Satellite Scheduler Throughput Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for determining which satellite to track next at an earth station only use elongation as an index, leading to suboptimal throughput, especially for low earth orbit satellites with high rain attenuation, making it difficult to efficiently operate earth stations with multiple orbiting satellites.
Innovation Solution
A scheduler apparatus that calculates the switching timing and determines the next satellite to track based on the time required for switching, future expected throughput, and maximum throughput between multiple satellite candidates, using a calculation unit and interface to transmit the determined satellite and switching timing to the earth station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If satellite switching is determined only by elongation between satellites, then the tracking switch can be executed, but the throughput of the earth station is not improved when tracking low earth orbit satellites with high rain attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameters from only using elongation to using multiple parameters including expected throughput, switching timing, and maximum throughput. This allows the system to account for rain attenuation effects and select satellites that maintain higher throughput even in adverse weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of expected throughput and switching timing before actually switching satellites. By predicting future throughput based on satellite positions and rain attenuation models, the system can proactively select optimal satellites before deterioration occurs.
2Productivity
If multiple orbiting satellites are operated to meet increasing communication demand, then communication capacity increases, but it becomes difficult to efficiently track satellites with fewer earth stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated satellite selection system that autonomously determines optimal satellites based on calculated parameters. The earth station system self-manages the tracking complexity by automatically computing expected throughput, switching timing, and selecting next satellites without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from satellite position data, rain attenuation models, and throughput calculations to continuously optimize satellite selection. The system monitors current tracking performance and adjusts satellite switching decisions based on predicted future conditions.
3Productivity
If the number of earth stations is increased to match the number of orbiting satellites, then each satellite can be tracked efficiently, but the cost and construction site requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each earth station universal by enabling it to efficiently track multiple different satellites through automated satellite selection. Instead of requiring dedicated earth stations for each satellite, a single earth station can adaptively track any satellite in the constellation by calculating optimal switching timing and expected throughput.
Data Source
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AI summary
A scheduler apparatus includes: a calculation unit (120) to determine, on the basis of a time required for switching from a first orbiting satellite that is an orbiting satellite to which an earth station is currently directed to a second orbiting satellite candidate that is an orbiting satellite as a candidate for a second orbiting satellite that is an orbiting satellite to which the earth station is directed next, a future expected throughput between the earth station and the first orbiting satellite, and a future expected throughput between the earth station and the second orbiting satellite candidate, the second orbiting satellite and a switching timing at which the earth station switches a directed satellite from the first orbiting satellite to the second orbiting satellite; and an interface (110) to transmit information on the second orbiting satellite and the switching timing determined by the calculation unit (120).