Stochastic Satellite Routing for Reduced Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite-based communication systems require precise attitude control and rigid orbits, leading to increased satellite size, weight, and cost, as well as the need for rocket thrusters and complex mechanical systems, which are costly and inefficient for launching and maintaining satellites in orbit.
Innovation Solution
The use of stochastically distributed satellites in unconstrained orbits without active attitude control, employing novel routing protocols and antenna configurations that rely on probabilities for antenna pairing and radio link creation, allowing for lighter, smaller, and less expensive satellites, and reducing the need for rocket thrusters and mechanical attitude control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellites use precisely controlled attitudes in rigidly controlled orbits to ensure antenna pairing, then communication reliability is improved, but satellite size, weight, and cost increase due to required rocket thrusters and mechanical attitude control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical attitude control systems (rocket thrusters, solar panel manipulators) with a probabilistic routing approach. Instead of mechanically controlling satellite orientation, the system uses algorithmic methods to establish radio links between satellites and ground stations based on their orbital positions and antenna beam characteristics, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control mechanisms while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from physical attitude orientation to probabilistic routing parameters. By using algorithms that calculate optimal radio links based on satellite positions, orbital mechanics, and antenna beam patterns, the system achieves reliable communication without controlling satellite attitude, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Measurement precision
If satellites employ rocket thrusters and mechanical means for attitude control to maintain desired orientations, then antenna pairing precision is improved, but satellite weight and launch cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical attitude control systems entirely, replacing them with a computational approach that uses algorithms to determine optimal radio links based on satellite positions and orbital mechanics. This substitution removes the need for heavy rocket thrusters and mechanical manipulators, significantly reducing satellite weight while maintaining precise effective pairing through algorithmic coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical attitude control subsystems (rocket thrusters, solar panel manipulators) from the satellite design. By taking out these unnecessary components and replacing their function with ground-based or satellite-based algorithmic routing, the system achieves the same pairing precision with much lighter satellite mass
3Area of stationary object
If more satellites are deployed to increase system coverage and reliability, then communication coverage is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic routing algorithms that adaptively establish and reconfigure radio links between satellites and ground stations based on real-time orbital positions, signal strength, and system conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize coverage and reliability without requiring a fixed, rigid constellation configuration, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining extensive coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary algorithmic calculations and pre-computed orbital mechanics to predict optimal radio link paths and establish communications proactively. By performing route creation calculations in advance based on known orbital parameters and antenna beam characteristics, the system can efficiently deploy and reconfigure connections as satellites move through their orbits, reducing the need for extensive real-time processing and system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A radio communication system for transmitting data to a ground station includes plural stochastically distributed orbiting satellites with plural antennas traversing a portion of the earth's surface divided into zones. The ground station has a unique address identifying itself and the zone where it is located. A local area network associated with the ground node includes at least one satellite that stores the identity of a satellite antenna paired with a ground station antenna to form a radio link for transmitting data onboard the satellite to the ground station. Other satellites in the local area network store the ground node address and the identity of an antenna paired with an antenna in another satellite that also has stored the ground node address. A wide area network includes at least one satellite, each of which stores the identity of an antenna paired with an antenna of another satellite that has stored the ground node zone to form at least one inter-satellite radio link. If a satellite with data onboard is not in a local area network associated with the destination ground node or a wide area network, the satellite transmits the data toward the ground node zone.