System and method for managing return channel bandwidth in a two-way satellite system

A system for managing return channel bandwidth in a two-way satellite communication network, the system comprising:

• a plurality of transceivers configured to transmit backlog information over a return channel via a satellite, the backlog information specifying an amount of queued traffic for the respective transceivers;
• and
• a hub configured to receive the backlog information and to allocate a predetermined amount of return channel bandwidth to each of the plurality of transceivers,
• wherein the hub determines whether additional return channel bandwidth is available to accommodate a remaining backlog such that a bandwidth allocation amount is set based upon a level associated with one of the plurality of transceivers having the largest backlog, the hub selectively identifying a transceiver among the plurality of transceivers having a next largest backlog based upon the determined available return channel bandwidth and selectively adjusting the bandwidth allocation amount based upon a level associated with the transceiver with the next largest backlog, the hub allocating the additional return channel bandwidth to the plurality of transceivers based upon the adjusted bandwidth allocation amount if the adjusted bandwidth allocation amount reduces at least a portion of the backlog of the plurality of transceivers.

A system for managing return channel bandwidth in a two-way satellite communication network, the system comprising:

• means for receiving backlog information corresponding to a plurality of transceivers, each of the transceivers being configured to transmit respective backlog information over a return channel via a satellite, the backlog information specifying an amount of queued traffic for the respective transceivers;
• means for allocating a predetermined amount of return channel bandwidth to each of the plurality of transceivers;
• means for determining whether additional return channel bandwidth is available to accommodate a remaining backlog such that a bandwidth allocation amount is set based upon a level associated with one of the plurality of transceivers having the largest backlog;
• means for selectively identifying a transceiver among the plurality of transceivers having a next largest backlog based upon the determined additional return channel bandwidth;
• means for selectively adjusting the bandwidth allocation amount based upon a level associated with the transceiver with the next largest backlog;
• and
• means for allocating the additional return channel bandwidth to the plurality of transceiver based upon the adjusted bandwidth allocation amount if the adjusted bandwidth allocation amount reduces at least a portion of the backlog of the plurality of transceiver.

A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for managing return channel bandwidth in a two-way satellite communication system, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

• receiving backlog information corresponding to a plurality of transceivers, each of the transceivers being configured to transmit respective backlog information over a return channel via a satellite, the backlog information specifying an amount of queued traffic for the respective transceivers;
• allocating a predetermined amount of return channel bandwidth to each of the plurality of transceivers;
• determining whether additional return channel bandwidth is available to accommodate a remaining backlog such that a bandwidth allocation amount is set based upon a level associated with one of the plurality of transceivers having the largest backlog;
• selectively identifying a transceiver among the plurality of transceivers having a next largest backlog based upon the determining step;
• selectively adjusting the bandwidth allocation amount based upon a level associated with the transceiver with the next largest backlog;
• and
• allocating the additional return channel bandwidth to the plurality of transceivers based upon the adjusted bandwidth allocation amount if the adjusted bandwidth allocation amount reduces at least a portion of the backlog of the plurality of transceivers.