Dynamic proximity communication link analysis tool for orbiting satellites and ground assets on Mars

A dynamic proximity link analysis tool developed by The Aerospace Corporation is described in this paper. Given appropriate link budget parameters, the tool can return the data throughput for proximity links from ground assets to communications satellites. In order to determine the data throughput, the tool calculates the link margin as a function of time and determines the variable data rate(s) achievable as a function of time. Given any time period, the tool is then able to compute the total data throughput based on the data rate computations. Given a spacecraft's trajectory, the location of the ground asset, antenna gain patterns, and standard link budget parameters (i.e., transmitter power, carrier frequency, etc.), the tool can compute link closure duration, variable data rate(s) achievable, and the data throughput. As a demonstration of the tool's capability, several examples of proximity links between a Mars ground asset and an orbiting relay satellite will be shown