Satellite Selection System Minimizing Observation Delivery Time Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite observation systems face significant delays in observation and delivery times due to limited communication capabilities with ground stations, leading to observations being performed too late and results becoming irrelevant.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that selects the most optimal observation satellite by minimizing the difference between observation and delivery times, using a communication link with multiple satellites, an ephemeris database, and processing logic to determine the best satellite for each task.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a satellite establishes communication with ground stations only on limited portions of its orbit, then communication reliability is improved, but observation and delivery times increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary selection system that acts as a mediator between the satellite and ground stations. This system automatically selects the optimal ground station for communication based on real-time satellite position and mission requirements, enabling the satellite to communicate through the most appropriate intermediary ground station rather than relying on limited direct communication portions of the orbit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing communication protocols and ground station availability information before the satellite needs to communicate. The system prepares and stores ground station data, satellite ephemeris, and communication parameters in advance, allowing rapid selection and connection when communication is needed, thus reducing the time loss without compromising reliability.
2Loss of time
If multiple ground stations are used to improve communication coverage, then delivery time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex task of ground station selection into distinct functional modules: one module manages ground station data storage and availability, another handles satellite position calculation using ephemeris data, a third performs the actual optimal ground station selection, and a fourth manages communication protocol execution. This segmentation allows the system to work with multiple ground stations while keeping each module's complexity manageable and well-defined.
3Productivity
If automatic satellite selection is implemented to reduce observation time, then productivity is improved, but computational requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the satellite selection system to autonomously evaluate satellite positions, calculate observation times, and select optimal satellites without requiring complex external control or manual intervention. The system uses pre-stored ephemeris data and ground station information to self-determine the best configuration, achieving high productivity while keeping processing complexity contained within the automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system including a communication link with a plurality of observation satellites; one or more database including an ephemeris database; one or more processing logic configured to: receive as input a Zone Of Interest selected in a ZOI database; perform a selection of one or more satellites among the plurality of observation satellites based on a minimization of a difference between a delivery time (Tdel) at which an output of the observations from the satellite can be transferred to a ground receiver and an observation time (Tobs) at which each the satellite is able to perform an observation of said Zone Of Interest; send to the selected one or more satellites instructions to perform one or more observations of the Zone Of Interest.