Abstract
Communication via satellite begins when the satellite is positioned in the desired orbital position. Ground stations can communicate with LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites only when the satellite is in their visibility region. The ground station’s ideal horizon plane is in fact the visibility region under 0o of elevation angle. Because of natural barriers or too high buildings in urban areas, practical (visible) horizon plane differs from the ideal one. The duration of the visibility and so the communication duration varies for each LEO satellite pass at the ground station, since LEO satellites move too fast over the Earth. The range between the ground station and the LEO satellite depends on maximal elevation of satellite’s path above the ground station. The dimension of the horizon plane depends on satellite’s orbital attitude. The range variations between the ground station and the satellite, and then ground station horizon plane simulation for low Earth orbiting satellites as a function of orbital attitude is presented. The range impact and horizon plane variations on communication duration between the ground station and LEO satellites are given.
Highlights
Ground stations can communicate with LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites only when the satellite is seen above the ground station’s horizon plane
Ground stations can communicate with LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites only when the satellite is in their visibility region
Goal of this simulation is to conclude about slant range and horizon plane variations for a ground station dedicated to communicate with LEO satellite
Summary
Ground stations can communicate with LEO (Low Earth Orbiting) satellites only when the satellite is seen above the ground station’s horizon plane. Natural barriers above the ideal horizon plane create horizon mask. Typical cases of designed horizon plane on 5 ̊ of elevation are ground stations of LEO satellites dedicated for search and rescue services [4]. Another example of higher designed horizon plane is for ground station dedicate for communication with LEO satellite for ionosphere monitoring [5]. The range and ground station horizon plane simulation for LEO satellites is given for different satellite attitudes under different maximal elevation angles
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