LEO Satellite Navigation Signal Transmission and Atmospheric Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite navigation systems face limitations in providing precise location and time services, especially in low Earth orbit (LEO), and struggle with efficient atmospheric monitoring due to the geometry of satellite constellations and the power levels of navigation signals.
Innovation Solution
A satellite constellation system that includes LEO satellites capable of transmitting navigation signals at higher power levels, enabling deeper atmospheric penetration and more frequent observations, combined with backhaul satellites for data relay and atomic clock synchronization, allowing for autonomous orbit and clock determination and improved atmospheric modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LEO satellites transmit navigation signals at higher power levels, then atmospheric penetration depth and observation frequency improve, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite transmits navigation signals at elevated power levels during specific orbital phases when atmospheric monitoring opportunities arise, rather than maintaining continuously high power. This periodic high-power transmission during favorable geometric configurations achieves deep atmospheric penetration and frequent observations while limiting overall energy consumption through time-based modulation of transmit power.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more LEO satellites are deployed in the constellation, then navigation signal coverage and atmospheric monitoring capability improve, but system complexity and ground infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each LEO satellite in the constellation is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting navigation signals for positioning services, receiving GNSS signals for radio occultation measurements, and relaying data through backhaul connections. This multi-functionality allows a single satellite to contribute to both navigation coverage and atmospheric monitoring, reducing the need for separate dedicated satellites and simplifying overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines navigation signal transmission and radio occultation reception capabilities within the same LEO satellite platform. By merging these functions into a unified constellation system with shared ground infrastructure, the design achieves both broad navigation coverage and enhanced atmospheric monitoring without proportionally increasing system complexity or ground facility requirements.
3Power
If LEO satellites use higher power transmission, then navigation signal strength and atmospheric penetration improve, but signal interference and atmospheric distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
High-power transmission is activated periodically during specific orbital configurations when the satellite geometry optimizes signal paths through the atmosphere. This time-dependent power modulation ensures strong signals for deep atmospheric penetration while limiting exposure time that could generate harmful interference, achieving a balance between signal strength and interference mitigation through temporal control.
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.