Relay Satellite Orbit Data Offloading for Optical Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellites with limited calculation capability face excessive workload in calculating orbit data for multiple target communication satellites, hindering accurate inter-satellite optical communication.
Innovation Solution
An earth station calculates and transmits predictive ephemeris data sequences with varying temporal resolutions to a relay satellite, reducing the calculation burden and enhancing accuracy by considering perturbation factors, allowing for efficient inter-satellite optical communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the relay satellite calculates orbit data for multiple target communication satellites, then the inter-satellite optical communication can be established, but the calculation load becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an earth station as an intermediary to perform the complex orbit data calculations. The earth station receives Keplerian six orbit elements from satellites, calculates the orbit data considering various perturbation factors, and provides the calculated results to relay satellites. This mediator approach transfers the calculation burden from resource-constrained relay satellites to the more capable earth station, resolving the contradiction between maintaining accurate orbit prediction and reducing computational complexity on satellite systems.
2Ease of operation
If the relay satellite uses stored orbit elements, then the calculation capability requirement is reduced, but the prediction accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the earth station perform orbit data calculations in advance before the relay satellite needs them. The earth station receives orbit elements, pre-calculates the orbit data considering perturbation factors, and stores or transmits the calculated results to relay satellites. This allows relay satellites to use pre-computed data without needing strong onboard calculation capabilities, while still achieving high prediction accuracy through the earth station's advanced processing.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a technique for achieving inter-satellite optical communication for a satellite having a limited calculation capability. One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an earth station, including: a data acquisition unit that acquires a predicted orbit data sequence indicative of a predictive ephemeris of a satellite for a predetermined period, and a communication unit that transmits the acquired predicted orbit data sequence to a relay satellite, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires a first data sequence that is the predicted orbit data sequence having a first data amount and a second data sequence that is the predicted orbit data sequence having a second data amount smaller than the first data amount, and the communication unit transmits the first data sequence or the second data sequence as orbit information of a satellite to a relay satellite, the first data sequence or the second data sequence selected in accordance with predetermined selection criteria.