SAT05-1: Design Guidelines for a Global and Self-Managed LEO Satellites-Based Sensor Network

This paper describes the architecture of a global sensor network based on a constellation of LEO satellites. The considered sensor network is heterogeneous: two types of sensor nodes are envisioned. One type does the sensing and relays the gathered data to the other type that performs data aggregation and communicates it directly to the satellites. The main challenging tasks in the design of the architecture are explored and adequate solutions are provided. A set of data dissemination techniques is then presented. Following this, a mathematical model is developed to evaluate the energy use of the sensors. Open research issues for the realization of such architecture are finally discussed.