Automated Resource Management and Beam Scheduling of Antenna Network for Space Operations Support

The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) currently uses parabolic dish antennas at the Remote Tracking Station (RTS) sites and Automated RTS (ARTS) sites. Operation of these sites does not currently include automated scheduling and resource management of the satellite contacts.  As a result, planning Satellite Operations (SATOPS) is still a manual function.  FIRST RF proposes a Global Resource Management (GRM) architecture using automatic algorithms at the global level and hardware updates from the local level.  While the proposed approaches are automated, all aspects of the operation will emphasize human monitoring, control, and algorithm improvements.  The addition of Geodesic Dome Phased Array Antenna (GDPAA) technology into this network will greatly enhance the resources (multiple beams, fast beam switching, gain on demand, etc.), but these capabilities also increase the complexity of planning and scheduling.  The FIRST RF team includes engineers with extensive experience in the operation of multi-faceted phased arrays like the GDPAA as well as academic experts from Colorado State University (CSU), who have extensive experience in optimal scheduling algorithms for the AFSCN and the Space Surveillance Network (SSN).  The proposed scheduling architecture will meet the current and future needs of the AFSCN, as well as commercial space operations. BENEFIT: Implementation of an efficient and user-friendly scheduling algorithm will optimize usage of the AFSCN resources to support the maximum number of satellite contacts while preserving flexibility to accommodate high priority requests. Automated scheduling will also enable maximum utilization of the highly flexble GDPAA ground stations that will be incorporated into the AFSCN.  Military application:  The generality, scalability, and modularity built into the automated RM and beam scheduling solution thus developed will enable a wide applicability to many space mission systems.  Commercial application:  Extensive commercial applications are anticipated due to similarity between the military and commercial space operations