Distributed Satellite Constellation for Real-Time Surface Anomaly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing space-based systems struggle to realize real-time identification and diagnosis of complex earth's surface anomalies due to limited on-board processing capacity and the complexity of remote sensing response characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A distributed computing-based satellite group task process design method utilizing a threshold lookup table for anomaly classification, selecting appropriate satellite payloads, configuring a constellation system, and establishing an information flow to enable real-time anomaly detection and diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single satellite is used for remote sensing, then the system structure is simple, but the on-board processing capacity is limited and cannot complete semantic segmentation and diagnostic identification of complex anomalies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidprocessing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the anomaly detection system into multiple satellites forming a constellation, where each satellite performs specific detection functions. The system segments the complex detection task across multiple platforms, with each satellite contributing to different aspects of anomaly detection, thereby increasing overall processing capacity while maintaining manageable individual satellite complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple satellites into a unified distributed system that works together to perform semantic segmentation and diagnostic identification. By merging the capabilities of multiple satellites, the system achieves processing capacity that exceeds what any single satellite could provide, enabling comprehensive analysis of complex earth surface anomalies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If distributed remote sensing system is used, then the processing capacity is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs satellites with multi-functional payloads that can perform various detection tasks (spectral, spatial, temporal analysis) using universal processing algorithms. This universality reduces system complexity by using standardized components and methods across the distributed constellation, while still achieving high processing capacity through coordinated multi-satellite operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces ground-based distributed computing systems as intermediaries that coordinate the satellite constellation. These intermediary systems manage the complexity of data fusion and task allocation, allowing the satellite group to function as a cohesive unit with high processing capacity without requiring excessive complexity within each individual satellite

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If complex semantic segmentation and diagnostic identification are performed, then the anomaly detection accuracy is improved, but the on-board processing capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanomaly detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing and feature extraction on-board each satellite before data transmission to ground stations. By conducting initial semantic segmentation and preparing diagnostic data in advance, the system reduces the processing burden on ground systems while maintaining high detection accuracy, effectively distributing the processing capacity requirements across multiple platforms and time stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4711969A1Distributed computing-based earth's surface anomaly detection satellite group task process design method
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 AEROSPACE DONGFANGHONG SATELLITE
  • EP4711969A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711969A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4711969A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A distributed computing-based earth's surface anomaly detection satellite group task process design method. Provided is an earth's surface anomaly detection satellite group task process design method, comprising: first classifying anomaly types on the basis of earth's surface anomaly priori knowledge; on the basis of an anomaly threshold lookup table, decomposing anomaly features; and using different types of satellites in a distributed satellite group to acquire the anomaly features layer by layer so as to complete anomaly recognition. The task process design for recognizing earth's surface anomalies by means of the coordination of multiple satellites provides a solution to difficulties in recognizing complex earth's surface anomaly phenomena. The present invention uses the threshold lookup table as a standard for anomaly recognition and uses a distributed satellite system to execute the complex earth's surface anomaly recognition, thereby providing references for overall design of satellite systems.