Abstract:

In the process of the satellite constellation optimization design and performance evaluation, according to the characteristics of the spherical Delaunay triangulation and Voronoi diagram, the subdivision method of the space geometric configuration of constellation in any state is mainly researched, and the coverage area belonging to each satellite is defined at first. And then, after analyzing the geometric relationship between the constellation and target areas on Earth’s surface, a certain method is put forward to calculate the minimum and average observation elevation angle of the constellation for any type of the target areas. Moreover, on the basis of the constellation geometric configuration in space, the time-varying characteristic of constellation network is analyzed and the constructing method of the inter-satellite links is proposed. Finally, by taking an example of the Iridium system, the coverage performance and communication capacity over inter-satellite are analyzed. The results illustrate that the approaches proposed in this paper are accurate and efficient in evaluation of the constellation performance. Meanwhile, it can also provide decision support for designers.

Key words: Satellite constellation, Optimization design, Performance evaluation, Delaunay triangulation, Voronoi diagram