WO2021001532A1

WO2021001532A1 - Communication apparatus, in particular small and miniature satellite such as cubesat, system and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2021001532A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/068817
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Kendi; Jürgen Letschnik; Enrico Stoll
Original assignee: Orbit Iiot Systems Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2020-07-03
Publication date: 2021-01-07
Also published as: DE102019117969B3

Abstract

The present invention allows in particular connection of Internet of Things (IoT) devices to a server (80) via a superordinate satellite network (30) via an interposed SmartSat (20), and control of satellites via the cloud (8). It relates in particular to a communication apparatus (10) for operation on satellites (20), subsequently referred to as SmartSat, in an Earth orbit, in particular on CubeSats, which has a first interface (12) for communication with a terrestrial apparatus (6), in particular an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a second interface (14) for communication with a superordinate satellite network (30) and a control unit (19) designed to set up a connection to a server (80) via the superordinate satellite network (30), to receive data from the terrestrial apparatus (6) via the first interface (12) and to transmit said data to the server (80) via the second interface (14) and the superordinate satellite network (30).

Description

Communication device, in particular small and micro-satellites such as CubeSat, system and associated method

The present invention relates to a communication device for operation on satellites, an associated communication system, and a method for transmitting data from a terrestrial device, in particular an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, to a server. For the application of Internet of Things (loT) devices outside of

In metropolitan areas, the existing cellular network infrastructure alone is often insufficient. Alternative data connections using a satellite connection are currently difficult or even impossible to implement, as these are completely incompatible with the combination of form factor, i.e. in particular antenna and terminal, power consumption, the low data rate and economic aspects such as costs and time.

In addition, the construction of a satellite network is often too complex for the use of loT devices due to the ground stations connected to it, so that there is a need for a simpler connection of loT devices.

US 2012/0300815 A1 describes a telecommunication system that is used to exchange data between two located on the surface of the earth

Communication devices is used. A satellite known as a “repetition means” is used in orbit to transmit the signals to a higher level geostationary satellites. In particular, this can improve the coverage of the satellite in polar regions, which are usually difficult to access for geostationary satellites. In addition, countries with extensive catchment areas, such as Russia, can benefit. Here too, GEO satellites are not sufficient to guarantee full coverage

EP 3 208 950 A1 relates to a loT system which is characterized by a mobile gateway that communicates with several loT devices. The mobile gateway transmits the data from the loT devices to a ground station via a nanosatellite.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a communication device, a communication system and a method for transmitting data which enable the lowest data rate required for loT devices with simultaneously low power consumption and the smallest form factor. Another object of the present invention was to enable a particularly advantageous connection of loT devices without a fixed availability of WLAN and mobile radio networks to the Internet.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a communication device for operation on satellites, hereinafter referred to as SmartSat, in an earth orbit, in particular on CubeSats. The communication device has: a first interface for communication with a terrestrial device, in particular an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, a second interface for communication with a higher-level satellite network and a controller that is set up to connect to a Set up the server via the higher-level satellite network or to a communication subsystem of the satellite, receive data from the terrestrial device via the first interface and transmit it to the server via the second interface and the higher-level satellite network.

The invention accordingly provides a communication device that uses existing satellite networks as a backbone for connecting terrestrial devices, such as IoT devices, which are also referred to herein as loT devices. In other words, instead of an own satellite network to be provided, including a ground station for transmitting the data to the earth, an already existing satellite network is advantageously used. The essence of the present invention is a communication device whose purpose is to be mounted on a satellite and at the same time to enable communication to terrestrial devices and other satellites. The

The communication device is itself an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, i.e. connected to the Internet as such and controllable / controllable via the Internet - just as it is known from conventional loT devices used on the earth's surface .

The highlight of the invention is that the communication device, which is referred to below as “SmartSat”, is given the option of communicating with different, already existing, higher-level satellite networks.

The SmartSat itself is equipped with an intelligence that enables it to forward the data it receives from the terrestrial device via the superordinate satellite network in such a way that a server, in particular in the cloud, is received as the destination of the data. The SmartSat according to the invention does not require a superordinate satellite network to be provided separately. Rather, compatibility with different of these satellite networks is prepared and provided. The SmartSat can therefore be understood as an improved type of satellite telephone made available on a satellite, as is known from terrestrial use, which is simultaneously designed to establish a connection with ORBCOMM, Iridium, Globalstar, Starlink and other known satellite networks.

The terrestrial loT device that sends data to the SmartSat preferably does not know via which superordinate satellite which superordinate satellite network the SmartSat ultimately sends the data to the server, so the SmartSat forms a transparent connection between the terrestrial device and server.

The choice of the appropriate data path between the SmartSat and the server is solely subject to the intelligence of the SmartSat.

The underlying consideration is that the effort involved in operating satellite networks does not scale linearly with the number of satellites. Therefore, it is not possible to operate mega-constellations efficiently using traditional, partially automated approaches. An operation from and via the cloud, however, such as the Communication device according to the invention enables, offers the advantage of using algorithms from artificial intelligence and the analysis of “big data” and including them in the operations. As a result, robust scalable algorithms serve not only to evaluate the data of the terrestrial devices, in particular the loT devices, but also to telemetry the satellites on which the communication device according to the invention is used themselves.

The connection of IoT devices outside the coverage of cell phone providers and wireless networks is therefore also made possible for small and medium-sized companies. In addition, the need for a ground station eliminates one of the major expense items in projects to operate a satellite network.

Suitable satellite networks are, for example, without being limited to Orbcomm, Iridium, Globalstar, Inmarsat, Starlink, etc.

The server is preferably a server in a cloud. Other server solutions are of course also conceivable. Although CubeSats are named as a preferred embodiment by way of example, the invention is not restricted thereto. In particular, in addition to other satellites, other small and very small satellites are also used in other preferred configurations.

The controller is designed to set up a connection to different superordinate satellite networks in order to set up a connection to the server by selecting one of the different superordinate satellite networks.

Satellite networks with the aim of communication are generally operated in constellations. This applies both to the CubeSat networks that communicate with the loT device on the ground and to higher-level networks. Such constellations are characterized by the fact that they (i) serve a common task and (ii) the orbit elements of the individual satellites in the network are precisely regulated. In this case, the regulation takes place either through absolute positioning or through alignment relative to one another.

Since the solution according to the invention is operated on any satellites, for example heterogeneous LEO satellites, a network within different

Constellations and / or individual satellites set up. The user of the terrestrial The device has no control over the orbit elements of the individual satellites, so that in fact a swarm - and not a constellation - is set up on communication devices according to the invention.

The connection to the different, higher-level satellite networks is preferably transparent to the terrestrial device. This means in particular that the selection does not have to be specified explicitly by a user, but rather carries out his tasks without his or her involvement and thus without being recognizable. For a user of the terrestrial device, for example, it is not relevant via which higher-level satellite network his data are transmitted to the server. The selection of the superordinate satellite network from the different superordinate satellite networks preferably meets the given requirements. The given requirements can include requirements of the most varied of types, for example requirements of local data protection regulations of the terrestrial device, cost aspects, signal quality aspects and / or available bandwidths.

The requirements of local data protection regulations contain, in particular, the geographical position of ground stations in the higher-level satellite network. The data are ultimately transmitted from the terrestrial device to the server via this ground station, so that local laws of the sovereign territory in which the ground station is located apply.

The cost aspects are particularly dependent on the user of the terrestrial device. For example, depending on a setting value, it may be possible to limit the data connections to cheaper connections or to enable higher quality but cost-intensive data connections. The signal-to-noise (SNR) rate and / or an Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) are preferably used as aspects of the signal quality, with threshold values denoting minimum or desired requirements, for example.

Ideally, a dynamic change of the higher-level satellite network is possible in order to meet or optimize the above requirements. For example, depending on the current position in an orbit oil, a provider P1 can be used, while at a later point in time the SmartSat is at a different position is in orbit Ol and here again another provider P2 meets the better requirements. A setting and connection to a specific provider, that is to say one of the different superordinate satellite networks, can thus be made particularly preferably depending on the orbit and the current position Px in the orbit Oy.

In a preferred embodiment, the second interface is designed as a dual receiver interface. This enables one of the receivers to establish a communication link to one of the superordinate satellite networks, while the further receiver continuously or periodically checks the availability and quality of the various superordinate satellite networks, for example by means of a scanning process. As a result, if the higher-level satellite network is to be changed, the time during which no data communication is possible via the second interface can be reduced.

The superordinate satellite network preferably comprises the actual superordinate satellites as well as at least one ground station and a provider server, via which the actual connection to the satellite network is then established, for example from the server in the cloud.

CubeSats preferably conform to a standard format. For example, a CubeSat, based on the English term “unit” with 1 U, in a preferred embodiment in 2020 has the dimensions 11.35 cm ^c 10 cm ^c 10 cm and a maximum weight of 1.33 kg. These satellites are carried, for example, in a special launch device, called “Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer” or P-POD, which can accommodate three CubeSats, as a secondary payload when the satellite is launched. As an extension of the CubeSat format, there are also, for example, one and a half 1.5U, 17.02 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, 2 kg, double, i.e. 2U, 22.7 cm ^c 10 cm ^c 10 cm, 2.66 kg, and triple , i.e. 3U, 34.05 cm ^c 10 cm ^c 10 cm, 4 kg, CubeSats possible. Also satellites with

Partial sizes of CubeSats are conceivable, for example with half, i.e. 1 / 2U, or a quarter, i.e. 1 / 4U, the unit of a CubeSat.

The controller is preferably designed to collect data from a terrestrial device or a plurality of terrestrial devices and to transmit them in bundled form via the second interface.

The second interface, which enables communication with a higher-level satellite network, is typically designed for high data rates. in the On the contrary, loT devices, as examples of terrestrial devices, usually require extremely low data rates with the lowest possible power consumption.

Since the higher-level satellite network is controlled by the communication device according to the invention via the second interface, the terrestrial devices no longer need to access a communication link that is designed for high data rates or high power consumption like the known satellite networks.

This simplifies the connection of the terrestrial devices. In addition, the bundling of the data from one or more terrestrial devices improves the utilization of the broad data rate that is provided by the higher-level satellite network.

The communication device preferably also has a third interface for communication with the SmartSat itself for the exchange of telemetry data and command data. In particular, this enables the communication device to access telemetry data from the satellite and transmit command data to the satellite. This enables telemetry (TM) and telecommand (TC), known together as TMTC, to integrate functionality into the communication device.

The controller is preferably designed to transmit and / or at least one of telemetry data and command data from the SmartSat to the server

To receive command data of the satellite from the server via the second interface.

The SmartSat can thus be controlled or monitored by means of the communication device according to the invention, specifically without requiring a direct connection between the SmartSat and a ground station, but rather indirectly via a further, independent and higher-level satellite network. In other words, this embodiment enables a TMTC functionality of a SmartSat to be implemented via the server, for example a cloud, without the satellite requiring a direct connection to the server or a ground station. Rather, the communication device according to the invention, which forwards the data to or from the satellite network, appears for this purpose. According to the invention, the traditional concept for TMTC operation is preferably broken up by the cloud, since the entire processing of the TM data and the decision as to which procedure to generate a command sequence can be made by the cloud. In conventional operation, these decisions are made by people, which is still feasible with a small number of satellites to be supervised. In view of the large number of satellites to be looked after in mega constellations in the future, we are talking about a few thousand satellites, this approach is no longer economical. The invention offers the necessary scalability here to be able to serve such a large number of satellites. From the point of view of the system, the satellite preferably corresponds to a loT device and is also treated in this way by the cloud.

As an alternative or in addition, the controller is preferably designed to transmit at least one of telemetry data and command data from the terrestrial device to the server and / or to receive command data from the terrestrial device from the server via the second interface. As an alternative or in addition to the implementation of the TMTC functionality for the SmartSat, a comparable functionality is accordingly also made possible for the terrestrial device, for example the loT device.

In these exemplary embodiments, a return path is therefore implemented from the server to the SmartSat or the terrestrial device via the higher-level satellite network and the second interface of the communication device. This simplifies the TMTC functionality for SmartSat and / or terrestrial devices.

The first interface and / or the second interface is preferably implemented as software-defined radio (SDR), so that flexible adaptation to the terrestrial device and / or the superordinate satellite network is possible. The flexible adaptation is a relevant point of the present invention, since necessary parameters such as modulation, frequency, coding, etc. can be adapted completely individually to the higher-level constellation. Furthermore, the SDR offers the ability to quickly reconfigure and adapt. Predefined program parts can be changed quickly and easily and can thus reduce the hand-over gap when switching between different constellations. Changes in communication standards can also be easily intercepted with the help of an SDR. Corresponding changes are preferably pre-programmed on the ground and imported to the required SmartSat via the cloud. The cloud preferably then ensures that the update is activated on time. By implementing the first interface and / or the second interface as an SDR, it is accordingly possible to achieve a particularly high level of flexibility in communication with the terrestrial device and / or the higher-level satellite network. In particular, it can thereby be ensured that a currently desired communication with one of the known superordinate satellite networks can be established without special or dedicated antennas or the like being required for each of the superordinate satellite networks. Changes in communication, for example a change in the higher-level satellite network, can therefore be implemented on the software side at any time during operation. Accordingly, the optimal higher-level satellite network can be used at any time, for example.

A first antenna is particularly preferably connected to the first interface and a second antenna to the second interface, the first antenna being suitable for communication with several higher-level satellite networks and the second antenna for communication downwards, i.e. towards earth, via different channels and is prepared.

This creates a kind of transparent connection for the user on the ground. He only has to connect to the SmartSat, the further path is not visible. The SmartSat itself decides which backbone network is most suitable. Scaled to a large number of SmartSats, this preferably results in a kind of mesh network that is constantly changing. This is an essential difference to the typical relay concept in satellite communication. In contrast to known networks, the mesh in the approach of the present invention can be located both between the ground and the communication device and between the communication device and the superordinate satellite network and can change quickly in both planes.

In comparison to the second interface, the first interface is preferably designed for communication using a lower frequency. A lower frequency enables particularly power-reduced communication between the terrestrial device and the communication device according to the invention. At the same time, a relatively higher frequency communication with the higher-level satellite network is suitable for enabling a high data rate.

The first interface is preferably designed for communication by means of ultra high frequency (UHF) and / or very high frequency (VHF). With UHF is preferably the The frequency range of the decimeter waves from 300 MHz to 1 GHz, with VHF preferably denoting the frequency range of the meter waves from 30 MHz to 300 MHz.

Such frequency ranges enable low-power communication, which is therefore particularly suitable for terrestrial devices in which there are limits to the power or current consumption. Accordingly, it is particularly preferred that low-power communication between the terrestrial device and communication device is made possible, so that the energy expenditure for transmitting data, in particular through the terrestrial device to the server, is as low as possible. Accordingly, for example, an autonomy or a service life of the terrestrial device can be increased.

Alternatively or additionally, the second interface is preferably used for communication by means of broadband, in particular by means of at least one of UHF, VHF, L-band, S-band, C-band, X-band, K _u -band, K _a -band and E- Band is formed. Communication via a broadband connection is particularly advantageous here, with frequency ranges other than those mentioned also being conceivable.

The controller is preferably designed to identify the communication device to the higher-level satellite network as a satellite provider, in particular analogously to an Internet service provider (ISP).

The control unit is preferably designed to set up a connection to different superordinate satellite networks.

The control unit is preferably designed to select one of the different superordinate satellite networks for connection based on at least one of the following criteria: i) parameters of the data of the terrestrial device, ii) geographical position of a ground station of the superordinate satellite network, iii) geographical positions of, or one individual satellites of the superordinate satellite network, iv) capacities of the superordinate satellite networks, v) time schedule that can be specified in the control unit, vi) costs of the superordinate satellite networks.

According to this embodiment, it is accordingly possible to always select the higher-level satellite network that is appropriate to the current requirements, to establish a connection with it and to use this to transmit the data, in particular from the terrestrial device, to the server. The geographic position of the satellite or satellites of the higher-level satellite network particularly denotes the orbit. The associated contact time with the communication device is particularly relevant here.

The connection can take place, for example, on the basis of a fixed time schedule or, particularly preferably, on the basis of one or more of the other criteria mentioned. In this way, for example, a performance and / or cost-optimized data transmission can be made possible.

The connection with one of the different superordinate satellite networks depending on the geographical positions of the ground stations is particularly relevant, since this enables compliance with national data protection requirements, for example. For example, it can be guaranteed that data is only communicated via a higher-level satellite network that has its ground station in a certain territory such as Germany, the USA, etc. The selection of the suitable network takes place here by the communication device which, based on the data of the terrestrial device, selects the suitable one or more suitable ones from the available higher-level satellite networks.

The communication device is preferably designed for operation in a low earth orbit (LEO).

A LEO is preferably an orbit with an orbit of 2000 km or less, which enables the power requirements for transmitting data from the terrestrial device to the communication device to be low.

The superordinate satellite network is preferably formed in at least one of a geostationary orbit (Geosynchronous equatorial orbit, GEO) and a near-earth orbit, in particular a low earth orbit (LEO). Preferably, the communication device, in particular in the case in which both the communication device and the higher-level satellite network are formed in a LEO, are formed in an orbit below the higher-level satellite network.

There are basically no orbit restrictions for the superordinate satellite network. It is decisive that it is possible for the communication device to establish a preferably broadband connection to the higher-level via the second interface Network. In essence, all of the known and used orbites are suitable for this. The selection of the satellite networks in the GEO and / or LEO takes place in particular against the background of the seed networks that are already in orbit and available. The object is also achieved by a communication system comprising several communication devices according to the invention. The plurality of communication devices each include a fourth interface for communication with other communication devices in the communication system. In this embodiment, a communication system is therefore proposed that comprises several communication devices, which are in particular attached to several SmartSats.

The fourth interface configured for communication between the communication devices can also be the same as the first or second interface, the communication being adapted accordingly in such a way that instead of a higher-level satellite network or the terrestrial device, another of the communication devices is the target of the communication. With this, a relay function can preferably be implanted between several of the communication devices, for example if a satellite of the communication system is outside the range of the suitable superordinate satellite network, the transmission of the data of the terrestrial device or TMTC data of the satellite itself can be carried out via another of the satellites of the communication system.

The object is also achieved by a method for transmitting data from a terrestrial device, in particular an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, to a server, comprising the following steps: i) transmitting data from the terrestrial device to a first one Interface of a communication device in a planetary orbit, in particular a CubeSat, ii) transmission of the data by the communication device by means of a second interface to a higher-level satellite network, iii) transmission of the data through the higher-level satellite network via an associated ground station to the server.

The method enables the same advantages to be achieved as the communication device described above or the communication system described. The method described as being preferred is particularly preferred Embodiments of the communication device or the communication system combined with achieving the advantageous effects described here.

The object is also achieved by using a CubeSat as an Internet-of-Things device that is connected to the Internet via a superordinate satellite network.

The object is also achieved by using a superordinate satellite network to control and monitor a CubeSat.

The object is also achieved by a communication device for operation on SmartSats in earth orbit, in particular on CubeSats, the communication device having: a second interface for communication with a superordinate satellite network, a third interface for communication with the satellite itself for exchanging telemetry data and / or command data and a controller which is set up to establish a connection to a server via the higher-level satellite network, to transmit at least one of telemetry data and command data of the satellite to the server and / or to transmit command data of the satellite from the server via the second interface receive.

Further examples and advantages are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. Here show:

1 shows schematically and by way of example a structure of a communication system and

Fig. 2 schematically and by way of example a communication device of

Fig. 1,

3 schematically and by way of example a flowchart of a method,

4 schematically and by way of example a flowchart of another

Procedure,

5 schematically and by way of example a flowchart of another

Procedure and

6 schematically and by way of example a flow diagram of another

Procedure. 1 schematically shows an example of a structure of a communication system 1 in the environment of the present invention.

It is known that terrestrial devices such as a loT device 5 in the area of a cellular radio coverage 52 communicate via a cellular radio base station 54 with a server 80, for example as part of a cloud 8.

As is known, a managed cloud service 82 or other solutions can then be provided in the cloud 8 that take over the control and / or monitoring of the loT devices. The managed cloud service 82 accesses loT sensor data 84, which are also stored in the cloud 8. The solution described for the terrestrial loT device 5 only works as long as the terrestrial device 5 can set up a GSM or other mobile radio connection. This is not the case for the terrestrial devices 6 shown by way of example, which are shown arranged by way of example in remote forest areas.

According to the invention, the communication system 1 is now provided, which enables simple and efficient communication with the loT devices 6. According to the invention, the loT devices 6 communicate by satellite communication with satellites, referred to as SmartSat 20, of the communication system 1 according to the invention. Each of the SmartSats 20 includes a communication device 10, which is shown in detail with reference to FIG. The communication device 10 serves in particular as a data collector for a wide variety of devices and applications, in particular the loT devices 6, and sends the collected data to a higher-level satellite network 30. The higher-level satellite network 30 comprises one or more satellites 32, which are connected via a bidirectional communication link 34, ie an uplink and downlink connection with a ground station 36 of the satellite network 30.

The collected data is bundled, compressed and processed in a data-saving manner, so that only the changes to the last data record can be transmitted. The processed data records are reconstructed again according to the same logic in the cloud - preferably with the knowledge of the last complete data records - and transferred to a data bus for further use (e.g. MQTT, AMPQ, ZMQ, etc.). When processing the data, knowledge of the current orbit and the next higher-level satellite provider Px to be used preferably play a role. The bandwidth, available capacity and / or costs of the provider can have a direct influence on the preparation of the data. The direct consequence of this is that, depending on the provider, the data streams look different and have to be reassembled on the cloud side before the data can be used. Accordingly, depending on the selected satellite network, the current orbit and / or a position in the current orbit, the data is preferably processed and / or transmitted in an adapted manner. If a connection to a provider is not possible, the data must be held together / persisted until a connection to a provider P1 is possible or the connection to the next available provider P2 can be established in another orbit.

In addition to the pure collector function, the received data are therefore preferably subjected to preprocessing. This processing is a difference compared to the classic store and forward concept, which does not provide for processing. With this processing, targeted processing can be carried out individually for each terrestrial device / loT device and / or for each of the several superordinate satellite networks. With regard to the transmission technology, individual error correction methods and packet algorithms are possible and advantageous here.

Together with an interface 38, the ground stations 36 serve as satellite providers 39, such as those from Inmarsat, Eutelsat, SES. The interface 38 establishes an in particular bidirectional communication link between the ground station 36 and the server 80 or the cloud 8. Optionally, a communication link called SmartSat-Link 22 can also be established between SmartSat 20 of communication system 1 and ground station 36.

FIG. 2 shows schematically and by way of example the communication device 10 of FIG. 1 in detail. The communication device 10 comprises a first interface 12 for communication with the terrestrial device 6. For this purpose, an in particular bidirectional first communication connection 11 is shown between the first interface 12 and the terrestrial device 6. The communication link 11 is, for example, a communication link using UHF or VHF, without being restricted thereto. Furthermore, a second interface 14 is shown, which forms an in particular bidirectional communication connection 13 to a superordinate satellite network 30 and in particular to one of the satellites 32 thereof.

A third interface 16 is designed to set up an in particular bidirectional communication connection 15 with the satellite 20 itself, in particular for the exchange of telemetry data and command data.

A fourth interface 18 is designed to form an in particular bidirectional communication connection 17 to a further satellite 20 of the communication system 1. Finally, the communication device 10 comprises a controller 19 which is set up to establish the connection with the server 80 shown in FIG. 1 using the various interfaces of the communication device 10. The purpose of the communication device 10 is divided into two parts; for example, data can be received from the terrestrial device 6 via the first interface 12 and forwarded via the higher-level network 30 by means of the second interface 14. However, the operational operation of the satellite 20 is also possible in a particularly advantageous manner by means of the communication device 10. It is thus possible to receive data such as telemetry data from the satellite 20 via the third interface 16 and to transmit them to the server 80 of the cloud 8. The return channel is also possible, i.e. control and / or management data are transmitted from the cloud 8 to the satellite 20 on which the communication device 10 is provided. Control of the satellite 20 from the cloud 8 is thus possible.

The described communication device 10 also enables the software running on the satellite 20 and / or on the terrestrial device 6 to be updated via the cloud 8 in a particularly advantageous manner. In other words, an update functionality of the satellite 20 and / or the terrestrial device 6 is possible from the cloud 8.

The terrestrial devices 6 use extremely low data rates with at the same time low power consumption and the smallest form factor. The combination of these three factors is offered by the communication device 10 and the SmartSats 20, which implement communication via the superordinate satellite network 30 with the cloud 8. The superordinate satellite network 30 can be, for example, a satellite network arranged in the geostationary orbit GEO or a mega-constellation in the LEO.

Shorter distances from the terrestrial device 6 to the SmartSat 20 enable small data rates with low power consumption. The SmartSats 20 use the superordinate satellites 32 of the superordinate satellite network 30 as a backbone.

Thus, a communication device 10 is used as a data collector for one or more terrestrial devices 6, in particular IoT devices, in order to forward the collected data, for example. In other words, the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 acts as a link between the terrestrial device 6 and the superordinate satellite network 30. This results in independence from the selected operator of the superordinate satellite network 30. The terrestrial devices 6 in particular acts for the application and the user the communication system 1 is transparent, it preferably being of no interest which superordinate satellite network 30 is used. In case of doubt, the operator of the terrestrial devices 6 does not have to worry about the choice of the superordinate satellite network 30, the selection of the superordinate satellite network 30 also being based on parameters of the data of the terrestrial device 6 or the geographical positions of the ground stations 36 of the superordinate satellite network 30 can, for example, to meet the requirements of local data protection regulations.

In addition to the capabilities of the data connection, the processing of the data or the control commands for the individual loT devices plays a central role in loT applications. Since the IoT device only has the basic functionalities of the control technology, such as recording data and forwarding data, it is up to a central instance to process more complex dependencies. This is preferably done in the cloud 8. It is possible to forward the processed commands to the SmartSat 20 or also to the terrestrial device 6 via the established communication connections.

Previous systems for satellite links are incompatible with the combination of form factor, ie antenna and terminal, power consumption, low data rate and economic aspects such as costs and time. Alternatives such as Low-Power Wide-Area Network via LORA, SigFox, NB-loT are currently not sufficiently available and it remains unclear whether such standards require the amount of data and the required interaction can offer. The use of superordinate satellite networks 30 as a backbone provides a particularly suitable solution for this. The solution according to the invention will therefore soon provide an overall system that is adapted to the cloud 8 and the operational aspects when using SmartSats 20 in the LBO / GEO, and at the same time is combined with a loT system.

The hardware of the terrestrial devices 6 can preferably be woken up by a special pulse from the SmartSat 20 via the communication connection 11 in order to achieve an individual, application-adapted and performance-optimized operation without the need for dedicated ground stations such as ground station 36.

The environment of the cloud 8 preferably maps the special properties of satellite connections, such as the position of the terrestrial devices 6, the orbit determination / propagation of the SmartSat 20, the upstream to the higher-level satellite network 30, etc., in order to ensure practicable communication. However, as already described, it preferably also takes on the ability to carry out necessary commands on the satellite itself. The ability of the Cloud 8 to analyze and evaluate a large amount of telemetry data from a large number of satellites is one of the particular strengths and changes compared to classic operation. The particular advantages of the communication system 1 according to the invention are that it is not necessary to operate a dedicated ground station 36. A seamless service can be offered to customers and can be used for applications that collect data over long periods of remote locations without power. Global use independent of cell phone operators, i.e. outside of cell phone coverage 52, is possible.

The configuration of satellites 20 or the configuration of terrestrial devices 6, such as IoT devices, does not have to be carried out on site, but can take place via the cloud 8 and the cloud service implemented therein. The communication system 1 can also be scaled as desired, which means that the number of loT devices can be increased as desired. loT applications can thus be run outside the network coverage, for example maritime. The communication system 1 according to the invention also results in new approaches for the operation of satellites, such as the SmartSats 20. The SmartSat 20 therefore functions both as a link between the superordinate satellite network 30 and the terrestrial device 6 and as a kind of loT device itself, the cloud service then using telemetry data from the SmartSat 20 as sensor data from the IoT device itself. It is thus possible to operate the telemetry (TMTC) in the cloud 8.

Even if the use of the communication system 1 is not restricted to this, particularly preferred areas of application result. These include monitoring of the corrosion of oil pipelines, monitoring of railroad tracks, switches, control signals, tracking of containers, field monitoring, for example also of irrigation systems, investigations in alpine terrain such as minerals and soils as well as fire alarms in forests. Global movements can be visualized, for example supply chain, animals or plate tectonics, game monitors to regulate the game population and video monitoring of pens are possible.

3 shows, schematically and by way of example, a flowchart of a method 100 for transmitting data from a terrestrial device 6, in particular an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, to a server 80.

The method 100 comprises a step 110 of transmitting data from the terrestrial device 6 to a first interface 12 of a

Communication device 10 on a SmartSat 20 in earth orbit, in particular a CubeSat. The data are, for example, sensor data of the terrestrial device 6.

The method 100 further comprises a step 120 of transmitting the data by the communication device 10 by means of a second interface 14 to a higher-level satellite network 30. The method 100 further comprises a step 130 of transmitting the data through the higher-level satellite network 30 to an associated ground station 36. This is followed by a step 140 of transmitting the data from the ground station 36 to the server 80.

4 shows, schematically and by way of example, a flowchart of a method 200 for transmitting data from a SmartSat 20 in orbit, in particular a CubeSat, in particular in the manner of an Internet of Things (loT) device, to a server 80. The method 200 includes a step 210 of transmitting data, in particular telemetry data, from the SmartSat 20 to a third interface 16 of a communication device 10 on the SmartSat 20. The data are, for example, sensor data from the terrestrial device 6.

The method 200 further comprises a step 220 of transmitting the data by the communication device 10 by means of a second interface 14 to a higher-level satellite network 30.

The method 200 further comprises a step 230 of transmitting the data through the superordinate satellite network 30 to an associated ground station 36. This is followed by a step 240 of transmitting the data from the ground station 36 to the server 80.

5 shows schematically and by way of example a flowchart of a method 300 for transmitting data to a terrestrial device 6, in particular an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, from a server 80, in particular for controlling and / or calibrating the terrestrial device .

The method 300 comprises a step 310 of transmitting the data, in particular the control, configuration and / or command data, from a server 80 to a ground station 36 of a superordinate satellite network 30. This is followed by a step 320 of transmitting the data from the ground station 36 to a satellite 32 of the superordinate satellite network 30.

The method 300 then comprises a step 330 of transmitting data from the superordinate satellite network 30 to a second interface 14 of a communication device 10 on a SmartSat 20 in an earth orbit, in particular a CubeSat.

The method 300 finally includes a step 340 of transmitting the data by the communication device 10 by means of a first interface 12 to the terrestrial device 6. In this case, the communication device 10 can carry out a suitable communication, for example to move the terrestrial device 6 from an idle state to receive data to wake up. Finally, FIG. 6 shows schematically and by way of example a flow chart of a method 400 for transmitting data to a SmartSat 20 from a server 80, in particular for controlling and / or calibrating the SmartSat 20.

The method 400 comprises a step 410 of transmitting the data, in particular the control, configuration and / or command data, from a server 80 to a ground station 36 of a higher-level satellite network 30. This is followed by a step 420 of transmitting the data from the ground station 36 to a satellite 32 of the superordinate satellite network 30.

The method 400 then includes a step 430 of transmitting data from the superordinate satellite network 30 to a second interface 14 of a communication device 10 on the SmartSat 20 in an earth orbit, in particular a CubeSat.

The method 400 finally includes a step 440 of transmitting the data by the communication device 10 to the SmartSat 20 using a third interface 16. This enables the SmartSat 20 to be controlled from the cloud without the

SmartSat 20 requires direct contact with a ground station.

Claims

Expectations

1 . Communication device (10) for operation on satellites (20), hereinafter referred to as SmartSat, in an earth orbit, in particular on CubeSats, which has a first interface (12) for communication with a terrestrial device

(6), especially an Internet-of-Things (loT) device,

a second interface (14) for communication with a superordinate satellite network (30) and

a controller (19) which is set up to receive data from the terrestrial device (6) via the first interface (12) and to transmit them to a server (80) via the second interface (14) and the superordinate satellite network (30) , characterized in that the controller (19) is designed to set up a connection to different superordinate satellite networks (30) in order to set up a connection to the server (80) by selecting one of the different superordinate satellite networks.

2. Communication device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (19) is designed to collect data from a terrestrial device (6) or several terrestrial devices (6) and to transmit them in bundled form via the second interface (14).

3. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device (10) further comprises a third interface (16) for communication with the satellite (20) itself for the exchange of telemetry data and command data, and wherein

the controller (19) is designed to transmit at least one of telemetry data and command data from the satellite (20) and / or the terrestrial device (6) to the server (80) and / or command data from at least one from the satellite (20) and of the terrestrial device (6) from the server (80) via the second interface (14).

4. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first interface (12) and / or the second interface (14) is implemented as Software Defined Radio (SDR), so that flexible adaptation to the terrestrial device (6) and / or the higher-level satellite network (30) is possible.

5. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first interface (12) compared to the second interface (14) is designed for communication by means of a lower frequency, wherein in particular

the first interface (12) is designed for communication by means of ultra high frequency (UHF) and / or very high frequency (VHF), and / or wherein in particular

the second interface (14) for communication by means of broadband, in particular by means of at least one of UHF, VHF, L-band, S-band, C-band, X-band, K _u -band, K _a -band and E-band is.

6. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (19) is designed to connect the communication device (10) to the superordinate satellite network (30) as a satellite provider, in particular analogous to an Internet service provider (ISP ), to identify.

7. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (19) is designed to select one of the different superordinate satellite networks (30) for connection based on at least one of the following criteria:

Parameters of the data of the terrestrial device (6),

Geographical position of a ground station (36) of the parent

Satellite network (30),

Geographical positions of, or an individual satellite (32) of the superordinate satellite network (30),

Capacities of the superordinate satellite networks (30),

In the control (19) predeterminable schedule.

8. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device (10) is designed for operation in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

9. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the superordinate satellite network (30) in at least one of a geostationary

Orbit (Eng. Geosynchronous equatorial orbit, GEO) and a near-earth orbit, in particular a Low Earth Orbit (LEO), is formed.

10. Communication system (1), comprising a plurality of communication devices (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of communication devices (10) each include a fourth interface (18) for communication with other communication devices (10) of the communication system (1).

1 1. Method (100) for transmitting data from a terrestrial device (6), in particular an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, to a server (80), comprising the following steps:

Transmission (1 10) of data from the terrestrial device to a first interface of a communication device (10) in an earth orbit, in particular a CubeSat,

Selection, by the communication device (10), of one of different superordinate satellite networks in order to set up a connection to the server (80),

Transmission (120) of the data by the communication device (10) by means of a second interface to the selected higher-level satellite network,

Transmitting (130) the data through the selected superordinate satellite network to the server via an associated ground station.

12. Communication device (10) for operation on satellites (20), hereinafter referred to as SmartSat, in an earth orbit, in particular on CubeSats, which has a second interface (14) for communication with a higher-level satellite network (30),

- A third interface (16) for communication with the satellite (20) itself to the

Exchange of telemetry data and / or command data and

a controller (19) which is set up to transmit at least one of telemetry data and command data from the satellite (20) to a server (80) and / or command data from the satellite (20) from the server (80) via the second interface ( 14), characterized in that the controller (19) is designed to set up a connection to different superordinate satellite networks (30) in order to set up a connection to the server (80) by selecting one of the different superordinate satellite networks.