Positioning in Multibeam Geostationary Satellite Networks

The problem of local positioning for geostatic satellite networks operating at frequencies above 10 GHz is studied in the present paper. Based on angle of arrival (AOA) and received signal strength (RSS) techniques, a simple yet effective algorithm is provided to estimate the position of a satellite terminal (ST). Since the accuracy of RSS techniques can be affected by the propagation model, two operational conditions are examined, namely the clear sky and the raining one. This distinction becomes critical since modern satellite networks operate at frequencies above 10 GHz, where rain attenuation constitutes the dominant factor impairing link performance and therefore causing uncertainty in the localization of a satellite station. Both cases are studied and useful conclusions, concerning the probability of inaccurate location estimation due to rain, are drawn. Moreover, the effect of various factors on the accuracy of localization is investigated through extended numerical results. Finally, an algorithm that is able to identify the position of a ST independently of the climatic conditions is provided.