Signal Routing in a Satellite Sensor Network Using Optimisation Algorithms

Future spacecraft are envisioned as massively distributed space systems flying in formation. In this paper we present an approach to signal routing over inter-satellite links (ISL) in a network of sub-kilogram satellites using a single-objective optimisation algorithm (SOA) and a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA). The IEEE 802.11 protocol is modified for ISL, with a maximum communication range of 15 Km. The satellite network optimization is carried out according to two objectives: transmission power and time delay, which are competing with each other. The SOA is based on the tabu search algorithm to provide a single-objective optimum. MOEA, however, is aimed at providing a set of Pareto-optimal routes, in which both objectives are optimized. STK and Matlab are used to simulate the satellite network and the MOEA algorithm. The simulation results show that the optimisation algorithms can effectively provide optimized routes in terms of power and time delay.