Satellite Constellation Scheduling via Segmentation and Temporal Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of efficiently controlling and coordinating a large number of satellites imaging the Earth's surface in high resolution is exacerbated by the need for numerous ground stations, as existing scheduling methods struggle to account for satellite and ground station availability, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in achieving comprehensive coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for scheduling satellite actions that utilize a closed-loop feedback system and optimization service to generate schedules, adjust for conflicts and penalties, and optimize satellite and ground station performance, allowing for efficient imaging of the entire Earth by adjusting decision variables and calculating utility values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of satellites are launched to image the entire Earth in high resolution, then imaging coverage and productivity are improved, but control complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite constellation into multiple independent groups, each managed by separate ground stations. This segmentation allows parallel control of different satellite subsets, reducing the coordination burden on any single ground station and enabling scalable management of large constellations while maintaining high imaging productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the control architecture by implementing time-based scheduling and coordination mechanisms. This allows the system to manage complex satellite interactions by organizing operations in time sequences, thereby reducing spatial coordination complexity while maintaining comprehensive Earth imaging coverage
2Adaptability or versatility
If more ground stations are deployed to control more satellites, then satellite control capability is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs ground stations with universal functionality to control multiple satellite groups using standardized protocols and interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single ground station to manage diverse satellite operations, reducing the number of specialized ground stations needed and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining versatile satellite control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment mechanisms that allow ground stations to adapt their operational characteristics based on the specific satellite group being controlled. By changing control parameters rather than deploying entirely separate control systems, the patent achieves versatile satellite management with reduced system complexity
3Reliability
If satellites are scheduled to account for failures, then system reliability is improved, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary scheduling that pre-allocates backup satellites and contingency time slots for potential failures. By preparing failure mitigation strategies in advance, the system achieves high reliability without requiring complex real-time decision-making during operations, thereby reducing operational scheduling complexity while maintaining robust failure response capability
Data Source
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AI summary
Particular embodiments also include a optimization and simulation service that can analyze different variables for scheduling the satellites. The optimization and simulation service operates automatically to schedule satellites and ground stations to obtain their highest attainable performance relative to the system operator's goals as well as to respond to various unexpected behavior or events and performance variations, modifying the schedule accordingly. The optimization and simulation service leverages the sparsity of the system in the optimization such that the optimization and simulation service can calculate the change in utility for one satellite without reference to unimpacted satellite schedules. This allows the schedule to be calculated efficiently and provides optimum usage of the satellites.