TECHNIQUE FOR LOAD BALANCING INTERNET TRAFFIC OVER A HYBRID ASYMMETRIC SATELLITE-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK

摘要

A load balancing technique for optimally routing data packets to a hybrid terminal over an asymmetric hybrid network link, which utilizes a bi-directional terrestrial channel and a satellite channel. For each data packet received from an Internet server, a load-balancing algorithm is employed to determine whether to route the packet via the bi-directional terrestrial channel or the satellite channel. The loadbalancing algorithm is designed so relatively small data packets are transmitted over the bidirectional terrestrial channel, while larger data packets are transmitted over the satellite channel. All data packets lost during terrestrial transmission are re-transmitted over the satellite channel. Additional value-added services are added to redirect all Internet traffic terrestrially when the hybrid terminal experiences rain fade or other condition, which disrupts the satellite channel.