Integrated platform for nanosatellite system data processing

Abstract

The integrated nanosatellite data processing platform comprises a nanosatellite and includes a sensor module bidirectionally connected to an on-board computer. The on-board computer is bidirectionally connected to a communication module bidirectionally connected to a communication antenna. The communication antenna is connected to a ground antenna bidirectionally connected to a communication equipment unit of a ground station. The ground station is bidirectionally connected to a control server bidirectionally connected to a database. The database is bidirectionally connected to a market portal server, a developer portal server, and an application server. The control server, market portal server, developer portal server, and application server are bidirectionally connected to a client station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated platform for processing data from nanosatellite systems, which is expected to be applied in the aerospace and satellite industries, and in particular, enables third parties to develop, purchase and sell applications that consume useful data from space systems.

Background Art

[0002] Space exploration and related infrastructure are becoming increasingly important for the modern world. The space sector is evolving at a phenomenal speed and will bring about major changes to many industries in the coming years. Globally, it is expected that more than 7,000 new nanosatellites will be launched within the next 10 years.

[0003] Nanosatellites are increasingly being used for Earth observation, communication, information transmission, research, education and other fields. According to experts, for the realization of Internet of Things (IoT) networks, nanosatellites are more suitable and effective than large satellites equipped with old systems that cannot be practically updated. IoT is a network of all types of devices, from household appliances to computers and even physical objects, that still have untapped digital potential. By connecting to the network, these devices can exchange information with each other without human intervention. This requires the availability of mobile networks in almost any location, and this service is optimally provided by satellites and satellite platforms.

[0004] Payload data generated by satellites directly adds value to satellite operators or satellite payload operators through direct use or commercialization. Platforms exist where satellite operators or payload operators provide satellite-generated data that third parties can purchase. Stakeholders then use this purchased data to develop algorithms and applications. Examples of fields where these algorithms and applications are developed include meteorology, early fire detection, and crop cultivation. These algorithms and applications are often deployed on the developers' infrastructure and commercialized.

[0005] No platform is known that integrates data generation, the ability to commercialize that data, and the development of applications that use that data. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to construct an integrated platform for processing data from nanosatellite systems, which will provide the ability to generate useful data from space, transmit it to Earth, and store it, and to provide the ability to develop and deploy applications on the platform and / or on various nanosatellites.

[0007] This problem is solved by creating an integrated platform for processing data from the nanosatellite system. This platform consists of one or more nanosatellites, each nanosatellite containing at least one sensor module bidirectionally connected to an onboard computer, the onboard computer bidirectionally connected to at least one communication module bidirectionally connected to at least one communication antenna. Each communication antenna is connected to at least one ground antenna bidirectionally connected to at least one communication equipment unit of one or more ground stations. Each ground station is bidirectionally connected to a control server bidirectionally connected to a database, the database bidirectionally connected to a market portal server, a developer portal server, and an application server, in turn. The control server, market portal server, developer portal server, and application server are bidirectionally connected to client stations for payload operators, market portal users, application developers, and ground application users.

[0008] The advantages of an integrated platform for processing data from nanosatellite systems include ensuring the generation, transmission, and on-earth storage of payload data from space for use by both nanosatellite payload operators and third parties. The platform also offers the advantage of providing the ability to build algorithms and applications using the data, and deploying those applications both on the platform and on the nanosatellites. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the principle of an integrated platform for processing data from a nanosatellite system according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] An embodiment of an integrated platform for processing data from a nanosatellite system shown in Figure 1 comprises one or more nanosatellites 1, each nanosatellite 1 comprising at least one sensor module 1.1 bidirectionally connected to an onboard computer 1.2, the sensor module 1.1 bidirectionally connected to at least one communication module 1.3 bidirectionally connected to at least one communication antenna 1.4. The platform further comprises one or more ground stations 2, each comprising at least one ground antenna 2.1 and a communication equipment unit 2.2.

[0011] Each communication antenna 1.4 is connected to at least one ground antenna 2.1. Each ground station 2 is bidirectionally connected to a control server 3, which is responsible for control, command transmission, and satellite data reception. The control server 3 is bidirectionally connected to a database 4, which in turn is bidirectionally connected to a market portal server 5, a developer portal server 6, and an application server 7. The control server 3, market portal server 5, developer portal server 6, and application server 7 are bidirectionally connected to a payload operator client station 8.1, a market portal user client station 8.2, an application developer client station 8.3, and a ground application user client station 8.4.

[0012] The components of an established integrated platform for nanosatellite data processing have the following characteristics:

[0013] The sensor module 1.1 mounted on each nanosatellite 1 represents the so-called payload and includes various sensor devices such as cameras and magnetometers for collecting information from space. Through bidirectional connection with the onboard computer 1.2, the sensor module 1.1 can record collected data and receive control commands.

[0014] The onboard computer 1.2 is the module on which the main parts of the Nanosatellite 1's software are executed. The onboard computer 1.2 consists of a microcontroller, connectors, an external memory card slot, and other necessary components. Through the communication module 1.3, the onboard computer 1.2 transmits data downloaded from the sensor module 1.1 to Earth and receives commands sent from Earth to the sensor module 1.1.

[0015] Communication module 1.3 is used for data transfer between Earth and nanosatellite 1. Communication module 1.3 may include a UHF transceiver supporting a low rate of 20 Kbits / sec, eliminating the need for pointing to Earth. Alternatively, communication module 1.3 may include an S-band transmitter supporting a high rate of 5 Mbits / sec, used for transmitting larger amounts of data and telemetry from the satellite to Earth. Communication module 1.3 may incorporate additional high-speed RF communication devices such as X-band transmitters, Ka-band transmitters, and W / V-band transmitters. These support high-speed data rates from 150 Mbits / s to several Gbits / s from satellite to Earth across various bands of the radio spectrum. These are used for high-speed transmission of large amounts of information, such as photographs and videos, from satellite to Earth.

[0016] The communication antenna 1.4 can be a UHF antenna consisting of a mechanical frame, a microcontroller control board and connectors, and a metal antenna with a deployable mechanism. Alternatively, the communication antenna 1.4 may be an S-band antenna, an X-band antenna, and / or an antenna for other frequencies, each comprising a circuit board with separate metal patches and connectors. The communication antenna 1.4 receives data collected by the communication module 1.3 for downlinking to Earth and transmits received control commands to the nanosatellite 1.

[0017] On the other hand, the ground antenna 2.1 is a mechanical radio antenna for receiving and transmitting radio signals. The ground antenna 2.1 consists of an antenna and a pointing mechanism, and is coordinated and controlled by each ground station 2 to establish wireless communication with the nanosatellite 1. The ground antenna 2.1 receives data from the nanosatellite 1 and transmits commands for controlling the nanosatellite 1 via the communication equipment unit 2.2.

[0018] The control server 3 is a computer server or server cluster that receives commands from the mission operator for transmission to the ground station 2 and can display satellite information to the mission operator from the database 4 via the satellite operator's personal client station 8.1. The control server 3 records the received satellite data and received commands in the database 4. Mission operators and payload operators can also publish data from their sensor modules 1.1 (payloads) on the market portal server 5 for a fee. The payload operator's client station 8.1 can also control purchased satellite deployment applications.

[0019] Database 4 is a computer server or server cluster for storing satellite data, satellite commands, applications, and metadata. Metadata is data describing Nanosatellite 1 itself, including information such as its behavior and location over time. Database 4 receives satellite data and sends commands to control server 3. Database 4 receives applications and sends satellite data to market portal server 5. Database 4 receives applications and sends metadata to developer portal server 6. Database 4 sends satellite data and metadata and receives new metadata from application server 7.

[0020] Market Portal Server 5 is a computer server or server cluster that provides users with the ability to search, discover, and purchase applications and / or satellite data. Market Portal users connect to Market Portal Server 5 via a bidirectional connection through their client station 8.2. If the user is a payload operator, they can purchase applications to deploy on Nano Satellite 1. If the user is a ground application user, they can purchase relevant ground applications and access them via Application Server 7.

[0021] The Developer Portal Server 6 is a computer server or server cluster that provides application development users with access to application development tools and the ability to publish new applications. The Developer Portal Server 6 is accessed through the application developer's client station 8.3.

[0022] The application deployment server 7 is a computer server or server cluster. The application deployment server 7 provides the infrastructure for deploying created applications. From the application deployment server 7, users can access and retrieve applications deployed from database 4 via the ground application user's client station 8.4.

Claims

[Claim 1] The system comprises one or more nanosatellites (1), each including at least one sensor module (1.1) bidirectionally connected to an onboard computer (1.2), The onboard computer is bidirectionally connected to at least one communication module (1.3) that is bidirectionally connected to at least one communication antenna (1.4), Each of the aforementioned communication antennas (1.4) is connected to at least one ground antenna (2.1) that is bidirectionally connected to at least one communication equipment unit (2.2) of one or more ground stations (2). Each of the aforementioned ground stations (2) is bidirectionally connected to a control server (3) which is bidirectionally connected to a database (4), The database (4) is bidirectionally connected to the market portal server (5), the developer portal server (6), and the application server (7). The control server (3), the market portal server (5), the developer portal server (6), and the application server (7) are bidirectionally connected to the payload operator's client station (8.1), the market portal user's client station (8.2), the application developer's client station (8.3), and the ground application user's client station (8.4). Market portal server 5 provides users with the functionality to search, discover, and purchase applications and / or satellite data. The developer portal server 6 provides the application developer with access to application development tools and the ability to publish new applications. Application server 7 provides the infrastructure for deploying the created application. The payload operator purchases the application to be deployed to the nanosatellite (1) from the market portal server (5) via the client station (8.1). The market portal user connects to the market portal server (5) via the client station (8.2), The application developer accesses the developer portal server (6) via the client station (8.3), The aforementioned ground application user purchases the ground application from the market portal server (5) via the client station (8.4). Characterized by, Integrated nanosatellite data processing platform.

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