LPWAN Satellite Transmission Timing Using Terrestrial Location Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
LPWAN endpoint devices face challenges in determining optimal transmission times to LPWAN satellite networks due to unreliable location information and antenna orientation, leading to increased battery drain and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
Endpoint devices leverage terrestrial networks, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) gateways, for accurate location and time synchronization, using ephemeris data to determine satellite visibility and transmit only when satellites are overhead, thereby conserving battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LPWAN endpoint devices transmit continuously to satellite networks, then communication reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endpoint device performs preliminary actions by obtaining location information from terrestrial networks and using ephemeris data to predict satellite positions in advance. This allows the device to determine optimal transmission windows before they occur, ensuring reliable communication when satellites are visible while avoiding continuous transmission that would drain the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system implements periodic action by scheduling transmissions only during specific time windows when satellites are predicted to be in visible positions. The device periodically checks satellite visibility based on ephemeris data and transmits only during these optimized intervals, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining communication reliability.
2Device complexity
If LPWAN endpoint devices transmit without accurate location information, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using terrestrial networks (such as cellular networks or GPS systems) to provide location information to the endpoint device. Rather than requiring the endpoint device to independently determine its location through complex satellite positioning, the device leverages existing terrestrial infrastructure to obtain accurate location data, thereby improving transmission efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If LPWAN endpoint devices use terrestrial networks for location and time synchronization, then transmission optimization is improved, but device dependency on external networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endpoint device performs preliminary actions by obtaining location information from terrestrial networks and using ephemeris data to predict satellite positions in advance. This allows the device to determine optimal transmission windows before they occur, ensuring reliable communication when satellites are visible while avoiding continuous transmission that would drain the battery.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for an endpoint device on Earth to communicate with both a terrestrial network and with a satellite network are described. By communicating with the terrestrial network, the endpoint device is able to determine its approximate location. Then, using ephemeris data for the satellite network, the endpoint device further determines when one or more satellites of the satellite network are likely to be overhead. The endpoint device then transmits information to the satellite network at the determined time. By leveraging the location information gathered from the terrestrial network, the endpoint device limits its transmissions to the satellite network to only those times when a satellite is likely to receive the transmissions, thereby conserving battery power and extending the lifespan for the endpoint device.