Bandwidth optimization and hitless transport in dynamic free space optical communications networks

A system for optical communications, comprising:

• a multiplicity of optical communications relay platforms that each move relative to earth and above a surface of the earth, each optical communications relay platform comprising a relay link for communications between adjacent optical communications relay platforms;
• a plurality of ground stations at different locations on the surface of the earth, each ground station comprising one or more optical communications links for optical communications with successive optical communications relay platforms, the optical communications links of each ground station being configured for handover connections between the successive optical communications relay platforms as the optical communications relay platforms move relative to the earth;
• and
• a link controller, the link controller being configured to control switching of the optical communications links and the relay links for hitless transmission of optical communications signals, the link controller controlling at least one of switching between the optical communications links or switching between the relay links in response to at least one of degradation of an optical communications link or movement of the optical communications relay platforms relative to the earth.

A method for dynamically changing free space optical communications links for hitless transmission, the method comprising:

• determining an optimal ground station for optical communications with a particular optical communications relay platform in response to detecting degradation of an optical communications link;
• switching to the optimal ground station in response to the optimal ground station being different from a current ground station;
• determining an optimal optical communications link between the optimal ground station and the particular optical communications relay platform;
• switching to the optimal optical communications link in response to the optimal optical communications link being different from a current optical communications link;
• determining an optical cross-connect change between the particular optical communications relay platform and a successive optical communications relay platform in response to at least one of switching to the optimal ground station or switching to the optimal optical communications link;
• and
• switching to a new optical cross-connect based on at least one of an optical communications relay platform configuration, available bandwidth or ground station availability.