Video and data network load balancing with video drop

A load balancing communications network configured to communicate with data terminals in a satellite environment, the network comprising:

• a plurality of data terminals, each adapted to receive a transmission over a satellite link;
• and
• a gateway, in communication with the plurality of data terminals and comprising:
• a source data receiver module adapted to receive a plurality of first source data, each first source data representing respective video content, and second source data representing broadband data content;
• a network control module adapted to receive link condition data about data terminals in the plurality of data terminals and configuration data about the plurality of first source data and the second source data, calculate priority data for the plurality of first source data and the second source data based on the link condition data and the configuration data, use the priority data to generate a master schedule including program data indicating that some but not all of the plurality of first source data are to be transmitted, and transmit the master schedule to other components of the gateway;
• a pre-coder module adapted to determine, for each first source data of the plurality of first source data, if the program data of the master schedule indicates that the respective first source data is to be transmitted, and if the program data is determined to indicate that the respective first source data is to be transmitted, to pre-code the respective first source data using a respective first pre-coding scheme to generate a respective first set of representation data decodable independently to provide a set of first-level playback data representing the respective first source data, and to pre-code the respective first source data using a respective second pre-coding scheme to generate a respective second set of representation data decodable in combination with the respective first set of representation data to provide a set of second-level playback data representing the respective first source data;
• and
• an adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) module adapted to associate, for each first source data indicated for transmission, the respective first set of representation data with a respective first coding and modulation scheme, and associate the respective second set of representation data with a respective second coding and modulation scheme, wherein the respective second coding and modulation scheme is of a higher order than the respective first coding and modulation scheme.

A method for hierarchical communication of a set of source data in a load balancing communications network configured to communicate with a plurality of data terminals in a satellite environment, each of the data terminals adapted to receive a transmission over a satellite link, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of first source data, each first source data representing respective video content;
• receiving second source data representing broadband data content;
• receiving link condition data about data terminals in the plurality of data terminals and configuration data about the plurality of first source data and the second source data;
• calculating priority data for the plurality of first source data and the second source data based on the link condition data and the configuration data;
• using the priority data to generate a master schedule including program data indicating that some but not all of the plurality of first source data are to be transmitted;
• transmitting the master schedule;
• for each first source data of the plurality of first source data,
• determining if the program data of the master schedule indicates that the respective first source data is to be transmitted;
• and
• if the program data is determined to indicate that the respective first source data is to be transmitted,
• pre-coding the respective first source data using a respective first pre-coding scheme to generate a respective first set of representation data decodable independently to provide a set of first-level playback data representing the respective first source data;
• and
• pre-coding the respective first source data using a respective second pre-coding scheme to generate a respective second set of representation data decodable in combination with the respective first set of representation data to provide a set of second-level playback data representing the respective first source data;
• and
• for each first source data indicated for transmission,
• associating the respective first set of representation data with a respective first coding and modulation scheme;
• and
• associating the respective second set of representation data with a respective second coding and modulation scheme, wherein the respective second coding and modulation scheme is of a higher order than the respective first coding and modulation scheme.