Satellite Constellation Inter-Satellite Work Plan Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current satellite observation systems face challenges in updating work plans and retrieving images efficiently due to the long orbital periods and limited communication opportunities with ground stations, resulting in delayed response times to increasing client requests.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a constellation of satellites in non-geosynchronous orbit with inter-satellite communication capabilities, forming and propagating aggregates of work plans across the constellation, allowing any satellite to receive and retransmit updates, thereby reducing the time required to communicate updated work plans and retrieve images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If work plans are transmitted only when satellites overfly ground stations, then ground station positioning is simplified, but the time required to update work plans increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground station positioningVSAvoidwork plan update time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Other satellites in the constellation serve as intermediaries to relay work plan updates. Instead of requiring direct ground station-satellite contact, a satellite that has received an updated work plan transmits it to other satellites via inter-satellite communication links, enabling updates to reach all satellites without requiring each to overfly the ground station

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical constraint of ground-based radio frequency communication with space-based laser communication links. This substitution enables faster data transmission and allows work plan updates to be propagated through the constellation without being limited by ground station positioning and orbital overflight schedules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If images are retrieved only when satellites overfly ground stations, then ground infrastructure requirements are reduced, but the time required to retrieve images increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground infrastructureVSAvoidimage retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Satellites in the constellation act as intermediaries for image data transmission. Acquired images can be relayed from one satellite to another through inter-satellite communication links, allowing images to be transmitted to ground stations more frequently and reducing the waiting time associated with orbital overflights

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional ground-based communication infrastructure with space-based laser communication networks. This enables faster image retrieval by transmitting data through optical links between satellites and ground stations, reducing the time delay imposed by orbital mechanics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single ground station is used, then system complexity is reduced, but the frequency of satellite overflights and data transmission opportunities decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiddata transmission frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses satellites as mobile intermediaries to distribute data throughout the constellation. A single ground station can transmit work plan updates and receive images by communicating with any satellite in the constellation, which then relays data to other satellites, effectively multiplying transmission opportunities without adding ground infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds the spatial dimension of inter-satellite communication to the traditional ground-station-centric architecture. By enabling data transmission in three-dimensional space between satellites, the system increases transmission frequency and flexibility without requiring multiple ground stations, thus improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple ground infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10532831B2Method and system for acquiring images via a constellation of observation satellites

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS

AI summary

A method for acquiring images using a constellation of satellites in non-geosynchronous terrestrial orbit. The satellites include respective devices for inter-satellite communication. An aggregate of work plans intended for various satellites is formed. A ground station transmits the aggregate intended for one satellite. The satellite receiving the aggregate retransmits the aggregate intended for at least one other satellite from the ground station. Each satellite receiving the aggregate from another satellite re-transmits the aggregate intended for at least one other satellite. Each satellite recovers its work plan from the aggregate received.