An Approach for Classification of RF Spectrum Data On-Board the Nanosatellite SALSAT

摘要

The number of small satellite launches has increased continuously in the past years resulting in an inherent intensification of radio communication and thus a growing probability of its interference. This can compromise reliable satellite operation in the utilized frequency bands. Therefore, the nanosatellite mission SALSAT (Spectrum AnaLysis SATellite) of Technische Universit?t Berlin (TU Berlin) aims to investigate the global RF spectrum use in VHF and UHF amateur radio bands and in S band scientific bands. The SALSAT satellite is equipped with the primary payload SALSA. The payload resembles a spectrum analyzer based on a Software Defined Radio (SDR) architecture. SALSAT is the second spectrum analysis mission of the TU Berlin. The mission is based on results from the MarconISSta experiment aboard the ISS. MarconISSta utilized a LimeSDR and revealed first insights into the spectrum usage by regions overflown by the ISS. The SALSAT mission shall achieve a global coverage. It is expected that a large quantity of data will be collected during mission lifetime. However, the mission's capabilities are limited by operational and technological constraints such as a limited up- and downlink capacity of the satellite and a comparatively small number of available ground stations. Nevertheless, the scientific value of a spectrum analysis mission is measured by the quality and quantity of the collected samples. This necessitates a payload design that maximizes the number of recorded samples and contained spectrum information over time. The amount of data generated on-board the satellite increases and contrasts the abovementioned operational constraints. This paper will introduce an initial concept for the heatmap generation an on-board data processing and classification approach to solve this contradiction. The SALSAT mission and constraints of nanosatellite missions for in-orbit spectrum analysis will be introduced. The portrayed approach for on-orbit spectrum analysis and