Low-Orbit Large-Scale Communication Satellite Constellation Configuration Performance Assessment

Abstract

A constellation configuration performance evaluation method is proposed for the performance evaluation of the low-orbit large-scale communication satellite constellations. The practicality and feasibility analysis of the constellation configuration is mainly studied from the constellation coverage performance. Based on the consideration of the coverage performance of the LEO satellite constellation, four simulation models are established for the single coverage rate, observation elevation angle, number of visible satellites under different observation elevation angles, and coverage efficiency of the constellation. A population distribution density function is established according to the characteristics of population distribution to find the average minimum observation elevation angle and the average number of visible satellites under the population distribution. The evaluation method is applied to three typical low-orbit large-scale communication satellite constellations, Telesat, OneWeb, and Starlink, to derive the coverage performance index values of each constellation and to compare and analyze the characteristics of the three constellations. The results show that the evaluation method can evaluate the configuration performance of different types of LEO large-scale constellations and provide a basis and reference for the optimal design and evaluation of future LEO large-scale constellation configurations.