A computer simulation for a space-time satellite positioning system

ABSTRACT

This paper concerns the development of an autonomously distributed satellite network synchronization and positioning system. A simulation is developed to study the problem of having the member satellites obtain a system wide space-time coordinate reference system. The simulation models on board clocks for a system of satellites together with transfer via line of sight transmission using an EM signal of time and position data. It accounts for the various errors of measurement together with orbit mechanics that includes relativistic effects. Each satellite keeps a record of the defining equations for the orbits of the other members of the system. The ideal of the simulation is to find an algorithm for transferring timing and position data that will produce much agreement as possible for these records for all the members of the system.

REFERENCES

• A: Ashby, N. 1975. "An Earth-Based Coordinate Clock Network." NBS Technical Note 659, April.
• A-A: Ashby, N. and D.W. Allen. 1984. Coordinate Time on and Near the Earth. Phy. Rev. Ltrs., Vol. 53, no, 9 Nov.
• B: Barnes. 3.A. et al. 1971. Characterization of Frequency Stability. IEEE Trans Instr. and Meas., vol. IM-20, no, 2, May.
• C-M: Cohen, J.M. and H.E. Moses. 1977. New Test of the Synchronization Procedure in Noninertial Systems."Phys. Rev. Ltrs., vol. 39, no.26, Dec.
• C-M-R: Cohen, J.M., H.E. Moses and A. Rosenblum. 1983. Clock-Transport Synchronization in Noninertial Frames and Gravitational Fields. Phys. Rev. Ltrs., Vol. 51, No. 17, Oct.
• C-S: Cutler, L.S. and C.L. Searle. 1966. Fluxtuations in Frequency Standards. Proc. IEEE, Vol. 54, no. 2, Feb.
• H-C-C: Hansen, P. M., Chiu, Y.T., Chao, C. Prospects of using the Navstar/GPS Constallation as a Detector of Astrophysical Gravitational Radiation, Aerospace Report No. ATR-86(8421)-2, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, June 1986.
• He: Hellwig, H. 1972. Frequency Standards and Clocks. NBS Technical Note 616, April.
• J: Jazwinski,Andrew H., Stochastic Processes and Filtering Theory, Analytic Mechanics Associates, Inc. Seabrook, Maryland.
• L-L: Landau, L.D. and E.M. Lifshitz 1987. The Classical Theory of Fields. Pergammon Press.
• M: McCoubrey, A.O. 1966. A survey of Atomic Frequency Standards. Proc IEEE, vol. 54, no. 2, Feb. 1966.
• NBS: National Bureau of Standards. 1974. Time and Frequency. Monograph 140, May.
• P: Podulaha, M.F. 1984. Note on the Cohen, Moses and Rosenblum Letter about the Slow-Clock transport Synchronization in noninertial reference Systems. Let. al Nuovo Cimento, vol. 40, no. 7. January.
• P: Post, E.J. 1967. Sagnac Effect. Rev. Mod. Physiscs, vol. 39, no.2, April.
• S: Skalafuris, A.J. 1985. Current Theoretical Attempts Toward Synchronization of a Global Satellite Network. Radio Science, Vol. 20, no. 6, Nov. 1985.
• T: David E. Tepper, Synchronizing a satellite network, Proceedings of the 22nd annual symposium on Simulation, p.33-46, March 1989, Tampa, Florida, United States

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.2 PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
      Subjects: Aerospace

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design
          Subjects: Network topology

  G. Mathematics of Computing
  G.1 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design