A Cloud-Computing-Based Portable Networked Ground Station System for Microsatellites

• Main Authors: Jiang, Y. (Author), Liu, W. (Author), Mo, Q. (Author), Wei, X. (Author), Wu, S. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2022
• Subjects: cloud computing; Cloud computing; Cloud-computing; Computing model; Data transfer; Data-transmission; Distribution characteristics; DNA sequences; Ground node; ground station; Ground station systems; Ground stations; microsatellites; Microsatellites; Multiple grounds; Orbits; Research topics; Satellite ground stations
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Microsatellites have attracted a large number of scholars and engineers because of their portability and distribution characteristics. The ground station suitable for microsatellite service has become an important research topic. In this paper, we propose a networked ground station and verify it on our own microsatellite. The specific networked ground station system consists of multiple ground nodes. They can work together to complete data transmission tasks with higher effi-ciency. After describing our microsatellite project, a reasonable distribution of ground nodes is given. A cloud computing model is used to realize the coordination of multiple ground nodes. An adaptive communication system between satellites and ground stations is used to increase link ef-ficiency. Extensive on-orbit experiments were used to validate our design. The experimental results show that our networked ground station has excellent performance in data transmission capability. Finally, the specific cloud-computing-based ground station network successfully completes our satellite mission. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.