Method and system for maximizing satellite constellation coverage
First Claim
1. A method for maximizing satellite constellation coverage at predetermined local peak times for a set of predetermined geographic locations, the method comprising:
- determining a satellite constellation having a first coverage, the constellation including at least two desired satellites, wherein each of the desired satellites has a trajectory associated therewith and a relative orbit within the satellite configuration;
determining a period of orbit for each of the desired satellites;
determining a time dependent coverage of the satellite constellation based on the orbit period and the trajectory of each of the desired satellites;
determining a second coverage based on the time dependent coverage, which provides maximum coverage by the satellite constellation at the predetermined local peak times for the set of predetermined geographic locations;
determining a tilted trajectory for each of the desired satellites to reorient the satellite constellation without changing the relative orbit of the at least two desired satellites with respect to each other within the satellite constellation so as to obtain the second coverage; and
generating command signals for modifying the trajectory of each desired satellite based on the tilted trajectory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for maximizing satellite coverage at predetermined local times for a set of predetermined geographic location includes a processor operative to determine a period of rotation for each of the desired satellites in the satellite constellation. The processor also determines a time dependent coverage of the satellite constellation based on the period of rotation and the trajectory of each of the desired satellites. The trajectories of the desired satellites are tilted until the satellite constellation provides maximum coverage at the predetermined local times for the set of predetermined geographic locations. If a new satellite constellation is being designed, command signals are programmed into a computer of a launch vehicle containing the modified trajectory. If an existing satellite constellation is being modified, the ground station transmits command signals to the satellites for modifying the trajectory of the satellites in accordance with the tilted trajectory.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for maximizing satellite constellation coverage at predetermined local peak times for a set of predetermined geographic locations, the method comprising:
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determining a satellite constellation having a first coverage, the constellation including at least two desired satellites, wherein each of the desired satellites has a trajectory associated therewith and a relative orbit within the satellite configuration; determining a period of orbit for each of the desired satellites; determining a time dependent coverage of the satellite constellation based on the orbit period and the trajectory of each of the desired satellites; determining a second coverage based on the time dependent coverage, which provides maximum coverage by the satellite constellation at the predetermined local peak times for the set of predetermined geographic locations; determining a tilted trajectory for each of the desired satellites to reorient the satellite constellation without changing the relative orbit of the at least two desired satellites with respect to each other within the satellite constellation so as to obtain the second coverage; and generating command signals for modifying the trajectory of each desired satellite based on the tilted trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for maximizing satellite constellation coverage at predetermined local peak times for a set of predetermined geographical locations, the satellite constellation having a first coverage and including at least two desired satellites wherein each of the desired satellites have a trajectory associated therewith and a relative orbit within the satellite constellation, the system comprising:
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a processor operative to determine a period of orbit for each of the desired satellites to determine a time dependent coverage of the satellite constellation based on the orbit period and the trajectory of each of the desired satellites, to determine a second coverage based on the time dependent coverage which provides maximum coverage by the satellite constellation at the predetermined local peak times and the predetermined geographic locations, and to tilt the trajectory of each of the desired satellites within the satellite constellation to obtain the second coverage; and means for generating command signals for modifying the trajectory of each of the desired satellite based on the tilted trajectory. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for providing varying satellite constellation coverage at a plurality of geographic locations while maximizing the resources of the satellite constellation at all times, comprising:
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providing a satellite constellation including a plurality of satellites each having a trajectory associated therewith and a relative orbit with said satellite constellation, said satellite constellation having a first coverage area; selecting a first geographic location having a predetermined local peak time; tilting each of said plurality of satellites to reorient said satellite constellation without changing the relative orbit of said plurality of satellites with respect to each other within said satellite constellation in order to obtain a second coverage area, which maximizes coverage at said first geographic location during said predetermined local peak time. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification