panel 415 including for example Name, Address, Telephone details and Notification Email Addresses of individual customers.

The interface in one form is also configured so that when a customer is selected in the 15 customer/site information tree 410, certain information is displayed adjacent to the tree. This information could include for example a site name representing the name by which the site is to be known, and satellite representing the satellite towards which the antenna at the site is pointing.

The data could also include a control channel representing the name of the control channel to be used to control the node, a node hardware ID representing the hardware ID of the node for authentication purposes, and an IF to up link RF up shift representing the difference in frequency between the IF frequency of the modem and up link frequency to the satellite and the down link RF to IF down shift representing the 25 difference between the RF down link frequency from the satellite and IF frequency of the modem.

As shown in FIG. 5, the preferred form user interface also includes a bandwidth optimisation area 500. Individual circuits are represented by trapezoids for example 30 circuit representation 505. The flat top 510 of the trapezoid represents the actual bandwidth used by the circuit represented by trapezoid 505 and the flat base 515 represents the total bandwidth used by the circuit including guard bands 520, 525 each side of actual bandwidth 510. Unused bandwidth is shown for example at 530 and 535.

In one preferred form user interface the user is able to hover a pointer using a mouse over a circuit resulting in thejlisplay of a "tool tip". The tool tip shows the details of that circuit as entered in the circuits table.

With a user input device for example a mouse, a user is able to select individual circuits for example circuit 505 and reposition these circuits within bandwidth optimisation area 500. The user repositions the circuit 505 for example by selecting and moving the circuit left or right. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the user could reallocate certain 10 circuits so as to remove or at least reduce unusued bandwidth 520.

As shown in FIG. 6, circuit 505 has been repositioned by the user, as has many other of the circuits shown and unused bandwidth has effectively been eliminated.

The bandwidth planner stores information about the actual users' sites, modems and conditions. FIG. 7 shows the typical information stored prior to optimisation in the bandwidth planner 180, command gateway, or similar.

FIG. 8 shows the information following the manual repositioning of individual circuits. 20 The bandwidth planner in one form is configured to generate a bandwidth plan. Proposed changes in frequency recorded by the user form a bandwidth plan suggesting repositioning of one or more of the circuits. The user has already determined any changes that are desired and has saved the new bandwidth map which is then referred to as a bandwidth plan. A typical bandwidth plan is shown in FIG. 9.

As mutually agreed between the sales agent and the customer or customers involved, the command gateway receives the bandwidth plan generated by the bandwidth planner. The bandwidth plan is exposed to the command gateway, for example by data transmission, or by providing read access to the command gateway for the bandwidth 30 plan. The command gateway is configured to schedule the bandwidth plan.

The command gateway conveys the reconfiguration data to the node controller (hub). This is one step in implementing the bandwidth plan by effecting changes to one or 11 more satellite circuits. The node controller (hub) then communicates the required new settings to all affected remote nodes. The remote nodes issue the required commands to bring down the old links, alter the modem settings and establish the new links. This can be performed on a schedule agreed to between individual customers and service providers or can simply be implemented as required.

In summary the above techniques provide a bandwidth planning tool that allows satellite communication links to be consolidated, controlled and/or defragmented within a specified bandwidth domain. This tool could be graphics based and managed manually. The tool provides data to enable remote link management, permitting satellite links to be managed in support of "transponder grooming".

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Modifications and improvements as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof as defined by the accompanying claims. 12

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. A satellite bandwidth planning system having a plurality of transponder data sets and a plurality of circuit data sets maintained in computer memory, the system 5 comprising: a display configured to display a graphical representation of one or more circuits hosted on one of the transponders; a user input device configured to enable a user to select the graphical representation of one of the circuits and to change the position of said user-selected 10 graphical representation, the changed position representing a proposed change of frequency of the circuit corresponding to said graphical representation; and a bandwidth plan generator configured to generate and output a bandwidth plan based on any proposed changes of frequency recorded by user repositioning of one or more of the circuits. 15

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a command gateway configured to implement frequency changes to circuits hosted by one or more transponders in accordance with said generated bandwidth plan. 20

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a notification component configured to send change of frequency notifications to customers associated with circuits requiring frequency changes prior to implementing the frequency changes.

4. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one 25 of the transponder data sets includes: a transponder identifier representing one of a plurality of transponders; a satellite identifier representing a satellite on which the transponder resides; and a bandwidth value representing the bandwidth of the transponder. 30

5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the circuit data sets includes: a circuit identifier; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 19 DEC 2007 RECEIVED 13 a customer identifier representing a customer associated with the circuit identifier; and a transponder identifier representing a transponder on which the circuit is hosted. 5

6. A satellite bandwidth planning system comprising: transponder data sets maintained in computer memory; circuit data sets maintained in computer memory; a computer enabled means to modify the transponder data sets and/or the 10 circuit data sets; and a bandwidth plan generator configured to generate and output a bandwidth plan based on the modified transponder data sets and/or circuit data sets.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least one of the transponder data 15 sets includes: a transponder identifier representing one of a plurality of transponders; a satellite identifier representing a satellite on which the transponder resides; and a bandwidth value representing the bandwidth of the transponder. 20

8. The system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein at least one of the circuit data sets includes: a circuit identifier representing a customer associated with the circuit identifier; and 25 a transponder identifier representing a transponder on which the circuit is hosted.

9. A method of effecting changes to one or more satellite circuits within a satellite network, the method comprising the steps of: 30 presenting on a display device a graphical representation of the one or more satellite circuits to a user, wherein elements of said graphical representation correspond to configurational elements of said satellite circuits; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 19 DEC 2007 RECEIVED 14 receiving from the user positional changes to said elements on said display device, the positional changes representing changes to the one or more satellite circuits; storing a representation of the changed satellite circuit(s) in computer 5 memory as a transponder bandwidth plan; exposing the transponder bandwidth plan to a command gateway, the command gateway configured to automatically schedule the bandwidth plan; and implementing the bandwidth plan by effecting changes to one or more satellite circuits in accordance with the bandwidth plan.

10. A satellite bandwidth planning system, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of effecting changes to one or more satellite circuits within a 15 satellite network, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10 20 NETWORKADVANTAGE HOLDINGS LIMITED Dee Nicholls - agent for the applicant / INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 19 DEC 2007 RECEIVED