Dynamic Allocation Of Satellite Gateway Assignments

A method for optimizing bandwidth of a satellite communication link, the method comprising:

• transmitting, by a first satellite gateway system, a first data set to a satellite to be relayed by the satellite to a first instance of user equipment, wherein the first instance of user equipment is located within a first geographical region serviced by the first satellite gateway system;
• transmitting, by a second satellite gateway system, a second data set to the satellite to be relayed by the satellite to a second instance of user equipment, wherein:
• the second instance of user equipment is located within a second geographical region serviced by the second satellite gateway system;
• the first satellite gateway system and the second satellite gateway system use a same frequency to transmit data to the satellite;
• and
• the first satellite gateway system and the second satellite gateway system are geographically separated;
• determining, by a satellite gateway management system, that the second satellite gateway system has greater available bandwidth than the first satellite gateway system;
• routing, by the satellite gateway management system, a third data set to be transmitted to the first instance of user equipment to the second satellite gateway system;
• transmitting, by the second satellite gateway system, the third data set and beam steering data to the satellite to be relayed by the satellite to the first instance of user equipment, such that the satellite targets a downlink spot beam on the first instance of user equipment based on the beam steering data transmitted with the third data set, wherein the downlink spot beam is used to transmit the third data set to the first instance of user equipment located within the first geographical region;
• receiving, by the second satellite gateway system via the satellite, during a first defined period of time, a request message from the first instance of user equipment requesting to send a fourth data set to the second satellite gateway system via the satellite, wherein the request message indicates a current location of the first instance of user equipment;
• assigning, by the second satellite gateway system, a time slot for the first instance of user equipment to transmit the fourth data set to the second satellite gateway system;
• transmitting, by the second satellite gateway system, a time slot assignment message to the first instance of user equipment that indicates the time slot via the satellite;
• causing, by the second satellite gateway system, the satellite to target an up-stream spot beam for the time slot on the current location of the first instance of user equipment wherein the current location is within the first geographic region;
• and
• receiving, by the second satellite gateway system via the satellite and the up-stream spot beam, the fourth data set from the first instance of user equipment transmitted during the time slot.

A system for optimizing bandwidth of a satellite communication link, the system comprising:

• a first satellite gateway system in communication with a first satellite antenna that communicates with a satellite, the first satellite gateway system configured to:
• transmit a first data set to the satellite to be relayed by the satellite to a first instance of user equipment, wherein the first instance of user equipment is located within a first geographical region serviced by the first satellite gateway system;
• a second satellite gateway system in communication with a second satellite antenna that communicates with the satellite, the second satellite gateway system configured to:
• transmit a second data set to the satellite to be relayed by the satellite to a second instance of user equipment, wherein:
• the second instance of user equipment is located within a second geographical region serviced by the second satellite gateway system;
• the first satellite gateway system and the second satellite gateway system use a same frequency to transmit data to the satellite;
• and
• the first satellite gateway system and the second satellite gateway system are geographically separated;
• and
• a satellite gateway management system configured:
• to determine that the second satellite gateway system has greater available bandwidth than the first satellite gateway system;
• and
• route a third data set to be transmitted to the first instance of user equipment to the second satellite gateway system;
• wherein the second satellite gateway system is further configured to:
• transmit the third data set and beam steering data to the satellite to be relayed by the satellite to the first instance of user equipment, such that the satellite targets a downlink spot beam on the first instance of user equipment based on the beam steering data transmitted with the third data set, wherein:
• the downlink spot beam is used to transmit the third data set to the first instance of user equipment located within the first geographical region;
• the beam steering data adjusts a radiation pattern of an antenna of the satellite;
• the satellite is configured to update a locally-stored routing table to link the first instance of user equipment to the second satellite gateway system in response to receiving the third data set and the beam steering data from the second satellite gateway system;
• and
• based on the first instance of user equipment being linked to the second satellite gateway system, uplink data is routed from the first instance of user equipment to the second satellite gateway system.