Next-gen satellites: a leap in autonomous timekeeping with LSTM algorithm

A new study has developed a two-level satellite timing system using a sparse sampling Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm. This innovative approach significantly boosts the autonomous time-keeping capabilities of next-generation navigation satellites, ensuring more stable and precise space-based time scales. The research addresses critical challenges in satellite navigation by improving long-term clock error predictions.

Accurate time-keeping is essential for satellite navigation, as even minor time deviations can result in significant positioning errors. Traditional systems rely heavily on ground-based atomic clocks, which pose risks of service interruptions. Due to these challenges, advanced research is necessary to develop more reliable and autonomous satellite time-keeping systems.

Researchers from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites have published a study (DOI: 10.1186/s43020-024-00137-6) in Satellite Navigation on 27 May 2024. The study presents a novel two-level timing system using a sparse sampling Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm to enhance the precision and stability of satellite navigation time-keeping.

The study proposes a two-level satellite timing system to improve the high-precision autonomous timing capability of navigation satellites. The first level uses multiple atomic clocks on each satellite to form a stable time scale, while the second level integrates these individual time scales into a constellation-level time scale using inter-satellite links (ISLs). A key innovation is the use of a sparse sampling LSTM algorithm, which significantly enhances the accuracy of long-term clock error predictions. Simulation results show that the frequency stability of the spaceborne time scale improves markedly with this approach. For instance, at a sampling time of 300 seconds, the frequency stability reaches 1.35 × 10^-15, and the ten-day prediction error is reduced to 3.16 × 10^-10 seconds. This represents a substantial improvement over existing prediction models.

Dr. Wenbin Gong, the lead researcher, stated, "Our two-level timing system and the application of the sparse sampling LSTM algorithm represent significant advancements in satellite time-keeping. These innovations not only enhance the precision of satellite navigation but also improve the robustness and reliability of space-based time scales."

The advancements presented in this study have far-reaching implications for the future of satellite navigation and related technologies. Enhanced time-keeping accuracy will lead to improved positioning services, benefiting various applications such as autonomous vehicles, global communication systems, and scientific research. Moreover, the methodology and findings of this research can be applied to other areas requiring precise time synchronization and prediction, further broadening its impact.

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References

DOI

10.1186/s43020-024-00137-6

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43020-024-00137-6

Funding information

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project (Grant No. 12104485). Additionally, it has received funding support from the basic research project of Microsatellite Innovation Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences with grant number JCZX2022B-03.

About Satellite Navigation

Satellite Navigation (E-ISSN: 2662-1363; ISSN: 2662-9291) is the official journal of Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The journal aims to report innovative ideas, new results or progress on the theoretical techniques and applications of satellite navigation. The journal welcomes original articles, reviews and commentaries.