Capacity Model and Constraints Analysis for Integrated Remote Wireless Sensor and Satellite Network in Emergency Scenarios

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 15; no. 11; pp. 29036 - 29055
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wei, Zhang, Gengxin, Dong, Feihong, Xie, Zhidong, Bian, Dongming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 17.11.2015; MDPI
• Subjects: capacity; Emergencies; emergency communications; Ground stations; integrated remote wireless sensor and satellite network; Networks; Optimization; Remote sensors; remote wireless sensor networks; Satellite communications; satellite network; Satellite networks; Sensors; Software; Trends; Wireless communication; integrated remote wireless sensor and satellite network; emergency communications; satellite network; capacity; remote wireless sensor networks
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s151129036

This article investigates the capacity problem of an integrated remote wireless sensor and satellite network (IWSSN) in emergency scenarios. We formulate a general model to evaluate the remote sensor and satellite network capacity. Compared to most existing works for ground networks, the proposed model is time varying and space oriented. To capture the characteristics of a practical network, we sift through major capacity-impacting constraints and analyze the influence of these constraints. Specifically, we combine the geometric satellite orbit model and satellite tool kit (STK) engineering software to quantify the trends of the capacity constraints. Our objective in analyzing these trends is to provide insights and design guidelines for optimizing the integrated remote wireless sensor and satellite network schedules. Simulation results validate the theoretical analysis of capacity trends and show the optimization opportunities of the IWSSN.