System simulator for LEO satellite constellation performance optimization: The SCNE project

In the SCNE project, we developed a system simulator for LEO satellite constellation protocol and performance optimization. The SCNE simulator is now part of Magister SimLab.

In 2021, more than 3000 active satellites orbited the Earth. Traditionally, satellite communication has centered around geosynchronous orbits (GEO), but recently NGSO constellations have started gaining momentum.

NGSO constellations include both Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) and Medium-Earth-Orbit (MEO) satellites. For global coverage, these constellations require countless satellites. If current LEO satellite proposals become a reality, about 50 000 active satellites will orbit the earth within the next ten years.

Magister was part of the ESA-funded SCNE project which ran from 2018 to 2021. Together with Airbus Defence and Space in France and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, we searched for technological options of optimizing LEO mega constellations.

The project work centered around enabling the study and assessment of protocol performances of these new constellations. We focused specifically on routing protocols, which may affect the end-to-end quality of service.

In the project, we developed a system simulator for LEO satellite constellation protocol and performance optimization. The SCNE simulator is now part of our Magister SimLab service.

The SCNE system simulator makes studying routing in space easier

There are several technological challenges related to designing LEO satellite constellation networks. Managing the cost of the constellations while assessing the quality of service is critical for satellite operators seeking to secure their business cases.

One of the challenges of large LEO mega constellations regarding global coverage is the number and availability of gateway (GW) locations. There must either be a large number of GWs all over the world, or satellites must be equipped with Inter-Satellite Links (ISL) and routing capabilities. Satellites linked together form a network in space, enabling shorter delays and full global coverage.

In the SCNE project, we developed a system simulator for LEO satellite constellation protocol and performance optimization.

“We are examining how mega constellations could utilize LEO satellite constellation protocol and performance optimization. ISL routing algorithms are likely to be the future of satellite constellations. Some operators like TeleSat are already headed towards this development”, said Jani Puttonen, Magister’s former Director of Simulation Services.

The time is right for LEO satellite constellations

NGSO satellite constellations are not a new invention. Similar attempts were made in the 90s, but most of them failed due to financial, technical and other difficulties.

Recently, the idea of using constellations in building future SatCom systems has created increased momentum. 

There are several reasons why this second attempt is more likely to be successful:

• The demand for bandwidth and low latency communications is increasing. This also applies to rural and hard-to-reach areas, such as seas, mountains and deserts.
• Technology has taken major leaps. For example: frequency resources and usage, antenna technologies, satellite launch technologies, and satellite mass production. These technologies are, therefore, more available and cheaper.
• More capital is now available, for example, through investors. SatCom is a CAPEX intensive business.
• NewSpace players have entered the field with innovative mindsets.
• New business cases: digital divide, seamless connectivity directly to handheld, and Internet-of-Things.
• The 3GPP 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standardization as a global standard for connectivity. Standardization work brings new vendors, boosting competition and reducing production costs.

In many ways, the future is already here, and technological progress is moving rapidly. 

We have included the SCNE simulator in our SimLab service. It helps our customers study, for example, advanced ISL routing algorithms, mobility management, and related higher layer and end-to-end performance.

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