LEO Satellite Communication With Device Diversity Link Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems face reliability issues due to constrained link budgets, requiring terrestrial communication devices to be in open areas without obstructions and limiting communication to non-realtime text messages, with LEO satellites being in range for only short durations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing device diversity reception and transmission, where a control computer selects a primary communication device based on connectivity data from multiple devices, establishing and maintaining communication links with LEO satellites, and predicting future connectivity to ensure continuous communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device diversity reception and transmission is implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication function across multiple terrestrial devices, with each device independently evaluating its own connectivity metrics. This segmentation allows the system to achieve diversity reception without requiring a single complex device, instead distributing the complexity across simpler individual devices while improving overall reliability through multiple independent communication paths.
2Measurement precision
If connectivity data from multiple devices is collected and analyzed, then optimal primary device selection is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each terrestrial device pre-calculates and reports its connectivity metrics (signal strength, obstruction levels, geometric relationships) to the control computer before being selected as a primary communication device. This preliminary action allows the control computer to make informed selection decisions based on already-processed data, reducing the real-time information processing burden while maintaining accurate device selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time media transmission is enabled, then communication capability is improved, but link budget constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a control computer as an intermediary that coordinates communication between terrestrial devices and satellites. The control computer selects optimal primary devices based on real-time connectivity metrics and manages media transmission routing, enabling real-time communication capabilities while optimizing the use of limited link budgets through intelligent resource allocation and device selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication. In one example, the system includes a control computer and a workgroup including a plurality of communication devices. Each communication device includes an electronic processor configured to establish a wireless network connection with the control computer, determine connectivity data associated with a signal between the communication device and a first LEO satellite, and transmit the connectivity data to the control computer via the wireless network connection. The control computer is configured to receive the connectivity data from each communication device, and select a first one of the plurality of communication devices as a primary communication device based on each of the connectivity data. The primary communication device is configured to receive media from a different one of the plurality of communication devices via the wireless network connection and transmit the media to the first LEO satellite.