Satellite Constellation Optimization for Emitter Geolocalization Missions Based on Angle of Arrival Techniques

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 25; no. 11; p. 3376
• Main Authors: Asciolla, Marcello, Blázquez-García, Rodrigo, Cratere, Angela, Passaro, Vittorio M. N., Dell’Olio, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27.05.2025; MDPI
• Subjects: angle of arrival; Antennas; Artificial intelligence; Artificial satellites; dilution of precision; geolocation; Localization; low earth orbit; Methods; mission; Optimization; Receivers & amplifiers; Satellites; United States; United Kingdom; Massachusetts; mission; space systems; low earth orbit; optimization; simulation; angle of arrival; dilution of precision; satellite; space sensors; geolocation
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s25113376

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.