Objectives of the service
iQoL, is an Intelligent (Multi Orbit) Quality of Service Layer”. It sits on top of existing SDWAN solutions to provide dynamic hybrid networks orchestration across non terrestrial and terrestrial networks, enabling highly resilient, seamless, cost and network optimised hybrid connectivity.
iQoL provides Service Level Agreement (SLA) feasibility analysis and simulation, supporting Quality of Service and Quality of Experience with the goal of both increasing the number and type of SLA’s than can be offered.
Users and their needs
Users are Satellite Network Operators, Satellite Networking Equipment Manufacturers, Automotive OEM’s and Virtual Network Operators utilising Non-Terrestrial and Terrestrial Networks across the globe.
User Needs
NTN + TN and TN + NTN
Seamlessly augment multi orbit satellite with terrestrial 5G to deliver SLA and non-SLA supported, cost optimised always on, resilient connectivity.
Cost optimised fulfilment.
Optimise the use of available connections to reduce service delivery costs.
SLA expansion.
Ascertain the probability of SLA feasibility across hybrid network that consist of best-effort and guaranteed capacity links to increase the number of SLA’s that can be offered, maximizing SLA revenue while adhering to accepted risk/reward models.
Quality of Experience (QoE)
Provide QoE by Application type/class such as real time applications. Move from rigid rules-based Quality if Service (QoS) policies to dynamic experience management, improving end user experience, while simplifying quality metric management and reporting.
Hybrid SLA support.
Example for a train/plane/cruise ship/passenger vehicle, a hybrid SLA may focus on QoS metrics for train/plane/ship/vehicle operations and QoE based SLA for passenger connectivity.
Service/ system concept
When iQoL is deployed, users have the ability to define and create hybrid networks utilising available network resources. Example when satellites are the primary networks, GEO, LEO and 5G can form a single hybrid network.
When terrestrial is the primary network, multiple 5G operators, including direct to cell/device can be combined with a single orbit for example LEO to form the Hybrid network.
Once a hybrid network is in place, the power and value of iQoL orchestration increases. Multi path schemes can be created which utilise the underlying AI powered schedulers to dynamically steer traffic over available links to meet, cost, resiliency, speed, latency (typical QoS based metrics). Alternatively, a user may set QoE targets and the underlying AI will dynamically steer traffic over the available links to achieve the QoE targets.
The Service Level feasibility analyser and simulator takes in historical performance, current performance and dynamic traffic steering capabilities to assess the feasibility of current SLA’s and identify if there is scope to support additional SLA’s.
New SLA’s can be simulated to determine the likelihood of achieving the new SLA or SLA type and the quantity of that SLA type a region may support based on a given risk profile.
For a QoS based SLA, users can input key parameters such as CIR, PIR, latency, priority data limits etc. For a QoE based SLA users can enter experience scores by application, ie video calls such as Teams, Zoom, Google Meet may have an experience target of 85 (out of 100).
The iQoL controller is SDWAN agnostic. It sits on top of existing SDWAN solution/s a customer may have in place. It connects to existing SDWAN’s through their API’s. If a customer is changing SDWAN provider, has a walled garden SDWAN, or is looking for a new SDWAN solution, we offer our own SDWAN solution called HyperPath.
In the diagram above, the iQoL controller is orchestrating the available network resources based on the user SLA’s/needs. For the aircraft high capacity is required to give passengers a good connectivity experience, but not all LEO connections cost the same and not all applications need the low latency of a LEO connection, or speed of a LEO connection.
For the aircraft scenario GEO-1 is the lowest cost connection followed by LEO-2 and then LEO-1 and finally public 5G. As capacity is key, followed by latency for certain real time applications, LEO-2 use is maximised with GEO-1 used whenever possible to keep costs optimised, with LEO-1 only used when LEO-2 is unable to meet the need. When the aircraft is in range of Public 5G/on the ground 5G maybe used exclusively or in conjunction with GEO.
For a cargo ship, the need for real time, low latency, high speed connectivity is lower. Hence GEO-1 is utilised more, with LEO-1 handling the real time traffic.
For the vehicle, its primary connection and lowest cost connection is terrestrial 5G. Packets are only steered onto LEO when the 5G connection is unable to meet the vehicle and or occupant needs.
The SLA analyser is continuously taking in network telemetry data and evaluating the likelihood of the network meeting the SLA’s that are in place and determining if additional SLA could be supported.
Space Added Value
iQoL has support for multi orbit, single orbit, single orbit with multiple operators, single and multi operator terrestrial networks including public and private which may additionally offer direct to cell/device support.
Space specific assets are GEO, MEO and LEO orbits with direct to satellite and or direct to device support .
iQoL value
Same networks, delivering increased resiliency, competitive differentiation and additional SLA’s driving higher margin potential.
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SDWAN agnostic. Use iQoL with your existing SDWAN solutions, no need to allocated time, money and resources to qualify a new SDWAN solution.
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SLA analysis and simulation;
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Reduces SLA deployment risk by increasing confidence that a particular SLA can be achieved.
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With a detailed understanding of past and current network performance, the number of SLA’s supported can be increased for a given risk profile.
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Provide QoE based SLA’s and performance metrics where an end customers network service quality is application experience-based vs network parameter based. (important for cruise ships, aircraft cabin entertainment, residential, SME)
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Multi-Application Resource Management, goes hand in hand with SLA simulation and analysis in achieving additional SLA’s by optimising hybrid network usage while increasing resiliency and eliminating interruptions associated with session or link fail over approaches.
Current Status
Multiple customer meetings and workshops have been held with Satellite Network Operators, Automotive OEM’s, Network Equipment providers and Virtual Network Operators. Based on initial feedback on user needs several key services requirements were mocked up, generating positive customer feedback. As we wrap up KickStart, the market size is known, the needs are clear, as are the service requirement required to meet those needs.
