Regional coverage scheme based on LEO microsatellite formation

Wireless communication depending on satellite systems constructed by numerous low earth orbit satellites has presented many advantageous traits in space navigations and detections, and has gradually become a dominant developing trend of the mission-driven telecommunication. Based on Flower Constellation design theory, a design method of low earth orbit micro-satellite formations, which are capable of providing compact topology characterized by specific geometrical configuration, is presented, aiming at optimizing satellite systems' multiple regional-coverage performance with high robustness and reliability. With the assistant of AGI Satellite Tool Kit software package, a satellite formation system with circular topology is constructed, where orbit parameters of all the satellites constructing the formation are specified for further analysis. Based on this, feasible solution to deployment of permanent inter-satellite link is proposed and characteristics of its geometrical parameters are investigated. The multiple regional-coverage performance of the proposed formation is then analyzed based on the theory of apogee orientation. Simulation results indicate that the formation system proposed in this paper can provide more favorable satellite-to-satellite access capability and greater implementation possibility in low earth orbit satellite networking for robust regional-coverage compared with the traditional global-coverage satellite constellations.

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