Multi-band hybrid satellite communication systems and methods

A method for outroute load balancing in a multi-band hybrid satellite communication system, the method comprising:

• determining a current congestion level of code rate organizers (CROs) of the load balancing system;
• determining a load metric of each of the CROs, the load metric that is determined being different for different congestion levels of the CROs;
• comparing the load metric of each of the CROs to a threshold value;
• placing each CRO in one of a surplus load balancing set and a deficit balancing set based on a value of the load metric;
• determining a probability metric for each satellite terminal associated with each of the CROs in the surplus load balancing set, the probability metric indicating a probability of the terminal moving to one of the CROs in the deficit load balancing set;
• and
• causing at least one satellite terminal associated with one of the CROs in the surplus load balancing set to switch to one of the CROs in the deficit load balancing set based on the probability metric of the at least one satellite terminal.

A non-transitory computer readable medium on which are stored instructions that, when executed, cause a programmable device to perform functions of:

• determining a current congestion level of code rate organizers (CROs) of a load balancing system;
• determining a load metric of each of the CROs, the load metric that is determined being different for different congestion levels of the CROs;
• comparing the load metric of each of the CROs to a threshold value;
• when the load metric of a CRO is greater than the threshold value, placing the CRO in a surplus load balancing set;
• when the load metric of the CRO is less than the threshold value, placing the CRO in a deficit load balancing set;
• determining a probability metric for each satellite terminal associated with each of the CROs in the surplus load balancing set, the probability metric indicating a probability of the terminal moving to one of the CROs in the deficit load balancing set;
• and
• causing at least one satellite terminal associated with one of the CROs in the surplus load balancing set to switch to one of the CROs in the deficit load balancing set based on the probability metric of the at least one satellite terminal.