An architecture design approach for large satellite networks

Abstract

AbstractDesigning a world‐wide satellite network that consists of hundreds of user sites and thousands of circuit connections is a complex problem, which involves selecting a set of candidate satellites and satellite beams/frequency bands from among numerous existing and planned satellites, evaluation of circuit connectivity, earth‐station compatibility and sizing, and estimating transponder loading. The design process may also require assessment of the impact of a different set of satellites and modified user traffic requirements on the space segment, the earth‐station types and quantity, and the total system cost. Although a conventional design approach based on link‐by‐link and site‐by‐site analysis provides accurate results, it is time‐consuming and impractical for developing high‐level network architectures in a time‐constrained environment. A design technique is proposed which employs a set of rules for satellite network design, in combination with extensive databases of satellite parameters, earth‐station parameters and user traffic requirements, to synthesize a network architecture. The technique is particularly useful for performing high‐level trade‐offs among alternative architectures in terms of space segment requirements, the number and type of earth‐stations and overall system cost. Once the desired architecture has been selected, a detailed design may be developed using conventional methods.