Adaptive coding and modulation flow control and traffic shaping systems and methods
AssigneeViaSat, Inc.
InventorWilliam H. Thesling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process is described to build physical layer frames with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be sent in the same frame, although packets associated with higher modcodes may be used to complete a frame before switching to the applicable higher modcode for construction of subsequent frames. After an interval, the order of progression is restarted with an out of order packet above a threshold age. Flow control filtering mechanisms and a variable reliability margin may be used to adapt dynamically to the current data traffic conditions.
Claims25
A method of implementing adaptive modulation and coding at a gateway for a plurality of packets in a satellite communications network, the method comprising:
- assigning a different modcode to each of a plurality of signal quality ranges, wherein a first range of the plurality of signal quality ranges is associated with a first modcode, a second range of the plurality of signal quality ranges is associated with a second modcode, and a boundary between the first range and the second range defines a transition between the first modcode and the second modcode;
- monitoring a packet traffic load at the gateway;
- and
- dynamically adjusting, responsive to when the monitored traffic load at the gateway crosses a threshold measurement, the boundary to modify a reliability margin for delivery of packets destined for a link with a signal quality within the first or second range.
A device for implementing adaptive modulation and coding at a gateway for a plurality of packets, the device comprising:
- a processor configured to:
- assign a different modcode to each of a plurality of signal quality ranges, wherein a first range of the plurality of signal quality ranges is associated with a first modcode, a second range of the plurality of signal quality ranges is associated with a second modcode, and a boundary between the first range and the second range defines a transition between the first modcode and the second modcode;
- monitor a packet traffic load at the gateway;
- and
- dynamically adjust, responsive to when the monitored traffic load at the device crosses a threshold measurement, the boundary to modify a reliability margin for delivery of packets destined for a link within the selected first or second range;
- and
- a transmitter, communicatively coupled with the processor and configured to:
- transmit a subset of the plurality of packets destined for a link within the selected range according to the assigned modcode.
A device for implementing adaptive modulation and coding for packets, the device comprising:
- means for assigning a different modcode to each of a plurality of signal quality ranges, wherein a first range of the plurality of signal plurality ranges is associated with a first modcode, a second range of the plurality of signal quality ranges is associated with a second modcode and a boundary between the first range and the second range defines a transition between the first modcode and the second modcode;
- means for monitoring a packet traffic load at the device;
- means for dynamically adjusting, responsive to when the monitored traffic load at the gateway crosses a threshold measurement, the boundary to modify a reliability margin for delivery of packets destined for a link within the first or second range;
- and
- means for transmitting a subset of the plurality of packets destined for a link within the selected range according to the assigned modcode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.