Network of ground stations for receiving and storing satellite data

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device called throughout this application, "satellite network", which contains several interconnected ground stations and data storage. Ground station receiving and storing data is a station equipped with means for receiving the observation data received from the at least one satellite in Earth orbit, and data storage means (memory media, i.e. a large volume of memory).

The invention also encompasses an apparatus for observing - particularly for earth observation, comprising:

- At least one constellation of satellites placed in orbit, each satellite comprises at least one data acquisition module observation and at least one transmission unit of data observations at receiving antennas located on the Earth surface,

- Ground stations for receiving and storing data of observation distributed over the surface of the Earth, each of the receiving stations and storing data is connected with at least one receiving antenna, namely belonging thereto an antenna, and these stations exchange data among themselves,

- Wherein the transmitting device each of the satellites is adapted to transmit data observations at any receiving antenna located within sight of the transmitter and each of the receiving antennas configured to receive observation data transmitted by satellites, time spent given receive antenna in view said satellite transmitter module.

In general, throughout the present specification, the term "surveillance" is any collection of data, including the results of measurements of physical parameters (temperature, radiation levels, topographic data, images at different wavelengths in the visible spectrum and outside it, and etc.), and the terms "Earth Observation" refers to any collection of observations relating to world, including data received from the Earth.

The invention is particularly (but not exclusively) directed to provide such a device for earth observation, more particularly intended for collecting and dispensing the Earth surface images with high spatial resolution (10 m or less, in particular of the order of one meter), a high frequency of complete coating the Earth (two weeks or less, in particular of the order of one day).

Throughout this specification, the term "full coverage of the Earth's rate" means the rate at which the device for earth observation provides a complete overview of the earth's surface.

BACKGROUND

Earth observation by satellite was launched in 1950 with the development of instruments designed in particular for use in meteorology. The development of such devices is still ongoing, and, depending on the task the main efforts can be directed either to increase the spatial resolution observations of the Earth's surface, or to increase the frequency of data updates.

Currently, there are a large number of instruments for Earth observation, including LANDSAT, MODIS, IKONOS, QUICK BIRD, EROS, SPOT-5, SPOT-4 and others. These devices allow to solve various imaging applications in various fields - agriculture, cartography, cadastral registration of land, defense, environment, telecommunications, risk management, renewable resources, etc. In all cases, the observation data obtained from satellites ground stations is sent to the central station data processing and storage, which allows for the rationalization of various data, update them and their coordination with other data. This also allows the central station to transmit observation data users, ensuring consistency and uniformity of dating and content. This transfer of satellite data to the central station, given the large volume of data, most often associated with the problems of providing connectivity and support sufficient bandwidth. Thus, in the patent publication GB 2432486 been proposed to use satellites for grouping data to a ground station user. However, this solution is extremely complex and expensive, it does not provide a fully satisfactory solution to this problem.

Devices IKONOS, QUICKBIRD, EROS, etc. are satellites with very high resolution, providing the possibility of spatial resolution on the ground about a meter. However, the frequency of update of the complete information on the Earth's surface over one month.

Devices MODIS, MERIS, etc. It has a low resolution, but the frequency of update of the complete information on the Earth's surface is from three days to one week.

In other words, given the current level of technology, the development of instruments for data collection and data output satellite surveillance - in particular Earth observation - limited to conflicting requirements. Thus, it is a choice between the device with high spatial resolution (order of meters), but the low frequency coverage of the surface of the Earth (about weeks or months) and a device with a high frequency of coverage of the surface of the Earth (about a day), but low spatial resolution (on the order of hundreds of meters).

We were offered alternative solutions to ensure high-frequency survey predefined areas, while maintaining a sufficiently high spatial resolution. Such solutions using one or more satellites with optical devices for imaging arranged to change the line of sight of such devices. In particular, the possibility of obtaining images of areas lying outside the natural trajectory of a satellite, allows to monitor the same geographic area during several consecutive revolutions of the satellite around the earth.

Thus, grouping SPOT satellites allows the collection of information at a frequency that permits daily update image a predetermined area of ​​the earth surface. This group contains several satellites in polar circular sun-synchronous phased orbit around the Earth. The cycle of rotation of each of the satellites is 26 days. Each satellite contains optical devices, data recorders and image transmission system on the ground receiving stations. Optical devices are configured to obtain images with the line of sight directed at an adjustable angle, which allows the observation of the same area several times during the 26-day cycle. Data loggers allow you to save the image on-board the satellite at a time when he is outside the line of sight of ground stations.

Thus, this group of satellites can provide monitoring of individual areas of the Earth's surface with a high frequency. However, the frequency of global coverage can not be less than 26 days. Moreover, if the group is working on a program involving numerous changes in the line of sight for a 26-day cycle, the frequency of global coverage of the Earth can be much more than 26 days.

Another disadvantage of this solution is linked to the cost of manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of a constellation of satellites with the ability to change the line of sight. In particular, the use of such a group requires the installation and operation of multiple ground stations operating independently of each other and configured to transmit the received image data to a central server for preservation and distribution. In addition, the management of each of the units of each of the satellites, ground carries a group of specialists who are responsible for the definition and optimization of the lines of sight of optical devices according to the current task. Moreover, to allow visibility of the work zone is ground stations each of the satellites must contain its own recording equipment. Furthermore, each of the satellites contains its own data transmission system to the Earth.

In addition to the above, this solution has one significant disadvantage. Namely, covering the entire surface of the Earth a group of satellites in order to obtain images with a spatial resolution of about a meter and a frequency of global coverage of the order of days suggests a central server processing about 1,500 terabytes of data per day, ie, 170 gigabytes per second, which greatly exceeds the capabilities of data from satellites and ground processing facilities provided by current technologies and architectures servers. In addition, the same problem arises for the data from space-based surveillance equipment mounted on satellites.

Disclosure of invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to offer a new concept of a device for recording satellite data, which would provide the ability to save very large amounts of data, in particular, substantially higher than 100 Gigabytes per second. More specific problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide such a device which would not require the use of a central server for distribution and / or data storage.

A further problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide such a device, namely a device for the satellite, arranged to supply information to the media on the Internet.

To solve this problem the invention provides an apparatus comprising a ground receiving station and data storage, provided with means of memorization of data, each of said ground stations is connected to means for receiving the observation data received from the at least one satellite in Earth orbit, characterized in that:

- Observation data received from the at least one satellite, in particular, from each of the satellites - partitioned for preservation by means of the data storage of various ground stations and storing data,

- Each of the ground stations and data storage operatively coupled with other ground stations for receiving and storing data by means of at least one digital network and is equipped with at least one module, called a control module, so that the various ground stations and storing data related to each other by different control units over a digital network or a digital network in accordance with a configuration called a satellite network, configured to provide persistent allocation equal and complete access to said observation data received from the at least one satellite and stored in means (13) of memory of different earth stations (5) receiving and storing data, said satellite network is designed so that all of the observational data stored in the various ground stations receive and store data are available and can be seen as a single set of observations anywhere access to the digital network or a digital network (15).

Such a satellite network according to the invention, in which the ground stations for receiving and storing data satellite observations operably interconnected to provide a constant automatic and completely transparent sharing observations stored in each of the stations, and thus distributed over various ground stations receiving and storing data without their concentration in the central area forms a new object, completely transform the concept and mode of action of satellite observations. Indeed, such a satellite network of the invention is a basic element of one or more satellite observing systems in the sense that in the absence of the satellite network of the invention, such a system becomes completely unworkable of observations.

Furthermore, the device of the invention has previously unattainable features: the possibility of such a device for data retention are practically unlimited, since to increase the amount available for data storage, and bandwidth (up to the capacity limit of the data transmission from the respective satellites) it is sufficient to increase the number of ground stations, receiving and storing data; Use of a central server for cataloging data or spread data is not required; All observations are available from any access point immediately satellite network in real time; operation of the device occurs automatically without the need for any special service (in particular, the occurrence of a fault in any one of the ground stations receive and store data does not affect other ground stations and store the data and the device as a whole); device may be connected dynamically to one or more satellites and / or with one or more groups of satellites; device may be made available to users in an extremely simple, safe and reliable manner, using all possible and expedient embodiments control access to data stored in different stations, for their reading and / or recording and / or management.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention is also characterized in that each of the ground stations and storing data is further associated with means of transmitting data to the at least one satellite and comprising at least one remote control unit, configured to generate the at least one command intended for at least one satellite and transmitting a command to the satellite network. Thus, the device of the invention can be used not only for receiving satellite data and distributed storage, but also to control each of the satellites associated with the device of the invention.

In the optimal embodiment, said cell of said network is a satellite network terrestrial digital network, in particular a public terrestrial digital network such as the Internet.

Moreover, advantageously the device according to the invention is also characterized in that it comprises at least one terrestrial server, called the server geoportal coupled to said digital network to said satellite network, wherein the server geoportal available to users through this digital network and configured with the ability to control user access to the satellite network. However, this is not the Geoportal Server Storage Server or cataloging data. Thus, the device according to the invention uses no central server or a central storage area, and / or cataloging and / or distribution of observation data.

The invention encompasses the above observation apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a ground device of the invention formed by said ground stations for receiving and storing data. In other words, in the observation apparatus according to the invention, all the ground stations receive and store data, which are interconnected to form a ground device (the satellite network) of the invention.

Thus, in the observation apparatus of the invention, each of the ground stations and storing data associated with at least one digital network and is equipped with at least one control unit so that different ground stations for receiving and storing data related to each other various control units via said digital network in accordance with a configuration called a satellite network, configured to provide persistent allocation equal and complete access to said observation data received from the at least one satellite and stored in the memory means of various ground stations and storing data, said satellite network is designed so that all of the observational data stored in the various ground stations receive and store data are available and can be seen as a single set of observations from any access point to said digital network.

Control Units of each of the ground stations and data storage can be formed by well-known network management module allows you to create information networks, ie information structures based on network configuration and enables the transparent distribution of heterogeneous systems and applications, data and / or information resources (see. in particular http: //ru.wikipedia.ora/wiki/Grid, Globus ToolK.it, and software packages gLite (EGEE), UNICORE or Synfmiway (Fujitsu) or software e-mule). However, there may be used a specially designed network modules.

Technology Information Networks ("grid") provides, inter alia, the possibility of the distribution and sharing of significant computing power thanks to the inclusion in the network of powerful computing resources and their connection to each other. Therefore, these technologies are mainly used in research centers and enterprises with the need for significant processing power.

Although the processing power is not a determining factor in the concept of monitoring device - in particular, the device for observing the Earth - the inventors have found that the use of network technology for a permanent connection between the ground stations and data storage of observations allows you to previously unattainable functionality and form at distributed practice monitoring device having a disproportionately higher performance, the price is extremely low costs. In particular, the observation data may be distributed over various ground stations receive and store data at the same time providing immediate access to them in real time from anywhere in the access network. Similarly, you can send and / or exchange of observations, made completely transparent way between ground stations receiving and storing data according to the needs and constraints. In addition, the interconnection of ground stations receive and store the data in the network facilitates the implementation of remote control from the ground satellite constellation.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention in the application to the storage of Earth observation. In particular, in the optimum embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is also characterized in that the means to collect observation data for each of the satellites are arranged to collect observation data Earth and have a predetermined field of view corresponding to the region of the surface of the earth, the apparent for these data collection means, wherein each of the ground stations receive and store the data comprises means for storing the observational data corresponding to at least one area of ​​the earth's surface, called the field of preservation of observations, which comprises at least a set of fields of vision means to collect data from all the satellites, which is receiving antenna of the earth station receiving and storing data, and the number and distribution of ground stations and data storage is chosen so that the corresponding specified region stored observations are complementary and provide coverage observed the earth's surface, and a variety of observational data corresponding to the observable surface were distributed memory means various ground stations and storing data, said satellite network is a storage area network in which all of the observational data stored in the various ground stations receive and store data continuously available in a single information resource from any access point digital network said satellite network.

It should be noted that the device according to the invention it is possible to create regions of stored observational virtually connected to any ground station reception and storage of data, but not necessarily corresponding to the zone of visibility of the receiving antenna of the ground station receiving and storing data or fields are review satellites flying above such an antenna. Thus, in an optimal embodiment save area observation of at least one of the ground stations and the data storage comprises at least one area located outside combined fields of vision of satellites, which is the receiving antenna of the ground station receiving and storing data. On the one hand, this allows optimum distribution of the observational data between ground stations for receiving and storing data both in terms of resources available for data storage and from the viewpoint of efficiency of use of observation data (in particular by minimizing the distance between each potential user and ground stations and data storage, in which data is stored corresponding observations in order to reduce the network load). However, on the other hand, it also allows to provide for the transfer of observational data from the satellite several ground stations for receiving and storing data with the subsequent saving of observational data in the memory means of a single ground station receiving and storing data, or may not coincide with the station initially received the data from the satellite. The network architecture of various ground stations and store the data allows an automatic, simple and transparent routing observation data to associated ground stations for receiving and storing data in accordance with any predetermined protocol.

In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, each of the ground stations and data storage is configured to find and store in its memory means of observations of each of the ground stations and data storage, the conservation of observations which borders on its field of conservation of observations, so that each of ground stations and data storage contains the local mosaic of different areas of the stored observations related to the conservation of its observations.

Also, in the optimum embodiment, each of the transmission means transmits data to the satellite observations in a format including metadata and / or data is called geolocation data identifying an area or observation dates. For example, in the case of Earth observation data of such observations, transmitted by each of the satellites' geolokalizirovany ", ie contain information to identify the position on the Earth's surface to which they correspond, that allows them to automatically route network to the ground station receiving and storing data which must be stored and subsequently their automatic selection via the network in response to user request. In this connection it should be noted that the observational data transmitted by satellite, tested, at least one step of processing the ground station receiving and storing the data (the station connected to the receiving antenna, reception is carried out such data and / or system in which such data should be stored) before saving them to the ground station memory means receiving and storing data. However, in any case, such processing keeps unchanged geolocation data.

Furthermore, in accordance with the optimum embodiment, the device according to the invention is further characterized in that each of the ground stations receive and store data further connected to an antenna for transmitting data to a satellite, the receiving and transmitting antenna means for transmitting satellites and ground stations are made with the possibility of establishing two-way communication between satellites and ground stations and data storage. In particular, it provides a simple and decentralized control satellite constellation, thereby eliminating the need for unified management and control commands may be sent to each of the satellites at any time from anywhere in the access network.

Thus, in accordance with an optimal embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises at least one remote control unit adapted to transmit commands to each of the satellites, each of the modules of the remote control is coupled to said digital network and the satellite network of ground stations receiving and storing data on which it forwards each of the commands to be transmitted to the satellites.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the remote control unit determines at least one ground station receiving and storing data on which it sends a command to transmit such commands to the destination satellite.

In accordance with another embodiment of said command transmitted simultaneously all ground stations for receiving and storing data related to the transmission antennas. Then each of the satellite receives a command transmitted by the closest to this satellite ground station receiving and storing data related to the transmitting antennas. Because the command includes the identification code of the destination of the satellite, each satellite can determine whether it is the command.

The grouping of satellites may be associated with a satellite network of ground stations receiving and storing data by specific means of communication and exchange of information is not part of the network, forming a satellite network. However, in accordance with the optimum and preferred embodiment each satellite well comprises a network module included in the satellite network formed by different ground stations receive and store data, and a digital network linking them. Thus, the device of the invention, each of the satellites, as well as each of the ground stations and saving data is an assembly of a satellite network which greatly facilitates the exchange of information and allows the use of all the advantages and all the advanced functionality of such a satellite network (Simplified and transparent distribution control data, various simplified control access to various satellite ground station receiving and storing data and vice versa, the stability of operation, for example, in case of failure of one of the satellites or ground stations receive and save data, etc.).

In the optimal embodiment, the digital satellite network said network is a public land-based digital network, in particular Internet network supporting, in particular, the connections between various ground stations receive and store data. In this connection it should be noted that the nature of the physical connections between different network nodes is not critical and can be carried out based on communication channels of any type or of different types (wired connections, fiber connections, connections through the communications satellites, cellular connections, such as GSM or other type and etc.) within one and the same network. In practice, each of the modules of the network is information level, functionally present in one or more networks and is compatible with all formats, networks and platforms.

Moreover, advantageously the device according to the invention comprises a ground server, called geo-portal server connected via a public digital network to said satellite network available to a user through such a public digital network and configured to manage access authorization of users to the satellite network. In this connection it should be noted that such a server geoportal not form a central platform or a central server, which would retain observations intended to provide users or that would be needed to determine the storage locations of observation data requested by the user and / or direction said observation data to each user. Indeed, in the device according to the invention the satellite network provides the ability to automatically clear observations of each of the users connected to the network without the need for any central server to select or transfer information. Thus, in the observation apparatus of the invention, the server performs only the function geoportal control user access to the satellite network that forms the device.

In a preferred embodiment of the observation apparatus according to the invention, since these observations are to be presented for viewing in the form of images, each of the ground stations and storing data adapted to process the observation data it receives from each of the satellites, the formation and persistence of her memory means corresponding images that are suitable for direct use by the user, and thus formed a network provides the user immediate access to all the images of observations derived from various satellites and corresponding to different observations, stored in different ground stations and data storage. In particular, each of the ground stations and data storage support in accordance with the current information stored in its memory means a local mosaic, formed of her own field of conservation of observations and various related fields stored observations of other ground stations and data storage, and different respective observation data format, caliber and treated in a uniform manner to allow direct use by the user.

In this regard, there are several possible embodiments. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the control unit of each of the ground stations and the data storage is configured to dynamically provide the user with real-time observation data stored last in the memory means in the satellite network. In other words, in this embodiment, each user can receive via the server geoportal most recent data for a field of observation, i.e. last received and stored in the associated ground stations receive and store data. This option allows you to constantly receive the most recent images of different areas of observation, the observed satellite constellation, or the whole Earth, if the number of satellites in the constellation is large enough for this.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention may be provided periodically carried out, for example, once a day or a week, the collective processing of various observations obtained by different ground stations receive and store data, which then receive the same dating and form a complete set observations on a given date, to make available to users, for example, by transmitting data through servers geoportals as a full picture of the earth.

The invention particularly covers a device that allows to receive the entire surface of the Earth observation with the above characteristics. Thus, in an optimal embodiment, each of the satellites has a locking band width F and flies at a low orbit so that the number ORB turns, it makes for a day, more than 1, and the number of satellites is chosen so that they observed the earth's surface corresponds to the entire Earth's surface. However, the present invention is also applicable to other groups of satellites, a review of which is more limited, as well as the observations of the cosmos.

Thus, the present invention contemplates a radical change in the concept of devices for observation of the earth because it is based on a transparent, permanent, automatic network interconnections between the various component parts (the ground stations receive and store data and / or satellites and / or antenna), and such network It constitutes an essential element of the device according to the invention.

The invention also encompasses a device - in particular an apparatus for observing, - characterized by the presence of all or part of the above-or below-mentioned characteristics in combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and without introducing any limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

- 1 is a diagram of an apparatus for the collection and dissemination of data earth observation according to one embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 2 shows a diagram of terrestrial devices constituting the satellite network according to one embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 3 schematically shows a ground station receiving and storing data of the satellite network according to one embodiment of the invention.

The scale and proportions of the figures are not met for greater visibility and clarity of illustration.

EMBODIMENTS

1 is a diagram of the device for earth observation according to the invention, which comprises a constellation of satellites 4 and 5 several ground stations receive and store the data transferred between them forming apparatus according to the present invention ground or satellite network.

Each satellite 4 further comprises at least one device for collecting observation data (in particular, optical apparatus) with a fixed line of sight.

Such an apparatus for collecting observational data may be, for example, is firmly fixed video camera toward the ground and configured to collect observation data, in particular images obtained in different spectra of different regions of the atmosphere and / or the earth's surface over which flies companion 4.

In accordance with one possible embodiment of the invention, such a satellite may be a "optical parachute", for example, such as described in patent application WO 2005110848.

Thus, the satellite 4 in the device according to the invention does not require the use of special programs aiming, which significantly reduces the cost of manufacture and maintenance.

Each satellite 4 further comprising means for transmitting data of observation, configured to transmit the collected observations on the ground equipment (station 5) after each data collection session monitoring with equipment for collecting observation data provided in the satellite 4. Such a communication module may match any known type of such equipment; a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The apparatus of the invention comprises a plurality of ground receiving stations 5 and save data forming the satellite network.

Each of the ground stations 5 storage comprises at least one receiver unit 12 observation data configured to receive data transmitted from the orbital level observational data collection.

As shown in Figure 3, each ground station 5 further comprises a storage unit 11 data processing, adapted to process the observation data 9 received the data reception unit 12 of the ground station 5 data storage.

Module 11 data observation ground station 5 data storage may be, for example, a computer processing unit, in particular, such a microcomputer, comprising hardware and software for data processing (microprocessor), the corresponding elements of constant and RAM, the operating system and other software software, peripherals, and peripheral drivers, appropriate fees and bus interface "man-machine", etc. In particular, the module 11 is configured to perform processing and storing data of observation and communication with the at least one digital network 15.

Each of the terrestrial stations comprises storage 5, in particular, the data storage means 13 observations processed data processing unit 11. Such means 13 of the data storage locally connected with the data processing unit 11 may be any type of storage media. For example, such data storage means 13 may be formed by a mass memory, for example, based on one or more hard disks.

Each of the ground stations 5 storage further comprises a connection 14 with a digital network 15, which on the one hand, provides its connection with other ground stations 5 storage, and on the other hand, to provide observation data stored in the storage means 13 in the disposal of users connected to this digital network 15, if necessary - after the authorization of the access server called "Server Geoportal", which, in turn, is connected to the digital network 15 and enables the administrative and financial management of the issuance of permits users to access satellite network.

Manage compound 14 of each of the earth stations 5 storage digital network 15 implements a module, called a control module 8, loadable and executable module 11 of data processing of each of the earth stations 5 receiving and storing data so as to provide a permanent connection between the various ground stations 5 storage via said digital network 15 in accordance with the architecture of the computer network in which continuous transparent (ie, invisible to the user) of the distribution of computing resources, in particular, direct and transparent distributed access to observational data (received from the satellite constellation 4) stored in storage means 13 different ground stations 5 data storage. Thus, the main function of each of the earth stations 5 storage is, on the one hand, maintaining the observational data in a local mass storage (storage means 13) and, on the other hand, in the communication and the provision of such observations for reading through the satellite network in order to allow viewing through any of the access points of the satellite network.

Thus, the various ground stations 5 receiving and storing data associated with each other through a digital network 15 to form a satellite network, access to which can be done through any access point to said digital network 15, and this satellite network looks from the perspective of the user, such access points as a single global information resource. In particular, the user gets from the server geoportal leave to request relating observations, such as observations certain regions of the earth surface, gets access to the whole so formed network, directly or through the server geoportal so that respective observation data available for reading and, if necessary, can be transferred to a given user via the network, regardless of in which of the five ground stations saved data storage for the information.

As a result, the device of the invention, a satellite network, formed by various ground stations 5 receiving and storing data, and a digital network 15, in practice, are integral parts of the monitoring device in the sense that inoperability entire network or part thereof leads to a loss of efficiency devices for observation. Such a satellite network is shown schematically in Figure 2.

Module 8 management can be a network control unit of any known type, in particular, the module Globus ToolKit, or a software package such as gLite (EGEE), UNICORE or Synfmiway (Fujitsu), or software system e-mule (www.emule- project.net).

Each of the five ground stations receive and store data associated with at least one receiving antenna 6, and in the particular case - with a single receive antenna 6 belonging to the station, compound 7. This compound can be a compound of any type. For example, the compound 7 may be a wired connection, a wireless radio connection, Wi-Fi connection, etc.

Receiving antenna 6 can be located at a greater or lesser distance from the ground station 5 data storage. In a preferred embodiment, each of the earth stations 5 includes a local storage (located close to it), the receiving antenna 6. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, each of the receiving antennas 6 may be an independent part of the receiving station, different from the ground station 5 and comprising a storage module processing, which is connected to the receiving antenna 6. In this case, each of the receiving stations connected to the digital network 15 and further comprises a control unit 8 so as to ensure its inclusion in the satellite network, and therefore its interconnection with ground stations 5 Storage data.

Founded way satellite network device according to the invention provides an automatic full and equal access to observational data stored in each of the modules 13, each of mass storage of ground stations 5 store data in the digital network 15.

Furthermore, in the most common case in which such observations are arranged to view them in the form of images such observation data is treated as an image directly available for viewing by a user, and each of the ground station 5 the storage is configured to store in the mass storage 13 not only observations, like the corresponding field of view of the station, but also all the observations, the relevant ground stations 5 storage, immediately adjacent to it, ie, stations viewing area which border region review of this terrestrial station 5 data storage. Thus, the mass memory 13 of each of the ground stations 5 store data contains "mosaic" of all these local observations, corresponding to the region being stored in the observation data and the border area between the field and directly adjacent areas. Furthermore, the user can directly access a local mosaic of each ground station 5 via the storage network.

Formed in this way satellite network can also operate in the reverse direction, i.e. It can provide an extremely simple and reliable functionality of the remote control of the satellite 4. For each of the earth stations 5 storage (or at least a part of these stations) is further connected to a transmission antenna configured to establish uplink from any of the satellites 4 passing through the field of view of the transmit antenna. Such a transmit antenna may be part of a ground station 5 store data or in accordance with another embodiment of the invention similar to that described above in connection with the receiving antenna 6, to be part of a separate and independent of the transmitting station, connected in turn with the satellite network and equipped control module 8.

The transfer of such remote control commands to the satellite 4 via the satellite network is extremely easy. Indeed, first of all, such a remote control command may be generated corresponding remote control unit, the well-known type and is intended for one or more satellites 4. Remote control module may independently determine, on the one hand, each of the satellites to which the command is intended, and with However, each of the earth stations 5 that must communicate this remote command and enter the identification data of each of these satellites destinations and / or each of the ground stations receive and store the data as an address and / or meta and / or command data remote control. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the remote control unit distributes a remote command over the network, and each of the ground stations 5 network associated with the at least one transmit antenna adapted to transmit a remote control command to each satellite, passes through a transfer zone of the transmitting antenna, whereby four different satellites receive the command of remote control, wherein each of the satellites 4 determines whether it is the command of remote control.

The number and location of receiving antennas and, optionally, transmission antennas on the Earth's surface and the satellite constellation is selected so that:

- Each of the four satellites flying over the at least one receiving antenna 6 and, if any, of the at least one transmit antenna,

- On each of the receiving antennas 6 and, if present, each of the transmitting antennas flying, at least one satellite 4.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises M ground stations receive and store the data, wherein M = α⋅ (Cπ⋅r) 2, where r - average radius of sight receiving antenna 6, connected with the receiving module 12 ground stations 5 Storage data, and α - predetermined factor, allowing to provide overlapping of visibility.

<IMG>

The coefficient allows overlapping of visibility of antennas linked with different receiver modules. In practice, the value of a is from 1.1 to 1.25, which provides a degree of visibility of the band overlap of 10% to 25%.

Thus, the satellite is in line of sight of at least one of the receiving antennas 6 whatever its position.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coefficient α is set to 1.2, which allows to obtain a degree of overlapping areas appear to be equal to 20%.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the number of terrestrial stations 5 terrestrial storage device for storing data of observation is equal to the number of satellites orbiting 4 level 1 data gathering observations.

The receiving antenna 6, connected to the receiving unit 12 of the ground station 5 data storage may be any type of antenna. In particular, antenna 6 can have a visibility range of different sizes, depending, inter alia, by its elevation angle. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, each of the antennas 6 has a visibility radius of 2500 km.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention the device may comprise twenty-five six antennas associated with twenty five ground stations receive and store data distributed over the surface of the Earth.

Using the Internet as a digital network 15 provides a particularly simple and economical embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Furthermore, if the receiving antenna 6 and / or transmitting antennas are arranged at a distance from the ground station 5 store the data connection between the receiving and / or transmitting stations and terrestrial stations 5 storage also optimally carried through a digital network 15, and preferably - via network formed by five ground stations and storing digital data network 15, i.e. station antennas themselves are connected to the digital network and are equipped with 15 network modules 8 are configured so that all the information and data passing through each of the antennas were workability such control units 8 and therefore distributed satellite network. Specifically, control patterns 8 are configured to ensure that at least the catalog module 11, data for storing data of observation, and to allow access to this directory, at least to read any user with access to satellite network.

In the optimal embodiment, each of the satellites 4, in turn, is also equipped with a data processing unit to the control unit 8 that ensures the inclusion of satellites in the network formed by the ground station 5 store the data and the digital network 15 via communication channels established between the satellite 4 and 5 terrestrial stations storage. Thus, the device of the invention, the satellites 4 may be configured to ensure that the observational data in a network with direct access to such information via terrestrial station 5 store data which can produce its further processing in order to preserve in the respective equipment 13 memorizing data, in particular in the form of images are directly available to users.

In other words, the observation apparatus of the invention can be viewed as a network having multiple servers, formed on the one hand, the ground station 5 store data receiving antennas 6 and / or transmit antennas, on the other hand, the satellites 4 performing data gathering observations orbit.

The exchange of information between the orbital level of collecting observational data and ground-based data storage of observations can be carried out in accordance with the technology of any kind.

For example, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention for information exchange between orbital level 1 data gathering observations, and ground-based data storage observations can be used UMTS protocol.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention for this exchange of information may use other protocols, such as those based on the later technology, such as technology OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology or HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Package Acess - high-speed packet data transmission on the downlink).

In accordance with one preferred embodiment, observations are compressed on board satellites 4 and their transfer to the surface observation data storing means. Such compression may be accomplished using any type of technology, e.g., using JPEG compression format.

Observation apparatus according to the invention allows, for example, simply and economically produced daily metric image the entire surface of the Earth.

Advantageously, the distribution of such images can be made through the network, but if necessary, their distribution can be carried out under the control of the server, which establishes the connection to the users who have the appropriate security clearance.

For this purpose, as indicated above, the device of the invention optimally comprises a server called geo-portal server connected via a public digital network 15 with a network of ground stations 5 data storage.

This server includes means for receiving connection requests coming from remote users, tools for analysis of such requests, means of verification of the rights of admission of users and means to enable or disable the access of users to the network.

However, it should be noted that such a server geoportal no way represents a central unit or a central server, which is saved in various information or management; on the other hand, various data and images available to users spread across 13 memory means different ground stations 5 storage, linked by a network.

Earth image obtained by observation apparatus according to the invention, distributed over the surface of the Earth. However, by such a distribution of "transparency" because the system automatically detects the observational data, the request for which the user sends through its network module, and provides them to the user through the same network.

Such geo-portal server may be, for example, a microcomputer comprising computing means, data storage means, software for the analysis and processing of requests, etc.

Observation apparatus according to the invention allows to receive and distribute data Earth observation, in particular in the form of images with high spatial and temporal resolution, in particular of the order of meters, and day, respectively.

Observation apparatus of the present invention provides a physical distribution of data collected by Earth observation, which enables receiving and processing the necessary data. In particular, the required bandwidth data channels is compatible with currently existing technologies.

Observation apparatus according to the invention requires no additional means of collecting information targeting observations available on board satellites.

In addition, observation apparatus according to the invention does not require any central server for storage and / or cataloging and / or distribution of observation data. Distribution of observations of the Earth's surface and keeping them going constantly in the memory means different ground stations and data storage.

The apparatus of the invention, particularly adapted to provide Earth observation data users connected to a public digital network such as the Internet. In particular, the device of the invention enables all users connected to a network, obtain images of certain areas of the earth surface, received less than a day ago, with a resolution of the order of meters. Thus, the present invention opens up the possibility of implementation of many new applications, in particular in the fields of agriculture, cartography, security, defense, the environment, urban planning, telecommunications, risk management, management of renewable resources, etc.

The present invention embraces various embodiments not described above. In particular, the device of the invention may comprise other means of data gathering observations, provided on board other aircraft, or an overhead ground structures, such as buildings, and transmit the collected observations on the level of data through the level of telecommunication channels. This level of telecommunication channels may further comprise a variety of means to ensure that WHO possibility of data observations from the level of observational data collection on the ground observation data storage means of the invention. The number of such additional means can include, for example, the repeater antenna intermediate networks, etc. Overhead storage means observations of the invention may comprise a wide variety of ground stations for receiving and storing data, distributed over the surface of the Earth. Such stations receive and store the data may be microcomputers connected to a public network such as the Internet, or in general, any means adapted to receive an image (or other observational data), image processing, storing them in mass memory, and making them available to users on the network.