Artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated just about all areas of technology including satellite communication.
This trend has mainly manifested due to the exceptionally large volumes of data collected by satellites, which pose challenges in data handling, analysis, and timely resource management.
Machine learning (ML) and AI enable the analysis of satellite data obtained from earth observation (EO), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), and remote sensing.
Additionally, AI-facilitated data analysis on the cloud is paving the way for Ground-Station-as-a-Service solutions. Ground stations also use AI for ground-based SSA to command satellites for course correction and resource optimization.
The application of AI to a wide variety of satellite communication aspects has demonstrated excellent potential, including beam-hopping, anti-jamming, network traffic forecasting, channel modeling, telemetry mining, ionospheric scintillation detecting, interference managing, remote sensing, behavior modeling, space-air-ground integrating, and energy managing.
In space, AI is used for real-time orbit prediction and satellite tracking for enhanced space traffic management. Both big data and analytics empower onboard sensors with autonomous data processing capabilities in satellite subsystems, before downstream data transfer.
The purpose of satellite communications is to relay the signal around the curve of the Earth allowing communication between widely separated geographical points.
Satellite communications uses a wide range of radio and microwave frequencies. While normally reliable, obstacles do occur to prevent clear satellite communications.
One of these obstacles is space weather. Communication from the ground to satellites is affected by space weather as a result of perturbations of the ionosphere, which can reflect, refract, or absorb radio waves.
This includes radio signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. Space weather can change the density structure of the ionosphere by creating areas of enhanced density. This modification of the ionosphere makes GPS less accurate and can even lead to a complete loss of the signal because the ionosphere can act as a lens or a mirror to radio waves traveling through it.
Solar flares can also spell trouble for satellite communications. In fact, telecommunication satellites and even GPS satellites can be rendered inoperable for periods of time during flares.
Flares have also been known to cause radio blackouts and impact satellite communications for electric power grid, internet, mobile phones, navigation signals etc.
Additionally, high-energy particles from the sun can have direct impact by destroying sensitive microchips. Incoming charged particles can create buildups of charge inside electronics, resulting in destructive arcing and false signals.
Currently, the most discussed challenge is how to deal with space debris caused by mounting defunct human-made objects in space which no longer serve a useful function.
Scientists, military leaders and CEOs alike fear the odds are increasing that space debris could bring communication networks crashing back to Earth.
Satellite Communications Training Courses by Tonex
Tonex offers a large selection of Satellite Communication courses taught by world class instructors with real life experience as well as expert knowledge. Our courses include insightful, contemporary topics, such as:
Cybersecurity and SATCOM Training (4 days) — This course provides an understanding of unique vulnerabilities in SATCOM systems that are commonly exploited. Discover techniques and strategies for integrating cybersecurity measures into SATCOM systems, networks, products and critical missions from the start.
Satellite Communications Design and Engineering Training (4 days) — This course covers basic to advanced engineering level topics which are suitable for electrical, communications and wireless network technicians, engineers, analysts and managers including electrical engineers and technicians, communications engineers and technicians, systems engineers, and wireless network engineers and technicians and anyone else who is looking for a satellite communications design and engineering refresher course.
Advanced SATCOM Training (3 days) — This course covers all aspects of satellite technology, system survey, systems engineering as applied to satellite communications, hardware, software, applications, digital communications and processing in modern satellite networks, IP convergence, optimization and management.
Satellite Communications Training for non-engineers (4 days) — This course is designed to provide a general technical overview of Satellite Communications and GMR-1 family of technologies for non-technical professionals including sales, marketing, product managers, finance, project and program managers, and executive management.
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