Ring constellations for decreased data latency and increased download rates
First Claim
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1. A satellite network for reduced-latency data transmission to a ground station, comprising:
- a plurality of satellites arranged in a set of orbits, with each satellite in a different orbit and having identical orbit inclination, eccentricity, semi-major axis, argument of the perigee, and true anomaly, but with a different right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) than the other satellites so as to form a ring, or partial ring, constellation for orbiting about the Earth, in which the angular displacement between satellites remains constant as the constellation orbits, though the relative distance between satellites may vary;
wherein each satellite in the ring constellation comprises;
one or more transceivers to communicate with one or more other satellites in the ring constellation; and
multiple antennas each of which have a fixed orientation to communicate with corresponding satellites in the ring constellation; and
wherein at least a subset of the satellites further include a down-link transmitter configured to optically transmit data to a ground station, andwherein a first satellite is configured to communicate with another satellite of the network via respective transceivers and antennas so that the other satellite may downlink data to a ground station with reduced latency compared to a ground station communication opportunity of the first satellite.
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Abstract
A plurality of spacecraft may be dispersed into a ring constellation or structure. Data may be wirelessly relayed between spacecraft similar to data flowing in a ring network. The ring structure minimizes inter-spacecraft velocities and tracking angle motion to allow use of fixed high-gain radio frequency (RF) antennas or medium-divergence lasers for crosslinks. Data may flow between spacecraft to be downloaded by the next spacecraft that will be passing over a ground station. This reduces data latency when a single ground station is used, and significantly reduces data latency when more than one ground station is used.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A satellite network for reduced-latency data transmission to a ground station, comprising:
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a plurality of satellites arranged in a set of orbits, with each satellite in a different orbit and having identical orbit inclination, eccentricity, semi-major axis, argument of the perigee, and true anomaly, but with a different right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) than the other satellites so as to form a ring, or partial ring, constellation for orbiting about the Earth, in which the angular displacement between satellites remains constant as the constellation orbits, though the relative distance between satellites may vary; wherein each satellite in the ring constellation comprises; one or more transceivers to communicate with one or more other satellites in the ring constellation; and multiple antennas each of which have a fixed orientation to communicate with corresponding satellites in the ring constellation; and wherein at least a subset of the satellites further include a down-link transmitter configured to optically transmit data to a ground station, and wherein a first satellite is configured to communicate with another satellite of the network via respective transceivers and antennas so that the other satellite may downlink data to a ground station with reduced latency compared to a ground station communication opportunity of the first satellite. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification