Session
Session 7: Advanced Technologies 2
Abstract
Small satellites do not necessarily lack the capability to collect large quantities of relevant data. The real limitation in fielding large constellations of small satellites is the inability to efficiently downlink large quantities of collected data. Ground station assets and high-throughput communications subsystems that close the radio frequency (RF) link for large numbers of point-to-point “tight-beam” links are not yet available to support LEO constellations of small satellites. This paper summarizes emerging solutions to meet the demand for high data rate downlinks to support the ‘big data’ volumes enabled by large constellations of small satellites. These solutions utilize software-defined radio (SDR) platforms employing multi-band S-, X-, and Ka-band transceivers capable of closing SATCOM links in excess of 300 Mbps to small, tactically-placed ground stations. Key enabling technologies discussed include: three degree-of-freedom (3DOF) steering of small high-gain apertures; existing and in-development X- and Ka-band RF frontends with greater than 500 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth; baseband processors with greater than 500 MHz of modulation bandwidth; and baseband processors capable of streaming significant quantities of data to and from external high-density storage subsystems. This paper will then address applications to the operational relevance of the next generation of tactical U.S. Army small satellites and the viability of creating point-to-point, high bandwidth, ‘over-the-horizon’ communication links for remote users.
Presentation
Big Data Downlink Enablers for Next Generation Tactical U.S. Army Applications
Small satellites do not necessarily lack the capability to collect large quantities of relevant data. The real limitation in fielding large constellations of small satellites is the inability to efficiently downlink large quantities of collected data. Ground station assets and high-throughput communications subsystems that close the radio frequency (RF) link for large numbers of point-to-point “tight-beam” links are not yet available to support LEO constellations of small satellites. This paper summarizes emerging solutions to meet the demand for high data rate downlinks to support the ‘big data’ volumes enabled by large constellations of small satellites. These solutions utilize software-defined radio (SDR) platforms employing multi-band S-, X-, and Ka-band transceivers capable of closing SATCOM links in excess of 300 Mbps to small, tactically-placed ground stations. Key enabling technologies discussed include: three degree-of-freedom (3DOF) steering of small high-gain apertures; existing and in-development X- and Ka-band RF frontends with greater than 500 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth; baseband processors with greater than 500 MHz of modulation bandwidth; and baseband processors capable of streaming significant quantities of data to and from external high-density storage subsystems. This paper will then address applications to the operational relevance of the next generation of tactical U.S. Army small satellites and the viability of creating point-to-point, high bandwidth, ‘over-the-horizon’ communication links for remote users.
