Power usage-aware spectral resource allocation in a satellite long term evolution (LTE) communication system

1. A method for resource allocation in a multi-beam satellite long-term evolution (LTE) network, the method comprising:

determining, by a communication processor of an enhanced Node-B (eNodeB), an LTE per subframe resource block (RB) threshold value that establishes the power for a highest number of RBs allocable within a subframe on a per-LTE carrier basis based on total power available to multiple beams of a space vehicle; and

communicating the LTE per subframe RB threshold value to a downlink LTE scheduler function within the e Node-B to ensure that a count of subframe level RB allocations are less than the determined LTE per subframe RB threshold value,

wherein establishing the power for the highest number of RBs is based on ensuring that power amplifiers operate in a linear amplification region.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determination of the per subframe RB threshold value is based on the subframe number and carrier bandwidth size of each LTE carrier.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is based on a static assumption of an anticipated traffic load in each LTE download (DL) carrier, and further comprising computing the LTE RB threshold value based on relative differences in traffic load.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is based on ensuring that an aggregate minimum bit rate (MBR) of all admitted guaranteed bit rate (GBR) bearers in LTE carriers of each beam is satisfied.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is based on differences between an offered short-term traffic and demand in LTE carriers in each beam.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is based on a modulation coding scheme (MCS) index applicable to a user traffic in LTE carriers of different beams to allow for a prioritized allocation of LTE RB threshold values for more bandwidth efficient traffic with higher MCS indices.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold is based on quality of service (QoS) class indicator (QCI) priorities of traffic in LTE carriers in different user beams and based on setting aside spare RBs for new GBR calls.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is performed every N frames with a value of N depending upon a desired responsiveness to traffic and implementation considerations including algorithm processing.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein a sum of LTE per subframe RB threshold values is higher than an available power amplifier (PA) power to better utilize resources while relying on statistical variations in demand across all DL carriers.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein a carrier-to-amplifier mapping is used to determine whether allocating one or more RBs to a carrier causes at least one PA to exceed a corresponding power budget, wherein the corresponding power budget forces the amplifier to operate in a non-linear amplification region.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is based on a power demand for amplifying physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signals across all DL carriers.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value is distributed between multiple base stations sharing common satellite resources or is hosted in a centralized controller in communication with other base stations.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein determination of the LTE per subframe RB threshold value further depends on a number of RBs allocated to synchronization signals.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value further depends on a number of RBs allocated to physical broadcast channel (PBCH) messages.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the LTE per subframe RB threshold value comprises limiting a number of RBs allocated in subframes 0 and 5 with a lowest LTE carrier frequency to 6 RBs.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the per LTE per subframe RB threshold value comprises limiting a number of RBs allocated in subframes other than 0 and 5 to 6 RBs less than the LTE RB threshold value.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adapting a LTE standard for operation over satellite by shifting frame boundaries of LTE carriers in integral increments of subframes to minimize control channel overlap, related excessive power draw and a possibility of driving PAs into non-linear region of amplification, wherein the control channel comprises primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein PSS, SSS, or PBCH transmission schedule is changed from once every frame on every LTE carrier to a repeating pattern, wherein the repeating pattern includes changing the PSS, SSS, or PBCH transmission schedule once in each of four consecutive frames.

19. A multi-beam satellite system for resource allocation in a long-term evolution (LTE) network, the system comprising:

a base station comprising a communication processor; and

one or more terminal devices configured to communicate with the base station,

wherein:

the communication processor is configured to:

determine an LTE per subframe resource block (RB) threshold value for subframe resource allocations on a per-LTE carrier basis based on total signal transmission power available to multiple beams of a space vehicle while ensuring that power amplifiers operate in a linear amplification region; and

communicating the LTE per subframe RB threshold value to a downlink LTE scheduler function within the e Node-B to ensure that a count of subframe level RB allocations is less than the determined LTE per subframe RB threshold value.

20. A method of adapting long-term evolution (LTE) over satellite, the method comprising:

shifting frame boundaries of LTE carriers in integral increments of subframes to reduce control channel overlap, related excessive power draw and a possibility of driving power amplifiers (PAs) into non-linear region of amplification; and

changing control channel transmission schedule from once every frame on every LTE carrier to a repeating pattern,

wherein:

the control channel comprises primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and

the repeating pattern includes changing the control channel transmission schedule once in each of four consecutive frames.