Smart network edge for hybrid space and terrestrial connectivity

1 . A smart network edge (SNE) for selectively routing data packets via an optimal data path using available networks, either terrestrial or non-terrestrial, the SNE comprising:

a processor;

a memory storing programming for the processor;

a steerable antenna controlled by the processor;

a number of modems corresponding to gateways in the available networks for providing communication between the SNE and gateways;

the processor, alone or in combination with other processors when executing the programming stored in the memory, cause the SNE to determine one or more selected data paths for data packets of a session based on avoiding or mitigating inter-constellation interference.

2 . The SNE of claim 1 , wherein the SNE is programmed to further determine the one or more selected data paths based on Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the session.

3 . The SNE of claim 1 , further comprising a machine learning model trained to predict inter-constellation interference.

4 . The SNE of claim 1 , further comprising an SNE-home agent application for directing a home agent in a selected data path to route the data packets of the session according to the selected data path.

5 . The SNE of claim 1 , further comprising an SNE-gateway application for directing a gateway in a selected data path to route the data packets of the session according to the selected data path.

6 . The SNE of claim 1 , wherein the SNE is programmed to determine the one or more selected data paths based on support for Discontinuous Reception (DRX).

7 . The SNE of claim 1 , wherein:

the SNE is programmed to report a battery level of a user terminal to a network supporting the one or more selected data paths; and

the SNE is programmed to determine the one or more selected data paths based on the battery level of the user terminal and availability of adaptive Discontinuous Reception (DRX) that responds to the battery level reported by the SNE.

8 . The SNE of claim 1 , further comprising a sidelobe suppression module to mitigate interference by selectively suppressing only a specific sidelobe identified as a potential cause of inter-constellation interference.

9 . The SNE of claim 1 , further comprising:

a Radio Resource Control for gateways (RRC-G); and

a Radio Resource Control for direct sessions (RRC-D),

wherein the SNE is programmed to use the RRC-G to obtain allocation of resources for a direct session and the RRC-D to conduct the direct session between two user terminals without routing the data packets through a terrestrial gateway.

10 . A smart network edge (SNE) for optimized routing of data packets by selectively using available networks, the SNE comprising:

a processor;

a memory storing programming for the processor;

a steerable antenna controlled by the processor;

a Radio Resource Control for gateways (RRC-G); and

a Radio Resource Control for direct sessions (RRC-D),

the processor programmed to, alone or in combination with other processors, use the RRC-G to obtain allocation of network resources for a direct session between two user terminals and the RRC-D to conduct the direct session,

wherein, in the direct session, the SNE routes the data packets between the two user terminals via a satellite network and avoiding any terrestrial gateway.

11 . The SNE of claim 10 , the SNE to determine one or more selected data paths for the data packets of the direct session based on avoiding or mitigating inter-constellation interference.

12 . The SNE of claim 11 , further comprising a machine learning model trained to predict inter-constellation interference.

13 . The SNE of claim 11 , further comprising a sidelobe suppression module to mitigate interference by selectively suppressing only a specific sidelobe identified as a potential cause of inter-constellation interference.

14 . The SNE of claim 11 , the SNE programmed to use the RRC-D to advise a user terminal of a handover of the data path from a first satellite to a second satellite.

15 . A method for selectively routing data packets via an optimal data path using available networks, either terrestrial or non-terrestrial, the method comprising,

with a Smart Network Edge (SNE) comprising a processor, a memory storing programming for the processor, a steerable antenna controlled by the processor and a number of modems corresponding to gateways in the available networks for providing communication between the SNE and gateways:

determining potential for inter-constellation interference when communicating with a first satellite in a first constellation by a second satellite in a second constellation; and

selecting one or more selected data paths for the data packets of a session based on avoiding or mitigating the inter-constellation interference.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein determining potential for inter-constellation interference comprises utilizing a trained machine learning model to predict inter-constellation interference.

17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining the one or more selected data paths based on support for Discontinuous Reception (DRX).

18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

reporting a battery level of a user terminal to a network supporting the one or more selected data paths; and

determining the selected data path based on the battery level of the user terminal and availability of adaptive Discontinuous Reception (DRX) that responds to the battery level reported.

19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising mitigating inter-constellation interference by selectively suppressing only a specific sidelobe identified as a potential cause of inter-constellation interference.

20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:

obtain allocation of resources for a direct session; and

conducting the direct session between two user terminals without routing the data packets through a terrestrial gateway.