Miniaturized Satellite Communication Systems With Lightwave Power Transfer

Abstract

CubeSats have a significant impact on the satellite communications sector as they can be deployed to provide rapid and cost-effective solutions both for expanding existing satellite networks and for individual missions. The main challenge for CubeSats is their power sustainability. To this end, we consider lightwave power transfer technology from larger low Earth orbit satellites as an alternative power source for CubeSats. We propose a strategy that involves the simultaneous energy harvesting by a CubeSat and the establishment of a communication link with a ground base station. We formulate an optimization problem for the proposed strategy that aims to maximize the average data rate of the communication link using realistic orbits for the satellites. To validate the proposed method, an alternative method is designed and optimized to be used as a benchmark. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach, and we are able to draw valuable insights for the design and operation of the system. Notably, the effect of phenomenon time and line-of-sight distance on the system performance is quantified, and optimal design parameters can be extracted.