Sensor Satellite Communication Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors communicating with satellites face high energy consumption due to the need to remain in standby mode for extended periods, waiting for brief opportunities to transmit data, which limits their operational lifetime when powered by batteries.
Innovation Solution
A method where a sensor calculates its coverage time period based on satellite trajectory parameters and activates its transmission unit only during this period, predicting when it will be within the satellite's footprint region, thereby reducing unnecessary energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reception unit is permanently turned on to detect satellite signals, then the sensor can reliably detect when a satellite is in radio range, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs preliminary actions by calculating the predicted coverage time period based on satellite trajectory parameters before the satellite actually passes. This allows the reception unit to be activated only during the predicted time window, ensuring reliable detection while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reception unit transitions from a static permanent-on state to a dynamic state where it is activated only during predicted coverage time periods. This dynamic operation mode adapts to the satellite's movement and signal availability, maintaining detection reliability while reducing energy consumption during periods when no satellite is present.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the reception unit is activated at regular intervals to detect satellite signals, then some energy can be saved compared to permanent activation, but detection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed regular intervals, the system performs preliminary calculation of the predicted coverage time period based on satellite trajectory parameters. This preliminary action ensures that the reception unit is activated at the optimal time when satellite signal is most likely to be present, maintaining high detection reliability while saving energy by avoiding activation during periods when no satellite will be present.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor waits for satellite coverage periods to transmit data, then energy consumption is reduced by keeping the transmission unit off, but communication opportunities are limited to brief time windows
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs preliminary calculation of the predicted coverage time period before the satellite passes. This allows the transmission unit to be activated in advance during the predicted window, ensuring no communication opportunity is lost while still maintaining energy savings by keeping the unit off during periods when satellite coverage is not expected.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor autonomously determines its own transmission schedule by calculating predicted coverage time periods based on satellite trajectory parameters. This self-service approach eliminates the need for continuous monitoring or external scheduling, enabling the sensor to independently optimize its transmission timing to match satellite availability, thus preserving communication opportunities while minimizing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to methods for a communication between a sensor and a satellite, and sensors for carrying out such a method. The sensor has a transmission unit for transmitting sensor data from the sensor to the satellite and a computing unit for calculating the position of the satellite at a specified point in time. The satellite is configured to receive and forward the sensor data. The method includes calculating a coverage duration using path parameters of the satellite and the position of the sensor, activating the transmission unit of the sensor during a transmission duration based on the calculated coverage duration, and transmitting the sensor data from the sensor to the satellite during the transmission duration.