Integrated Orbit Determination System with Inter-Satellite Links

LEO 3D accuracy 1 cm

Jointly estimates LEO and MEO orbits using inter-satellite links and onboard GNSS, with rotation correction to remove systematic errors, greatly reducing ground infrastructure dependence.

Qin, Geer · Jiang, Kecai · Li, Min · Zhao, Qile · Xie, Xin · Wang, Youcun · Yang, Chao · Yubin, Wang · Chuntao, Chang

Satellite Navigation 2025

Specifications

LEO 3D accuracy
{'zh': '1.0', 'en': '1.0'} cm
MEO 3D accuracy
{'zh': '4.6', 'en': '4.6'} cm
LEO radial error
{'zh': '0.2', 'en': '0.2'} cm
MEO radial error
{'zh': '3.4', 'en': '3.4'} cm
LEO along-track error
{'zh': '1.3', 'en': '1.3'} cm
LEO cross-track error
{'zh': '4.2', 'en': '4.2'} cm
MEO along-track error
{'zh': '13.2', 'en': '13.2'} cm
MEO cross-track error
{'zh': '13.7', 'en': '13.7'} cm

Advantages

Fewer ground stations

High-precision orbit determination is achieved using inter-satellite links and onboard GNSS data, without the need for additional ground stations.

Much higher accuracy

LEO 3D accuracy improves from 4.4 cm to 1.0 cm, and MEO from 19.3 cm to 4.6 cm.

No absolute reference needed

Systematic rotation errors are removed by estimating and correcting the rotation angles between the integrated solution and broadcast ephemerides.

Partial onboard coverage

Accurate orbit determination is possible even when only a subset of LEO satellites carries GNSS receivers, thanks to ISL connectivity.

Applications