Satellite Image Production Lag Simulation Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for satellite imagery poses challenges due to limited satellite resources and the subjective nature of estimating image production time, which is influenced by unreliable long-term weather forecasts, making it difficult to meet accuracy and reliability requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that simulate the estimation of satellite image production time by dividing a predetermined Earth area into a mesh grid, selecting candidate cells based on satellite orbital characteristics, identifying clear sky conditions, and iteratively validating cells until all are cleared, determining the time required for image production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If long-term weather forecasts are used to estimate satellite image production time, then the estimation process is simplified, but the accuracy and reliability of the estimation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation process simplicityVSAvoidproduction time estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary simulations using historical meteorological data and satellite orbital characteristics to pre-determine production times for various scenarios. These pre-calculated results are then used to provide accurate estimates without requiring complex real-time forecasting, thus maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If subjective operator experience is used for estimation, then flexibility is maintained, but reliability and accuracy requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator flexibilityVSAvoidestimation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback loops where simulation results are continuously refined based on actual satellite operations and observed meteorological conditions. This allows the automated system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliability through objective data-driven methods rather than subjective judgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If detailed iterative validation of each mesh cell is performed, then estimation accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction time estimation accuracyVSAvoidsimulation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The estimation process is segmented into distinct iterative steps: selecting candidate cells based on orbital characteristics, filtering by meteorological conditions, validating each cell individually, and aggregating results. This segmentation makes the complex process more manageable and systematic while maintaining high accuracy through thorough validation of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3658851B1Device and method for simulating the estimation of a lag in producing satellite images of the earth
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS
  • EP3658851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3658851B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3658851B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for simulating the estimation of a lag in producing satellite images associated with at least one predetermined zone of the Earth (20), by at least one Earth observation satellite comprising an optical imaging system, the predetermined zone being previously divided (110) according to a grid with mesh cells (10, 11), the acquisition being envisaged to be triggered from an analysis commencement date, the method comprising the steps consisting in: (a) carrying out an inventory (120) of the mesh cells which are envisaged to be overflown by the satellite at a current iteration date, on the basis of the orbital characteristics of the satellite at the current iteration date, so as to obtain candidate mesh cells, (b) identifying (130) from among the candidate mesh cells, on the basis of a mission plan of the satellite, those for which an acquisition planning in respect of at least one satellite image is envisaged, so as to obtain planned mesh cells, (c) obtaining (140) at least one first nebulosity value for each of the planned mesh cells, (d) identifying (140) from among the planned mesh cells, those for which the first associated nebulosity value is beyond a predetermined validation threshold value, so as to obtain validated mesh cells, (e) repeating steps (a) to (d), one or more times until each of the mesh cells of said grid (10, 11) is included in the validated mesh cells, taking into consideration at each iteration the mesh cells not identified as validated and a period following the current iteration date considered in the previous iteration, (f) determining (150) the lag for producing satellite images from the number of iterations carried out in step (e).