English:
[0002] FIG. 1A illustrates a bock diagram of an example communications system that includes a satellite network and mesh network of edge micro data centers, according to one embodiment.
[0003] FIG. 1 B illustrates a block diagram of an example communications system that includes a satellite network and mesh network of edge micro data centers, according to one embodiment.
[0004] FIG. 2A illustrates a simplified diagram of satellite coverage provided via a plurality of highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, according to one embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2B illustrates a simplified diagram of satellite coverage provided via a combination of HEO satellites and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, according to one embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified diagram of satellite connectivity provided via a combination of fixed beams, honeycomb beam coverage, and mobile tracking beams, according to one embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an edge micro data center with an integrated radio access network (RAN) controller and associated RAN antenna system, according to one embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 5A illustrates a block diagram of an example protocol stack for a single edge micro data center, according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 5B illustrates a block diagram of an example protocol stack for multiple edge micro data centers connected in a mesh network, according to one embodiment.
[0010] The present disclosure includes descriptions and examples of systems, devices, apparatuses, and methods related to communication networks that utilize terrestrial and satellite communication equipment. Various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein utilize non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite communications network architectures. Some embodiments described herein utilize communication satellites that orbit the earth in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and/or communication satellites in a medium Earth orbit (MEO). HEO satellites are generally characterized by their elongated and inclined orbits providing improved coverage over high latitudes (either in the Northern or Southern hemisphere). MEO satellites are generally characterized as orbiting at an altitude between low Earth orbit (<2,000 kilometers above sea level) and geosynchronous orbit («35,786 kilometers above sea level). A satellite network may be scalable over time and include various combinations of HEO and MEO satellites. For instance, the satellite network may initially include only HEO satellites with MEO satellites being deployed as bandwidth needs increase both regionally and/or globally.
[0011] In various embodiments, the satellite network may communicate with terrestrial gateways, internet of things (loT) device networks, cellular networks, such as 5G or longterm evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi networks, low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) (e.g., LoRa), and/or other networks using any of a wide variety of hardware and/or software protocols. The satellite network may facilitate virtual networks of geographically spaced devices and/or virtual networks between devices operating on different communication protocols. For example, the satellite network may facilitate the creation of a virtual network that includes devices communicating via a cellular network (e.g., 5G, 4G, LTE, or other cellular network communications standard) and devices communicating on a Wi-Fi network. A virtual network may take the form of a software defined network (SDN) or a software defined wide area network (SDWAN) using local processing to virtualize the network control mechanisms. In various embodiments, an SDN or SDWAN may be controlled, configured, and/or operated using the satellite network.
[0012] In some embodiments, terrestrial gateways may be co-located with large regional data centers. The terrestrial gateways may be controlled and configured from network operations centers connected to the terrestrial gateways via terrestrial fiber. User terminals supporting micro edge data centers may be controlled and configured via the satellite network. Gateways associated with large regional data centers may connect and communicate with the satellite network via, for example, the Q band (« 36 to 46 gigahertz) for downlink and the V band («40 to 75 gigahertz) for uplink.
[0013] In some embodiments, edge micro data centers may be deployed with compute capabilities, memory, data storage, and the like to distribute content and execute applications at the edge of the network. The edge micro data centers may be part of a mesh network implemented via integrated or connected terrestrial network interfaces. For instance, groups of edge micro data centers may be connected in mesh networks implemented via terrestrial networks such as point-to-point microwave communications, Wi-Fi, cellular connections (e.g., 5G, LTE, 4G, or the like), fiber optic connections, coaxial cable connections, and/or the like. One or more of the edge micro data centers in the mesh network may be connected to the satellite network. Each of the edge micro data centers in the mesh network may be configured and controlled via communications transmitted via the satellite network. In some embodiments, one or more of the edge micro data centers may support an open radio access network (O-RAN) protocol to facilitate third-party equipment interfaces.
[0014] The edge micro data centers may, for example, be used by internet service providers (ISPs) to support other communication protocols and/or to support a software as a service (SaaS) application, a platform as a service (PaaS) application, and/or an infrastructure as a service (laaS) application. The applications and data on an edge micro data center may be updated, modified, or controlled by commands sent via the satellite network. In some embodiments, each edge micro data center may include an integrated or connected commercially available cellular network base station, a Wi-Fi access point, a LoRa access point (e.g., an loT access point), and/or an O-RAN device. More specifically, an edge micro data center may include a radio access network (RAN) controller to control radio communications with end-user devices connected via a cellular network connection (e.g., via a 5G Node B cell site).
[0015] As an example, a group of end-users may utilize edge devices that communicate with an edge micro data center via an edge communication protocol. Some of the end-users may, for example, use edge devices that communicate with the edge micro data center via 5G, LTE, and/or other cellular communication protocols. Other end users may use edge devices that communicate with the edge micro data center via WiFi, Ethernet, fiber-optic cables, or the like. Examples of edge devices include loT devices, personal computers, mobile phones, tablet devices, smart devices, wearable devices, automobiles, and the like.
[0016] Some geographic locations may have a single edge micro data center. Other geographic locations may have multiple edge micro data centers that are connected in a mesh network. The mesh network of edge micro data centers may share compute resources. For instance, if one edge micro data center is overloaded with end-user requests or compute processes, some requests or processes may be offloaded and handled by another edge micro data center in the mesh network. The mesh network of edge micro data centers provides distributed computing resources that are locally connected via wireless or wired communication hardware and protocols and globally connected via the satellite network.
[0017] In some embodiments, each edge micro data center is in communication with the satellite network via, for example, the K/Ka band. In other embodiments, only one or some of the edge micro data centers in a local mesh network are connected to the satellite network. According to various embodiments, edge micro data centers may cache data from other edge micro data centers using the mesh network, thereby utilizing only a single link over the satellite network. The mesh network of edge micro data centers provides high availability via geographically separated satellite links. For example, a mesh network may include multiple edge micro data centers that are geographically separated by several kilometers (e.g., an average of 2-10 kilometers in some embodiments). Even if some of the edge micro data centers are unable to connect directly to the satellite network (e.g., via technical issues, weather issues, line-of-site disruptions, etc.), other networked edge micro data centers in geographically separated locations may still be connected to the satellite network.
[0018] As described in greater detail below, the meshed network of edge micro data centers may also facilitate network traffic and/or computational load balancing. For instance, one edge micro data center with congested network traffic may offload (e.g., route) some of the network traffic to another micro edge data centers within the meshed network before sending such traffic over the satellite network. The meshed network provides high network reliability by routing traffic around outages caused by weather and/or other temporary network outages to maintain connectivity over the satellite network.
[0019] In some embodiments, a solar array and/or energy storage device (e.g., battery, capacitor, flywheel, etc.) may be installed with each edge micro data center to provide primary power or backup power. As an example, an edge micro data center may be embodied as a ruggedized secure container with multiple equipment bays. The size of each equipment bay within the container may be defined in terms of the number of standard rack units or “U” that it can accommodate.
[0020] For example, an edge micro data center may include one or more equipment bays (e.g., a plurality of 21 II or other sizes of equipment bays). An antenna may facilitate communication between the edge micro data center and one or more satellites in the satellite network. In some embodiments, a flat or planar satellite antenna (e.g., a dynamically tunable phased array antenna or a metasurface antenna) may be secured to the top surface of the container to communicate with the satellite network via the Ka, Q, and/or V bands.
[0021] In some embodiments, one band may be used for uplink and another for downlink. In some embodiments, one band (e.g., a higher frequency Q or V band) may be used for communication between the satellite network and gateways of large regional data centers and another band (e.g., a lower frequency Ka band) may be used for communication between the satellite network and the antenna of an edge micro data center. In some embodiments, the satellite network may use higher frequency Q and V bands for downlink and uplinks, respectively, but revert to the lower frequency Ka band for both downlink and uplink when weather or other atmospheric conditions disrupt communications at higher frequencies. Accordingly, the satellite network may include a plurality of HEO satellites and/or MEO satellites that each include multiple antennas for communicating on different frequency bands (e.g., the Ka band, the Q band, and/or the V band).
[0022] Traditional parabolic reflector antennas are physically moved and pointed toward a satellite. Accordingly, parabolic reflector antennas must be repositioned to communicate with a different satellite in a different location. In contrast, flat or planar antennas allow for electronic beamforming for time-multiplexed communication with multiple satellites, rapid switching to a backup satellite in response to communication disruption with a primary satellite, or simultaneous communication with multiple satellites (e.g., multiple, concurrent beamforming). Examples of planar antennas include, but are not limited to, electronically steerable arrays, phased arrays, dynamically tunable metasurface antennas, antennas utilizing Luneburg lenses, mechanical phased arrays, electronically controlled phased arrays, hybrid mechanical-electrical phased arrays, and the like. In various embodiments, an antenna subsystem, including an antenna controller and/or a planar antenna, may utilize the compute resource of a connected edge micro data center to determine beamforming and other control operations.
[0023] A communications network that includes a satellite network in communication with a terrestrial cellular network allows for multiple logical networks to be simultaneously maintained on the same, shared physical network infrastructure. Accordingly, end-to-end virtual networks can be maintained that provide both networking and storage functions. Operators can control and manage virtual networks for diverse 5G or LTE applications with different throughput, latency, and availability demands by partitioning network resources to different users. Various embodiments of the presently described communications networks facilitate virtual network slicing with a satellite layer and distributed computing resources in the form of edge micro data centers.
[0024] In some embodiments, the satellite network may provide end-to-end physical layer time synchronization information. In some implementations, networking equipment may utilize global satellite positioning (GPS) satellite signals for time synchronization. The presently described systems and methods allow for network-based time synchronization via the communication satellite network.
[0025] In embodiments in which the satellite network includes HEO satellites and MEO satellites, the HEO satellites may be configured with elliptical (e.g., highly eccentric) orbits that circumvent the earth in the same period of time as the MEO satellites. Scheduling and signal handoff between HEO satellites and MEO satellites are simplified when the HEO satellites and MEO satellites have identical orbit times. As a specific example, the HEO satellites and MEO satellites may both be configured with orbit periods each with a 4-hour orbit time.
[0026] A resource manager may selectively control the connectivity between each of the distributed HEO and/or MEO satellites and each of the plurality of geographically separated terrestrial gateways. For example, the resource manager may identify a satellite (HEO or MEO) coming up for contact with one of three possible gateways based on, for example, network demand. As another example, the resource manager may direct a gateway to connect to one of a plurality of available satellites based on the network load on each available satellite and/or detected or reported weather conditions between the gateway and each of the available satellites.
[0027] For instance, the resource manager may determine that storm clouds are likely to disrupt existing communications between a gateway and a first satellite. The resource manager may direct the satellite to connect to a different gateway to avoid the potential disruption. In some embodiments, the resource manager is manually controlled by an operator in a network operations center. In other embodiments, the resource manager may be automated or operate according to a defined set of network operation rules, performance parameters and customer service level agreements. The multiple HEO and/or MEO satellites provide spatial and angular diversity for communication channels between each gateway and at least one of the satellites. For example, the resource manager may direct a gateway to communicate with a satellite in an entirely different direction based on reported weather conditions in another direction.
[0028] In some embodiments, a resource manager may also implement and manage quality of service (QoS) traffic management. For instance, the resource manager may cause a gateway to transmit buffered video content that is not latency-sensitive via a HEO satellite and latency-sensitive data via a MEO satellite. In such embodiments, the resource manager may cause the gateway to switch back and forth between two (or more) different satellites (or satellite orbit types) depending on the QoS prioritization associated with different network packets. As described herein, a metasurface antenna or other electronically controlled beamforming antenna (e.g., a planar antenna) may quickly switch between different satellites as directed by the resource manager and/or predefined traffic flow rules. Accordingly, whether the gateway is associated with a large regional data center, a stationary edge micro data center, or a mobile edge micro data center (e.g., on an airplane, vehicle, boat, or the like), the antenna can be electronically switched between multiple satellites.
[0029] The preceding examples and embodiments may be used in any combination of embodiments and implementations. As an example, a gateway antenna system located in a large regional data center in a first city may upload video content to a first edge micro data center in a second city. The first edge micro data center may distribute the video content to other edge micro data centers within the city via terrestrial networks. End-users within the city may access the video content stored on nearby edge micro data centers via 5G or other terrestrial networks. Traffic on the satellite network due to each end user’s request for the video content is reduced through the use of distributed edge micro data centers.
[0030] Data requested by an end-user that is not available on an edge micro data center would be provided by the large regional data center via the satellite network. The edge micro data center and/or other locally networked edge micro data centers may cache the requested data to make it available for future end-user requests.
[0031] As another example, edge micro data centers may include applications that utilize local compute power to reduce network traffic on the satellite network. For example, a national or global security company may sell sensors (e.g., cameras, motion detectors, temperature sensors, smoke alarms, and/or other loT sensors and devices). End-users may install a combination of sensors in their homes. The sensors may provide data that is processed by cloud-based software. In one embodiment, the cloud-based software may be executed in a centralized large regional data center. In such an embodiment, data from all the sensors would be routed over the satellite network for processing and the results of such processing would be returned to the end-user via the satellite network.
[0032] In another embodiment, one or more of the edge micro data centers in the local region of the end-user may implement the cloud-based processing of the sensor data. The distributed compute and storage functionalities provided by the edge micro data centers reduce network traffic on the satellite network and potentially improve performance with decreased latency. In some instances, some data that is not expected to be used as frequently by end-users in a given locale may be moved from the local network of edge micro data centers to a large regional data center via the satellite network. For example, video from a security camera may be initially analyzed and stored in an edge micro data center to reduce immediate network traffic on the satellite network. At convenient times of lower network traffic on the satellite network, stored video older than three days may be moved to large regional data centers.
[0033] In the various embodiments described herein, the edge micro data centers are connected in a mesh network to provide distributed and shareable compute and storage resources. Additionally, one or more of the edge micro data centers in a given mesh network are directly connected to the satellite network. Gateways of large regional data centers can send and receive data via the satellite network to the edge micro data centers. Network operations centers can command and control the edge micro data centers via the satellite network. In some instances, virtual private networks may be created that utilize the satellite network to include a combination of local and remote devices.
[0034] Edge micro data centers provide a distributed mesh network for compute resources and data storage with direct links to a multi-user RAN (e.g., 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi, etc.). Unlike traditional data centers that route data requests through network operator distribution networks, the presently described mesh network of edge micro data centers are directly accessible to end-user devices through radio access points.
[0035] According to the various embodiments described herein, a specific example of a communications network includes a satellite network with a plurality of HEO satellites and/or MEO satellites. A regional data center with regional compute resources and regional data storage resources may communicate with the satellite network via a regional gateway. The regional gateway may include one or more antennas to communicate with the satellite network via one or more frequency bands (e.g., the Ka band, the V band, and/or the Q band).
[0037] Each edge micro data center includes a RAN controller to control radio communications with end-user devices in a RAN, such as a 5G network or a Wi-Fi network (e.g., an O-RAN network). Any of a wide variety of end-user devices may be directly connected to and directly access data and compute resources within the edge micro data center and/or communicate with remote devices via the satellite network.
[0038] Traditional LTE and 5G network architectures include a multi-access edge computing layer that connects a sidehaul layer to a backhaul layer, where the sidehaul layer connects to a midhaul layer and a fronthaul layer before reaching end-user devices. The presently described architecture includes edge micro data centers with multi-access edge computing (MEC) controllers that, among other things, implement adaptive mesh management of distributed compute resources and storage resources of each respective edge micro data center in the mesh network of edge micro data centers connected via the microwave link interface.
[0039] Additionally, an MEC controller may implement virtual network routing and network slicing to manage virtual networks that include end-user devices connected to the RAN controller. For example, the MEC controller may manage network slicing and virtual networks that include multiple end-user devices, multiple edge micro data centers 181 , 182, and 183, and/or devices and application services on the other end of the satellite network. Accordingly, end-user devices have direct access to the compute resources and data storage resources of the edge micro data center via the RAN controller. In many instances, the presently described architecture eliminates the midhaul, sidehaul, and (in instances when the satellite network is not used) the backhaul layers of traditional LTE and 5G network architectures.
[0040] In various embodiments, an edge micro data center may include an antenna controller to control the beamforming of the planar antenna. The planar antenna may be reconfigured to connect to and switch between different satellites. For example, the antenna controller may modify the beamforming of the planar antenna to preemptively switch from communicating with a first satellite in the satellite network to a second satellite in the satellite network in response to disruptions caused by interference, weather and/or forecasted weather-based disruptions between the planar antenna and the first satellite. As another example, the antenna controller may control the beamforming of the planar antenna to switch between a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite in the satellite network and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite in the satellite network based on a latency prioritization associated with a data packet (e.g., to implement a QoS ruleset).
[0041] Many existing computing devices and infrastructures may be used in combination with the presently described systems and methods. Some of the infrastructure that can be used with embodiments disclosed herein is already available, such as general-purpose computers, computer programming tools and techniques, digital storage media, and communication links. A computing device or controller may include a processor, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, logic circuitry, or the like.
[0042] A processor may include a special-purpose processing device, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable array logic (PAL), programmable logic array (PLA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field- programmable gate array (FPGA), or other customizable and/or programmable device. The computing device may also include a machine-readable storage device, such as nonvolatile memory, static RAM, dynamic RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, disk, tape, magnetic, optical, flash memory, or another machine-readable storage medium. Various aspects of certain embodiments may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.
[0043] The components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Furthermore, the features, structures, and operations associated with one embodiment may be applicable to or combined with the features, structures, or operations described in conjunction with another embodiment. In many instances, well- known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of this disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 1A illustrates a bock diagram of an example communications system that includes a satellite network 150 of multiple satellites, including HEO satellites and/or MEO satellites. In the simplified illustration, only two satellites 151 and 152 are illustrated. However, it is appreciated that any number of satellites may be included. Large regional data centers 110 and 120 may communicate via traditional gateway architectures with the satellite network 150 via gateways 111 and 121 and antennas 112 and 122. The antennas 112 and 122 may facilitate data relay with the satellite network 151 using the Ka band, the Q band, and/or the V band.
[0045] The simplified illustration of a communications network further includes three edge micro data centers 181 , 182, and 183. Each edge micro data center 181 , 182, and 183 includes an antenna subsystem to communicate with the satellites 151 and/or 152 in the satellite network 150. The antenna subsystem may include an electronically controlled beamforming planar antenna, such as an electronically steerable antenna array, a phased array of antennas, a dynamically tunable metasurface antenna, one or more antennas utilizing one or more Luneburg lens, and/or combinations thereof. The edge micro data centers 181 , 182, and 183 constitute a distributed computing environment of compute and storage resources in a mesh network. As described herein, a terrestrial network such as a point-to-point microwave network may facilitate the mesh network of edge micro data centers 181 , 182, and 183.
[0046] Each edge micro data center 181 , 182, and 183 may further include a RAN controller to control radio communications with end-user devices 190 in a Wi-Fi network, cellular network (e.g., 5G, LTE, 4G, or the like), LoRa network, LTE network, or another network suitable for last-mile end-user connections. As described in greater detail in other parts of this disclosure, each edge micro data center 181 , 182, and 183 may further include a MEC controller. The MEC controller of each edge micro data center 181 , 182, and 183 may cooperate with the MEC controller of each other edge micro data center 181 , 182, and 183 to implement adaptive mesh management of the distributed compute resources and storage resources of the collective edge micro data centers 181 , 182, and 183. The MEC controller may further manage and implement virtual network routing of data packets from end-user devices 190 connected to the RAN. The MEC controller may further manage network slicing and virtual networks that include multiple end-user devices, multiple edge micro data centers 181 , 182, and 183, and/or devices and application services on the other end of the satellite network.
[0047] FIG. 1 B illustrates a block diagram of another example communications system that includes a satellite network with satellites 153 and 154 (e.g., HEO and/or MEO satellites) and a mesh network of edge micro data centers 181 and 182, according to various embodiments. Meshed gateways 113 and 114 associated with large data centers communicate with antennas on the satellites 153 and 154 via the Ka, Q, and/or V band. The edge micro data centers 181 and 182 are each in communication with multiple satellites 153 and 154 via the planar antennas 161 and 162, respectively, using frequencies in the Ka band.
[0048] Each edge micro data center 181 and 182 is illustrated with functional blocks representing a planar antenna that can be dynamically tuned or reconfigured for beamforming signals to the satellites 153 and 154 in the Ka band. Terrestrial network devices 163 and 164 facilitate the creation of a terrestrial mesh network between the edge micro data centers 181 and 182. The MEC controllers 165 and 166 implement adaptive mesh management of the distributed compute and storage resources. The MEC controllers 165 and 166 also implement virtual network routing and virtual network slicing to include end-user devices connected to the RAN controllers 167 and 168. In the illustrated embodiment, the RAN controllers 167 and 168 cooperate with multiple access points 191 and 192, each of which is connected to diverse types of end-user devices utilizing diverse network protocols.
[0049] FIG. 2A illustrates a simplified diagram of satellite coverage 210 provided via a plurality of highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, according to one embodiment. As illustrated, the HEO satellites provide greater coverage and dwell time on the portion of Earth 201 near the apogee of the orbit. The orbit of the HEO satellites may be highly eccentric, as described herein.
[0050] FIG. 2B illustrates a simplified diagram of satellite coverage 250 provided via a combination of HEO satellites and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, according to one embodiment. As illustrated, the addition of the MEO satellites increases the total coverage 250 on the Earth. Additionally, the MEO satellites are closer to the Earth and can provide lower-latency communications. The unique combination of HEO and MEO satellites in the satellite network provides robust coverage, redundant access to satellites for most terrestrial installations, and latency QoS options for routing data that is sensitive to latency. Furthermore, the combination of HEO and MEO satellites in the satellite network provides the aforementioned benefits while minimizing or reducing the cost and/or the total number of satellites, as compared to a similar coverage and functionality using a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation, MEO-only constellation, or HEO-only constellation.
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified diagram of satellite connectivity provided by two example satellites 351 and 352. As illustrated, each satellite 351 and 352 may provide a combination of fixed beams (black circles), honeycomb beam coverage (hexagonal cells), and mobile tracking beams (illustrated as airplanes), according to one embodiment. In contrast with geostationary or geosynchronous (GEO) satellites, the beam angles and/or beam shapes and angular geometry of transmissions between terrestrial installations and the MEO and HEO satellites are constantly changing. Accordingly, moveable antennas or electronically reconfigurable (e.g., tunable) planar antennas are used to maintain the network links.
[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an example edge micro data center 480 with an integrated RAN controller 467 and associated RAN antenna system 475, according to one embodiment. In various embodiments, the edge micro data center 480 may include a ruggedized secure container or housing. The edge micro data center 480 may be connected to a power source, such as grid power, a solar panel array, an uninterruptible power supply, a generator, or the like. In a specific example, the edge micro data center 480 includes three equipment bays with 21 II of standard rack space. The equipment bays may include or be provisioned with a wide variety of electronic and computer devices, including without limitation, power monitoring equipment, environmental monitoring equipment, network monitoring equipment, power distribution management devices, cooling systems, network devices, data storage, processors, satellite modems, antenna controllers, atomic clocks, GPS receivers, and/or the like.
[0053] As illustrated, the edge micro data center 480 may include an antenna controller 461 to control the beamforming of the planar antenna 460 to communicate with the satellite network via the Ka band. The planar antenna 460 may be part of an antenna subsystem that includes one or more antennas. In some embodiments, the antenna subsystem may include the antenna controller 461 and the planar antenna 460, where the planar antenna 460 may include one or more actual antennas and/or antenna elements.
[0055] The RAN controller 467 may control radio communications with end-user devices. For example, the RAN controller 467 may facilitate the virtual networking and routing of data in an O-RAN. The illustrated embodiment includes a 5G MIMO antenna system (e.g., a 5G Node B cell site) to facilitate the direct connection of end-user devices to the edge micro data center 480 via a 5G network. It is appreciated that alternative cellular network standards and protocols may be utilized instead of or in addition to 5G cellular networks. Examples of such alternative cellular networks include, but are not limited to, LTE networks, 4G networks, and future-developed enhancements to and replacements to 5G cellular network protocols and standards.
[0056] The edge micro data center 480 may further include a terrestrial network interface 490 (e.g., a microwave transceiver) for point-to-point mesh networking with other local edge micro data centers. In other embodiments, the terrestrial network interface 490 may comprise a fiber optic interface, a coaxial cable interface, or other direct wireless or wired connection interface. Compute and storage resources 470 in the edge micro data center 480 and in other edge micro data centers in the mesh network may be utilized as distributed resources for dynamic allocation and usage by end-user devices connected throughout the mesh network. In various embodiments, a MEC controller 465 may implement adaptive mesh management, virtual networking, virtual routing, end-to-end virtual networks, artificial intelligence user profiling for traffic management, content caching, prefetching, and/or vertical network slicing.
[0057] In various embodiments, the edge micro data center 480 may include a control interface for direct control via the satellite network for capacity management, compute management, configuration, network management (e.g., software-defined network management), firmware upgrades, software installation, and the like. Accordingly, all aspects of the functionality of the edge micro data center 480 may be directly altered and controlled from a remote network operations control center via the satellite network.
[0058] As previously described herein, the antenna controller 461 may cause the planar antenna 460 to transmit some data to one satellite and other data to another satellite based on latency prioritization, traffic balancing, due to weather disruptions, due to predicted weather disruptions, and/or the like.
[0059] FIG. 5A illustrates a block diagram of an example protocol stack for a single edge micro data center 581 , according to one embodiment. As described herein, the edge micro data center 581 is connected to a satellite network 551 . Control signals can be sent directly by the satellite network to control the adaptive virtual network layer of the protocol stack of the edge micro data center 581. The MEC controller 565 implements and manages virtual networking, routing, traffic management, and network slicing within the adaptive virtual network layer of the protocol stack of the edge micro data center 581 .
[0060] In the illustrated example, the RAN controller 567 manages the radio access networks provided by three 5G Node B Cell Sites 591 , 593, and 595. In combination with the MEC controller 565, the RAN controller 567 provides direct access to compute and storage resources of the edge micro data center 581 without any additional sidehaul or fronthaul network layer. In some instances, data or compute requests from an edge device connected to one of the three 5G Node B Cell Sites 591 , 593, and 595 can be fulfilled by the storage and compute resources of the edge micro data center 581. In such instances, little or no network traffic is transmitted on the satellite network. In other instances, data is transmitted via the satellite network to access information or compute resources available only in remote locations.
[0061] FIG. 5B illustrates a block diagram of an example protocol stack for multiple edge micro data centers 581 and 591 connected in a mesh network 505 via terrestrial network devices that are distinct from the satellite network and the radio access network for end-user connections, according to one embodiment. Again, direct control instructions from the satellite network 551 and 552 may be used to manage, monitor, and/or control the adaptive mesh layer and adaptive virtual network layer via the MEC controllers 565 and 566. The MEC controllers 565 and 566 cooperate to manage and share the distributed compute and storage resources of the micro edge data centers 581 and 591 . The MEC controllers 565 and 566 also cooperate with the RAN controllers 567 and 568 to manage virtual networking, network slicing, routing, and other network functions associated with the end-user devices connected to the wireless network access points (e.g., 5G Node B Cell Sites 1 A-nA 597 and 599 and 5G Node B Cell Sites 1 B-nB 596 and 598).
[0062] This disclosure has been made with reference to various exemplary embodiments, including the best mode. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the principles of this disclosure have been shown in various embodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials, and components may be adapted for a specific environment and/or operating requirements without departing from the principles and scope of this disclosure. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0063] This disclosure is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element. The description above should be interpreted to encompass at least the following claims, which are hereby explicitly incorporated into this detailed description in their entireties, along with all feasible permutations and combinations of the dependent claims.

中文:
[0002]图1A示出了根据一个实施方案的包括卫星网络和边缘微型数据中心的网状网络的示例通信系统的框图。
[0003]图1B示出了根据一个实施例的包括卫星网络和边缘微型数据中心的网状网络的示例通信系统的框图。
[0004]图2A示出了根据一个实施例的经由多个高椭圆轨道(HEO)卫星提供的卫星覆盖的简化图。
[0005]图2B示出了根据一个实施例的经由HEO卫星和中地球轨道(MEO)卫星的组合提供的卫星覆盖的简化图。
[0006]图3示出了根据一个实施例的经由固定波束、蜂窝状波束覆盖范围和可移动跟踪波束的组合提供的卫星连接的简化图。
[0007]图4示出了根据一个实施例的具有集成无线电接入网(RAN)控制器和相关联的RAN天线系统的边缘微型数据中心的简化框图。
[0008]图5A示出了根据一个实施例的用于单个边缘微型数据中心的示例协议栈的框图。
[0009]图5B示出了根据一个实施例的用于连接在网状网络中的多个边缘微型数据中心的示例协议栈的框图。
[0010]本公开包括与利用地面和卫星通信设备的通信网络有关的系统、设备、装置和方法的描述和实例。本文中描述的系统和方法的各种实施例利用了非对地静止(NGSO)卫星通信网络架构。本文中描述的一些实施例利用在高椭圆轨道(HEO)上绕地球运行的通信卫星和/或在中地球轨道(MEO)上的通信卫星。通常,HEO卫星的特征在于其细长而倾斜的轨道提供对高纬度地区(北半球或南半球)的更好的覆盖。通常,MEO卫星的特征在于在低地球轨道(海拔<2,000公里)和地球同步轨道(海拔≈35,786公里)之间的高度上运行。卫星网络可随时间进行扩展,并包括HEO卫星和MEO卫星的各种组合。例如,卫星网络最初可能仅包括HEO卫星,随着区域和/或全球带宽需求的增加,将部署MEO卫星。
[0011]在各实施例中,卫星网络可与地面网关、物联网(IoT)设备网络、蜂窝网络(诸如,5G或长期演进(LTE))、Wi-Fi网络、低功耗广域网(LPWAN)(例如LoRa)、和/或使用各种各样的硬件和/或软件协议中的任一种协议的其他网络进行通信。卫星网络可以促成地理上分离的设备的虚拟网络和/或在不同的通信协议上运行的设备之间的虚拟网络。例如,卫星网络可以促成创建包括经由蜂窝网络(例如,5G、4G、LTE或其他蜂窝网络通信标准)进行通信的设备以及在Wi-Fi网络上进行通信的设备的虚拟网络。虚拟网络可以采用软件定义网络(SDN)或软件定义广域网(SDWAN)的形式,使用本地处理来虚拟化网络控制机制。在各实施例中,SDN或SDWAN可以使用卫星网络来进行控制、配置和/或操作。
[0012]在一些实施例中,地面网关可以与大型区域数据中心位于同一地点。地面网关可以通过经由地面光纤连接到地面网关的网络运营中心来控制和配置。支持微型边缘数据中心的用户终端可以经由卫星网络来控制和配置。与大型区域数据中心相关联的网关可以经由例如用于下行链路的Q波段(≈36至46千兆赫)和用于上行链路的V波段(≈40至75千兆赫)与卫星网络进行连接和通信。
[0013]在一些实施例中,边缘微型数据中心可以部署计算能力、存储器、数据存储等,以在网络的边缘分发内容和执行应用。边缘微型数据中心可以是经由集成或连接的地面网络接口实现的网状网络的一部分。例如,诸边缘微型数据中心群组可连接在经由地面网络实现的网状网络中,地面网络为诸如点对点微波通信、Wi-Fi、蜂窝连接(例如,5G、LTE、4G等)、光纤连接、同轴电缆连接等。网状网络中的一个或多个边缘微型数据中心可以连接到卫星网络。网状网络中的每一个边缘微型数据中心都可通过经由卫星网络传输的通信来进行配置和控制。在一些实施例中,一个或多个边缘微型数据中心可以支持开放式无线电接入网(O-RAN)协议,以促成第三方设备接口。
[0014]边缘微型数据中心可例如被互联网服务提供商(ISP)用来支持其他通信协议和/或支持软件即服务(SaaS)应用、平台即服务(PaaS)应用和/或基础设施即服务(IaaS)应用。边缘微型数据中心上的应用和数据可以通过经由卫星网络发送的命令来进行更新、修改或控制。在一些实施例中,每一边缘微型数据中心可以包括集成或连接的商用蜂窝网络基站、Wi-Fi接入点、LoRa接入点(例如,IoT接入点)和/或O-RAN设备。更具体地,边缘微型数据中心可以包括无线电接入网(RAN)控制器,以控制与经由蜂窝网络连接(例如,经由5G B节点基站)连接的终端用户设备的无线电通信。
[0015]作为示例,终端用户群组可利用经由边缘通信协议与边缘微型数据中心进行通信的边缘设备。例如,一些终端用户可例如使用经由5G、LTE和/或其他蜂窝通信协议与边缘微型数据中心进行通信的边缘设备。其他终端用户可使用经由Wi-Fi、以太网、光纤电缆等与边缘微型数据中心进行通信的边缘设备。边缘设备的示例包括IoT设备、个人电脑、移动电话、平板设备、智能设备、可穿戴设备、汽车等。
[0016]一些地理位置可具有单个边缘微型数据中心。其他地理位置可具有连接在网状网络中的多个边缘微型数据中心。边缘微型数据中心的网状网络可以共享计算资源。例如,如果一个边缘微型数据中心因终端用户请求或计算进程而超载,则一些请求或进程可被卸载,并由网状网络中的另一边缘微型数据中心进行处理。边缘微型数据中心的网状网络提供分布式计算资源,这些分布式计算资源经由无线或有线通信硬件和协议进行本地连接,并经由卫星网络进行全球连接。
[0017]在一些实施例中,每一边缘微型数据中心经由例如K/Ka波段与卫星网络进行通信。在其他实施例中,本地网状网络中只有一个或一些边缘微型数据中心连接到卫星网络。根据各实施例,边缘微型数据中心可缓存来自使用该网状网络的其他边缘微型数据中心的数据,因此仅利用卫星网络上的单个链路。边缘微型数据中心的网状网络经由地理上分离的卫星链路提供高可用性。例如,网状网络可包括地理上相隔数公里(例如,在一些实施例中平均为2-10公里)的多个边缘微型数据中心。即使一些边缘微型数据中心无法直接连接到卫星网络(例如,由于技术问题、天气问题、线路中断等),位于地理上分离的位置的其他联网边缘微型数据中心仍可连接到卫星网络。
[0018]如下面更详细的描述的,边缘微型数据中心的网状网络还可促成网络流量和/或计算负载平衡。例如,具有拥塞的网络流量的一个边缘微型数据中心可以在通过卫星网络发送流量之前,将一些网络流量卸载(例如,路由)到网状网络内的另一微型边缘数据中心。网状网络通过以下方式来提供高网络可靠性:路由流量绕过由天气引起的中断和/或其他临时网络中断,以维持卫星网络上的连接。
[0019]在一些实施例中,太阳能阵列和/或储能设备(例如,电池、电容器、飞轮等)可与每一边缘微型数据中心安装在一起,以提供主电源或备用电源。作为示例,边缘微型数据中心可体现为具有多个设备舱的坚固耐用的安全容器。容器内的每个设备舱的大小可以根据其可容纳的标准机架单元或"U"的数量来定义。
[0020]例如,边缘微型数据中心可包括一个或多个设备舱(例如,多个21U或其他尺寸的设备舱)。天线可促成边缘微型数据中心与卫星网络中的一个或多个卫星之间的通信。在一些实施例中,可将扁平或平面的卫星天线(例如,动态可调谐相控阵列天线或超表面天线)固定到该容器的上表面,以经由Ka、Q和/或V波段与卫星网络进行通信。
[0021]在一些实施例中,一个波段可用于上行链路,另一波段可用于下行链路。在一些实施例中,一个波段(例如,较高频率的Q或V波段)可用于卫星网络和大型区域数据中心的网关之间的通信,而另一波段(例如,较低频率的Ka波段)可用于卫星网络和边缘微型数据中心的天线之间的通信。在一些实施方案中,卫星网络可分别将较高频率的Q和V波段用于下行链路和上行链路,但当天气或其他大气条件破坏了较高频率的通信时,恢复为将较低频率的Ka波段用于下行链路和上行链路两者。因此,卫星网络可包括多个HEO卫星和/或MEO卫星,其各自包括用于在不同频段(例如,Ka波段、Q波段和/或V波段)上进行通信的多个天线。
[0022]传统的抛物面反射器天线在物理上被移动并指向卫星。因此,抛物面反射器天线在不同的位置必须被重新定位以与不同的卫星进行通信。相比之下,扁平或平面天线允许响应于与主卫星的通信中断或与多个卫星同时通信(例如,多个并发的波束成形),而进行电子波束成形,以与多个卫星进行时分复用通信,从而快速切换到备用卫星。平面天线的示例包括但不限于电子转向阵列、相控阵列、动态可调谐超表面天线、利用伦伯(Luneburg)透镜的天线、机械相控阵列、电子可操纵相控阵列、混合机电相控阵列等等。在各实施例中,包括天线控制器和/或平面天线的天线子系统可以利用连接的边缘微型数据中心的计算资源来确定波束成形和其他控制操作。
[0023]包括与地面蜂窝网络通信的卫星网络的通信网络允许在相同的共享物理网络基础设施上同时维护多个逻辑网络。因此,可以维持提供联网和存储功能的端到端虚拟网络。运营商可以通过将网络资源划分给不同的用户,来控制和管理具有不同吞吐量、延迟和可用性需求的不同5G或LTE应用的虚拟网络。目前描述的通信网络的各实施例促成了具有卫星层和边缘微型数据中心形式的分布式计算资源的虚拟网络切片。
[0024]在一些实施例中,卫星网络可以提供端到端的物理层时间同步信息。在一些实现中,联网设备可以利用全球卫星定位(GPS)卫星信号进行时间同步。目前描述的系统和方法允许经由通信卫星网络进行基于网络的时间同步。
[0025]在卫星网络包括HEO卫星和MEO卫星的实施例中,HEO卫星可被配置具有以与MEO卫星相同的时间周期环绕地球的椭圆(例如,高度偏心)轨道。当HEO卫星和MEO卫星具有相同的轨道时间时,HEO卫星和MEO卫星之间的调度和信号切换得到了简化。作为特定示例,HEO卫星和MEO卫星两者都可被配置为具有各自为4小时轨道时间的轨道周期。
[0026]资源管理器可选择性地控制分布式HEO和/或MEO卫星中的每一个卫星与多个地理上分离的地面网关中的每一个地面网关之间的连接性。例如,资源管理器可基于例如网络需求,标识出即将与三个可能网关之一联系的卫星(HEO或MEO)。作为另一示例,资源管理器可基于每一可用卫星上的网络负荷和/或网关和每一可用卫星之间的经检测或报告的天气状况,来引导网关连接到多个可用卫星之一。
[0027]例如,资源管理器可确定风暴云可能会使网关和第一卫星之间的现有通信中断。资源管理器可引导卫星连接到不同的网关,以避免潜在的中断。在一些实施例中,资源管理器由网络运营中心的操作员手动控制。在其他实施例中,资源管理器可以是自动化的,或根据定义的一组网络操作规则、性能参数和客户服务水平协议来进行操作。多个HEO和/或MEO卫星为每一网关和至少一个卫星之间的通信信道提供空间和角度多样性。例如,资源管理器可基于经报告的另一方向上的天气状况,而引导网关与完全不同的方向上的卫星进行通信。
[0028]在一些实施例中,资源管理器还可实现和管理服务质量(QoS)流量管理。例如,资源管理器可使得网关经由HEO卫星来传送对延迟不敏感的缓冲视频内容,并经由MEO卫星来传送对延迟敏感的数据。在这样的实施例中,资源管理器可使得网关在两个(或更多个)不同的卫星(或卫星轨道类型)之间来回切换,这取决于与不同网络数据包相关联的QoS优先级。如本文中所描述的,超表面天线或其他电子控制的波束成形天线(例如,平面天线)可按照资源管理器和/或预定流量规则的指示,在不同的卫星之间快速进行切换。因此,无论网关是否与大型区域数据中心、固定边缘微型数据中心或移动边缘微型数据中心(例如,在飞机、车辆、船等上)相关联,天线都可在多个卫星之间进行电子切换。
[0029]前面的示例和实施例可在任何实施例和实现的组合中是使用。作为示例,位于第一城市的大型区域数据中心中的网关天线系统可将视频内容上传到第二城市的第一边缘微型数据中心。第一边缘微型数据中心可经由地面网络将视频内容分发到城市内的其他边缘微型数据中心。城市内的终端用户可经由5G或其他地面网络访问存储在附近的边缘微型数据中心上的视频内容。通过使用分布式边缘微型数据中心,降低了卫星网络上由每一终端用户对视频内容的请求所导致的流量。
[0030]终端用户所请求的、在边缘微型数据中心上不可用的数据将由大型区域数据中心通过卫星网络提供。边缘微型数据中心和/或其他本地联网的边缘微型数据中心可缓存所请求的数据,以使其可用于未来的终端用户请求。
[0031]作为另一示例,边缘微型数据中心可包括利用本地计算能力来降低卫星网络上的网络流量的应用。例如,国家或全球安全公司可以销售传感器(例如,相机、运动探测器、温度传感器、烟雾警报器和/或其他IoT传感器和设备)。终端用户可在其家里安装传感器的组合。传感器可提供数据,该数据由基于云的软件来进行处理。在一个实施例中,基于云的软件可以在集中的大型区域数据中心处执行。在这样的实施例中,来自所有传感器的数据将在卫星网络上路由以供进行处理,并且这样的处理的结果将经由卫星网络返回给终端用户。
[0032]在另一实施例中,在终端用户的本地区域中的一个或多个边缘微型数据中心可实现对传感器数据的基于云的处理。由边缘微型数据中心所提供的分布式计算和存储功能降低了卫星网络上的网络流量,并可能通过减少延迟来提高性能。在一些情况下,可将预计不会被给定地点的终端用户频繁使用的一些数据经由卫星网络从边缘微型数据中心的本地网络移动到大型区域数据中心。例如,可初步分析来自安全相机的视频,并将其存储在边缘微型数据中心中,以降低卫星网络上的即时网络流量。在卫星网络上的网络流量较低的方便时间,可将所存储的超过三天的视频移动到大型区域数据中心。
[0033]在本文中描述的各实施例中,边缘微型数据中心被连接在网状网络中,以提供分布式的并且可共享的计算和存储资源。此外,给定网状网络中的一个或多个边缘微型数据中心直接连接到卫星网络。大型区域数据中心的网关可经由卫星网络向边缘微型数据中心发送数据和从其接收数据。网络运营中心可经由卫星网络对边缘微型数据中心进行指挥和控制。在一些情况下,可以创建虚拟专用网络,该虚拟专用网络利用卫星网络包括本地和远程设备的组合。
[0034]各边缘微型数据中心向计算资源和数据存储的分布式网状网络提供到多用户RAN(例如5G、LTE、Wi-Fi等)的直接链路。与通过网络运营商分发网络路由数据请求的传统数据中心不同,当前描述的边缘微型数据中心的网状网络可通过无线电接入点直接访问终端用户设备。
[0035]根据本文中描述的各实施例,通信网络的特定示例包括具有多个HEO卫星和/或MEO卫星的卫星网络。具有区域计算资源和区域数据存储资源的区域数据中心可经由区域网关与卫星网络进行通信。区域网关可包括一个或多个天线,以经由一个或多个频段(例如,Ka波段、V波段和/或Q波段)与卫星网络进行通信。
[0037]每一边缘微型数据中心包括RAN控制器,以控制与RAN中的终端用户设备的无线电通信,RAN为诸如5G网络或Wi-Fi网络(例如O-RAN网络)。各种各样的终端用户设备中的任一者可直接连接到边缘微型数据中心并直接访问该边缘微型数据中心内的数据和计算资源,和/或经由卫星网络与远程设备进行通信。
[0038]传统的LTE和5G网络架构包括将侧传层(sidehaul)连接到回传层(backhaul)的多接入边缘计算层,其中侧传层在到达终端用户设备之前连接到中传层(midhaul)和前传层(fronthaul)。当前描述的架构包括具有多接入边缘计算(MEC)控制器的边缘微型数据中心,该控制器实现对经由微波链路接口连接的各边缘微型数据中心的网状网络中的每一相应边缘微型数据中心的分布式计算资源和存储资源的自适应网状管理等等。
[0039]此外,MEC控制器可以实现虚拟网络路由和网络切片,以管理包括连接到RAN控制器的终端用户设备的虚拟网络。例如,MEC控制器可以管理包括多个终端用户设备、多个边缘微型数据中心181、182和183和/或在卫星网络的另一端的设备和应用服务的网络切片和虚拟网络。因此,终端用户设备可以经由RAN控制器直接访问边缘微型数据中心的计算资源和数据存储资源。在许多情况下,当前描述的架构消除了传统的LTE和5G网络架构的中传层、侧传层和(在不使用卫星网络的情况下)回传层。
[0040]在各实施例中,边缘微型数据中心可包括天线控制器,以控制平面天线的波束成形。平面天线可被重新配置为连接到不同的卫星并在不同的卫星之间进行切换。例如,天线控制器可响应于平面天线和卫星网络中的第一颗卫星之间由干扰引起的中断、由天气引起的中断和/或经预测的基于天气的中断,而修改平面天线的波束成形,以预先从与第一颗卫星进行通信切换为与该卫星网络中的第二颗卫星进行通信。作为另一示例,天线控制器可基于与数据包相关联的延迟优先级(例如,用于实现QoS规则集的延迟优先级),来控制平面天线的波束成形,以在卫星网络中的高椭圆轨道(HEO)卫星和卫星网络中的中地球轨道(MEO)卫星之间进行切换。
[0041]许多现有的计算设备和基础设施可与当前描述的系统和方法结合使用。可与本文中公开的实施例一起使用的一些基础设施已经可用,例如通用计算机、计算机编程工具和技术、数字存储介质和通信链路。计算设备或控制器可包括处理器,如微处理器、微控制器、逻辑电路等。
[0042]处理器可以包括专用处理设备,诸如专利集成电路(ASIC)、可编程阵列逻辑(PAL)、可编程逻辑阵列(PLA)、可编程逻辑器件(PLD)、现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)或其他可定制和/或可编程的设备。计算设备还可包括机器可读存储设备,如非易失性存储器、静态RAM、动态RAM、ROM、CD-ROM、磁盘、磁带、磁性存储器、光学存储器、闪存或其他机器可读存储介质。某些实施例的各方面可以使用硬件、软件、固件或其组合来实现。
[0043]如在本文中的附图中大体描述并示出的,所公开的实施例的组件可以用各种各样不同的配置来布置和设计。此外,与一个实施例相关联的特征、结构和操作可适用于另一实施例或与结合另一实施例描述的特征、结构或操作组合。在许多情况下,公知的结构、材料或操作没有被示出或详细描述,以避免遮盖本公开的各个方面。
[0044]图1A示出了示例通信系统的框图,该通信系统包括多个卫星的卫星网络150,该多个卫星包括HEO卫星和/或MEO卫星。在该简化图中,只示出了两个卫星151和152。然而,可以理解的是,可以包括任何数量的卫星。大型区域数据中心110和120可以经由传统的网关架构,通过网关111和121以及天线112和122与卫星网络150进行通信。天线112和122可促成使用Ka波段、Q波段和/或V波段与卫星网络151的数据中继。
[0045]通信网络的简化图示还包括三个边缘微型数据中心181、182和183。每一边缘微型数据中心181、182和183包括天线子系统,以与卫星网络150中的卫星151和/或152进行通信。天线子系统可包括电子控制的波束成形平面天线,如电子可操纵天线阵列、相控阵天线、动态可调谐超表面天线、利用一个或多个伦伯(Luneburg)透镜的一个或多个透镜和/或其组合。边缘微型数据中心181、182和183构成网状网络中的计算和存储资源的分布式计算环境。如本文中所描述的,诸如点对点微波网络的地面网络可促成边缘微型数据中心181、182和183的网状网络。
[0046]每一边缘微型数据中心181、182和183可进一步包括RAN控制器,以控制与Wi-Fi网络、蜂窝网络(例如,5G、LTE、4G等)、LoRa网络、LTE网络或适合最后一英里终端用户连接的另一网络中的终端用户设备190的无线电通信。如本公开的其他部分中更详细地描述的,每一边缘微型数据中心181、182和183可进一步包括MEC控制器。每一边缘微型数据中心181、182和183的MEC控制器可与每一其他边缘微型数据中心181、182和183的MEC控制器协作,以实现对集体边缘微型数据中心181、182和183的分布式计算资源和存储资源的自适应网状管理。MEC控制器还可管理和实现对来自连接到RAN的终端用户设备190的数据包的虚拟网络路由。MEC控制器还可管理包括多个终端用户设备、多个边缘微型数据中心181、182和183和/或在卫星网络的其他端的设备和应用服务的网络切片和虚拟网络。
[0047]图1B示出了根据各实施例的另一示例通信系统的框图,该通信系统包括具有卫星153和154(例如,HEO和/或MEO卫星)的卫星网络以及边缘微型数据中心181和182的网状网络。与大型数据中心相关联的网状网关113和114经由Ka、Q和/或V波段与卫星153和154上的天线进行通信。边缘微型数据中心181和182各自使用Ka波段的频率分别经由平面天线161和162与多个卫星153和154进行通信。
[0048]每一边缘微型数据中心181和182被示为具有表示平面天线的功能框,平面天线可动态地调谐或重新配置,以得到Ka波段的去往卫星153和154的波束成形信号。地面网络设备163和164促成在边缘微型数据中心181和182之间形成地面网状网络。MEC控制器165和166实现对分布式计算和存储资源的自适应网状管理。MEC控制器165和166还实现虚拟网络路由和虚拟网络切片,以包括连接到RAN控制器167和168的终端用户设备。在图示实施例中,RAN控制器167和168与多个接入点191和192协作,其中的每个接入点利用不同的网络协议连接到不同类型的终端用户设备。
[0049]图2A示出了根据一个实施方案的经由多个高椭圆轨道(HEO)卫星提供的卫星覆盖范围210的简化图。如图所示,HEO卫星对轨道远地点附近的地球201部分提供更大的覆盖范围和停留时间。HEO卫星的轨道可能是高度偏心的,如本文所述。
[0050]图2B示出了根据一个实施例的经由HEO卫星和中地球轨道(MEO)卫星的组合提供的卫星覆盖范围250的简化图。如图所示,MEO卫星的加入增加了对地球的总覆盖范围250。此外,MEO卫星离地球更近,并且可以提供更低延迟的通信。卫星网络中HEO和MEO卫星的独特组合提供了强大的覆盖范围,为大多数地面设施提供了冗余的卫星接入,并且为对延迟敏感的路由数据提供了延迟QoS选项。此外,与使用低地球轨道(LEO)星座、仅MEO星座或仅HEO星座的类似覆盖范围和功能相比,卫星网络中HEO和MEO卫星的组合提供了上述好处,同时最小化了或降低了成本和/或卫星的总数量。
[0051]图3示出了由两个示例卫星351和352提供的卫星连接的简化图。如图所示,根据一个实施例,每个卫星351和352可以提供固定波束(黑色圆圈)、蜂窝状波束覆盖范围(六边形单元)和可移动跟踪波束(被示为飞机)的组合。与对地静止或地球同步(GEO)卫星相反,地面装置与MEO和HEO卫星之间传输的波束角度和/或波束形状和角几何形状是不断变化的。因此,使用可移动天线或电重新配置(例如,电调谐)的平面天线来维持网络链路。
[0052]图4示出了根据一个实施例的具有集成式RAN控制器467和相关联的RAN天线系统475的示例边缘微型数据中心480的简化框图。在各实施例中,边缘微型数据中心480可包括坚固的安全容器或外壳。边缘微型数据中心480可连接到电源,例如电网电源、太阳能电池板阵列、不间断功率供应部、发电机或类似物。在特定示例中,边缘微型数据中心480包括三个具有21U标准机架空间的设备舱。设备舱可以包括或配备有各种各样的电子和计算机设备,包括但不限于电源监控设备、环境监控设备、网络监控设备、配电管理设备、冷却系统、网络设备、数据存储、处理器、卫星调制解调器、天线控制器、原子钟、GPS接收器和/或类似设备。
[0053]如图所示,边缘微型数据中心480可包括天线控制器461,以将平面天线460的波束成形控制为经由Ka波段与卫星网络进行通信。平面天线460可以是包括一个或多个天线的天线子系统的一部分。在一些实施例中,天线子系统可包括天线控制器461和平面天线460,其中平面天线460可包括一个或多个实际的天线和/或天线元件。
[0055]RAN控制器467可以控制与终端用户设备的无线电通信。例如,RAN控制器467可以促成O-RAN中的虚拟联网和数据路由。所示的实施例包括5G MIMO天线系统(例如,5G B节点基站),以促成终端用户设备经由5G网络直接连接到边缘微型数据中心480。应理解,作为5G蜂窝网络的替换或补充,可以利用替代蜂窝网络标准和协议。这种替代蜂窝网络的示例包括但不限于LTE网络、4G网络以及5G蜂窝网络协议和标准的未来开发的增强和替换。
[0056]边缘微型数据中心480还可进一步包括地面网络接口490(例如,微波收发器),用于实现与其他本地边缘微型数据中心的点对点网状联网。在其他实施例中,地面网络接口490可包括光纤接口、同轴电缆接口或其他直接无线或有线连接接口。边缘微型数据中心480和网状网络中的其他边缘微型数据中心中的计算和存储资源470可用作分布式资源,以供连接在整个网状网络中的终端用户设备动态分配和使用。在各实施例中,MEC控制器465可实现自适应网状管理、虚拟联网、虚拟路由、端到端虚拟网络、用于流量管理的人工智能用户分析、内容缓存、预取和/或垂直网络切片。
[0057]在各实施例中,边缘微型数据中心480可包括供经由卫星网络直接控制的控制接口,以实现容量管理、计算管理、配置、网络管理(例如,软件定义的网络管理)、固件升级、软件安装等。因此,边缘微型数据中心480的功能的所有方面都可经由卫星网络从远程网络操作控制中心直接进行改变和控制。
[0058]如本文中之前描述的,天线控制器461可使平面天线460基于延迟优先级、流量平衡、由于天气中断、由于预测的天气中断和/或类似情况而将一些数据传输到一个卫星,并将其他数据传输到另一卫星。
[0059]图5A示出了根据一个实施例的用于单个边缘微型数据中心581的示例协议栈的框图。如本文中所描述的,边缘微型数据中心581连接到卫星网络551。控制信号可通过卫星网络直接发送,以控制边缘微型数据中心581的协议栈的自适应虚拟网络层。MEC控制器565在边缘微型数据中心581的协议栈的自适应虚拟网络层内实现虚拟联网、路由、流量管理和网络切片并对其进行管理。
[0060]在所示的示例中,RAN控制器567管理由三个5G B节点小区站点591、593和595提供的无线电接入网。与MEC控制器565结合,RAN控制器567提供对边缘微型数据中心581的计算和存储资源的直接访问,而无需任何额外的侧传或前传网络层。在一些情况下,来自连接到三个5G B节点小区站点591、593和595之一的边缘设备的数据或计算请求可由边缘微型数据中心581的存储和计算资源来实现。在这种情况下,有很少的网络流量或者没有网络流量在卫星网络上传输。在其他情况下,经由卫星网络传输数据,以访问仅可在远程位置获得的信息或计算资源。
[0061]图5B示出了根据一个实施例的经由地面网络设备连接在网状网络505中的多个边缘微型数据中心581和591的示例协议栈的框图,这些地面网络设备不同于卫星网络和用于终端用户连接的无线电接入网。同样,可使用来自卫星网络551和552的直接控制指令来经由MEC控制器565和566管理、监测和/或控制自适应网状层和自适应虚拟网络层。MEC控制器565和566进行协作,以管理和共享微型边缘数据中心581和591的分布式计算和存储资源。MEC控制器565和566还与RAN控制器567和568进行协作,以管理虚拟联网、网络切片、路由以及与连接到无线网络接入点(例如,5G B节点小区站点1A-nA 597和599以及5G B节点小区站点1B-nB 596和598)的终端用户设备相关联的其他网络功能。
[0062]本公开已参考了各种示例性实施例,包括最佳模式。然而,本领域的技术人员将认识到,在不偏离本公开的范围的情况下,可对示例性实施例作出改变和修改。虽然已在各实施例中示出了本公开的原则,但在不偏离本公开的原则和范围的情况下,可以对结构、布置、比例、元素、材料和部件进行许多修改,以适应特定的环境和/或操作要求。这些和其他变化或修改旨在包括在本公开的范围内。
[0063]本公开应被视为说明性的,而不是限制性的,并且所有这些修改都旨在包括在其范围内。同样地,上文已结合各实施例描述了好处、其他优点和问题解决方案。然而,好处、优点、问题解决方案,以及可致使任何好处、优点或解决方案发生或变得更明显的任何元素,不将被解释为是关键的、必需的或必要的特征或元素。上述描述应被解释为至少涵盖下面的权利要求,这些权利要求连同从属权利要求所有可行的排列和组合特此明确地整体并入本详细描述中。