RU2803468C2 - Hybrid adaptive networks - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: hybrid adaptive network control devices.

SUBSTANCE: user request is received from the user terminal. A service request is announced to a plurality of communication networks, the service request being based on the received user request. Service request responses are received from a plurality of communication networks in response to the advertised service request. A metric is determined for individual compatible communication networks, the metric being at least partially based on the parameters included in the received response to the request. The service selection is sent to the user terminal, wherein the service selection includes an ordered list of at least a part of compatible communication networks, the order of the ordered list is based on indicators defined for individual compatible communication networks.

EFFECT: increased reliability of data transmission in the network.

19 cl, 14 dwg

Description

Cross reference to related applications

This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/822,666, filed March 22, 2019, entitled "HYBRID ADAPTIVE NETWORK", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/772,402, filed November 28, 2018, entitled “HYBRID ADAPTIVE NETWORK,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Prerequisites for creating the invention

Field of invention

The present description relates to the management and selection of network connections between user terminals and communication networks with different network characteristics.

Description of the Prior Art

The network connection between the user terminal and the destination network, such as the Internet, may be provided using communications networks or transport networks. Communication networks may use various infrastructures (for example, satellite networks, terrestrial networks, etc.), data transmission media (for example, wireless, wired, etc.), communication protocols, etc. The user terminal may be configured to connect to a communications network to provide two-way communication between the destination network or device at a target address on the destination network and the user terminal.

Summary of the invention

The first aspect describes a hybrid adaptive network (HAN) manager configured to manage and select network connections between user terminals and communication networks. The HAN manager includes a network interface configured to receive data over the network from user terminals and communication networks. The HAN manager also includes a data store that includes machine-executable commands. The HAN manager also includes one or more processors configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the data store. The computer-executable commands are configured to cause the HAN manager to receive a user request from a user terminal, the user request including connection criteria; sending a service request to compatible communication networks based on a user request; receiving a response from separate compatible communication networks in response to a request for a service; determining a metric for individual interoperable communication networks, the metric being at least in part based on parameters included in the received response to the request; and sending the service selection to the user terminal, the service selection including the communication network with the highest score.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the service selection further includes an ordered list of compatible communication networks, wherein the ordered list is based on metrics determined for each of the compatible communication networks. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the network interface further includes an open standard network interface configured to send control commands to the communications network. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the network interface further includes an open standard network interface configured to receive network status information from communication networks. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication networks include two or more communication networks operating in different frequency bands. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication networks include two or more communication networks operating using different network protocols. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication networks include two or more communication networks operating using different waveforms. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the user request includes a minimum data rate. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the metric is at least partially dependent on matching a previous response to a query. In some embodiments of the first aspect, each response to a request includes a probability of service delivery.

In some embodiments, the hybrid adaptive network includes a HAN manager of the first aspect and one or more communication networks. In some embodiments, the hybrid adaptive network includes a first aspect HAN manager and one or more user terminals.

In the second aspect, a method for managing a hybrid adaptive network is proposed. The method includes receiving a user request from a user terminal; advertising a service request to a plurality of communication networks, the service request being based on a received user request; receiving service request responses from a plurality of communication networks in response to the advertised service request; determining the winning communication network based on an analysis of the responses received to the service request; and assigning a service to the user terminal of the winning communication network.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, analyzing received responses to a service request includes determining a metric for each of the plurality of communication networks. In further embodiments, the method further includes sending an execution list from the plurality of communication networks to the user terminal, wherein the execution list comprises an ordered list of the plurality of communication networks based on certain metrics for each of the plurality of communication networks.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes receiving network performance information from the winning communication network. In additional embodiments, the method further includes determining an updated winning communication network in response to network performance information indicating that the performance of the winning communication network has deteriorated.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the service assignment includes providing credentials to enable connectivity between the user terminal, the winning communication network, and the destination network. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the service request includes a destination network.

In the third aspect, a method for controlling a hybrid adaptive network is proposed. The method includes determining metrics for each of a plurality of compatible communication networks, the metrics being based on network performance parameters; transmitting certain indicators to one or more user terminals; receiving information that affects network performance parameters; and in response to received information indicating deterioration in network performance parameters for the one or more affected compatible communication networks, updating the performance of the one or more affected compatible communication networks.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the received information includes weather information. In some embodiments of the third aspect, the received information includes threats to at least one of a plurality of compatible communication networks. In some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes sending updated metrics to one or more user terminals. In some embodiments of the third aspect, degradation of network performance is assumed to occur subsequently.

For purposes of setting forth the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It should be understood that not all such benefits may necessarily be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, the described embodiments may be implemented to provide or optimize one benefit or group of benefits described herein without necessarily providing other benefits that may be described or proposed herein.

Brief description of graphic materials

Various embodiments are presented in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present description. In addition, various elements of the various described embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments that form part of the present description.

In fig. 1 is a block diagram of a hybrid adaptive network (HAN), which includes a HAN controller or manager, multiple transport or communication networks, and a multi-mode user terminal.

In fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary HAN that includes a HAN manager, a plurality of user terminals, a plurality of transport networks, and a destination network.

In fig. 2B shows the HAN shown in FIG. 2A, in which the user terminal is connected to the destination network through the winning transport network.

In fig. 3 illustrates another exemplary HAN that includes additional user terminals and transport networks compared to the HAN shown in FIG. 2A.

In fig. 4 illustrates another exemplary HAN that includes a plurality of transport networks providing a corresponding plurality of spot beams covering a plurality of user terminals.

In fig. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary HAN manager.

In fig. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F show a block diagram of an exemplary HAN system that demonstrates how a HAN manager establishes a network connection between a user terminal and a winning communication network based on a challenge-response procedure.

In fig. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for selecting a winning communication network based on a user request.

In fig. 8 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 800 for updating rankings of communication networks in real time.

Detailed Description of Some Embodiments

The headings presented herein, if any, are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the invention claimed.

general description

The user connects to a destination network, such as the Internet, using a communications network that provides data transmission over the network between the user terminal and the destination network address. A communications network may also be called a component network or a transport network. The function of a communications network is to provide a connection between a user terminal and a destination or target network. The communications network may be a satellite network, a terrestrial network, or a terrestrial wireless network, and the communications network may be a commercial communications network, a dedicated government communications network, or a combination thereof.

This configuration of data transmission over the network has a number of disadvantages. For example, when a communication network fails, data transmission over the network is interrupted. As another example, network communication in this configuration has one point of failure—the communications network. Thus, there is a need for a reliable and seamless way to restore or failover communication networks in the event of failure or performance degradation.

Accordingly, to address these and other related issues, this document describes exemplary implementations of hybrid adaptive network (HAN) configurations that allow multiple independent communications networks to be used as a single communications system. The HAN described includes multiple communication networks that user terminals can access simultaneously. The HAN described allows a user terminal to seamlessly switch between multiple communication networks. The described HAN can increase the capabilities and resilience of user terminals by providing simultaneous access to multiple communication networks. For example, these communications networks may span multiple orbital domains, operate in multiple frequency bands, provide independent ground infrastructure, and/or provide multiple network management and cyber defense implementations, thereby providing inherent diversity and eliminating single points of failure and/or attack targets. .

The connection between user terminals and available communication networks is managed by the HAN manager. The HAN manager may be configured to manage connections between a plurality of user terminals over a plurality of different types of communication networks. HAN Manager provides communications as a service similar to other on-demand services provided to users such as software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), etc. . HAN Manager can similarly be described as providing on-demand Network as a Service (NaaS). The HAN Manager can be a service that provides on-demand access to multiple available communication networks, each with different characteristics. HAN Manager may be a cloud service, but it is not limited to being implemented in a cloud environment.

The HAN manager is configured to manage and select connections to multiple communication networks. The HAN manager may select a winning communications network or an ordered list of winning communications networks for a user terminal based at least in part on user requirements, capabilities of the user terminal (e.g., compatibility with communications networks), knowledge of potential threats or disruptions in networks, network parameters, capabilities communication networks respond to attacks or mitigate attacks, etc. The HAN manager can use various methods to determine the winning communication network. These methods may include, for example, without limitation, analyzing user requirements, assessing network capabilities based on environmental conditions that may affect data transmission over the network, assessing threats to communications networks, or any combination of these conditions or the like.

For example, the HAN manager may implement a challenge-response process as a way to determine the winning communication network. The challenge-response process analyzes the user's requirements or connection preferences and the characteristics of communications networks to determine the preferred or winning communications network to connect to the requesting user terminal. For example, the HAN manager may receive a user request from a user terminal that includes communication requirements, forward a service request based on the user request to a plurality of communication networks, receive responses to the request from those communication networks that are relevant to fulfilling the user's requirements, and connect the user terminal to the winning communication network based at least in part on evaluating the responses to the request in accordance with the user's requirements. Thus, the HAN manager selects one communication network from other available communication networks for a particular user based at least in part on the user's requirements, network parameters, and/or network capabilities.

The systems, devices and methods described provide several advantages that provide more reliable and seamless network connectivity. For example, the HAN described allows the use of multiple independent communication networks as a single or unified communication system. In addition, the described HAN allows user terminals to seamlessly switch between multiple communication networks. As another example, the HAN described also eliminates single point of failure factors to improve data transfer across the network. The described HAN also provides diversity of data transmission over the network, strengthening the network communication capabilities against potential attacks and failures. As another example, the HAN described provides reliable, scalable communications networks built on open standards. In addition, the described HAN can quickly overcome network outages or performance degradation to achieve connectivity even in competitive areas. The described HAN can also easily improve and incrementally upgrade existing network assets. The HAN described also facilitates adaptation to emerging and/or expanding networking technologies.

Other advantages of the described systems, devices and methods include the ability for the user (or user terminal) to specify criteria for connecting to a network. The HAN Manager accepts the specified criteria and identifies potential communication networks for the user. In some embodiments, potential communication networks are based at least in part on the capabilities of the user terminal (eg, compatibility with communication networks). The HAN Manager receives query responses from potential communication networks for analysis to determine the best or preferred communication networks for the user. The HAN Manager automatically analyzes query responses from potential communication networks and evaluates the capabilities of the user terminal to determine a preferred and/or ordered list of preferred potential communication networks for the user. The user is then connected to a communication network based on a preferred and/or ordered list of potential communication networks from the HAN manager. In some embodiments, the HAN manager may continuously, sporadically, or periodically update the preferred and/or ordered list of communication networks and send the list to the user. In some implementations, this may occur without the user submitting a new or updated request to the HAN manager.

Other advantages of the described systems, devices and methods include increased network resilience against potential intruders or attackers. Due to the at least partial distribution of user terminals across multiple communications networks, it may be difficult for an attacker to attack user terminal communications for the purpose of data collection, exploitation, or denial of service. This multi-network resilience is a deterrent to potential attackers. Moreover, the ability to easily move user terminals within a HAN system introduces increased time, effort, and cost to a potential attack.

In fig. 1 is a block diagram of a HAN 100 that includes a controller or manager 110, a plurality of transport or communications networks 120a-120d, and a multi-mode user terminal 130. The HAN 100 may provide a service delivery platform for users in which users are interfaced or connected to networks communication that meets the user's criteria or requirements. The communications network to which the user is connected may change over time to provide the user terminal with higher performance capabilities than a static connection to a single communications network. The HAN manager 110 can monitor individual user requirements and resources available through component networks 120a-120d and assign users a communications network that currently productively or efficiently meets their needs. User requirements or needs, such as the need to operate in a competitive environment, or the need for low probability of interception (LPI) and/or low probability of detection (LPD), or network parameters, such as maximum data rate, fast scalability, congestion, availability and cost per bit, or geographic parameters may cause HAN manager 110 to select one communication network (or subset of communication networks) from other communication networks for a given user terminal. The nature of the hybrid network implemented in the HAN 100 is such that the best or preferred communication network for a user terminal may vary depending on the user's conditions, needs or requirements, individual use cases, geographic parameters, economic parameters and/or time.

HAN 100 includes a user terminal 130 configured to establish a network connection with each of a plurality of communication networks 120a-120d, shown in dotted lines in the figure. In addition, the HAN manager 110 is configured to communicate with each of the user terminal 130 and a plurality of communication networks 120a to 120d, shown in solid lines in the figure. To provide connectivity to multiple communications networks 120a-120d, user terminal 130 may include a network selector 132 that is compatible with a variety of different network protocols, waveforms, communications frequency bands, and the like. To facilitate communication between communication networks and the HAN manager 110, an open standard network interface 112 may be implemented associated with the HAN manager 110. The open standard network interface 112 is configured to provide standard means of communicating network status information and providing control commands. Each of the communication networks 120a-120c may include a corresponding translation agent 122a-122c operative to translate communication protocols specific to the associated communication network into communication protocols compatible with the open standard network interface 112. In the example shown in FIG. 1, communications network 120d is configured to be compatible with open standard network interface 112 and thus does not include a translation agent.

The HAN manager 110 or HAN controller is configured to maintain a list of multiple communication networks 120a-120d, including the capabilities of each communication network. The HAN manager 110 is configured to select a winning communication network from a plurality of communication networks 120a-120d for the user terminal 130. The HAN manager 110 may use various methods to determine the winning communication network for the user terminal 130, which may include, for example, but not limited to, analysis of user requirements, analysis of network capabilities, analysis of external conditions that may affect data transmission over the network, analysis of threats to communication networks, analysis of capabilities and methods for responding to attacks and mitigating the impact of attacks, etc.

As a specific example, the HAN manager 110 may be configured to implement a challenge-response process to determine a winning communication network for the user terminal 130. The challenge-response process includes the HAN manager 110 receiving information from both the user terminal and one or more communication networks 120a-120d, and determining a preferred or winning communication network at least in part based on analysis of the received information. For example, HAN manager 110 is configured to receive requests from user terminal 130 to connect to a destination network through an available communications network, where the user request includes the user's connection requirements. For its part, the HAN manager 110 is configured to identify available communication networks that satisfy the accepted requirements. The HAN manager 110 may then request responses to the request from these communication networks. The HAN manager 110 may also be configured to receive query responses from these communication networks and evaluate the received query responses to determine a preferred communication network or an execution list of preferred communication networks. The preferred communication network is determined based on an evaluation of the received responses to the request based on user requirements and/or based on communication network information stored in the HAN manager 110 . The execution list includes an ordered list of communication networks, where the order is based on a scoring system resulting from analysis of the accepted responses to the request. The HAN manager 110 is also configured to establish a connection between the user terminal 130 and the winning communications network. The HAN manager 110 is configured to monitor the status of communication networks 120a–120d.

In some embodiments, HAN manager 110 is configured to repeat the request-response process or at least evaluate the appropriateness of another request-response process when network conditions change, user terminal conditions change, and/or user terminal geographic parameters change relative to changes in communication networks. By way of example, changes that may trigger a different challenge-response process may include, but are not limited to, changes in security level, changes in network vulnerability, changes in communications network performance, changes in user requirements, changes in communications network coverage relative to the user terminal (for example, going beyond the highly directional beam of a satellite network), etc. In some implementations, the request-response process may be re-initiated without a request from the user terminal 130 and/or without receiving updated user requirements from the user terminal 130.

In some embodiments, HAN manager 110 updates the execution list and/or winning communication network without initiating another request-response process. In such embodiments, the HAN manager 110 may be configured to re-analyze the assessment of communication networks based on performance parameters of the communication networks. Based on the update of the evaluation analysis, the new preferred communication network or updated execution list may be sent to the user terminal 130. The HAN manager 110 may then proceed to connect the user terminal 130 to the new winning or preferred communication network.

The HAN manager 110 may also be configured to provide destination network credentials that allow both the user terminal and the destination network to connect to the winning communications network. In some embodiments, the HAN manager 110 is also configured to configure the network selector 132 of the user terminal 130 and/or the destination network to route traffic through the winning communications network.

The HAN manager 110 is configured to monitor the requirements of individual users, monitor the availability of resources across communications networks 120a-120d, and assign user terminal 130 to the communications network that most effectively meets their needs at any given time. The HAN manager 110 is configured to select one communications network over others for a given user terminal based at least in part on operating parameters (e.g., the need to operate in a competitive environment or the need for specific operations), knowledge of potential threats, or network outages (e.g., weather or intentional threats to the network that could cause outages or degraded performance), network parameters (for example, maximum data rate, network congestion, availability, cost per bit, etc.), network capabilities, and intranet methods for responding to attacks and reducing the impact of attacks or the like. The nature of a hybrid adaptive network is such that the preferred or best network may change depending on user requirements, geographic parameters, economic parameters, time, network performance, threats to the network, or the like.

The HAN manager 110 is configured to provide control and situational awareness of, for example, separate user terminals for different populations with millions of users. The HAN Manager 110 can also provide a detailed overall operational picture and the ability to manage individual users, regardless of which communications network they are currently using.

The HAN manager 110 may be implemented using one or more processors and storage devices on a general purpose computer or in a distributed computing environment. The functionality and components of the HAN manager 110 may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

The HAN manager 110 may have a corresponding standard open network interface 112 . To participate in the HAN 100, separate communication networks provide a means of receiving commands from the HAN manager 110 and providing status information to the HAN manager 110. The open standard network interface 112 defines the type and structure of information that can be exchanged between the HAN manager 110 and the communication networks 120a-120d within the HAN 100. Thus, the communication network 120a-120d can be configured to initially communicate with the HAN manager 110 via open standard network interface 112 (such as communication network 120d) or may be configured to include a translation agent that translates state and commands between open standard network interface 112 and a corresponding communication network (such as communication networks 120a-120c with corresponding translation agents 122a –122c).

An open standard network interface 112 allows the HAN manager 110 to manage multiple communications networks 120a-120d using a single set or multiple sets of commands, allowing new communications networks to be added to the HAN 100 without changes to the HAN manager 110. With a simple, scalable interface at the network or management level (such as an XML schema or similar infrastructure), communications networks that want to participate in HAN 100 can create a translation agent or can be built to be compatible with the open standard network interface 112. The translation agent is a software layer that translates the initial control objects and states of the communication network into a format compatible with the open standard network interface 112. Software translation agents can be created quickly and inexpensively without changes to proprietary networks or their management systems. However, if the network management system is already compatible with the open standard network interface 112, there is no need to use a translation agent.

Open standard network interface 112 defines the type and/or structure of information exchanged between HAN manager 110 and component networks 120a through 120d within HAN 100. Open standard network interface 112 allows HAN manager 110 to manage multiple different component networks using one or more sets commands The open standard network interface 112 allows new networks to be added to the HAN 100 without changes to the HAN manager 110. An open standard network interface 112 manages connections between user terminals and available communications networks. However, in some embodiments, the HAN manager 110 does not have a corresponding open standard network interface.

The plurality of communications or transport networks 120a-120d may be any suitable network that connects the user terminal 130 to a destination network, such as the Internet, a private network (such as the DoDIN), an internal organizational network, or the like. P. The communications network may be provided by a satellite, a constellation of satellites, terrestrial networks, terrestrial wireless networks, or any combination thereof. Communication networks 120a-120d may operate using different network protocols, waveforms, frequency bands, and the like. The communications networks 120a-120d may be independent of each other, for example, with each communications network operated or owned by a different organization. Communications networks 120a-120d may be commercial, government-specific, or a combination of both. Examples of communications networks 120a-120d include, for example, but are not limited to, COMSAT, MILSAT, Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS), VIASAT®, terrestrial networks, terrestrial wireless networks, and/or other commercial networks. In some embodiments, the individual communication networks 120a-120d may include a network controller (not shown) with which the HAN manager 110 communicates.

The individual communication networks 120 - 120c include corresponding translation agents 122a - 122c that enable the communication network to communicate with the HAN manager 110 via an open standard network interface 112 . The individual translation agent 122a-122c may be a software layer that translates source control objects and network states into a format compatible with the open standard network interface 112. Thus, a translation agent for a communication network can be created relatively quickly and inexpensively without changes to one's own networks or their control systems. For some communications networks, such as communications network 120d, a translation agent may not be needed because the network controller or manager of communications network 120d is natively compatible with open standard network interface 112.

The communication networks 120a-120d are configured to periodically send status information to the HAN manager 110 via an appropriate relay agent and through the open standard network interface 112 if enabled, as needed. Status information includes data related to network performance parameters and may include, for example, but not limited to, data rate, interference environment, probability of service delivery, price, outages, interruptions, events affecting the service, threat data , coverage area, network congestion or load, general information about network and user health, etc.

In some embodiments, HAN 100 does not impose interoperability requirements for individual communications networks. For example, there may be no specification of waveforms or over-the-air data protocol, and there may be no requirements for internal control or routing. Individual communications network providers may design their communications networks according to their own definition of compliance. This approach can increase or maximize the number of communication networks compatible with HAN 100. A large pool of communication networks can be made available to HAN 100, and new networks can be added as new networks come online. This can allow users to benefit from ongoing market competition among network providers, which can enhance or maximize capability and resilience, and reduce or minimize cost.

User terminal 130 is a multi-mode user terminal configured to operate in multiple frequency bands (e.g., C, X, Ku, Ka, UHF, Mil-Ka, etc.) and support multiple network protocols and waveforms (e.g., VIASAT®, Enhanced Bandwidth Efficient Modem (EBAM), Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW), Digital Television Broadcast - Second Generation (DVB-S2), Terrestrial and Terrestrial Wireless, etc.). Thus, the multi-mode user terminal 130 is configured to operate using different communication networks that offer different capabilities for efficiency, performance, robustness, and the like. Moreover, the multi-mode user terminal 130 is configured to use the communication networks 120a-120d in their native format, allowing the entire set of protocols of a particular communication network to be used. The user terminal 130 is configured to quickly switch from one operating band and/or protocol to another. In some embodiments, user terminal 130 is configured to automatically switch between operational bands and/or protocols without human intervention. In this manner, user terminal 130 can provide seamless access to communications networks 120a through 120d of HAN 100.

The user terminal 130 may be configured to switch between communication networks if the communication network to which it is connected fails or degrades its performance. In such cases, the user terminal 130 may be configured to automatically switch to the next communication network in the execution list or may receive a new winning network from the HAN manager 110 and switch to that communication network. In some embodiments, the user terminal 130 is configured to periodically receive an updated execution list or an updated winning communication network from the HAN manager 110 without initiating a request-response process at the request of the user.

The user terminal 130 may be customer-provided equipment that includes these capabilities. Network selector 132 provides the ability to switch between different communication networks 120a-120d with their associated differences in frequency bands, network protocols, waveforms, and the like. This makes the user terminal 130 flexible and interoperable. In some embodiments, a software-defined user terminal may be used. Software-defined terminals can switch between many different networks and maintain interoperability, all of which can be incremental updates to the terminal base. Subsets of user terminals can be upgraded while maintaining compatibility with existing terminals in the installed base. This may allow the user terminal population to be upgraded in small blocks rather than upgrading all user terminals, which may avoid a major overhaul of the installed base.

Examples of hybrid adaptive networks

In fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of an illustrative HAN 200 that includes a HAN manager 210, a plurality of user terminals 230a, 230b, a plurality of transport networks 220a-220d, and a destination network 240. The HAN manager 210 is similar to the HAN manager 110 described herein with reference to FIG. . 1. Although not shown, HAN manager 210 may interact with transport networks 220a-220d using an open standard network interface, as described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Each of the user terminals 230a, 230b is similar to the multi-mode user terminal 130 described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Although not shown, each of the user terminals 230a, 230b includes a network selector that provides connectivity to different transport networks 220a-220d. Transport networks 220a-220d share common characteristics with communication networks 120a-120d described herein with reference to FIGS. 1. Although not shown, one or more transport networks 220a-220d may include a translation agent similar to the translation agents described herein with reference to FIGS. 1. Transport networks 220a, 220b are shown as satellite networks, and each of these transport networks may include one or more satellites to form a transport network. Transport networks 220c, 220d include terrestrial networks. However, it should be understood that each of the transport networks 220a-220d may include satellite components, terrestrial components, or a combination thereof.

The HAN manager 210 is configured to manage elements of each of the transport networks 220a-220d, the user terminals 230a, 230b, and the destination network 240, as shown by solid lines in the figure. This allows HAN manager 210 to send and receive status information from transport networks 220a-220d, manage connections between transport networks 220a-220d and user terminals 230a, 230b, and manage connections between transport networks 220a-220d and destination network 240. As an example, HAN manager 210 may issue a command to user terminals 230a, 230b that lists preferred transport networks, includes assigning execution network priorities (e.g., when to switch to another transport network), directs selection of a particular transport network, etc. P. As another example, HAN manager 210 may issue a control command to transport network 220a-220d that determines service requirements (eg, performance or network effects) for the network. Although not shown, transport networks 220a-220d include network controllers with which HAN manager 210 communicates.

Network connectivity is illustrated using dotted lines between transport networks 220a-220d and user terminals 230a, 230b and destination network 240. This shows that each user terminal 230a, 230b is configured to connect to each transport network 220a-220d. Likewise, the destination network 240 is configured to connect to each transport network 220a-220d. It should be understood that although a single destination network is illustrated, multiple destination networks may exist. By at least partially providing multiple paths between user terminals 230a, 230b and HAN manager 210 via transport networks 220a-220d, communication between HAN manager 210 and a particular user terminal can be established even in the event of network failure due to a failure or attack. This allows the HAN manager 210 to update the preferred or winning transport network or execution list on the user terminal even if the transport network fails. This makes the HAN 200 more resilient to network failures. Even in the absence of a network failure, the user terminal 230a, 230b may be forced to switch transport networks if the network condition changes significantly. The significance of the change may be determined by the user terminal and/or HAN manager 210. Examples of changes that may cause switching to a new transport network include, for example, but are not limited to, information about connection problems (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)), failure to achieve the reverse data rate required to support user requirements. or forward link, identification of a threat or interruption that could lead to disruption or degradation of service (for example, network congestion), degradation of performance due to weather conditions or other interference (intentional or unintentional), increased network congestion, relocation of the user terminal to another productive coverage area, etc. The user terminal 230a, 230b may change transport networks by receiving an updated winning transport network from the HAN manager 210 or by moving to the next transport network from a previously received execution list. In some embodiments, the user terminal 230a, 230b may automatically switch transport networks without human intervention.

Destination network 240 includes any suitable destination, such as the Internet, a private network (eg, the US Department of Defense Information Network), an access network, a terminal, a meet-me, or other similar destination. The HAN manager 210 does not necessarily need to know the path between the destination network 240 and the user terminal 230a, 230b, since it is processed by components of the transport networks 220a-220d, the user terminal 230a, 230b and/or the destination network 240.

In fig. 2B shows an example of a user terminal 230a connecting to a destination network 240 via a transport network 220b. User terminal 230a issues a connection request 260 to HAN manager 210, and HAN manager 210 in turn determines the winning transport network and establishes a connection between user terminal 230a, transport network 220b, and destination network 240. The request 260 may include the user's requirements and/or preferences. The HAN manager 210 identifies available and compatible transport networks that can meet the user's requirements. By requesting responses to queries from compatible transport networks, HAN manager 210 determines which response is preferred by user terminal 230a. HAN manager 210 provides credentials to destination network 240 and user terminal 230a that allow each to connect to the winning transport network 220b. Establishing this connection may include configuring the network selectors of the destination network 240 and the user terminal 230a to route data 270 through the winning transport network 220b. Thus, user terminal 230a can send network data 270 to destination network 240 using transport network 220b. If another transport network is subsequently determined to be the winner, the HAN manager 210 may change the route to pass through that other winning transport network.

In fig. 3 shows another exemplary HAN 300 that includes additional user terminals 330a-330d and transport networks 320a, 320b, compared to the HAN 200 shown in FIG. 2A. User terminals 330a-330d may be similar to user terminal 130 described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Transport network 320a is a fixed or mobile transport network that is not managed by HAN manager 210. User terminals 330a, 330b are connected to the destination network 240 via a transport network 320a. Transport network 320b is managed by HAN manager 210 and connected to destination network 240. User terminals 330c, 330d are connected to the destination network 240 via a transport network 320b.

The destination network 240 itself may be connected to other networks 320a, 320b and user terminals 330a-330d. In this case, the HAN manager connects the user terminal 230a to the destination network 240 via the transport network 220b, but the final destination of the network data 370 is the user terminal 330a connected to the destination network 240 via the transport network 320a.

In fig. 4 shows another exemplary HAN 400 that includes a plurality of transport networks 420a-420f providing a corresponding plurality of spot beams 424 covering a plurality of user terminals (not shown). HAN 400 also includes satellite gateways 426 that connect destination network 440 to corresponding transport networks 420a-420f via network selector 442. Transport networks 420a-420f are similar to communications networks 120a-120d and transport networks 220a-220d described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A. Backhaul networks 420a-420f are shown as individual satellites, but it should be understood that each backhaul network 420a-420f may include one or more satellites and one or more terrestrial components to form a backhaul network. Transport networks 420a-420f may use different networking protocols and/or waveforms and may use different frequency bands. Network selector 442 is similar to the network selector described herein in that it allows destination network 440 to connect to multiple different transport networks 420a-420f, even if the transport networks use different frequency bands, network protocols, and/or waveforms.

Although not shown for the sake of clarity, it should be understood that HAN 400 includes a HAN manager similar to the HAN manager described herein with reference to FIG. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 5 and 6A–6F. The HAN network manager HAN 400 is configured to manage transport networks 420a-420f, user terminals, and destination network 440. The HAN Manager processes the request-response processes described herein and also determines the preferred or winning transport networks and/or determines the execution list for individual user terminals. This may or may not occur with an accompanying user request as described herein. The HAN manager also establishes connections between individual user terminals, winning transport networks, and the destination network 440.

The spot beams 424 provided by the various transport networks 420a-420f overlap and span multiple user terminals. Accordingly, individual user terminals may be covered by a plurality of spot beams. This allows an individual user terminal to connect to a preferred transport network using the systems, devices and methods described herein. For example, the user terminal may send a request to the HAN manager (not shown) to connect to the destination network 440. The HAN manager can determine which transport networks cover the user terminal and request responses from those available transport networks. Based on the analysis of the received query responses, the HAN manager can then connect the user terminal to the destination network through the winning transport network. This allows the user terminal to switch between available transport networks to improve network performance and/or to prevent network failures or performance degradation. Likewise, a mobile user terminal may move between beams 424, and the HAN manager may provide a winning transport network (or an updated execution list) when the user terminal enters the beam(s) of one or more new transport networks and/or or leaves the beam(s) of one or more transport networks.

By way of example, and without limitation, transport network 420a may be a geosynchronous (GEO) Ku-band network, transport network 420b may be an Advanced Ultra High Frequency (AEHF) network, transport network 420c may be a WGS/Skynet network, transport network 420d may be a Ka-band GEO network, backhaul network 420e may be a Ka-band medium earth orbit (MEO) network, and backhaul 420f may be a Ku/Ka-band low earth orbit (LEO) network. Thus, spot beams 424 may be provided by a combination of government networks, commercial networks, geo-orbital (GEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, terrestrial networks, and/or terrestrial wireless networks.

HAN Manager Example

In fig. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary HAN controller 510. The HAN manager 510 is configured to manage network connections between user terminals, communication networks, and destination networks using a response request system and evaluation system. The HAN manager 510 is similar to the HAN managers 110, 210, 410, 610 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, and 6A-6F, and may be implemented in the HAN systems described herein. The HAN manager 510 may use any method described herein for managing connections to transport networks, such as the exemplary methods 700 and 800 described herein with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively.

The HAN manager 510 may include hardware, software and/or firmware components for managing network connections, communicating with user terminals and communications networks, monitoring the status of the communications network, and evaluating request response information from communications networks. The HAN manager 510 is configured to receive requests from user terminals for connection through a communication network, request responses from communication networks based on the received request, receive requested responses, analyze and evaluate accepted responses, send to the requesting user terminal a winning communication network or a communication network execution list , as well as establishing connections between user terminals and the winning communication networks. The HAN manager 510 is also configured to monitor the state of the network and update winning transport networks or execution lists in response to changes in the state of the communication networks, new user requests, and/or external factors that may affect network performance. The HAN manager 510 includes a data store 511, one or more processors 513, one or more network interfaces 515, a network management module 514, a query response module 516, and an evaluation module 518. The HAN manager components 510 may communicate with each other, with external systems, and with other network components using communication bus 519 . The HAN manager 510 may be implemented using one or more computing devices. For example, the HAN manager 510 may be implemented using a single computing device, multiple computing devices, a distributed computing environment, or it may be located on a virtual device residing in a public or private computing cloud. In a distributed computing environment, one or more computing devices may be configured to provide modules 514, 516, 518 to provide the described functionality.

The HAN manager 510 includes a network management module 514. The network management module 514 is configured to manage and establish network connections between user terminals and component networks. The network management module 514 is configured to send control commands to user terminals and communication networks to facilitate establishing connections between these components. These commands may be sent to communication networks and/or user terminals using the open standard network interface described herein with reference to FIG. 1 associated with network interface 515.

The network management module 514 is also configured to receive network status information from associated component networks. In some embodiments, network management module 514 may monitor status information and determine whether to initiate reanalysis of service request responses to update the winning communication network and/or update the execution list for one or more user terminals. In response to determining that an update is required, the network management module 514 communicates with the evaluation module 518 to update the analysis results of the service request responses. In some embodiments, network management module 514 forwards appropriate status information to evaluation module 518 so that evaluation module 518 can periodically, periodically, or continuously update metrics for communication networks. In such embodiments, the triggering event or condition does not need to occur for the evaluation module 518 to update the network metrics. Thus, network management module 514, in conjunction with evaluation module 518, can prioritize available networks to provide user terminals with fallback options in the event of network degradation or failure. This can be done periodically or continuously to send updates about available communication networks (eg, winning networks or progress list) to user terminals.

The HAN manager 510 includes a query response module 516 . The request response module 516 is configured to receive connection requests from user terminals. User queries include user criteria, requirements and/or preferences related to network connections to available communication networks. The request response module 516 formulates service requests from available communication networks based on individual connection requests received from user terminals. The request response processing module 516 also receives service request responses from communication networks. The query response module 516 organizes and stores the query response information in the data store 511 so that the network management module 514 and the evaluation module 518 can access the query response information. In some embodiments, the request response module 516 is configured to determine which of the available communication networks is compatible with the user's connection or request. In some embodiments, the connection request includes network compatibility information. In various embodiments, the HAN manager 510 is configured to determine which communication networks are compatible with a connection request.

The HAN manager 510 includes an evaluation module 518 . Evaluation module 518 analyzes network information and information about potential threats or disruptions in communication networks to determine the performance of individual communication networks. Estimator 518 uses one or more algorithms that determine metrics for the communication network. The indicator may be based at least in part on user criteria contained in a connection request from the user terminal and service information contained in a response to a service request from the communication network. In some embodiments, estimation module 518 may determine a metric based at least in part on network state information. The information in the service request, the information in the service request responses, and the network condition can be combined using weights to determine the metric. The evaluation module 518 may also take into account the capabilities (and intra-network technologies) of the communication network to respond to attacks and reduce the impact of the attack. For example, if a user requirement includes the resiliency of a communications network in the presence of a jammer, evaluation module 518 may be configured to evaluate the unique characteristics of individual communications networks to determine networks that have attributes suitable to maintain connectivity in the event of a jammer attempting to disrupt the network. communications.

In some embodiments, the metric may be continuously or periodically updated, and the results of the updates may be sent to user terminals. In certain embodiments, metric updates may be triggered by certain events or conditions. For example, metrics updates may be triggered by receiving a new service request or updating user criteria from the user terminal. As another example, metric updates may be triggered by external conditions, such as threats to the communications network and/or weather information. As another example, metric updates may be triggered by changes in network performance (eg, caused by network congestion). As another example, metric updates may be triggered by a change in the position of the user terminal and/or the communications network. As another example, metric updates may be triggered after a time limit has been reached. The time limit may be set by the user terminal, the communications network, or the HAN manager 510.

The evaluation module 518 allows the connections established in the associated HAN to be continuously updated. The rating module 518 may be configured to update the rating in real time. In this way, the HAN manager 510 can continuously and quickly communicate recommendations to user terminals to ensure satisfactory or improved network performance for the user. The assessment module 518 allows the HAN manager 510 to analyze possible present threats to the communication network, potential adverse effects caused by weather information, network congestion, etc., thereby producing a larger overview of the state of the communication networks for preventive or proactive implementation of preventive actions. or reducing degradation or network outages for users. Evaluation module 518 provides quantitative information that is based on user connectivity requirements, communications network performance, communications network capabilities, and/or communications network service request responses to enable real-time adaptation based on changing conditions. These changing conditions may include, for example, changes in geography (e.g., a user is flying on an airplane), data requirements (e.g., high data throughput requirements versus low data throughput requirements), threats to networks (e.g. , denial of service attacks, network congestion, adverse weather conditions, etc.) or the like. These quantitative estimates can be used to modify communication networks before failures occur. In some embodiments, estimation module 518 are predictive models that may be configured to predict congestion, determine whether other communication networks are congested, and move the user terminal to a new communication network before the user terminal experiences an adverse impact.

The HAN manager 510 includes network interface(s) 515 configured to connect to any compatible communications network. The network interface 515 is configured to make the HAN manager 510 independent of communications networks, thereby allowing it to connect to any user terminal that can communicate with compatible communications networks. The open standard network interface described herein with reference to FIG. 1 may be part of the network interface 515. As described herein, the open standard network interface is configured to receive network status information from communication networks and send control commands to communication networks and user terminals. The status information may be sent to network management module 514 for further processing and analysis as described herein. Likewise, network management module 514 can send control commands to user terminals and communications networks through network interface 515 and its associated open standard network interface, if enabled.

The HAN manager 510 includes one or more processors 513 configured to control the operation of modules 514, 516, 518 and data store 511. One or more processors 513 implement and use software modules, hardware components, and/or firmware elements configured to manage connections to transport networks through a challenge-response process. The one or more processors 513 may include any suitable computer processors, application integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic integrated circuits (FPGAs), or other suitable microprocessors. One or more processors 513 may include other computing components configured to interface with various modules and data stores of the HAN manager 510.

The HAN manager 510 includes a data store 511 configured to store configuration data, user requirements, network states, network characteristics and capabilities, control commands, databases, algorithms, executable commands (e.g., instructions for one or more processors 513), and etc. Data storage 511 may be any suitable storage device or combination of devices, which includes, for example, but is not limited to, random access memory, read only memory, solid state drives, hard drives, flash drives, magnetic domain memory, etc. P.

The 510 HAN Manager can be implemented for various specifications. For example, the HAN manager 510 may be implemented to provide network connectivity for transportation (eg, commercial airlines, trains, buses, ships, etc.), to provide customers with wireless network connectivity in establishments (eg, gas station, cafe, at the stadium, etc.) etc. As another example, the HAN manager 510 may be used to provide network connectivity to organizations with user terminals distributed in remote environments and/or where the user terminals are mobile. This could be in a military context for a forward deployed base or in a civilian context for a news network that requires network access at a remote news location. The HAN Manager 510 allows the analysis and ranking of multiple communications networks to determine which communications network best serves a user terminal.

Examples of HAN management procedures

In fig. 6A-6F show a block diagram of an example HAN system 600 that demonstrates how the HAN manager 610 establishes a network connection between a user terminal 630 and a winning communications network based on a challenge-response procedure. In fig. 6A shows a HAN 600 that includes a HAN manager 610 similar to the HAN managers described herein with reference to FIGS. 1–5. HAN 600 also includes a user terminal 630 similar to the user terminals described herein with reference to FIGS. 1–3. HAN 600 also includes communications networks 620a-620c, similar to the networks described herein with reference to FIGS. 1–4.

In fig. 6B shows a user terminal 630 sending a user service request 652 to a HAN manager 610. The user request 652 may include a variety of requirements and preferences. For example, user request 652 may include data rate (e.g., forward link (FL), reverse link (RL)), interference environment (e.g., favorable or competitive), user terminal position (e.g., latitude and longitude) , type of user terminal (for example, fixed or mobile), type of mobile terminal (land, sea, air or space), radio frequency parameters of the terminal (EIRP, G/T, etc.), compatibility of the terminal with the network. The following is an example of a user request: data rate (10 Mbps FL, 2 Mbps RL), interference environment (competitive), terminal position (33.13 N, 117.28 W), terminal type (mobile), mobile terminal type (air ), terminal parameters (55 dBW, 14.2 dB/K), network compatibility (network A, network B).

In fig. 6C shows a HAN manager 610 advertising a service request 654 to communications networks 620a-620c. In certain embodiments, the service request 652 may include parameters that must be specified in the service request response and/or service request response format. The HAN manager 610 formulates a service request 654 based on the user request 652 .

In some embodiments, the service request 654 may be sent to compatible networks specified in the user request 652. In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the user request 652 may indicate that the user terminal 630 is not compatible with the C network 620c, and therefore the HAN manager 610 does not send a service request 654 to the C network 620c.

In some embodiments, the HAN manager 610 does not advertise the service request 654 to incompatible networks. Instead, upon receiving a user request 652, the HAN manager 610 first determines which of the available communication networks is compatible with the service request 654 and then advertises the service request 654 to compatible networks only. In the example in FIG. 6C, the HAN manager 610 may determine that the network C 620c is not compatible with the service request 654 and therefore does not advertise the service request 654 of the network C 620c.

In some embodiments, the HAN manager 610 advertises a service request 654 to all available communications networks 620a-620c. In such embodiments, the incompatible communication networks either do not respond to the service request 654 or provide a response that the HAN manager 610 determines does not meet the service request 654 criteria.

In fig. 6D shows a HAN manager 610 receiving responses to a request 656a, 656b from compatible communication networks 620a, 620b. As an example, the request response format may include data rate (e.g., FL, RL), interference environment (e.g., favorable or negotiated), service delivery probability (0-100%), and/or price ($ /bit, $/min, $/bit/s, etc.). Below is an example of a 656a response to a request from Network A 620a: data rate (8 Mbps FL, 2 Mbps RL), interference environment (competitive), service delivery probability (95%) and price ($10/ Mbit). The following is an example of a 656b response to a request from Network B 620b: data rate (12 Mbps FL, 4 Mbps RL), interference environment (competitive), service delivery probability (98%) and price ($50/ Mbit/s). In this example, Network C is not compatible and is therefore not suitable for providing a response to the request.

In fig. 6E shows the HAN manager 610 sending a service selection 658 to a user terminal 630. The service selection 658 may be the highest scoring communication network based on analysis of the request responses 656a, 656b. The service selection 658 may be a communication network execution list ordered by metrics based on analysis of the request responses 656a, 656b. Analyzing the query responses may include assigning a score or ranking value to the query responses 656a, 656b. The process of assigning a score or rank may include a variable weighting of the query response parameters 656a, 656b.

In some embodiments, the evaluation criteria may include an interference performance rating (eg, a numerical value from 1 to 10) based on safe distance (km) and frequency hopping (MHz). The evaluation criteria may also include an evaluation of waveform characteristics (eg, a numerical value from 1 to 10) based on a spreading factor (eg, a numerical value) and a hopping rate (eg, a time delay). The evaluation criteria may also include a cybersecurity score (eg, a numerical value from 1 to 10) and may also include a score to match the previous response to the query (eg, a numerical value from 1 to 10).

In fig. 6F shows the HAN manager 610 sending a service assignment 659 to the winning communications network 620a. The HAN manager 610 may also send a service assignment 659 to the user terminal 630. In some embodiments, the service assignment 659 includes credentials to enable connectivity between the user terminal 630, communications network 620a, and the destination network (not shown).

In fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 700 for selecting a winning communication network based on a user request. Method 700 may be performed by any of the HAN managers described herein with reference to FIG. 1–6F. For ease of description, method 700 will be described as being performed by a HAN manager. This should not be understood as limiting the scope of the description. Instead, any step or portion of method 700 may be performed by any component or combination of components of the systems described herein.

At block 705, the HAN manager receives a user request for a service from the user terminal. This is similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the user's request may include a destination network, such as the destination networks described herein with reference to FIG. 2A–4. A user request may be sent any time the user terminal wishes to connect to a communications network and/or any time the user terminal's performance requirements change. In some embodiments, method 700 is re-run whenever a user request is received from the user terminal.

At block 710, the HAN manager announces a service request formulated from a user request to the communication networks in the hybrid adaptive network. This is similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 6C. Available communication networks may change dynamically. In some implementations, method 700 may return to block 710 in response to changes in network availability. In some embodiments, the HAN manager does not send a service request to incompatible networks. In such embodiments, an incompatible communication network may be identified in the user's request, and/or the HAN manager may determine which communication networks are incompatible with the service request.

At block 715, the HAN manager receives service request responses from compatible communication networks. This is similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 6D. In some embodiments, service request responses may be sent to the HAN manager without requesting the HAN manager to receive service request responses in response to changes in the associated communication network. For example, when performance or price changes, the HAN Manager may request updated responses to a service request, or the affected communications network may send updated responses to a service request without first receiving the request from the HAN Manager. In the event that an updated response to a service request is received, method 700 may be re-initiated starting at block 715.

At block 720, the HAN manager selects the winning communication network based on the determined service request response rates. In some embodiments, the HAN manager creates a run list containing an ordered list of a compatible communication network based on determining service request response metrics. Evaluating the received service request responses may include determining a weighted score of the parameters included in the service request responses. This is similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 6E. The service selection (eg, the winning communication network and/or execution list) may be sent to the requesting user terminal.

In some embodiments, the HAN manager repeats the method 700, starting at block 720, when the network performance of one or more compatible communication networks changes. In some implementations, the HAN manager monitors the state of communication networks to determine changes in network performance or other relevant network parameters. Accordingly, in response to such changes, the HAN manager recalculates the scores or ranks for each compatible communication network. If there is a change in performance, in the winning communication network and/or in the execution list order, the HAN manager may send an updated service selection to the affected or corresponding user terminal.

At block 725, the HAN manager assigns a communication network service to the winning service request response. This is similar to what is described with reference to FIG. 6F. The HAN manager may be configured to notify the user terminal of the winning network, as well as notify the winning network. A network connection can be established using a translation agent as described herein, allowing users to use the same interface to connect and communicate with every compatible communication network.

Method 700 is a challenge-response process that can be used to establish an initial connection to a communications network and that can also be repeated based on changing conditions or criteria, as described herein. For example, method 700 may be repeated starting at any suitable method step when any triggering event or condition occurs. Examples of triggering events include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of communication networks, changes in the state of a user terminal, changes in the state of threats to communication networks (e.g., natural threats such as weather conditions, unnatural threats such as equipment failure, intentional threats such as denial of service attacks, etc.). In some embodiments, the user terminal is configured to update the HAN manager due to the link capacity of the communications network to which it is connected. If the link capacity changes, a service selection update may be initiated (eg, method 700 is restarted at an appropriate method step). This may be necessary in cases where, for example, there is a service level agreement (SLA) with the user, and it is preferable to maintain at least a minimum level of service to meet the SLA, which can be achieved when switching communication networks.

Another triggering event could be the expiration of the response to a service request. In some embodiments, the response to a service request may have an expiration date. As long as the service request response is still valid, the user terminal can use the communication network. The duration of the response to a request for a service can be, for example, without limitation, hours, days, weeks, months, etc. Upon expiration of the service request response, method 700 may be repeated starting at an appropriate step, such as block 710 to request new service request responses or block 720 to determine a new indicator for service request responses that are still valid. .

Other triggering events may include the user terminal requesting repeated responses to a service request, the HAN manager determining that the winning communications network no longer matches the user's request, the HAN manager determining that network characteristics have changed, or the like.

In fig. 8 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 800 for updating rankings of communication networks in real time. Method 800 may be performed by any of the HAN managers described herein with reference to FIG. 1–6F. For ease of description, method 800 will be described as being performed by the HAN manager. This should not be understood as limiting the scope of the description. Instead, any step or portion of method 800 may be performed by any component or combination of components of the systems described herein.

At block 805, the HAN manager determines the metrics of the compatible communication networks. Metrics or rankings may be determined based on user criteria, user requirements, service request responses, network performance, or the like, as described herein.

At block 810, the HAN manager transmits the metrics to the corresponding user terminals. Corresponding user terminals may include user terminals compatible with communication networks whose parameters or ranks have changed. This may allow the user terminal to change the communications networks in which a preferred communications network exists. The HAN manager transmits or sends updated metrics or ranks to the user terminal without necessarily requesting the updated information from the user terminal. This is advantageous because it allows the user terminal to connect to a higher level communication network without first requesting an update to the evaluation or ranking of the communication networks.

At block 815, the HAN manager obtains information related to the performance of communication networks. This information includes parameters directly related to network performance provided by the communication networks themselves (for example, information included in responses to a service request). This information also includes data related to external factors that may affect network performance, such as weather conditions, data related to network threats, and the like. The information that may be received by the HAN manager in this block may adapt over time and may include any suitable factor affecting network performance.

At block 820, the HAN manager determines whether trigger criteria occur and, in response to determining that trigger criteria occur, returns to block 805 to update the communication network analysis. Triggering criteria include any of the criteria described herein, including, for example, without limitation, changes in network performance, changes in user requirements, external threats to the network, higher level capabilities that become available, and the like.

The method 800 can be used as a predictive model. For example, method 800 can be used to predict network congestion and to check whether other networks are congested. In response, the HAN manager can move the user terminal before the user experiences any negative impact.

In addition, the method 800 allows the metrics or ranking of communication networks to be continually updated. These updates can be initiated in real time. As a result, the HAN manager can continuously or sequentially send recommendations to user terminals. Method 800 allows the HAN manager to obtain information about and respond to possible threats. Threats may arise in response to analysis of, for example, information about weather conditions, network congestion, data about potential attacks on networks, etc. Method 800 allows the HAN manager to analyze the performance of the network as a whole, including external factors that may not be considered by other similar systems. Although method 800 may be triggered by an update request from the user terminal, it is not required or may be unnecessary due to at least partial sequential updating of the communication network metrics and ranks by the HAN manager.

Terminology and Additional Embodiments

This document describes systems, devices and methods for managing connections to transport or communications networks based on a challenge-response process and an evaluation process. In this document, the terms “transport networks,” “communications networks,” and “component networks” are used interchangeably. These terms include, but are not limited to, communications networks that provide network connectivity between a user terminal and a destination network as described herein. These networks may include satellite networks, terrestrial networks, terrestrial wireless networks, or any combination thereof.

Various features are described herein, none of which is solely responsible for the benefits described herein. It should be understood that various features described herein may be combined, modified, or omitted, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Other combinations and subcombinations other than those specifically described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and are expected to form part of the present disclosure. Various methods are described herein in connection with various steps and/or phases of the flowcharts. It should be understood that in many cases certain steps and/or phases may be combined such that multiple steps and/or phases shown in the flowcharts may be performed as a single step and/or phase. In addition, certain steps and/or phases can be divided into additional subcomponents to be performed separately. In some cases, the order of steps and/or phases may be changed, and certain steps and/or phases may be omitted entirely. In addition, it should be understood that the methods described herein are open source, so that additional steps and/or phases may also be performed than those shown and described herein.

Certain aspects of the systems and methods described herein may advantageously be implemented using, for example, computer software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of computer software, hardware, and firmware. Computer software may comprise computer-executable code that is stored on a computer-readable medium (eg, non-transitory computer-readable medium) that when executed performs the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the computer-executable code is executed by one or more general purpose computer processors. In light of the present description, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any feature or function that can be implemented by software for execution on a general purpose computer may also be implemented using another combination of hardware, software, or firmware. For example, such a module may be implemented entirely in hardware using a combination of integrated circuits. Alternatively or additionally, such feature or function may be implemented in whole or in part using specialized computers configured to perform the specific functions described herein rather than general purpose computers.

The plurality of distributed computing devices may be replaced by any one computing device described herein. In such distributed embodiments, the functions of one computing device are distributed (eg, over a network) such that certain functions are performed on each of the distributed computing devices.

Some embodiments may be described with reference to equations, algorithms, and/or flowchart illustrations. These methods may be implemented using computer program instructions executed on one or more computers. These methods may also be implemented as computer program products individually or as a component of a device or system. In this regard, each equation, algorithm, block or flowchart step and combinations thereof may be implemented by hardware, firmware and/or software, including one or more computer program instructions embedded in computer readable program code logic. It should be understood that any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more computers, including, without limitation, a general purpose computer, or a special purpose computer, or other programmable processing device for creating a machine, such that the computer program instructions that executed on a computer(s) or other programmable processor(s) device(s), implement functions specified in equations, algorithms and/or block diagrams. It should also be understood that each equation, algorithm and/or block in the flowchart and combinations thereof may be implemented using dedicated hardware computer systems that perform the stated functions or steps, or combinations of dedicated hardware and machine readable code logic.

In addition, computer program instructions, such as those embedded in computer-readable program code logic, may also be stored in a computer-readable storage device (e.g., a non-volatile computer-readable medium) that may instruct one or more computers or other programmable processing devices to perform a specific function in a manner that that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage device implement the function(s) specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto one or more computers or other programmable computing devices to cause execution of a number of operational steps on the one or more computers or other programmable computing devices to create a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that are executed on the computer or other programmable processing device, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the equation(s), algorithm(s), and/or flowchart block(s).

Some or all of the methods and tasks described herein may be performed and fully automated by a computer system. A computer system may in some cases include a plurality of individual computers or computing devices (eg, physical servers, workstations, storage arrays, etc.) that communicate and interact over a network to perform the described functions. Each such computing device typically includes a processor (or plurality of processors) executing program instructions or modules stored in memory or other non-volatile computer-readable media or device. Various functions described herein may be embedded in such software instructions, although some or all of the described functions may alternatively be implemented in a specialized application-specific circuit (eg, ASIC or FPGA) of a computer system. If a computer system includes multiple computing devices, the devices may, but do not necessarily have to, be combined. The results of the described methods and tasks can be permanently stored by converting physical storage devices, such as solid-state memory chips and/or magnetic disks, to another state.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims the words “comprise”, “comprising”, etc. should be interpreted as having an inclusive meaning, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive meaning; in other words, in the sense of “including, without limitation.” The word "connected" as used herein essentially means two or more elements that may be either directly connected or connected through one or more intermediate elements. In addition, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar meaning when used herein refer to this application as a whole and not to any specific portions of this application. Where the context allows, words in the above detailed description when used in the singular or plural may also include the plural or singular, respectively. The word "or" in relation to a list of two or more elements covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the elements of the list, all of the elements in the list, and any combination of elements in the list. The word “illustrative” is used herein solely to mean “serving as an example, example, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “illustrative” is not necessarily to be understood as being preferred or superior to other embodiments.

The description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein. Various implementation modifications described herein will likely be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The inventive teachings presented herein may be applied to other methods and systems and are not limited to the methods and systems described above, and the elements and operations of the various embodiments described above may be combined to provide additional embodiments. Accordingly, the new methods and systems described herein may be implemented in various other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in form to the methods and systems described herein may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (33)

1. Hybrid adaptive network (HAN) manager, configured to manage network connections between user terminals and communication networks, including: a network interface configured to receive data over the network from user terminals and communication networks; a data store including computer-executable commands; And one or more processors configured to execute computer-executable commands stored in the data store, wherein the computer-executable commands are configured to initiate operation of the HAN manager to: receiving a user request from the user terminal, the user request including connection criteria; determining a set of compatible communication networks from a plurality of communication networks, the set of compatible communication networks including communication networks compatible with the connection criteria of the user's request; sending a service request to a set of compatible communication networks based on a user request; receiving, in response to a request for a service, a response from individual compatible communication networks from a set of compatible communication networks; determining a metric for individual interoperable communication networks, the metric being at least in part based on parameters included in the received response to the request; And sending a service selection to the user terminal, wherein the service selection includes an ordered list of at least a portion of the compatible communication networks, the order of the ordered list being based on metrics determined for the individual compatible communication networks. 2. The HAN manager of claim 1, wherein the network interface further includes an open standard network interface configured to send control commands to the communication network. 3. The HAN manager as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the network interface further includes an open standard network interface configured to receive network status information from communication networks. 4. HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the communication networks include two or more communication networks operating in different frequency bands. 5. HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, wherein the communication networks include two or more communication networks operating using different network protocols. 6. HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, wherein the communication networks include two or more communication networks operating using different waveforms. 7. HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1–6, in which the user request includes a minimum data rate. 8. HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1–7, in which the metric is at least partially dependent on matching the previous response to the query. 9. HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1–8, in which each response to a request includes the probability of service delivery. 10. Hybrid adaptive network, including the HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9 and one or more communication networks. 11. Hybrid adaptive network, including the HAN manager according to any one of paragraphs. 1–9 and one or more user terminals. 12. A method for managing a hybrid adaptive network, including: receiving a user request from the user terminal; advertising a service request to a plurality of communication networks, the service request being based on a received user request; receiving service request responses from a plurality of communication networks in response to the advertised service request; determining a metric for the individual interoperable communication networks, the metric being at least in part based on parameters included in the received response to the request; And sending a service selection to the user terminal, wherein the service selection includes an ordered list of at least a portion of the compatible communication networks, the order of the ordered list being based on metrics determined for the individual compatible communication networks. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving network performance information from the winning communication network. 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising determining an updated winning communication network in response to network performance information indicating a deterioration in the performance of the winning communication network. 15. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 12-14, wherein the purpose of the service includes providing credentials to enable connectivity between the user terminal, the winning communication network, and the destination network. 16. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 12-15, in which the service request includes the destination network. 17. The method of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the metric depends at least in part on network capabilities and intra-network techniques to respond to attacks and reduce the impact of attacks. 18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the indicator depends at least in part on an assessment of the interference characteristics of the communication network. 19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the indicator depends, at least in part, depends on matching a previous response to a communication network request.

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