Geosynchronous Satellite Broadcasting to LEO Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of deploying singular, fully-equipped satellites for organizations with limited or intermittent needs hinder the utilization of satellite technology for operations like military observation, communications, navigation, and research, as these satellites are expensive to create and launch.
Innovation Solution
A cluster of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite devices are deployed in a multi-ring orbital arrangement, utilizing a geosynchronous satellite to broadcast data to LEO satellites, enabling efficient communication, imaging coverage, redundancy, and fault-tolerance, with virtual nodes and containers for resource management and application deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fully-equipped satellite is deployed, then comprehensive operational capabilities are achieved, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single complex satellite into multiple simpler Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite devices that work together in a cluster. Each LEO satellite performs specific functions rather than requiring every satellite to have complete operational capabilities, thereby reducing individual satellite complexity while maintaining overall system versatility through the collective cluster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple LEO satellites into a unified cluster system that provides comprehensive operational capabilities. By merging the capabilities of multiple simpler satellites, the system achieves the versatility of a single complex satellite while avoiding the high costs and complexities associated with deploying and maintaining a single fully-equipped satellite.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a single fully-equipped satellite is deployed, then continuous operational coverage is achieved, but the deployment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous operation requirement across multiple LEO satellites in different orbital planes and altitudes. As satellites orbit and pass over different ground areas at different times, their combined coverage provides continuous operational capability without requiring a single expensive satellite to maintain constant presence over any given area.
Solution Approach 2:
The LEO satellite cluster is designed with multi-functional capabilities where each satellite can perform various operations including imaging, communications, and data relay. This universality allows the system to provide continuous operations across multiple functions using simpler, more cost-effective satellite platforms rather than specialized expensive satellites for each function.
3Ease of manufacture
If a cluster of LEO satellites is deployed, then cost and scalability are improved, but the communication infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite as an intermediary to manage communications between the LEO satellite cluster and ground stations. The GEO satellite acts as a relay and coordination hub, simplifying the communication infrastructure for LEO satellites by providing a centralized point for data uplink and downlink, thereby reducing the complexity that would otherwise exist in direct ground-to-LEO satellite communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The LEO satellites are equipped with autonomous capabilities to perform formation maintenance, orbital adjustments, and data routing without constant ground intervention. Each satellite can independently manage its own operations and communicate with other cluster members, reducing the need for complex centralized control infrastructure and enabling easier deployment and scalability.
4Reliability
If multiple LEO satellites are deployed in a cluster, then redundancy and fault-tolerance are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reliability function across multiple independent LEO satellites, where each satellite operates as a separate unit with its own sensors, processors, and communication systems. This segmentation provides inherent redundancy - if one satellite fails, others continue operations - without requiring complex active redundancy systems within each individual satellite.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple simple LEO satellites into a unified cluster that provides collective fault-tolerance. By combining the capabilities of multiple satellites, the system achieves high reliability through diversity and redundancy at the system level rather than through complex redundancy mechanisms at the component level, thereby managing complexity more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and software described herein provide enhancements for deploying communication networks in clusters of satellite devices. In one example, satellite system may include a ground node including a geosynchronous communication interface configured to transmit data to a geosynchronous satellite device in a geosynchronous orbit, the geosynchronous satellite device including a ground communication interface configured to receive data from at least the ground node, and a low earth orbit communication interface configured to broadcast the data for receipt by a plurality of low-earth orbiting satellite devices. The plurality of low-earth orbiting satellite devices each may include a geosynchronous communication interface configured to receive the data broadcast by the geosynchronous satellite device.