Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques
The context of this study is the geolocation of signal emitters on the Earth’s surface through satellite platforms able to perform Angle of Arrival (AOA) measurements. This paper provides the theoretical framework to solve the optimization problem for the orbital deployment of the satellites minimiz...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3376 |
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| author | Marcello Asciolla Rodrigo Blázquez-García Angela Cratere Vittorio M. N. Passaro Francesco Dell’Olio |
| author_facet | Marcello Asciolla Rodrigo Blázquez-García Angela Cratere Vittorio M. N. Passaro Francesco Dell’Olio |
| author_sort | Marcello Asciolla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The context of this study is the geolocation of signal emitters on the Earth’s surface through satellite platforms able to perform Angle of Arrival (AOA) measurements. This paper provides the theoretical framework to solve the optimization problem for the orbital deployment of the satellites minimizing the variance on the position error estimation with constraints on the line of sight (LOS). The problem is theoretically formulated for an arbitrary number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and target pointing attitude, focusing on minimizing the Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) metric, providing a methodology for translating mission design requirements into problem formulation. An exemplary numerical application is presented for the operative case of the placement of a second satellite after a first one is launched. Simulation results are on angles of true anomaly, right ascension of the ascending node, and spacing angle, while accounting for orbital radius and emitter latitude. New insights on trends, parameter dependencies, and properties of symmetry and anti-symmetry are presented. The topic is of interest for new technological demonstrators based on CubeSats with AOA payload. Civil applications of interest are on interceptions of non-cooperative signals in activities of spectrum monitoring or search and rescue. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c461643317d34d3d9f54d7eb1b1d997b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-c461643317d34d3d9f54d7eb1b1d997b2025-08-20T02:33:06ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012511337610.3390/s25113376Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival TechniquesMarcello Asciolla0Rodrigo Blázquez-García1Angela Cratere2Vittorio M. N. Passaro3Francesco Dell’Olio4Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, ItalyInformation Processing and Telecommunications Center (IPTC), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Complutense 30, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Electrical and Information Engineering, Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Electrical and Information Engineering, Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Electrical and Information Engineering, Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, ItalyThe context of this study is the geolocation of signal emitters on the Earth’s surface through satellite platforms able to perform Angle of Arrival (AOA) measurements. This paper provides the theoretical framework to solve the optimization problem for the orbital deployment of the satellites minimizing the variance on the position error estimation with constraints on the line of sight (LOS). The problem is theoretically formulated for an arbitrary number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and target pointing attitude, focusing on minimizing the Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP) metric, providing a methodology for translating mission design requirements into problem formulation. An exemplary numerical application is presented for the operative case of the placement of a second satellite after a first one is launched. Simulation results are on angles of true anomaly, right ascension of the ascending node, and spacing angle, while accounting for orbital radius and emitter latitude. New insights on trends, parameter dependencies, and properties of symmetry and anti-symmetry are presented. The topic is of interest for new technological demonstrators based on CubeSats with AOA payload. Civil applications of interest are on interceptions of non-cooperative signals in activities of spectrum monitoring or search and rescue.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3376angle of arrivaldilution of precisiongeolocationlow earth orbitmissionoptimization |
| spellingShingle | Marcello Asciolla Rodrigo Blázquez-García Angela Cratere Vittorio M. N. Passaro Francesco Dell’Olio Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques Sensors angle of arrival dilution of precision geolocation low earth orbit mission optimization |
| title | Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques |
| title_full | Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques |
| title_fullStr | Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques |
| title_full_unstemmed | Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques |
| title_short | Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques |
| title_sort | satellite constellation optimization for emitter geolocalization missions based on angle of arrival techniques |
| topic | angle of arrival dilution of precision geolocation low earth orbit mission optimization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/11/3376 |
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