Dynamic Network Formation for FSO Satellite Communication

Abstract

Satellite network optimization is essential, particularly since the cost of manufacturing, launching and maintaining each satellite is significant. Moreover, classical communication optimization methods, such as Minimal Spanning Tree, cannot be applied directly in dynamic scenarios where the satellite constellation is constantly changing. Motivated by the rapid growth of the Star-Link constellation that, as of Q4 2021, consists of over 1600 operational LEO satellites with thousands more expected in the coming years, this paper focuses on the problem of constructing an optimal inter-satellite (laser) communication network. More formally, given a large set of LEO satellites, each equipped with a fixed number of laser links, we direct each laser module on each satellite such that the underlying laser network will be optimal with respect to a given objective function and communication demand. In this work, we present a novel heuristic to create an optimal dynamic optical network communication using an Ant Colony algorithm. This method takes into account both the time it takes to establish an optical link (acquisition time) and the bounded number of communication links, as each satellite has a fixed amount of optical communication modules installed. Based on a large number of simulations, we conclude that, although the underlying problem of bounded-degree-spanning-tree is NP-hard (even for static cases), the suggested ant-colony heuristic is able to compute cost-efficient solutions in semi-real-time.

Pico-Sat to Ground Control: Optimizing Download Link via Laser Communication

“…Nevertheless, we believe that bio-inspired algorithms can serve as a good solution for such complex problems, due to their robustness to model variations and their ability to handle large-scale problems. For example, an ant colony algorithm has been recently proposed for a related problem of network formation for FSO satellite communication [46].…”

Thermal Deformation Stability Optimization Design and Experiment of the Satellite Bus to Control the Laser Communication Load’s Acquisition Time

“…One can only reduce, rather than completely eliminate, the time required for laser chain formation and reconnection. The effective communication duration can be increased by shortening each chain's building time, increasing the overall working efficiency of the communication satellite [10,20]. Topology optimization can increase the effectiveness of link establishment over the entire constellation after the communication satellite has finished networking [21].…”

“…The top ship between the relative positions of satellites will be impacted by the co ing orbit characteristics, particularly for large communication satellite co ing to repeated disconnection and reconnection of laser communicatio only reduce, rather than completely eliminate, the time required for lase and reconnection. The effective communication duration can be increas each chain's building time, increasing the overall working efficiency of tion satellite [10,20]. Topology optimization can increase the effectiven lishment over the entire constellation after the communication satellite working [21].…”

Low Power FPGA Implementation of a Smart Building Free Space Optical Communication System

“…The primary motivation for establishing such a network is to provide global internet coverage, i.e., the ability to communicate between any two points on Earth, particularly in areas where terrestrial internet is scarce or nonexistent. One of the pioneering technologies in satellite communications is StarLink which is described as a huge low earth orbit (LEO) constellation created by SpaceX for providing global coverage, high bandwidth, and low latency satellites [6,7].…”