Satellites having broadband and narrowband communication hardware
Examples are provided that relate to satellites utilizing both a narrowband communication channel and a broadband communication channel. One example provides a satellite comprising narrowband communication hardware configured to communicate on a control plane over a narrowband communication channel using an omnidirectional antenna. The satellite further comprises broadband communication hardware configured to communicate on a data plane over a broadband communication channel using a beamforming antenna.
1 . A satellite comprising:
narrowband communication hardware configured to communicate on a control plane over a narrowband communication channel using an omnidirectional antenna;
broadband communication hardware configured to communicate on a data plane over a broadband communication channel using a beamforming antenna; and
a logic subsystem comprising a processor and a storage device comprising instructions operable by the logic subsystem to broadcast a beacon at a first frequency of the narrowband communication channel, and to broadcast the beacon at a second frequency of the narrowband communication channel after broadcasting at the first frequency.
2 . The satellite of claim 1 , wherein the satellite is configured to provide broadband Internet.
3 . The satellite of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further operable by the processor to
communicate the beacon on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel between the satellite and an endpoint;
communicate a network join request on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel between the satellite and the endpoint; and
communicate data on the data plane over the broadband communication channel between the satellite and the endpoint.
4 . The satellite of claim 3 , wherein the instructions further are operable to
detect a signal strength of the data on the data plane over the broadband communication channel reaching a signal threshold condition, and
in response, communicate a handover control message on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel.
5 . The satellite of claim 4 , wherein the broadband communication channel is a first broadband communication channel, and the instructions are further operable to communicate the data on the data plane over a second broadband communication channel in response to the handover control message.
6 . The satellite of claim 4 , wherein the instructions are further operable to communicate handover execution messages over an inter-satellite link between the satellite and another satellite in response to the handover control message.
7 . A method comprising:
communicating a beacon on a control plane over a narrowband communication channel between a satellite and an endpoint;
communicating a network join request, based at least upon the beacon, on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel between the satellite and the endpoint; and
communicating data on a data plane over a broadband communication channel between the satellite and the endpoint.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein communicating the beacon on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel comprises broadcasting the beacon at a frequency of the narrowband communication channel.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the frequency is a first frequency, and communicating the beacon on the control plane further comprises broadcasting the beacon at a second frequency of the narrowband communication channel after broadcasting the beacon at the first frequency.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the beacon comprises an image having a plurality of pixels, and each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises information relating a join frequency to a geographical area corresponding to the pixel.
11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising communicating a network join response on the control plane after communicating the network join request on the control plane.
12 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising,
detecting a signal strength of the data on the data plane over the broadband communication channel reaching a signal threshold condition, and
in response, communicating a handover control message on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the broadband communication channel is a first broadband communication channel, and the method further comprises communicating the data on the data plane over a second broadband communication channel in response to the handover control message.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the satellite is a first satellite, and the method further comprises communicating handover execution messages over an inter-satellite link between the first satellite and a second satellite in response to the handover control message.
15 . A device, comprising:
narrowband communication hardware configured to communicate on a control plane over a narrowband communication channel with a satellite;
broadband communication hardware configured to communicate on a data plane over a broadband communication channel with the satellite;
a processor; and
a storage device comprising instructions operable by the processor to:
communicate a beacon on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel between the device and the satellite,
communicate a network join request, based at least upon the beacon, on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel between the device and the satellite, and
communicate data on the data plane over the broadband communication channel between the device and the satellite.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the device comprises one or more of a phone, a tablet, or a laptop.
17 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the device is configured to be incorporated into a vehicle.
18 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the instructions further are operable to
detect a signal strength of the data on the data plane over the broadband communication channel reaching a signal threshold condition, and
in response, communicate a handover control message on the control plane over the narrowband communication channel.
19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the broadband communication channel is a first broadband communication channel, and the instructions are further operable to communicate the data on the data plane over a second broadband communication channel with the satellite in response to the handover control message.