Multi-Orbit Satellite Data Center for Low-Latency LEO Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite constellations rely on Earth-based compute resources for routing and control calculations, which are limited and power-intensive, leading to inefficiencies and latency issues, especially in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites due to their limited processing capabilities and frequent orbital adjustments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-orbit satellite data center architecture that utilizes higher-orbit satellites, such as HEO and GEO, to perform routing and control calculations in-orbit, offloading processing from LEO satellites and enabling space-based AI and ML capabilities through inter-satellite links using optical and high-frequency communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Earth-based compute resources are used for routing and control calculations, then processing capacity is sufficient, but latency increases and interference from Earth occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves compute resources from Earth-based ground stations to space-based satellite nodes, transitioning the processing location from terrestrial dimension to orbital dimension. This spatial relocation enables in-orbit routing and control calculations, reducing the time required for data to travel to and from Earth while maintaining processing reliability through distributed satellite compute capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces higher-orbit satellites (GEO/HEO) as intermediary compute nodes between LEO satellites and Earth-based ground stations. These intermediary satellites perform routing and control calculations in-orbit, acting as a mediator that reduces direct communication latency between LEO satellites and Earth while maintaining reliable processing through the intermediary's compute resources.
2Loss of time
If LEO satellites perform all routing and control calculations, then latency is reduced, but processing capability becomes insufficient and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the compute workload across different satellite orbits and types. LEO satellites handle time-critical processing with low latency requirements, while higher-orbit GEO/HEO satellites handle computationally intensive routing and control calculations. This segmentation allows each satellite type to operate within its optimal power and performance envelope, reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining low latency for time-sensitive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial processing at LEO satellite level and partial processing at higher-orbit satellite level. Rather than requiring LEO satellites to perform all calculations (excessive action), the system distributes computations partially to higher-orbit satellites that have greater power resources, thereby reducing the power burden on LEO satellites while maintaining acceptable latency through the distributed architecture.
3Power
If more LEO satellites are deployed to increase processing capacity, then compute resources increase, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes higher-orbit satellites (GEO/HEO) serve multiple functions: they act as communication relays, provide compute resources for routing and control calculations, and serve as intermediary nodes for multiple LEO satellite constellations. This multi-functionality increases processing capacity without requiring proportional increases in the number of LEO satellites, thereby reducing constellation complexity and deployment costs while maintaining enhanced compute capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Various approaches for the deployment and coordination of network operation processing, compute processing, and inter-satellite communication coordination, within one or multiple satellite non-terrestrial networks, are discussed. Among other examples, a data center located at one or more satellites operating in a middle Earth orbit (MEO) plane, geosynchronous orbit (GEO) plane, or high-Earth elliptical orbit (HEO) plane, may be used to provide network and data processing operations for a low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation.