Communication method and system that uses low latency/low data bandwidth and high latency/high data bandwidth pathways
A communication system uses multiple communications links, preferably links that use different communications media. The multiple communications links may include a high latency/high bandwidth link using a fiber-optic cable configured to carry large volumes of data but having a high latency. The communications links may also include a low latency/low bandwidth link implemented using skywave propagation of radio waves and configured to carry smaller volumes of data with a lower latency across a substantial portion of the earth's surface. The two communications links may be used together to coordinate various activities such as the buying and selling of financial instruments.
1. A method, comprising:
transmitting command data from a transmission station to a receiving station via a first communication link, wherein the command data defines one or more commands;
transmitting triggering data from the transmission station to the receiving station via a second communication link, wherein the triggering data includes an identifier identifying at least one of the one or more commands;
wherein the second communication link transmits the triggering data using electromagnetic waves transmitted via skywave propagation;
wherein the first communication link has greater latency than the second communication link;
wherein the first communication link has larger data bandwidth than the second communication link;
wherein the command data is defined by a first collection of data, wherein the first collection of data has a first overall size, wherein the triggering data is defined by a second collection of data, wherein the second collection of data has a second overall size, and the first overall size is greater than or equal to the second overall size;
wherein the one or more commands include trading instructions for one or more financial instruments;
wherein the first communication link includes an optical fiber; and
wherein there is at least one skip zone between the transmission and receiving stations.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a maximum usable frequency for skywave propagation over the second communication link; and
transmitting the triggering data over the second communication link at a frequency that is less than or equal to the maximum usable frequency.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a minimum usable frequency for skywave propagation over the second communication link; and
transmitting the triggering data over the second communication link at a frequency that is greater than or equal to the minimum usable frequency.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said transmitting the triggering data includes transmitting the electromagnetic waves below the critical angle.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving the command data at a receiving station remote from the transmission station; and
receiving the triggering data at the receiving station.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
transmitting the command data on both the first communication link and the second communication link.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said receiving the command data includes receiving the command data via the first communication link before receiving the command data via the second communication link.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said receiving the command data includes receiving the command data via the second communication link before receiving the command data via the first communication link.
9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
transmitting the triggering data on both the first communication link and the second communication link.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said receiving the triggering data includes receiving the triggering data via the first communication link before receiving the triggering data via the second communication link.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein said receiving the triggering data includes receiving the triggering data via the second communication link before receiving the triggering data via the first communication link.
12. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
executing at least one of the one or more commands identified in the triggering data in response to said receiving the triggering data, the at least one command executed using a processor at the receiving station.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said executing occurs on or after both the command data and triggering data is fully received at the receiving station.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
retransmitting the electromagnetic waves via one or more repeaters.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second communication link transmits the triggering data using multiple frequencies.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the second communication link transmits on a first frequency for a first period of time, and on a second frequency for the first period of time; and
the first frequency and the second frequency are different frequencies.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the skywave propagation includes refracting the electromagnetic waves from the ionosphere.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance between the transmitting and receiving stations is greater than the radio horizon.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communication link, and the second communication link are the same communication link.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first communication link, and the second communication link are separate communication links.
21. A method, comprising:
receiving command data at a receiving station from a transmitting station via a first communication link, wherein the command data defines one or more commands;
receiving triggering data at the receiving station from the transmitting station via a second communication link;
wherein the triggering data passes over the second communication link to the receiving station using electromagnetic waves received via skywave propagation; and
wherein the command data passes over the first communication link to the receiving station without using skywave propagation;
wherein the first communication link has larger data bandwidth than the second communication link;
wherein the command data is defined by a first collection of data, wherein the first collection of data has a first overall size, wherein the triggering data is defined by a second collection of data, wherein the second collection of data has a second overall size, and the first overall size is greater than or equal to the second overall size;
wherein the one or more commands include trading instructions for one or more financial instruments;
wherein the first communication link includes an optical fiber;
wherein there is at least one skip zone between the transmitting and receiving stations; and
executing with a processor at the receiving station at least one of the one or more commands in response to said receiving the triggering data.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said receiving the command data includes receiving the command data on both the first communication link and the second communication link.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein said receiving the command data includes receiving the command data via the first communication link before receiving the command data via the second communication link.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein said receiving the command data includes receiving the command data via the second communication link before receiving the command data via the first communication link.
25. The method of claim 21 , wherein said receiving the triggering data includes receiving the triggering data on both the first communication link and the second communication link.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein said receiving the triggering data includes receiving the triggering data via the first communication link before receiving the triggering data via the second communication link.
27. The method of claim 25 , wherein said receiving the triggering data includes receiving the triggering data via the second communication link before receiving the triggering data via the first communication link.
28. The method of claim 21 , wherein said executing occurs on or after both the command data and triggering data is fully received at the receiving station.
29. The method of claim 21 , wherein the receiving station receives the triggering data via multiple frequencies.
30. A system, comprising:
a processor coupled to a memory;
a first network interface responsive to the processor and coupled to a communication network, wherein the first network interface is configured to send command data defining one or more commands using the communication network via a first communication link to a receiving station;
a second network interface responsive to the processor and coupled to a radio-frequency communication interface;
an antenna system coupled to the radio-frequency communications interface;
wherein the radio-frequency communication interface is configured to send triggering data using electromagnetic waves broadcast from the antenna system via a second communication link to the receiving station;
wherein the antenna system and radio-frequency interface are configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves via skywave propagation; and
wherein the triggering data includes an identifier identifying at least one of the one or more commands;
wherein the first communication link has larger data bandwidth than the second communication link;
wherein the command data is defined by a first collection of data, wherein the first collection of data has a first overall size, wherein the triggering data is defined by a second collection of data, wherein the second collection of data has a second overall size, and the first overall size is greater than or equal to the second overall size;
wherein the one or more commands include trading instructions for one or more financial instruments;
wherein the first communication link includes an optical fiber; and
wherein there is at least one skip zone between the antenna system and the receiving station.