Integrating Small Satellite Communication in an Autonomous Vehicle Network: A Case for Oceanography

TL;DR

This paper explores integrating small satellite communication with autonomous vehicle networks to improve remote oceanographic operations, demonstrating a test platform and outlining future cooperative maritime applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integration of small satellites with autonomous vehicles, including a test platform with satellite SDR on an UAV, for reliable oceanographic communication.

Findings

Successful land-based tests of the integrated system

Development of a satellite SDR on an unmanned aerial vehicle

Framework for future cooperative satellite-autonomous vehicle networks

Abstract

Small satellites and autonomous vehicles have greatly evolved in the last few decades. Hundreds of small satellites have been launched with increasing functionalities, in the last few years. Likewise, numerous autonomous vehicles have been built, with decreasing costs and form-factor payloads. Here we focus on combining these two multifaceted assets in an incremental way, with an ultimate goal of alleviating the logistical expenses in remote oceanographic operations. The first goal is to create a highly reliable and constantly available communication link for a network of autonomous vehicles, taking advantage of the small satellite lower cost, with respect to conventional spacecraft, and its higher flexibility. We have developed a test platform as a proving ground for this network, by integrating a satellite software defined radio on an unmanned air vehicle, creating a system of systems, and several tests have been run successfully, over land. As soon as the satellite is fully operational, we will start to move towards a cooperative network of autonomous vehicles and small satellites, with application in maritime operations, both \textit{in-situ} and remote sensing.