Design of Mega LEO Constellations for Continuous Coverage over Pakistan: Satellite Communication

Jahanzeb Qureshi; Hamna Butt; Tayyaba Fayyaz; Nadeem Faisal

Authors

Jahanzeb Qureshi Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Hamna Butt Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Tayyaba Fayyaz Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Nadeem Faisal Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore

Keywords:

Satellite, Latency Rate, Constellation, Coverage, Inclination, Antenna

Abstract

Satellite communication was effectively done in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) in the past years. Recently the trend has shifted from GEO to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The objective of our study is to propose a satellite constellation for Pakistan in LEO that will provide continuous coverage over Pakistan. As LEO is much closer to the earth as compared to other orbits such as GEO and High Earth Orbit (HEO) etc. one can achieve benefits like low latency rate, less fuel consumption, and signal transmission loss. In ongoing research, an attempt has been made to design the satellite constellation in LEO using the software, System Tool Kit (STK) which has 2D and 3D environment modeling. In the designed constellation, the satellites pass over Pakistan and access the target area. To get uninterrupted continuous coverage, the number of satellites per plane and the number of orbits is increased. The orbital inclinations were also adjusted to achieve the objective. One of the important tasks for continuous coverage is the concept of satellite handshaking which means that soon a satellite gets away from the line of sight of the ground station antenna; another satellite comes within the line of sight of that antenna. LEO satellites are more favorable for communication purposes as they provide reliable communication as well as higher bandwidth.

Author Biography

Jahanzeb Qureshi, Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore

Jahanzeb Qureshi is an Assistant Professor at the department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. He joined the university as a Lecturer (on contract) in 2003 and become regular in 2004. He received his Master degree in Space Science in 1992 and stood second. He received his M.Phil degree in Geomatics from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan in 2014. His research interests are Remote Sensing Meteorology, Geomorphology and Space Systems. He has eleven publications in national and international journals and five publications in international conferences. Currently he is doing his Ph.D at the department of Space Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore. He started his professional career as Incharge Paging Communications from (March 1993 till May 2001) in Digital Radio Paging (Pvt) Ltd. He worked as Manager Coordination Administrative Affairs from (August 2001 till June 2003) in Balcom (Pvt.) Ltd.

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