Low-cost systems for monitoring LEO constellations
We develop affordable, scalable systems for monitoring low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations in the 10.7–12.7 GHz band. Our goal is to capture reproducible traces of satellite-to-ground wireless channels and understand how those channels evolve as satellites move.
Measuring rapidly changing channels
As mega constellations expand, multiple satellites can illuminate the same region on Earth at once. Understanding their operation requires measurements of these simultaneous links over time. Traditional tracking antennas are expensive, making it difficult to scale monitoring across many satellites.
Repurposing portable receivers
We are repurposing existing portable satellite receivers, reprogramming them and adding microcontroller-based tracking so they can follow moving satellites. By building on low-cost receiver platforms, we aim to make simultaneous observations of multiple satellites practical and scalable.
Reproducible traces for future systems
The resulting channel traces can support models of constellation behavior and link evolution. They can also help researchers explore future applications, including data centers in orbit, where understanding how connectivity changes with satellite motion is essential.