The Coverage Analysis for Low Earth Orbiting Satellites at Low Elevation

Abstract

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are used for public networking and for scientific purposes. Communication via satellite begins when the satellite is positioned in its orbital position. Ground stations can communicate with LEO satellites only when the satellite is in their visibility region. The duration of the visibility and the communication vary for each LEO satellite pass over the station, since LEO satellites move too fast over the Earth. The satellite coverage area is defined as a region of the Earth where the satellite is seen at a minimum predefined elevation angle. The satellite’s coverage area on the Earth depends on orbital parameters. The communication under low elevation angles can be hindered by natural barriers. For safe communication and for savings within a link budget, the coverage under too low elevation is not always provided. LEO satellites organized in constellations act as a convenient network solution for real time global coverage. Global coverage model is in fact the complementary networking process of individual satellite’s coverage. Satellite coverage strongly depends on elevation angle. To conclude about the coverage variation for low orbiting satellites at low elevation up to 10º, the simulation for attitudes from 600km to 1200km is presented through this paper.