Satellite Constellation Configuration for Transparent Mode Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite constellations in non-geostationary orbits face challenges in providing global coverage and efficient radio frequency signal relaying due to bandwidth limitations, leading to congestion in inter-satellite networks, especially when trying to relay wide-band signals across hundreds or thousands of satellites.
Innovation Solution
A configuration method that allows satellites to switch to transparent mode for specific sub-bands or paths, using a manager to control the satellites and ground stations to establish relay topologies and interconnect optical and radio frequency links, enabling efficient signal relaying without the need for extensive server networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If radiofrequency signals are rebroadcast to all satellites in the constellation to emulate global coverage, then coverage is improved, but inter-satellite network congestion worsens due to the large number of satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the satellite constellation into multiple relay topologies or groups, where signals are rebroadcast only to specific subsets of satellites rather than all satellites. This segmentation reduces the inter-satellite network load while maintaining coverage through coordinated relay operations among the divided groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical inter-satellite links as a new dimension for signal transmission, complementing the traditional radiofrequency links. This adds a new transmission medium and pathway, distributing the relay load across multiple dimensions (radiofrequency and optical channels) and reducing congestion in the radiofrequency inter-satellite network.
2Device complexity
If transparent communication mode is used to avoid congestion, then inter-satellite network load is reduced, but broadband pipeline capability for secure communications is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between transparent communication mode and regenerative communication mode based on operational requirements. When secure broadband communication is needed, the system switches to regenerative mode with appropriate security measures; when congestion is the primary concern, transparent mode is used. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for different priorities at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of satellite communication by selectively applying different communication modes (transparent vs. regenerative) and different signal processing approaches to different satellites or different time periods. This parameter variation allows the system to balance network load reduction with secure communication capability.
3Reliability
If regenerative constellations decode and switch relayed traffic, then secure communication is enabled, but keys for secure communications must be made available to satellites which is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key distribution and secure communication management functions from the satellites themselves and relocates them to ground-based infrastructure or dedicated secure channels. This allows regenerative satellites to perform secure communication operations without requiring complex key distribution infrastructure to be integrated into each satellite, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining security.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for configuring a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites (12) comprising the following steps: - determining a geographic area to be covered in transparent mode, said geographic area to be covered comprising said ground stations (14, 16); - training and communication of configuration data to the satellites of the constellation (12) to switch a payload of each satellite covering said geographic area to transparent mode, the configuration data defining at least one radio frequency sub-band to be transmitted in transparent mode within said geographic area to be covered. The payload (22) in transparent mode being capable of retransmitting signals of the corresponding radio frequency sub-band received from a transmitting ground station (14) via a radio frequency link to the payload (22) of an adjacent satellite.