Multi-Pathway Satellite Communication for Low-Latency Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face inefficiencies in latency and resource utilization due to orbital access and pointing requirements, especially when high-priority image data acquisition is required, leading to delays and suboptimal use of communication pathways.
Innovation Solution
A computing system determines the availability of satellites and selects communication pathways based on priority, using a direct pathway for standard requests and a near-real-time pathway via geostationary satellites for high-priority requests, allowing for efficient and persistent communication without specific orbital access or pointing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct communication pathway is used to transmit image acquisition commands to satellites, then device complexity is reduced, but latency increases and real-time communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces geostationary satellites as intermediary relay nodes between ground stations and low Earth orbit imaging satellites. The communication pathway is segmented into two hops: ground station to geostationary satellite, then geostationary satellite to imaging satellite. This intermediary approach enables persistent near-real-time communication by eliminating orbital access constraints, as geostationary satellites continuously cover the same ground area and maintain constant communication links.
2Loss of energy
If traditional orbital access-based communication is used, then bandwidth resources are conserved, but communication availability and persistent connectivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pathway selection based on satellite availability, task priority, and current communication state. The system can switch between direct communication pathways (when available and efficient) and geostationary relay pathways (when persistent connectivity is required). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize bandwidth usage while ensuring communication availability matches the operational requirements of different imaging tasks.
3Device complexity
If direct ground-to-satellite communication is used, then communication pathways are simplified, but adaptability to different priority levels and task requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into multiple independent pathways: direct ground-to-satellite links and geostationary relay links. Each pathway can be independently selected and configured based on task requirements. High-priority time-critical tasks can utilize the faster direct pathway when available, while persistent monitoring tasks can use the always-available geostationary relay pathway, providing fine-grained adaptability without requiring complete system redesign.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling satellites are provided. In one example embodiment, a computing system can obtain a request for image data. The request can be associated with a priority for acquiring the image data. The computing system can determine an availability of a plurality of satellites to acquire the image data based at least in part on the request. The computing system can select from among a plurality of communication pathways to transmit an image acquisition command to a satellite based at least in part on the request priority. The plurality of communication pathways can include a communication pathway via which the image acquisition command is indirectly communicated to the satellite via a geostationary satellite. The computing system can send the image acquisition command to the selected satellite via the selected communication pathway.