[Starlink] Time Synchronization in Satellite Networks

[Alexandre Petrescu]

Le 02/03/2024 à 16:03, Hesham ElBakoury via Starlink a écrit :
> Time synchronization, for satellite networks, faces several challenges:
>
> 1. Signal Propagation Delays: Unlike terrestrial networks where 
> signals travel through cables at the speed of light, satellite 
> communication involves signals traveling vast distances through space. 
> This creates significant delays.
>
> 2. Clock Drift: Even highly precise atomic clocks, used in satellites, 
> are susceptible to "drift" - gradually losing or gaining time. This 
> drift, caused by factors like temperature variations, radiation 
> exposure, and power fluctuations, can lead to inconsistencies in 
> timekeeping across the network.
>
But, in a probably surprising way, it is GPS satellites at MEO altitudes 
with their higher-than-LEO latencies that calculate and provide accurate 
time on Earth.

Alex

> 3. Signal Degradation: As signals travel through space, they can 
> degrade due to factors like atmospheric interference, ionospheric 
> disturbances, and solar activity. This degradation can introduce noise 
> and errors, impacting the accuracy of time synchronization messages.
>
> 4. Limited Resources: Satellites have limited power and processing 
> capabilities. Implementing complex synchronization protocols can be 
> resource-intensive, requiring careful optimization to minimize their 
> impact on other functionalities.
>
> 5. Evolving Technologies: As satellite technologies and applications 
> continue to evolve, new challenges related to synchronization might 
> emerge. For example, the integration of constellations with thousands 
> of satellites poses unique synchronization challenges due to the sheer 
> scale and complexity of the network.
>
> These challenges necessitate the development of robust and efficient 
> time synchronization protocols for satellite networks and an 
> integrated satellite and  terrestrial networks
>
> Are you aware of such time synchronization protocols?
>
> I would think that using Satellite simulators is the most viable way 
> to develop and test these protocols given that using satellites is not 
> that easy.
>
> Thanks
>
> Hesham
>
>
>
>
>
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