A communication system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a communication system, which relates to the field of aerospace technology, and its main purpose is to reduce costs while increasing the rate of aircraft network data transmission. The communication system of the present invention includes a satellite communication system of multiple satellites, each satellite carries an intersatellite laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite communication, a satellite-aircraft laser communication terminal device for communication between a satellite and an aircraft, and a satellite-ground station laser communication terminal device for communication between a satellite and a ground station, and multiple communication satellites communicate through laser links based on the intersatellite laser communication terminal device; the ground station communication system includes a ground station laser communication terminal for communicating with a satellite, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station-satellite laser communication terminal device, which communicates with a satellite through a laser link based on the ground station-satellite laser communication terminal device. The present invention is mainly used for data transmission of aircraft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerospace technology, and in particular to a communication system. Background Art

[0002] At present, the network communication of civil aviation aircraft during flight is mainly achieved through radio network transmission between satellites and ground base stations. This implementation method is limited by radio frequency and the orbital position of geosynchronous orbit satellites, and it is difficult to meet the rapidly growing demand for massive data transmission in the civil aviation field. In addition, due to the performance limitations of satellite radio communication networks, the data transmission rate and the number of service users on the aircraft are limited. Although Internet access services in the cabin can be achieved at present, the network communication rate is relatively low, basically in the KB and MB level.

[0003] For the above reasons, the large amount of flight data generated by aircraft in the air cannot be fully transmitted to the ground in real time, making the aircraft an isolated information island in the air. With the development of intelligent aircraft, intelligent aircraft equipped with thousands of sensors and complex digital systems have generated exponentially more data, which further exacerbates the difficulty of transmitting the massive amount of flight data in the air, resulting in the ineffective use of flight data and the inability to reduce the cost of aircraft control and maintenance. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a communication system, the main purpose of which is to reduce costs while increasing the rate of aircraft network data transmission.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention mainly provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A communication system, comprising:

[0007] A satellite communication system, comprising a plurality of satellites, each satellite carrying an intersatellite laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite communication, a satellite-aircraft laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite and aircraft communication, and a satellite-ground station laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite and ground station communication; the plurality of communication satellites communicate with each other through laser links based on the intersatellite laser communication terminal devices;

[0008] A ground station communication system, the ground station communication system includes a ground station laser communication terminal for communicating with a satellite, the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device, and the ground station satellite laser communication terminal device communicates with the satellite through a laser link.

[0009] Furthermore,

[0010] There is one ground station laser communication terminal, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device. Within a certain period of time, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of one of the multiple satellites establishes laser link communication with the one aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device in the ground station laser communication terminal.

[0011] or,

[0012] There is one ground station laser communication terminal, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices. In a first time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of a first satellite among the multiple satellites establishes a first laser link communication with a first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the ground station laser communication terminals. In a second time period, while the first laser link communication is ongoing, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of a second satellite among the multiple satellites establishes a laser link communication with a second aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the ground station laser communication terminals.

[0013] Furthermore,

[0014] There are at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and each of the ground station laser communication terminals includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device. Within a certain period of time, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of the same number of satellites as the ground station laser communication terminals among the multiple satellites respectively establish laser link communication with the one aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the corresponding number of ground station laser communication terminals;

[0015] or,

[0016] There are at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and each of the ground station laser communication terminals includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices. In a first time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of the multiple satellites with the same number as the ground station laser communication terminals respectively establish a first laser link communication with the first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device of the corresponding number of the ground station laser communication terminals. In a second time period, while the first laser link communication is in progress, the other satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of the multiple satellites with the same number as the ground station laser communication terminals respectively establish a laser link communication with the second aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device of the corresponding number of the ground station laser communication terminals.

[0017] Furthermore,

[0018] When the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device, the elevation angle of the ground station satellite laser communication terminal device is the satellite-to-earth angle;

[0019] When the ground station laser communication terminal includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices, the elevation angle combination of the at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices is the satellite-to-earth angle.

[0020] Furthermore,

[0021] The ground station communication system also includes a data communication interface, which is connected to the aircraft service platform central server through the data interface to send the data received by the ground station communication system to the aircraft service platform central server.

[0022] Furthermore,

[0023] The plurality of satellites are in the same orbital plane, or a first number of satellites among the plurality of satellites are in a first orbital plane, and a second number of satellites are in a second orbital plane;

[0024] Two adjacent satellites in the same orbital plane are connected by laser communication links through direct connection or relay connection; for satellites in different orbital planes, at least one pair of satellites communicate through laser links of direct connection or relay connection.

[0025] Furthermore,

[0026] Each satellite carries a plurality of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices, and the plurality of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are arranged according to a predetermined communication array.

[0027] Furthermore,

[0028] The downward-looking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment is set as the satellite-to-ground angle, and each satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment constitutes the communication coverage of each satellite-to-ground angle;

[0029] or,

[0030] The downward-looking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment is set to be greater than 0 degrees and less than the satellite's angle to the ground, and a predetermined number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment constitute the communication coverage of each satellite's angle to the ground.

[0031] Furthermore,

[0032] If the overhead view angles of the plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are all satellite-to-ground angles, the plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are arranged and laid out in each satellite in any arrangement;

[0033] If the overhead angle of the plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices is greater than 0 degrees and less than the satellite-to-ground angle, the plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are arranged in each satellite according to a first predetermined arrangement;

[0034] If the overhead viewing angles of the multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices include an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than the satellite-to-ground angle and the satellite-to-ground angle, the multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are mixedly arranged in the satellite according to a second predetermined arrangement method.

[0035] Furthermore,

[0036] The aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft, a helicopter, an aerial balloon, an airship, a drone, or a near-space aircraft.

[0037] The communication system provided by the present invention is based on laser communication terminal equipment and uses laser as the transmission medium to achieve communication connections between ground stations and satellites, and between satellites. Due to the high speed and large information capacity of laser communication, it can easily reach 1040Gbps. Compared with the radio communication in the prior art, it greatly improves the transmission rate of aircraft data, makes data transmission fast, and greatly improves the passengers' Internet experience.

[0038] In addition, each satellite includes a ground-to-ground laser communication terminal device for communication between the satellite and the aircraft, so that the satellite and the aircraft equipment can establish laser communication, so that the aircraft's own data and network resource data uploaded from the ground can be transmitted through the established laser link, so that the aircraft is no longer an information island, and its data can be collected, transmitted, analyzed and utilized to timely discover and solve problems in the flight of the aircraft, greatly reducing the control and maintenance costs of the aircraft.

[0039] Furthermore, space laser communication links do not require approval, are not restricted by spectrum, and have good scalability.

[0040] Furthermore, the laser communication terminal equipment for laser communication has low light source power consumption, high conversion efficiency, and small transmitting and receiving antennas, and has advantages in equipment size, weight, and power consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. Moreover, the same reference symbols are used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same components. In the accompanying drawings:

[0042] Figure 1A schematic diagram showing the structure of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the structure of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the structure of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the structure of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0046] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the structure of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0047] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of inter-satellite communication in a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided in order to enable a more thorough understanding of the present invention and to enable the scope of the present invention to be fully communicated to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The present invention provides a communication system, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes: a satellite communication system 1 and a ground station communication system 2.

[0050] A satellite communication system 1 includes multiple satellites, each satellite carrying inter-satellite laser communication terminal equipment for inter-satellite communication, satellite-aircraft laser communication terminal equipment for communication between satellites and aircraft, and satellite-ground station laser communication terminal equipment for communication between satellites and ground stations; the multiple communication satellites communicate with each other through laser links based on the inter-satellite laser communication terminal equipment.

[0051] Among them, through the reasonable layout of the multiple satellites, the satellite communication system can achieve full communication coverage of the satellite ground stations in a certain orbital plane or certain areas.

[0052] In addition, the number of the plurality of satellites can be determined according to the height of the satellite ground station and the communication coverage. Under the premise of full communication coverage, it can also be set according to operation requirements and operation costs, which is not limited in the specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] A ground station communication system 2, wherein the ground station communication system includes a ground station laser communication terminal for communicating with a satellite, wherein the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device, and the ground station satellite laser communication terminal device communicates with the satellite via a laser link.

[0054] Among them, a ground station laser communication terminal in an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one ground satellite laser communication terminal device, so that within a certain period of time, the ground satellite laser communication terminal device communicates with the satellite communication system through a laser link to basically realize data transmission.

[0055] In addition, when implementing the embodiment of the present invention, in order to reduce the pressure on the ground station laser communication terminal to receive data transmitted by multiple satellites, multiple ground station laser communication terminals can be set according to operational requirements and the amount of data transmitted, so as to achieve simultaneous communication between multiple satellites and multiple ground station laser communication terminals of the ground station communication system in the same time period. The ground station laser communication terminal can be set on land, can be set at different geographical locations, or multiple ground station laser communication terminals can be set at the same geographical location. The specific embodiment of the present invention does not limit this. When implemented, it is specifically arranged according to needs.

[0056] The communication system provided by the present invention is based on laser communication terminal equipment and uses laser as the transmission medium to achieve communication connections between ground stations and satellites, and between satellites. Due to the high laser communication rate and large information capacity, it can easily reach 1040Gbps. Compared with the radio communication in the prior art, it greatly improves the transmission rate of aircraft data and the number of users served, making data transmission fast and greatly improving the passengers' Internet experience.

[0057] In addition, each satellite includes a ground-to-ground laser communication terminal device for communication between the satellite and the aircraft, so that the satellite and the aircraft equipment can establish laser communication, so that the aircraft's own data and network resource data uploaded from the ground can be transmitted through the established laser link, so that the aircraft is no longer an information island, and its data can be collected, transmitted, analyzed and utilized to timely discover and solve problems in the flight of the aircraft, greatly reducing the control and maintenance costs of the aircraft.

[0058] Furthermore, space laser communication links do not require approval, are not restricted by spectrum, and have good scalability.

[0059] Furthermore, the laser communication terminal equipment for laser communication has low light source power consumption, high conversion efficiency, and small transmitting and receiving antennas, and has advantages in equipment size, weight, and power consumption.

[0060] As described above, in order to realize data communication of the aircraft, the present invention can set one or more ground receiving devices for laser communication. The embodiment of the present invention takes setting one as an example and specifically describes: Figure 2 As shown, there is one ground station laser communication terminal, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device. Within a certain time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of one of the multiple satellites establishes laser link communication with the aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device in the ground station laser communication terminal.

[0061] Although the above method can realize data transmission, if there is only one ground satellite laser communication terminal device communicating with the satellite within a certain period of time, when the satellite passes overhead, it is necessary to establish laser communication with the next satellite and then transmit relevant data. In this way, data transmission between the satellite and the ground can only be carried out intermittently.

[0062] Furthermore, in order to ensure uninterrupted data transmission between the satellite and the ground station, the embodiment of the present invention provides the following method: Figure 3 As shown, there is one ground station laser communication terminal, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices. In a first time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of a first satellite among multiple satellites establishes laser link communication with a first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the ground station laser communication terminals. In a second time period, while the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of the first satellite establishes laser link communication with the first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of a second satellite among the multiple satellites establishes laser link communication with the second aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the ground station laser communication terminals.

[0063] Among them, the second time period mentioned here is the time period when a satellite is about to leave the service area of ​​the ground station laser communication terminal and maintains communication with a ground satellite laser communication terminal device of the ground station laser communication terminal.

[0064] Due to this method, during the above-mentioned time period, two satellites are simultaneously connected to a ground station laser communication terminal device for laser communication. One satellite is about to leave the server of the ground station laser communication terminal device, and the other satellite is about to enter the server of the ground station laser communication terminal device, thereby realizing the handover communication between satellites and the ground station laser communication terminal device, and realizing uninterrupted data transmission between satellites and the ground station.

[0065] Furthermore, when the satellite system serves multiple aircrafts at the same time, there will be a huge amount of data to be transmitted, and the pressure of a ground station laser communication terminal to transmit is relatively large. In order to further achieve fast and efficient data transmission, the embodiment of the present invention can also be at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and the at least two ground station laser communication terminals can be set on land, can be set at different geographical locations, or multiple ground station laser communication terminals can be set at the same geographical location. The specific embodiment of the present invention does not limit this, and when implemented, it is specifically arranged according to needs.

[0066] To achieve the above functions, the embodiment of the present invention also provides the following method: Figure 4 As shown,

[0067] There are at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and each of the ground station laser communication terminals includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device. Within a certain time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of at least two satellites among the multiple satellites respectively establish laser link communication with the one aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the at least two ground station laser communication terminals.

[0068] In the above method, although multiple ground station laser communication terminals communicate with the satellite at the same time in the same time period, the data transmission volume is increased compared to a single ground station laser communication terminal. However, since each ground station laser communication terminal has only one ground satellite laser communication terminal device communicating with the satellite in a certain time period, when the satellite passes overhead, it is necessary to establish laser communication with the next satellite and then transmit relevant data. In this way, data transmission between the satellite and the ground can only be carried out intermittently.

[0069] Furthermore, in order to ensure uninterrupted data transmission between the satellite and the ground station, the embodiment of the present invention provides the following method: Figure 5 As shown, there are at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and each of the ground station laser communication terminals includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices. In a first time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of at least two satellites among the multiple satellites respectively establish a first laser link communication with a first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among a corresponding number of the ground station laser communication terminals. In a second time period, while establishing the first laser link communication, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of at least another two satellites among the multiple satellites respectively establish a laser link communication with a second aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among a corresponding number of the ground station laser communication terminals.

[0070] It should be noted here that in order to realize the capture communication between the ground station and the satellite, when the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device, the elevation angle of the ground station satellite laser communication terminal device is the satellite angle to the ground; when the ground station laser communication terminal includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices, the elevation angle combination of the at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices is the satellite angle to the ground.

[0071] Furthermore, after the ground station communication system receives the aircraft data sent by the satellite, it is necessary to analyze the massive amount of data before it can be used. Therefore, the ground station communication system also includes a data communication interface, which is connected to the public Internet network through the data interface, including the aircraft service platform central server, so as to facilitate the sending of the aircraft data to the aircraft service platform central server, thereby realizing data analysis and utilization.

[0072] Since the satellite in the embodiment of the present invention is a low-orbit satellite, the height of this type of low-orbit satellite from the earth is limited, so the communication coverage range of the satellite ground station is limited, and thus one satellite cannot achieve full coverage of laser communications for a predetermined number of aircraft. A spatial layout of multiple satellites is required to achieve full coverage of laser communications in a predetermined area, thereby realizing laser communication services for a predetermined number of aircraft.

[0073] Based on the above principles, when multiple satellites are spatially arranged, it is generally carried out according to the flight orbital plane of the satellites. For the multiple satellites on the same orbital plane, adjacent satellites can be connected by laser communication links through direct connection; wherein, this direct connection method is convenient for direct transmission determination of laser and avoids obstruction of laser transmission. This direct connection method can be a handle-type connection method, which is not limited to the specific embodiments of the present invention, and can also be other topological structures.

[0074] It should be noted that, in addition to the above-mentioned direct connection method, the laser communication link can also be connected by relay connection. For example, two satellites communicating with each other are relayed by a high-orbit satellite; specifically, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and relay switching can also be performed by other satellites or devices.

[0075] Furthermore, in order to enable satellite communications to provide laser communication services for aircraft in more areas, when performing spatial layout of multiple satellites, it may be necessary to layout multiple orbital satellites, so that multiple satellites may be on different orbital planes. In order to achieve mutual communication between all multiple satellites, the embodiment of the present invention also provides the following satellite layout and communication method between satellites, which is specifically:

[0076] Two adjacent satellites in the same orbital plane are connected by laser communication links through direct connection or relay connection; for satellites in different orbital planes, at least one pair of satellites communicate through laser links of direct connection or relay connection.

[0077] It should be noted that satellites in different orbital planes are interconnected on each orbit; at least one pair of satellites in different orbital planes are connected to each other through laser links, and there may be multiple pairs. However, based on operating cost factors, a pair of satellites is preferred in the embodiment of the present invention. For example, as shown in 6, satellite A is in the first orbital plane, and satellite B is in the second orbital plane. If communication between satellites in the first orbital plane and the second orbital plane is required, satellite A and satellite B can be connected, so that any satellite on the first orbital plane can transmit data to any satellite on the second orbital plane through satellite A; any satellite on the second orbital plane can transmit data to any satellite on the first orbital plane through satellite B; based on this satellite networking method, any satellite in the satellite network can achieve laser communication with the ground station, and the data of any satellite on any orbital plane can be transmitted to the ground station. This makes data transmission more flexible.

[0078] It is also necessary to explain here that, in addition to direct connection, satellites in different orbital planes can also be connected through relay.

[0079] Based on the above description, the communication between the above-mentioned multiple satellites can be carried out through a direct connection, a relay connection, or a mixture of the direct and relay methods. The embodiment of the present invention does not limit this in specific implementation and can be carried out according to specific needs.

[0080] Furthermore,

[0081] Based on the characteristics of laser linear transmission, laser communication is carried out one-to-one, that is, a satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device communicates with an aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device on the aircraft. In other words, a satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device can only provide services for one aircraft at a time. In the specific implementation process, if a satellite wants to provide laser communication services for multiple aircraft, it is necessary to load multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices on the satellite.

[0082] As mentioned above, each satellite has a downward angle covering earth communications according to its height from the earth. In order to maximize the use of satellite communications and to be able to scan and capture the aircraft communicating with it, the downward angle of the satellite ground station ball of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment is preferably the angle of the satellite ground station ball of the satellite. According to this principle, and the idea that a satellite can provide services for multiple aircraft, the downward angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment can be set to the satellite-to-earth angle, then a satellite can be loaded with multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment with satellite-to-earth angles, and each satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment with satellite-to-earth angles completes full coverage of the satellite-to-earth angle. Based on this setting, the multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment carried in each satellite can be arranged and laid out in each satellite in any arrangement.

[0083] Furthermore, if a satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device achieves full coverage of the satellite-to-ground angle, the coarse aiming mechanism of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device is large in size and weight, resulting in the heavy mass, large volume and high cost of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device. In the actual operation process, the cost of launching a satellite is calculated in weight. If all the multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices deployed in a satellite are satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with satellite-to-ground angles, then under the same satellite resource conditions, the number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices is small, which is not optimal from the perspective of commercial benefits. How to maximize the communication coverage, the maximum number of aircraft that can be served and the lowest satellite development and launch cost. The embodiment of the present invention provides the following method to solve the above problem. Specifically: multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are set in the satellite, each satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device covers a certain satellite coverage angle, and each satellite carries a predetermined number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices, which constitute the communication coverage of each satellite-to-ground angle. Among them, the ground angle is determined according to the distance of the satellite from the earth and the tangent angle of the satellite to the earth.

[0084] When specifically arranging multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices in each satellite, the following method may be adopted but is not limited to it, and the method is as follows: the downward-looking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device is set to be greater than 0° and less than the satellite's angle to the ground, and the communication coverage of each satellite's angle to the ground is composed of a predetermined number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with a corresponding angle greater than 0° and less than the satellite's angle to the ground. For example, the downward-looking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device is set to 30°, and if the angle to the ground is 120°, then at least 4 satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with a downward-looking angle of 30° constitute a 120° communication coverage of each satellite.

[0085] Based on the setting of the overhead angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment, when laying out multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment in a satellite, the following methods may be adopted but are not limited to, including:

[0086] A plurality of groups of predetermined numbers of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with an angle greater than 0° and less than the satellite's downward-looking angle are set in a satellite. The number of groups can be determined by the number of aircraft served within the predetermined communication coverage; for example, the angle between two satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices can be 15°. Specifically, the embodiment of the present invention does not limit this. Among them, the specific angles of the plurality of groups of predetermined numbers of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with an angle greater than 0° and less than the satellite's downward-looking angle can be the same or different for each group, and the embodiment of the present invention does not limit this. Based on this setting, the plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices carried in each satellite form a plurality of communication arrays composed of a predetermined number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with an angle greater than 0° and less than the satellite's downward-looking angle. The plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are arranged and laid out in each satellite according to a first predetermined arrangement. Among them, the first predetermined arrangement can be a square, diamond or other array, and the specific embodiment of the present invention does not limit this, and can also be other arrangements.

[0087] In addition to the above two methods, in the actual implementation of the embodiment of the present invention, within the communication range covered by a satellite, there are some areas where the aircraft are densely packed and the flight distance is relatively short, which requires setting as many satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices with relatively small communication service coverage angles as possible in the coverage area; there are some areas where the aircraft are sparsely distributed and the flight distance is relatively long, which requires setting a relatively large communication service coverage angle in the service area, or even a satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device with the same predetermined coverage angle as the satellite. In response to this service demand, the embodiment of the present invention also provides the following satellite internal satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment, specifically: setting a plurality of predetermined groups of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment with a predetermined number of angles greater than 0° and less than the satellite's overlooking angle and a satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment with a predetermined coverage angle of the satellite. That is, the settings of the two types of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment are mixed and used. Based on this setting, the multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment carried by each satellite constitutes a plurality of communication arrays consisting of a predetermined number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment with a predetermined number of angles greater than 0° and less than the satellite's overlooking angle and a satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment with a predetermined coverage angle of the satellite. The plurality of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are mixedly arranged in the satellite according to a second predetermined arrangement, wherein the second predetermined arrangement may be a square, diamond or other array, which is not limited in the specific embodiment of the present invention and may also be other arrangements.

[0088] The communication system provided by the present invention is based on laser communication terminal equipment and uses laser as the transmission medium to achieve communication connections between ground stations and satellites, and between satellites. Due to the high laser communication rate and large information capacity, it can easily reach 1040Gbps. Compared with the radio communication in the prior art, it greatly improves the transmission rate of aircraft data and the number of users served, making data transmission fast and greatly improving the passengers' Internet experience.

[0089] In addition, each satellite includes a ground-to-earth laser communication terminal device for communication between the satellite and the ground station, so that the satellite and the ground station equipment can establish laser communication, so that the aircraft's own data and network resource data uploaded from the ground can be transmitted through the established laser link, so that the aircraft is no longer an information island, and its data can be collected, transmitted, analyzed and utilized to timely discover and solve problems in the flight of the aircraft, greatly reducing the control and maintenance costs of the aircraft.

[0090] Furthermore, space laser communication links do not require approval, are not restricted by spectrum, and have good scalability.

[0091] Furthermore, the laser communication terminal equipment for laser communication has low light source power consumption, high conversion efficiency, and small transmitting and receiving antennas, and has advantages in equipment size, weight, and power consumption.

[0092] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, each satellite can carry multiple satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices, so that one satellite can provide communication services for multiple aircraft at the same time, thereby improving the use value of satellite communications and reducing the operating costs of satellite operations.

[0093] Furthermore, each satellite carries a plurality of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices, which can be set as laser communication terminal devices with different overlooking angles, so that the laser communication terminal devices carried by the satellite are more flexible and the operation is more operable. In addition, since the overlooking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices carried by the satellite can be adjusted in a wide range, when the overlooking angle is selected to be smaller, the rotation angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices is smaller, which can reduce the weight of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal device conversion equipment from certain aspects, and reduce the cost of satellite launch to a certain extent.

[0094] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices constituting a satellite overlooking angle may be arranged at the ground station, so that the arrangement of the ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices is more flexible.

[0095] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CDROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0096] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0097] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0098] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0099] In a typical configuration, a computing device includes one or more processors (CPU), input / output interfaces, network interfaces, and memory.

[0100] The memory may include non-permanent memory in a computer-readable medium, random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory in the form of read-only memory (ROM) or flash RAM. The memory is an example of a computer-readable medium.

[0101] Computer readable media include permanent and non-permanent, removable and non-removable media that can be implemented by any method or technology to store information. Information can be computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read-only memory (CDROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other non-transmission media that can be used to store information that can be accessed by a computing device. As defined herein, computer readable media does not include temporary computer readable media (transitory media), such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

[0102] It should also be noted that the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, commodity or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, commodity or device. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, commodity or device including the elements.

[0103] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CDROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0104] The above are only embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A satellite communication system, comprising a plurality of satellites, each satellite carrying an intersatellite laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite communication, a satellite-aircraft laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite and aircraft communication, and a satellite-ground station laser communication terminal device for inter-satellite and ground station communication; the plurality of communication satellites communicate with each other through laser links based on the intersatellite laser communication terminal devices; A ground station communication system, the ground station communication system includes a ground station laser communication terminal for communicating with a satellite, the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device and an aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device, and the ground station satellite laser communication terminal device communicates with the satellite via a laser link.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that There is one ground station laser communication terminal, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device. Within a certain period of time, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of one of the multiple satellites establishes laser link communication with the one aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device in the ground station laser communication terminal. or, There is one ground station laser communication terminal, and the ground station laser communication terminal includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices. In a first time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of a first satellite among the multiple satellites establishes a first laser link communication with a first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the ground station laser communication terminals. In a second time period, while the first laser link communication is ongoing, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal device of a second satellite among the multiple satellites establishes a laser link communication with a second aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the ground station laser communication terminals.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and each of the ground station laser communication terminals includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device. Within a certain period of time, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of the same number of satellites as the ground station laser communication terminals among the multiple satellites establish laser link communication with the one aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the corresponding number of ground station laser communication terminals in a one-to-one correspondence. There are at least two ground station laser communication terminals, and each of the ground station laser communication terminals includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices. In a first time period, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of the same number of satellites as the ground station laser communication terminals among the multiple satellites respectively establish a first laser link communication with the first aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the corresponding number of ground station laser communication terminals. In a second time period, while the first laser link communication is in progress, the satellite ground station laser communication terminal devices of the same number of satellites as the ground station laser communication terminals among the multiple satellites respectively establish a laser link communication with the second aircraft satellite laser communication terminal device among the corresponding number of ground station laser communication terminals.

4. The communication system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: When the ground station laser communication terminal includes a ground station satellite laser communication terminal device, the elevation angle of the ground station satellite laser communication terminal device is the satellite-to-earth angle; When the ground station laser communication terminal includes at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices, the elevation angle combination of the at least two ground station satellite laser communication terminal devices is the satellite-to-earth angle.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ground station communication system also includes a data communication interface, which is connected to the aircraft service platform central server through the data interface to send the data received by the ground station communication system to the aircraft service platform central server.

6. The communication system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plurality of satellites are in the same orbital plane, or a first number of satellites among the plurality of satellites are in a first orbital plane, and a second number of satellites are in a second orbital plane; Two adjacent satellites in the same orbital plane are connected by laser communication links through direct connection or relay connection; for satellites in different orbital planes, at least one pair of satellites communicate through laser links of direct connection or relay connection.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each satellite carries a plurality of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices, and the plurality of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal devices are arranged according to a predetermined communication array.

8. The communication system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The downward-looking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment is set as the satellite-to-ground angle, and each satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment constitutes the communication coverage of each satellite-to-ground angle; The downward-looking angle of the satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment is set to be greater than 0 degrees and less than the satellite's angle to the ground, and a predetermined number of satellite aircraft laser communication terminal equipment constitute the communication coverage of each satellite's angle to the ground.

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