Satellite-based wireless sensor networks: Radio communication link design

Abstract

This paper focuses on the application of Collaborative Beamforming (CB) technique to a satellite-based environmental monitoring and surveillance scenario, where wireless sensor nodes communicate directly with a satellite, without the need of a gateway. We consider Geostationary (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks scenarios that operate at the frequency range of S-band and a typical wireless sensor network (WSN) (e.g. Zigbee). The analytical link budget is presented. Moreover, the effect of different system parameters on the number of nodes required for direct link communication is examined. Significant conclusions are drawn.