Medium earth orbit optical satellite communication networks: Ground terminals selection optimization based on the cloud‐free line‐of‐sight statistics

Abstract

SummaryIn this paper, a methodology for the generation of cloud coverage time series correlated on both temporal and spatial domains and the estimation of cloud‐free line‐of‐sight (CFLOS) probability for a single optical ground station (OGS) and a network of OGSs (multiple OGS) for medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation satellite communication systems is presented. Spatial diversity is employed as a mitigation technique against cloud blockage to increase the availability of an OGS network (OGSN). In the second part of the paper, an effective algorithm based on the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is proposed for the optimum selection of OGSs forming an OGSN. The proposed algorithm takes into consideration the spatial correlation between the OGSs. In the simulation results section, a MEO constellation system with 12 MEO satellites has been assumed. The integrated liquid water content (ILWC) statistical parameters that are necessary for the CFLOS time series are taken from ECMWF Re‐Analysis (ERA)‐Interim database, European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Finally, numerical results for the optimum selection of OGSs using the proposed methodology are exhibited and commented. Interesting conclusions are drawn, and future work with technical challenges is briefly described.