RU2798008C2 - Delta coding for remote sensing - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: remote sensing systems; delta coding technologies for remote sensing.

SUBSTANCE: invention is aimed to ensure that information is updated more efficiently, more frequently, more quickly, or more reliably. It is achieved by the fact that a system that allows remote sensing of signals can have processing capabilities that make it possible to determine the differences between the sensing signals and the basic state, for example, a base map of information. Certain differences from the baseline may be transmitted over a communication link (for example, wireless link, satellite link) and may be referred to as "delta coding" or may be otherwise associated with "delta coding" of the information recorded by the remote sensing system. In some examples, delta coding may allow a smaller amount of information to be transmitted over the link instead of the entire received sensing signals to be transmitted.

EFFECT: information is updated more efficiently, more frequently, more quickly, or more reliably

24 cl, 8 dwg

Description

cross reference

This patent application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/803,778 by Greenidge et al. entitled DELTA CODING FOR LEO DELEMENT BEAM SENSING, filed February 11, 2019, which has been assigned to the assignee of this document , and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Prerequisites for the creation of the invention

The following description generally relates to remote sensing systems and delta coding technologies for remote sensing.

Remote sensing systems may include various signal sensing platforms that may be associated with the geographical distribution of information. In some cases, remote sensing systems may wirelessly transmit sensing signals to one or more other devices. For example, the remote sensing system may be included in a satellite of the satellite communications system, and the sounding signals may be transmitted on the reverse link to the ground segment of the satellite communications system. Probe signaling may be limited by the availability or cost of operating the reverse link, which may be affected by reverse link throughput, reverse link busyness with other information, or reverse link interruption due to a discontinuous connection, among other factors.

Statement of the Invention

The described technologies relate to improved methods, systems, devices and apparatuses that support delta coding for remote sensing. In some examples, a remote sensing system may transmit sounding signals using a link to another device (e.g., wireless link, satellite link), which link may be subject to limitations such as limited bandwidth or bandwidth, limited availability, limited reliability, or other aspects. In accordance with the examples described herein, a system supporting remote sensing may be characterized by processing capabilities to distinguish between the sounding signals and a baseline, such as a base map of information corresponding to the initial geographic distribution of information. Certain differences from the base state may be transmitted over the link, which process may be referred to as "delta encoding" or may be otherwise associated with "delta encoding" of the sounding signals received by the remote sensing system. In some examples, the delta coding techniques described may allow less information to be transmitted over the link instead of the entire received sounding signals to be transmitted. By transmitting such different information, the remote sensing system can accordingly provide information updates (eg, geographic distribution updates) more efficiently, more frequently, more quickly, or more reliably, among other advantages.

Brief description of graphic materials

In FIG. 1 depicts an example of a satellite communication system that allows delta coding for remote sensing in accordance with the examples disclosed herein.

In FIG. 2 and 3 show examples of determining differences that can be delta coded for remote sensing according to the examples disclosed herein.

In FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary system and related operations capable of performing delta coding for remote sensing in accordance with the examples disclosed herein.

In FIG. 5 is a functional diagram of a remote sensing system that supports delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 6 is a functional diagram of a central mapping system capable of delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 7 and 8 are flow charts illustrating a method or methods for enabling delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with the examples disclosed herein.

Detailed description

A system according to the techniques described herein that allows delta encoding of the sounding signals received by the first device of the system, which can improve the exchange of data related to the sounding signals between the first device of the system and another device of the system. For example, a remote sensing system may be used to communicate the spatial distribution of sounding signals using some link (e.g., wireless link, satellite link) to another device, which link may be subject to limitations such as limited bandwidth, limited availability, limited reliability, or other aspects. In accordance with the examples described herein, a remote sensing system may be characterized by processing capabilities to distinguish between the sensing signals and a baseline, such as a base map of information. Certain differences from the base state, which may be referred to as "delta coding" or may be otherwise associated with the "delta coding" of the information recorded by the remote sensing system, may be transmitted over the communication link. In some examples, delta coding may allow a smaller amount of information to be transmitted over the link instead of the entire received sounding signals to be transmitted. By transmitting such different information, the remote sensing system can accordingly provide information updates (eg, updates on the spatial distribution of information), among other advantages, more efficiently, more frequently, more quickly, more reliably, or in accordance with the priorities of the differences.

One example of the techniques described for delta encoding may relate to delta encoding of the spatial distribution (eg, geographic distribution) of information collected by a satellite-based sensor platform. For example, a satellite may receive a basemap (eg, a direct link from a ground segment) with a first spatial distribution of information, and a satellite platform with sensors may be used to determine the second spatial distribution of information. The processing capability of the satellite may include determining different information representing the difference between the first spatial distribution of information and the second spatial distribution of information. The satellite may be configured to transmit different information to the ground segment (eg, on the reverse link), which may provide advantageous communication characteristics over transmission of the second spatial information in its entirety. For example, the transmission of different information may reduce the load on the link (e.g., the reverse link), which may allow other data to be transmitted using the link, or improve the reliability of the sounding signals transmitted on the link, or complete the information update before the link breaks. communications (eg due to loss of line-of-sight between the satellite's orbital path and the ground segment), among other benefits.

The present disclosure provides various examples of delta coding technologies that enable remote sensing, and such examples are not intended to be limiting as to the scope, applicability, or configuration of the examples in accordance with the principles described herein. The following description rather provides those skilled in the art with a detailed description of the implementation of embodiments of the principles described herein. Various changes can be made to the functions and design of the elements.

Thus, in various embodiments, in accordance with the examples described herein, various procedures or components may be omitted, replaced, or added, depending on the situation. For example, it should be understood that the methods may be performed in an order other than those described above, and that various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Moreover, aspects and elements described in connection with some embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. It should also be understood that the following systems, methods, devices, and software may, individually or in combination, be components of a larger system, and other procedures may take precedence over them or otherwise modify their application.

In FIG. 1 depicts an example of a satellite communication system 100 that allows delta coding for remote sensing in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. An exemplary satellite communications system 100 includes a first satellite 105-a containing a mapping satellite system 170. The exemplary satellite communications system 100 also includes a ground segment 110, which may include one or more of a ground segment antenna 115, a gateway system 120, network 125 and mapping system 130 ground segment. The terrestrial mapping system 130 and the satellite mapping system 170 may be configured to perform various operations for collecting, processing, and transmitting information, such as geographic distribution of information.

In some examples, satellite communication system 100 may include a second satellite 105-b capable of relaying communications between first satellite 105-a and ground segment 110 (e.g., supporting a link between first satellite 105-a and ground segment 110, with second satellite 105- b is an example of a relay device). For example, second satellite 105-b may receive forward link transmissions 135 from the ground segment (e.g., from ground segment antenna 115) and forward at least a portion of the received signals or transmit signals that are otherwise at least partially based on transmissions. 135 from the ground segment on the forward link as relayed transmissions 155 on the forward link. In a further or alternative embodiment, second satellite 105-b may receive satellite transmissions 160 (e.g., from first satellite 105-a) on the reverse link and forward at least a portion of the received signals or transmit signals that are otherwise at least partially are based on satellite transmissions 160 on the reverse link as relayed transmissions 140 on the reverse link. However, in other examples, in accordance with the described technologies, the second satellite 105-b may be absent, and the communication link may be provided between the satellite 105 (for example, a satellite associated with the mapping satellite system 170) and the gateway system 120 (for example, associated with the mapping system 130 ground segment) without being relayed by another satellite 105 or other device. In addition, some systems in accordance with the described technologies may include multiple relay devices, such as two or more relay satellites between the first satellite 105-a and the ground segment 110.

The satellite communications system 100 may include any suitable type of satellite system, including a geostationary orbit (GSO) satellite system, a medium altitude orbit (MEO) satellite system, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite system, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, the first satellite 105-a (eg, associated with the mapping satellite system 170) may be configured to operate in LEO or NEO, and the second satellite 105-b (eg, a relay satellite) may be configured to operate in the geostationary orbit. In some cases, such a configuration can be used to combine a relatively wider sounding coverage area of the first satellite 105-a (for example, due to the LEO or NEO trajectory supporting high-altitude passage, due to a wider range of ground positions or positions located in close proximity to ground positions) with relatively constant communication coverage provided by the second satellite 105-b (for example, due to relatively stable orientation or line of sight between the second satellite 105-b and the ground segment antenna 115, relatively long or more frequent line of sight between the first satellite 105-a and the second satellite 105-b compared to the line-of-sight between the first satellite 105-a and the ground segment, such as the ground segment 110 or the ground segment antenna 115). In some examples, the second satellite 105-b may be a GSO satellite configured to provide asymmetric communication between the forward link and the reverse link. For example, the second satellite 105-b may have a significantly larger forward link bandwidth than the reverse link, or may have higher forward link spectral efficiency. In some examples, such a configuration may refer to a ground segment antenna 115 with relatively large or greater bandwidth, or to the power or beamforming capabilities of the second satellite 105-b.

Gateway system 120 may be a device or system that provides an interface between network 125 and satellite 105. In some examples, gateway system 120 may be referred to as a hub or ground station. Gateway system 120 may use ground segment antenna 115 to transmit signals to and receive signals from satellite 105 via internetwork uplink (e.g., via transmissions 135 from the ground segment on the forward link) and internetwork downlink (e.g., through relayed transmissions). 140 on the reverse link). The ground segment antenna 115 may be configured for two-way communication and may have sufficient transmit power and receive sensitivity to provide reliable communications with one or more satellites 105.

Gateway system 120 may be connected to network 125 via one or more wired or wireless links. In some cases, the gateway system 120 may be configured to communicate with the first satellite 105-a via the second satellite 105-b. Network 125 may include any suitable public or private networks and may be connected to other communications networks (not shown) such as the Internet, telephone networks (eg, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), etc.), and etc. Network 125 may connect gateway system 120 to other gateway systems that may also communicate with satellite 105 (eg, first satellite 105-a, second satellite 105-b, other satellites 105). In an alternative embodiment, gateways connecting separate networks and other nodes can be used to share different types of communications.

Satellite communication system 100 may operate in one or more of the Ku-band, K-band, or Ka-band allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) (e.g., 17.7 to 21.2 gigahertz (GHz) in the downlink and from 27.5 to 31 GHz in the Ka-band uplink). In an alternative embodiment, the satellite communication system 100 may operate in other frequency bands such as C-band, X-band, S-band, L-band, and the like. In some examples, ground segment antenna 115 or satellite 105 may be configured to transmit or receive signals within one or more specific frequency bands, with one or more specific polarizations, or both. In various examples, the communication between the ground segment 110 and the second satellite 105-b may be configured on the same frequency or in the same frequency band as the communication between the second satellite 105-b and the first satellite 105-a is configured on a different frequency. or in a different frequency band than the communication between the second satellite 105-b and the first satellite 105-a, or both.

Satellite mapping system 170 may be an example of a remote sensing system, or part thereof, configured to collect data about the geographic or other spatial distribution of information. For example, satellite mapping system 170 may include a sensor platform 175 that may include one or more sensors for sensing various conditions or phenomena. The sensor platform may comprise one or more sensors configured to sense information in the visible spectrum, IR spectrum, thermal spectrum, or electromagnetic spectrum, or may contain one or more sensors associated with hyperspectral imaging, radar imaging, synthetic aperture radar imaging or other information. Such information can be collected by the sensor platform 175 in accordance with a spatial or geographic distribution, such as two-dimensional distribution, two-dimensional distribution superimposed on a vertical profile, three-dimensional distribution, and other forms of distribution.

The satellite mapping system 170 also includes a data processor 190 that can be configured to perform various aspects of information processing. For example, data processor 190 may be configured to process information registered by sensor platform 175, such as object identification, boundary identification, detection of water or other materials, spatial filtering, or atmospheric suppression (e.g., to eliminate overcast, smoke, or air pollution). ). In some examples, data processor 190 may be configured to perform ray-tracking operations, such as correcting visible light imaging according to known position of the sun or other factors (e.g., time of day), weather compensation operations, such as overcast, or operations related to adapting information to different orientations or observation perspectives (eg, to generate or adapt a base map, to process sounding signals in order to compare them with a base map). The satellite mapping system also includes a data store 185 that can be configured to store raw information (for example, received from the sensor platform 175), basemaps (for example, received by the first satellite 105-a), processed information (for example, processed using data processor 190) and other information (eg, configuration information).

Some examples of remote sensing systems may be configured to collect as much data as possible and send that data to another device for various processing operations. For example, some satellite sensing systems may not have certain processing capabilities (e.g., due to cost, complexity, or other problems associated with implementing such capabilities on an orbiter), but may instead be configured to transmit received sounding signals to ground segment, such as ground segment 110. Thus, some satellite sensing systems can be configured to communicate asymmetrically with a command or telemetry link with relatively low bandwidth (eg, on the order of kilobits per second) and a data link with relatively high throughput (eg, downlink channel, reverse link channel).

In one example of such a satellite sounding system, the satellite may be configured to store data in the satellite's data store until a concentrated downlink data packet is generated. For example, to support a LEO or NWO sounding satellite, a downlink concentrated data packet may be generated once per orbit, eg, the data packet may be transmitted to a ground station at a polar position. In such examples, the processing of information may be carried out in the ground segment, and the delay in such processing may include the period of revolution of the satellite sounding system in its orbit. In another example, data may be relayed by a GSO satellite (e.g., second satellite 105-b) with asymmetric throughput associated with relatively low reverse link bandwidth (e.g., relatively low data throughput from second satellite 105-b). to the ground segment 110). In any case, it may be preferable to reduce the amount of information transmitted on the reverse link in order to better use the available communication resources.

In some examples, the described delta coding techniques may be implemented in a remote sensing system (eg, in one or more portions of satellite communication system 100) to enhance various aspects of sensing signal transmission. For example, delta encoding may be implemented as a data processing model for LEO or NWO remote sensing satellites that maximize communication resources and use onboard processing (eg, on the first satellite 105a) of an object-oriented image, or other spatial analysis. Such technologies can be used to effectively provide real-time geospatial information at a frequency that is not possible with some of the operating concepts used.

The delta encoding techniques described may be associated with a basemap or other baseline from which differences may be determined (eg, by data processor 190). In various examples, such a basemap may be preloaded on the first satellite 105-a, downloaded on the first satellite 105-a based on information from other satellites, or downloaded based on information collected on the first satellite 105-a (e.g., based on information registered with the sensor platform 175 or returned to the first satellite 105-a after processing on the ground segment 110). In some examples, the basemap may be referred to as ground control data or other baseline maintained by ground segment 110. One or more basemaps may be stored on first satellite 105-a (eg, in data store 185).

The base map can be received on the first satellite 105-a through various modes of communication. For example, the basemap may be received on the first satellite 105-a directly from the ground segment 110 or via the second satellite 105-b (eg, a relay satellite). In some examples, the base map may be updated over time (eg, with information recorded by sensor platform 175, with information from other satellites, with information processed at ground segment 110), and first satellite 105-a may store different basemaps (eg, over time) associated with one or more ground locations.

In some examples, a received or stored basemap may refer to processed information, which is a spatial distribution of information suitable for comparison with registered data for a particular location. In some examples, the first satellite 105-a (eg, satellite mapping system 170) may receive the raw data and process it into another form suitable for such comparisons (eg, to detect certain types of differences). In some examples, the basemap may be associated with a particular area of interest, which may be a repeating area of interest over which the first satellite 105-a performs multiple orbital passes. In some examples, a basemap may not refer to a complete or continuous spatial distribution, but may instead refer to a catalog and object locators (eg, identifiers and coordinates).

Data processor 190 may perform various operations to implement the described delta encoding techniques. For example, data processor 190 may be configured to perform sensor frame normalization, geolocation and frame registration, orthocorrection, geocorrection, or scene segmentation. In some examples, data processor 190 may be configured to extract a feature, parse an object, or search a directory. Data processor 190 may also be configured to perform various aspects of difference determination, such as generating a delta value for a scene, or detecting various changes in identified objects from a baseline. Thus, the data processor 190 can be configured to perform operations that transmit some of the information registered by the sensor platform 175 rather than all of the information registered by the sensor platform 175, which can facilitate communication in various ways performed by the first satellite 105. -A.

In some delta encoding examples, satellite mapping system 170 may be configured to continuously process sensor data and generate differences using a Last Known State (LKT) algorithm that can support near real-time latency. The information transmitted by the first satellite 105-a (eg, to the ground segment 110) may be some part of the sounding signals, and the information transmitted to the first satellite 105-a may refer to LKT information, which is continuously updated information (eg, continuously updated ground control data). In some examples, first satellite 105-a may be specifically configured to determine specific types of differences, and delta algorithms or other difference determination configuration may be transmitted to first satellite 105-a (e.g., from ground segment 110) via uplink or forward link. connections. For example, the satellite communication system 100 may support reprogramming of the first satellite 105-a's flight program provided by a two-way link between the first satellite 105-a and the ground segment, which may support the downloading of new basemaps or object catalogs. In some examples, the first satellite 105-a may be directed to a particular area and the first satellite 105-a may request a basemap from the ground infrastructure or retrieve the appropriate algorithms.

Determination of different information may be performed by satellite mapping system 170 in accordance with various technologies. For example, differences may be determined based on raw sensing signals (eg, obtained by sensor platform 175) or based on processed information, such as differences obtained upon detection of an object (eg, identification of objects that were not previously present, identification of objects, no longer present, detection of movement or displacement of known objects). Such determinations may be repeated at different orbital positions, which may or may not correspond to the same locations on the surface. In some cases, a relatively large detected difference may be used to initiate an operation that conveys the entire set of information or a set of information with relatively high certainty. In some cases, the satellite mapping system 170 may be configured to transmit different information in chunks, such as when reduced visibility adversely affects sounding signals. In accordance with these and other technologies, the satellite communication system 100 can be configured to provide constantly updated real information.

In some examples, the definition of different information may refer to various aspects of image analysis that may be performed by various components of the satellite communication system 100. For example, determining different information may refer to image processing performed entirely by satellite mapping system 170, and first satellite 105-a may send delta information directly to ground segment 110 or to ground segment 110 via second satellite 105-b (e.g., GSO- satellite). In some examples, the second satellite 105-b may support backhaul functionality, where such image processing or analysis may be performed entirely on the second satellite 105-b. In some examples, such image processing may be distributed, such as distributed between the first satellite 105-a and the ground segment 110, between the first satellite 105-a and the second satellite 105-b, between the first satellite 105-a, the second satellite 105-b and ground segment 110, or between second satellite 105-b and ground segment 110. In some examples, such processing may be flexible (eg, between first satellite 105-a, second satellite 105-b, and ground segment 110), which may involve flexible resource allocation. forward link or reverse link (eg, for the first satellite 105-a).

The satellite communication system 100 can also support the transmission of different information according to different technologies. In some examples, different information may be transmitted directly from the first satellite 105-a to the ground segment 110. In some examples, different information may be transmitted from the first satellite 105-a to the ground segment 110 via one or more relay devices (for example, the second satellite 105- b), such as a geostationary relay, LEO relay or NWO relay. In some examples, scheduling for transmission of differing information may be performed by one or more of the first satellite 105-a or ground segment 110. For example, scheduling of such transmissions may be based at least in part on link channel conditions, bandwidth costs, data volume, time the value or priority of the data, or the presence or absence of other communication sessions (for example, the available bandwidth of the communication line). In some examples, such scheduling may be based at least in part on the priority of detected differences, and may support the ability to quickly take action when higher priority differences are found.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that one or more aspects of the present invention may be implemented in satellite communications system 100 or in another communications or information system to additionally or alternatively address other problems than those described herein. In addition, aspects of the present invention may provide technical improvements to "traditional" systems or methods described herein. However, the description and accompanying drawings include only examples of technical improvements achieved in the course of implementing aspects of the present invention, and, accordingly, do not represent all technical improvements that are within the scope of the claims.

In FIG. 2 shows a difference determination example 200 that allows delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the difference determination aspects of example 200 may be performed by the satellite mapping system 170 of the first satellite 105-a, as described with reference to FIG. 1. In some examples, the discriminating aspects of example 200 may be performed by a different device, or a different type of device, which can be described more generally as a remote sensing system.

Example 200 includes a base map 210-a including a first geographic distribution of information that can be received by first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system and stored (eg, in data store 185) for later comparison. The base map 210a may be one example of a baseline from which a difference determination may be made (eg, by the first satellite 105-a or another device). The basemap information 210-a may be associated with one or both of a ground position (e.g., a reference ground position or a position above ground level) and a position above ground level (e.g., an altitude pass position above the ground position, an orbital path position of the first satellite 105- a). Basemap information 210-a may include various types of information. In some examples, basemap 210-a may refer to imaging information, such as visible spectrum imaging, infrared imaging, thermal imaging, hyperspectral imaging, synthetic aperture radar imaging, other types of imaging, or combinations thereof. In some examples, basemap information 210-a may include other types of information, such as structural information about atmospheric parameters, structural information about parameters at ground level, or other spatial or geographic distributions of information. Basemap 210-a can be described as a spatial representation of information such as an image or a graph.

In some examples, the information type of the base map 210-a may correspond to the type of information collected by the sensor platform. For example, basemap 210-a may contain visible spectrum imaging information as collected by a visible spectrum sensor of a remote sensing system. In some examples, the basemap 210a information by type may be information that has been processed, filtered, or otherwise converted. For example, the basemap may contain demarcation regions in which a feature or set of features of the received signals is above or below a threshold, or in which combinations of features of the received signals meet or fail identification criteria, among other types of demarcation. In some examples, basemap 210-a may be based at least in part on processed information (e.g., images) collected at different locations and matched to a known elevation model (e.g., using orthocorrection), or otherwise shifted or adapted (e.g., , based on frame normalization from the sensor, based on ray tracking, based on time of day with overcast compensation) to represent the perspective from which comparison is to be made (eg, to identify different information).

Basemap 210-a may be an example of a first geographic or spatial distribution of information from which different types of differences can be determined. For example, basemap 210a may include first feature 220-a and second feature 220-b. In some examples, features 220 may relate to image information (e.g., areas of a particular color or range of colors, areas of a particular wavelength or spectral amplitude), distributions of another characteristic of received signals (e.g., thermal distributions, distributions of atmospheric components), or identified features. such as vegetation (eg, tree cover, agricultural areas, residential areas), infrastructure (eg, roads, bridges, railroad tracks), vehicles, or other features. The basemap 210-a may be provided to the first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system, and after another geographic distribution of information has been probed (for example, on a subsequent altitude or orbital pass) or sounding signals have been received that could otherwise be converted to a different geographic distribution of information, where basemap 210-a can be used to determine different information (eg, on first satellite 105-a or other remote sensing system, using satellite mapping system 170).

Example 200 also includes a registered map 230-a that includes a second geographic or spatial distribution of information that is at least partially based on information registered by a remote sensing system (e.g., a registered platform 175 with sensors of the first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system). ). The information on the registered map 230-a may also be associated with one or both of a ground position (e.g., a reference ground position or a position above ground level) or an altitude position (e.g., an orbital or other altitude pass position above ground, a position of a platform with sensors during the collection of information used to generate the registered card 230-a). The ground position in the registered map 230-a may generally correspond to the ground position in the base map 210-a. However, the altitude position associated with the registered map 230-a may be the same as the altitude position associated with the base map 210-a or may be different from the altitude position associated with the base map 210-a.

If the altitude position associated with the registered map 230-a differs from the altitude position associated with the base map 210-a, the registered map may contain information that has been scaled, projected, or otherwise modified to allow comparison with the base map 210-a. . For example, the registered map 230-a may be generated based at least in part on changing one or more images to represent the perspective of the base map 210-a (e.g., based on an elevation model of the corresponding geographic area, based on an offset or perspective angle or orientation between high altitude and ground position). In a further or alternative embodiment, the basemap 210-a may be generated based at least in part on modifying one or more images to represent the perspective of the registered map 230-a (e.g., based on a terrain model of the corresponding geographic area, based on an offset, or angle perspective, or orientation between altitude and ground). More generally, information associated with the base card 210-a, or information associated with the registered card 230-a, or both, can be processed or modified from a common perspective to facilitate comparison and difference.

In example 200, the registered map 230-a contains a first feature 220-a at the same location, a second feature 220-b at a different location, and a new feature 220-c that is not included in the base map 210-a. Accordingly, aspects of features 220-b and 220-c of registered map 230-a may illustrate a change in geographic or spatial distribution of information for a given terrestrial location or terrestrial region. A comparison of the base map 210-a and the registered map 230-a may be performed (eg, by the data processor 190 of the first satellite 105-a or other remote sensing system) with difference determination 240-a to generate a difference map 250-a. The difference map 250-a may be an example of different information representing differences between the second geographic distribution of information and the first geographic distribution of information. Since, in example 200, feature 220-a is present on both basemap 210-a (e.g., transmitted to a remote sensing system) and registered map 230-a (e.g., registered or otherwise defined in a remote sensing system), the map Difference 250-a may omit feature 220-a and may contain indications of moving feature 220-b (eg, as a move vector 260) and adding feature 220-c.

The remote sensing system can transmit the difference map 250-a, which can improve various aspects of the transmission of information associated with the registered map 230-a. For example, the transmission of information associated with the movement of feature 220-b and the addition of feature 220-c, and the omission of information associated with feature 220-a, may result in a reduction in communication traffic compared to the transmission of information associated with each of features 220 -a, 220-b and 220-c. Thus, when performing the difference determination 240-a, the link between the first satellite 105-a and the ground segment 110 can be used to transmit other information (eg, not related to the information in the registered map 230-a) or the link between the first satellite 105 -a and ground segment 110 may be used to transmit higher fidelity or higher resolution information that may be associated with information in registered map 230-a.

In FIG. 3 depicts a difference determination example 300 that allows delta coding for remote sensing in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, the difference determination aspects of example 300 may be performed by the satellite mapping system 170 of the first satellite 105-a, as described with reference to FIG. 1. In some examples, the discriminating aspects of example 300 may be performed by a different device or a different type of device, which can be described more generally as a remote sensing system.

Example 300 includes a base map 210-b including a first geographic distribution of information that can be received by first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system and stored (eg, in data store 185) for later comparison. Basemap 210b may be another example of a baseline from which difference determination may be made (eg, by first satellite 105-a or another device). The information on the base map 210-b may be associated with one or both of a ground position (e.g., a reference ground position or a position above ground level) and an altitude position (e.g., an altitude pass position above the ground, an orbital path position of the first satellite 105-a ).

Basemap information 210-b may include various types of information. In some examples, basemap 210-a may refer to identified objects or a grid of locations that meet a particular threshold. For example, basemap 210-b may contain (or correspond to) base catalog 310 associated with identified objects (eg, types of objects such as vehicles, buildings, or other structures having spatial coordinates) or identified areas or coordinates that otherwise meet a threshold (eg, areas occupied by vegetation, areas having surface water, areas in which development has taken place or a natural disaster has occurred). In various examples, first satellite 105-a or other remote sensing system may receive basemap 210-b and generate basemap 310, or first satellite 105-a or other remote sensing system may receive basemap 310 instead of receiving basemap 210-b. Each of basemap 210-b or base directory 310 may be an example of a directory or list of information (eg, feature directory, identified object directory, identified location directory).

In some examples, the information type of the base map 210-b may correspond to the type of information collected by the sensor platform. In some examples, basemap information 210-b by type may be information that has been processed, filtered, or otherwise transformed (eg, to provide identification of objects or coordinates in a directory).

Basemap 210-b or base catalog 310 may be other examples of the first geographic or spatial distribution of information from which different types of differences may be determined. For example, basemap 210-b or base catalog 310 may contain a first feature A, a second feature B, and a third feature C. Basemap 210-b or base catalog 310 may be provided to first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system and after sounding yet another geographic distribution of information (e.g., on a subsequent altitude or orbit pass) or receiving sounding signals that may otherwise be converted to a different geographic distribution of information, basemap 210-b or base catalog 310 may be used to determine a different information (for example, on the first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system using satellite mapping system 170).

Example 200 also includes a registered map 230-b that includes a second geographic or spatial distribution of information that is based at least in part on information recorded by a remote sensing system (e.g., recorded by a sensor platform 175 of the first satellite 105-a or another system). remote sensing). The information on the registered map 230-b may also be associated with one or both of a ground position (e.g., reference ground position or position above ground level) or an altitude position (e.g., position of an orbital or other altitude pass above ground position, position of a platform with sensors during the collection of information used to generate the registered card 230-b). The ground position on the registered map 230-b may generally correspond to the ground position on the base map 210-b. However, the altitude position associated with the registered map 230-b may be the same as the altitude position associated with the base map 210-b or may be different from the altitude position associated with the base map 210-b. Registered map 230-b may include (or be otherwise associated with) registered directory 330, which may be determined (eg, by data processor 190) by first satellite 105-a or another remote sensing system directly or at least partially on based on a registered card 230-b.

In example 200, registered map 230-b does not contain feature A, contains feature B at a different position, contains feature C in the same position, and contains a new feature D that was not included in basemap 210-b or base directory 310. Accordingly, aspects relating to features A, B, and D of the registered map 230-b or registered directory 330 may be illustrative of a change in the geographic or spatial distribution of information for a given terrestrial location or terrestrial area. The base map 210-b and the registered map 230-b or the base catalog 310 and the registered catalog 330 can be compared (eg, using the data processor 190 of the first satellite 105-a or other remote sensing system) in determining the difference 240-b to generate one or both from diff map 250-a or diff catalog 350. Any of the difference map 250-b or the difference catalog 350 may be an example of different information representing the difference between the second geographic distribution of information and the first geographic distribution of information.

The remote sensing system may transmit one or both of the difference map 250-b or the difference directory 350, which may improve various aspects of the transmission of information associated with the registered map 230-b or the registered directory 330. For example, the transmission of information of the difference map 250-b or difference directory 350 may result in a reduction in communication traffic compared to the transmission of the entire registered map 230-b or the entire registered directory 330. segment 110 may be used to transmit other information (e.g., not related to the information on registered map 230-b) or the link between first satellite 105-a and ground segment 110 may be used to transmit higher fidelity or higher resolution information. , which may be associated with information in the registered card 230-b.

In FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary system 400 and related operations supporting delta coding for remote sensing in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The system includes a central mapping system 401, a relay device 402, and a remote sensing system 403. In one example, system 400 may include satellite communications system components, such as satellite communications system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the central mapping system 401 may include aspects of the ground segment 110 (for example, the ground segment mapping system 130), the relay device 402 may include aspects of the second satellite 105-b (for example, a satellite in geostationary orbit), and the system Remote sensing 403 may include aspects of the first satellite 105-a (eg, a LEO or NEO satellite, which may include a satellite mapping system 170). In other examples, system 400 may include other components (eg, if remote sensing system 403 includes aspects of another type of remote or mobile device, such as a vehicle, aircraft, helicopter, UAV, or remote monitoring station). Although system 400 is shown with one remote sensing system 403, the techniques described may be applied to more than one remote sensing system 403 (eg, groups of remote sensing systems 403).

At step 410, the central mapping system 401 may generate a base map or other base state including the first geographic distribution of information. The first geographic distribution of information may include a spatial representation of the information (eg, an image, a 3D graph) or a catalog of information (eg, a feature catalog) and may correspond to a first location (eg, the altitude or orbital position of the remote sensing system 403, a ground position, or a reference ground position on base map). In some examples, generating the first geographic distribution of information may include aspects of generating a base map 210 or base catalog 310, as described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3. The basemap generation at step 410 may be based on information recorded by the remote sensing system 403 (eg, previous data that was previously transmitted to the central mapping system 401), other remote sensing systems 403 (eg, a group of remote sensing systems 403 sounding), or other sources of information, or combinations thereof (eg, for a combined basemap), which may include appropriate adaptations to normalize one or more sets of recorded information about the first position.

At step 420, the central mapping system 401 may transmit the generated basemap or other baseline data. In the example shown, the base map may be transmitted to the relay device 402, and in step 421, the base map may be transmitted by the relay device 402 to the remote sensing system 403. In other examples, a basemap or other baseline data may be transmitted (e.g., at 420) to the remote sensing system 403 without being relayed by the relay device 402.

In some examples, the central mapping system 401 may define various parameters or algorithms that will be used to detect or identify differences from a base map or other base state. For example, the central mapping system 401 may be configured to detect natural disasters (eg, fire zones, earthquake damage), infrastructure changes (eg, construction of new buildings or roads, demolition of structures), movement of vehicles (eg, the presence of vehicles , absence of vehicles, changes in the position of vehicles) or the detection of other phenomena. In some examples, a change in diff configuration may coincide with a change in mission or deployment (eg, by or through ground system 110) of satellite 105 or other remote sensing system (eg, UAV) to observe a given geographic area.

In instances where the remote sensing system 403 is to be configured to detect a particular difference, at step 430 the central mapping system 401 can transmit difference parameters related to the difference detection or their configuration. In the example shown, the difference parameters may be transmitted to the relay device 402, and in step 431 the difference parameters may be transmitted by the relay device 402 to the remote sensing system 403. In other examples (for example, regardless of whether the basemap was transmitted by the relay device 402), the difference parameters can be transmitted (for example, at step 430) to the remote sensing system 403 without relaying by the relay device 402.

At 440, the remote sensing system 403 may determine the geographic distribution of the information. For example, the remote sensing system 403 may detect various information (eg, using the sensor platform 175) to generate a registered map 230 or a registered directory 330, as described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3. In some examples, this detection may correspond to the same position as for the base map (eg, the same altitude position, the same ground position, or reference ground location on the base map). In some examples, the detection at step 440 may correspond to a different altitude position than the position on the base map, but the remote sensing system 403 may process the sounding signals (for example, based on the elevation model of the corresponding geographic area, based on an offset, or perspective angle, or orientation between altitude and ground position) to enable comparison with the base map. Although the detection at step 440 is shown to occur after the remote sensing system 403 has received the basemap and (optionally) received the difference parameters, in some examples, the remote sensing system 403 may perform detections 440 before receiving the basemap or before receiving the difference parameters.

At 450, the remote sensing system 403 may determine different information (eg, based at least in part on the basemap transmitted at 420 and the information discovered at 440). For example, remote sensing system 403 may perform one or more aspects of difference determination 240 as described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3. In some examples, the operations of step 450 may be associated with generating one or both of the difference map 250 or the difference catalog 350, as described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3. In various examples, different information may include, among other differences, differences in spectral or other imaging information, or the addition, removal, or relocation of an identified feature.

In step 460, the remote sensing system 403 may transmit different information as determined in step 450. In the example shown, different information may be transmitted to relay device 402, and in step 461, different information may be transmitted by relay device 402 to central mapping system 401. In others examples (for example, regardless of whether the basemap or difference parameters were transmitted by the relay device 402), different information can be transmitted (for example, at step 460) to the central mapping system 401 without relaying using the relay device 402. In some examples, the transmission 460 may be based at least in part on link channel conditions, link bandwidth costs, or data volume of differing information. For example, such a transmission may take into account the signal-to-noise ratio when communicating with a relay device, the relative costs of communicating with various terrestrial or relay devices, the state of the buffer (for example, the amount of used buffer capacity of the remote sensing system 403). In some examples, data transmission 460 may be scheduled by central mapping system 401, relay device 402, or remote sensing system 403 based on these and other factors.

The different information transmitted at 460 may be used by the central mapping system 401 to support different functionality. In some examples, the central mapping system 401 may update the basemap at least in part based on differing information, and the updated basemap may be transmitted to one or more remote sensing systems 403 (e.g., including or other than the remote sensing system 403, group of systems 403 remote sensing) or the end user of data on the geographical distribution of information. For example, the central mapping system 401 may provide aggregated and processed (eg, orthocorrected) information to the end user. In some examples, the differing information itself may be forwarded to one or more remote sensing systems 403 (e.g., other than the remote sensing system 403 in question, to update the base map) or to an end user of the information's geographic distribution data (e.g., a user of certain differences in geographic distribution information). In some examples, different information can be combined from information from multiple remote sensing systems 403 and different information or updated basemaps can be distributed accordingly.

Although the above example refers to the same basemap and the definition of different information, the described techniques can be applied in different locations. For example, system 400 may be configured to transmit a second basemap (eg, corresponding to a second altitude or orbital position of remote sensing system 403) including a third geographic distribution of information. In some examples, the second basemap may be transmitted when the remote sensing system 403 is on a trajectory between the first position and the second position (e.g., after pre-detection of information at step 440, before another information detection, within the segment of the orbit between the first orbital position and the second orbital position) or after reaching or passing the second position. Accordingly, the remote sensing system 403 can be configured to detect the fourth geographic information distribution (eg, at the second position) and determine second different information representing differences between the fourth geographic information distribution and the third geographic information distribution. Thus, system 400 can be configured to communicate second different information (eg, between remote sensing system 403 and central mapping system 401). Typically, the remote sensing system 403 may be configured to store a number of basemaps that may correspond to multiple locations, up to and including a set of basemaps for the entire coverage area (e.g., one or more basemaps corresponding to coverage of the entire terrestrial surfaces). In some examples, the remote sensing system 403 may only receive updated basemaps for areas for which the basemap has been updated since the last pass.

System 400 illustrates just one example of supporting the described delta encoding technologies, but in other systems, operations may be performed differently or operations may be distributed among other components. In one example, the remote sensing system 403 may be configured to transmit the sounding signals (eg, in full) to the relay device 402, and the relay device 402 may be configured to determine different information between the base map and the sounding signals received from the system 403 remote sensing. Thus, relay device 402 may transmit different information determined by relay device 402, and such transmission may include a transmission similar to transmission 461.

In another example, the central mapping system 401 may not transmit the base map, but other operations of the system 400 may still be performed. For example, remote sensing system 403 may generate its own basemap or other baseline and in doing so determine different information to be transmitted (eg, to relay device 402). In some examples, relay device 402 may be configured to detect a basemap or other baseline (eg, if relay device 402 is also an example of remote sensing system 403) that may be transmitted to remote sensing system 403 (eg, similar to transmission 421 ).

In some examples (for example, if the relay device 402 is an example of a remote sensing system 403 or receives different information from more than one remote sensing system 403), the relay device 402 may combine the different information and may support the transmission of the combined different information to the central mapping system 401, or relaying different information in a network of remote sensing systems 403 (for example, for distributed updating of base maps), or updating (for example, on a relay device 402) a base map in accordance with the combined different information, which, respectively, can be updated for different remote sensing systems 403 sounding.

In FIG. 5 is a functional diagram 500 of a remote sensing system 505 that allows delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The remote sensing system 505 may be an example of aspects of the remote sensing system described with reference to FIG. 1-4 (eg, first satellite 105-a, remote sensing system 403). The remote sensing system 505 may include a baseline data receiver 510, a sensor platform 515, a difference determination component 520, a difference information transmitter 525, a transmission scheduling component 530, a difference configuration receiver 535, and a baseline update component 540. Each of these modules can directly or indirectly communicate with each other (for example, via one or more buses). In some examples, remote sensing system 505 may be a satellite or may be included in a satellite (eg, satellite 105 described with reference to FIG. 1). In some instances, the remote sensing system 505 may be, or be included in, a LEO or NWO satellite. In some examples, the remote sensing system 505 may be included in another type of vehicle (eg, mobile vehicle, aircraft, helicopter, UAV).

The baseline receiver 510 may receive a basemap including the first geographic distribution of information. In some examples, the first geographic distribution of information may correspond to the first position of the remote sensing system 505. In some examples, baseline data receiver 510 may receive a basemap from a central mapping system (eg, ground segment 110, ground station, central mapping system 401) via a relay device (eg, relay satellite). In some examples, the relay device may be a relay satellite that is in geostationary orbit.

In some examples, the baseline data receiver 510 may receive a second basemap corresponding to a second position, the second basemap including a third geographic distribution of information corresponding to the second position of the remote sensing system. In some examples, the second basemap is received within the portion of the satellite's orbit between the first orbital position and the second orbital position.

The sensor platform 515 is configured to determine the geographic distribution of the information. In some examples, the sensor platform 515 may determine different geographic distributions of information at different locations of the remote sensing system 505. In some cases, the sensor platform 515 includes a visible spectrum imaging device, an infrared imaging device, a hyperspectral imaging device, a synthetic aperture radar, or a combination thereof.

The difference component 520 is configured to determine different information representing differences between the detected (eg, second) geographic distribution of information and the geographic distribution of information on the base map or other base state (eg, first geographic distribution of information). In some examples, the difference component 520 is configured to identify one or more additional objects in the defined geographic distribution of information that are not present in the received geographic distribution of information, or to determine the movement of one or more objects when comparing the received geographic distribution of information and the detected geographic distribution of information. . In some examples, the difference component 520 is configured to determine different different information corresponding to different positions of the remote sensing system 505.

Different information transmitter 525 is configured to transmit different information. In some examples, the different information transmitter 525 is configured to transmit different information to a central mapping system (eg, ground segment 110, ground station, central mapping system 401). In some examples, the different information transmitter 525 may transmit different information to another device (e.g., relay device, relay satellite) for relaying to the central mapping system 401.

The transmission scheduling component 530 is configured to determine transmission scheduling of different information based on link channel conditions, link bandwidth costs, or data amount of different information.

The difference configuration receiver 535 is configured to receive (eg, from central mapping system 401, from ground segment 110, from ground station) one or more parameters to determine different information.

The baseline update component 540 is configured to receive information representing differences between the geographic distribution of information on the base map and other geographic distribution of information. In some examples, baseline update component 540 is configured to generate an updated basemap based on specified information.

In FIG. 6 is a functional diagram 600 of a central mapping system 605 that allows for delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. Central mapping system 605 may be an example of aspects of the central mapping system described with reference to FIG. 1-4 (eg, ground segment mapping system 130, central mapping system 401). The central mapping system 605 may include a baseline data transmitter 610, a difference receiver 615, a baseline generation component 620, a reception planning component 625, and a difference configuration transmitter 630. Each of these modules can directly or indirectly communicate with each other (for example, via one or more buses).

The baseline transmitter 610 is configured to transmit to the device (eg, satellite, mobile vehicle, aircraft, helicopter, UAV) containing the remote sensing platform a first base map including the first geographic distribution of information. In some examples, the first basemap may correspond to the first position (eg, first altitude position, first orbital position) of the device. In some cases, the remote sensing platform comprises a visible spectrum imaging device, an infrared imaging device, a hyperspectral imaging device, or a combination thereof.

In some examples, the baseline transmitter 610 is configured to transmit the first basemap from the central mapping system 605 to said device via another device (eg, relay device, relay satellite). In some cases, said device is a LEO or NWO satellite and the other device is a relay satellite in geostationary orbit.

In some examples, the baseline transmitter 610 is configured to transmit a second basemap corresponding to a second device location, the second basemap including a third geographic distribution of information. In some cases, the transmission of the second basemap may occur along the path between the first position and the second position (eg, within the segment of the satellite's orbit between the first orbital position and the second orbital position).

The different information receiver 615 is configured to receive a transmission containing different information representing certain differences between the second geographical distribution of information detected by the remote sensing platform at the first position and the first geographical distribution of information. In some examples, the different information receiver 615 is configured to receive a transmission by another device (eg, relay device, relay satellite). In some cases, the different information contains one or more additional objects, one or more excluded objects, and/or one or more objects that have been moved compared to the first geographic distribution of the information.

In some examples, the different information receiver 615 is configured to receive a transmission containing second different information representing certain differences between the fourth geographic information distribution detected by the remote sensing platform at the second position and the third geographic information distribution.

The base state generation component 620 is configured to generate a first base map based on one or more images from a geographic area corresponding to the first geographic distribution of information and elevation model for the geographic area. In some examples, baseline generation component 620 is configured to modify one or more images to represent a perspective of the device at a first position based on a terrain model for a geographic area. In some examples, baseline generation component 620 is configured to change one or more images based on time of day, meteorological information for a geographic area, or a combination thereof.

The reception scheduling component 625 is configured to determine transmission reception scheduling based on link channel conditions, link bandwidth costs, or data amount of different information.

The difference configuration transmitter 630 is configured to send one or more parameters to the device to determine the difference information.

In FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 700 that enables delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The steps of method 700 may be implemented with a remote sensing system or components thereof, as described herein. For example, the steps of method 700 may be performed by a remote sensing system as described with reference to FIG. 4 and 5. In some examples, the steps of method 700 may be performed by components of a satellite containing a remote sensing platform, such as satellite 105 described with reference to FIG. 1. In some examples, the remote sensing system is configured to execute a set of commands to control the functional elements of the remote sensing system in order to perform the described functions. In a further or alternative embodiment, the remote sensing system is configured to perform aspects of the functions described using specialized equipment.

At 705, method 700 may include receiving a basemap including a first geographic distribution of information. In some examples, aspects of the operations of step 705 may be performed by a baseline receiver, as described with reference to FIG. 5.

At 710, method 700 may include detecting (eg, using a remote sensing platform) a second geographic distribution of information. In some examples, aspects of the operations of step 710 may be performed using a sensor platform as described with reference to FIG. 5.

At 715, method 700 may include determining different information representing differences between the second geographic distribution of information and the first geographic distribution of information. In some examples, aspects of the operations of block 715 may be performed by the diff component as described with reference to FIG. 5.

At 720, method 700 may include transmitting different information. In some examples, aspects of the operations of step 720 may be performed by a different information transmitter, as described with reference to FIG. 5.

In some examples, the device described herein is configured to perform a method or methods, such as method 700. This device may include features, means, or instructions (for example, a machine-readable physical medium that stores instructions executable by a processor) to receive ( for example, by a device such as a satellite containing a remote sensing platform) a base map including a first geographical distribution of information, detecting a second geographical distribution of information, determining different information representing differences between the second geographical distribution of information and the first geographical distribution of information, and transmitting (for example , via a communication line to the central cartographic system) of different information.

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, communicating different information may include operations, features, means, or commands for transmitting different information to a ground station over a communication link (eg, via satellite).

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, transmitting different information may include operations, features, means, or commands for transmitting different information to another device (e.g., relay device, relay satellite) for relaying to a central mapping system (e.g., ground station).

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, receiving a basemap may include operations, features, means, or commands for receiving a basemap from a ground station via another device (eg, relay device, relay satellite).

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, the device may be a first satellite in low Earth orbit and the other device may be a relay satellite in geostationary orbit.

Some examples of method 700 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining scheduling for transmission of differing information based on link channel conditions, link bandwidth costs, or data volume of differing information.

Some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or commands for receiving (eg, from a central mapping system, from a ground station) one or more parameters to determine different information.

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, the remote sensing platform includes a visible spectrum imaging device, an infrared imaging device, a hyperspectral imaging device, a synthetic aperture radar, or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein may include steps, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more additional objects in the second geographic information distribution that are not present in the first geographic information distribution, or determining the movement of one or more objects. when comparing the first geographical distribution of information and the second geographical distribution of information.

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, the basemap may include a first basemap corresponding to a first position, and the method or apparatus may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a second basemap corresponding to a second position, the second the base map includes a third geographical distribution of information, detecting a fourth geographical distribution of information at a second position, determining a second different information representing differences between the fourth geographical distribution of information and a third geographical distribution of information, and transmitting the second different information.

In some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein, the reception of the second basemap may occur along a path between the first position and the second position (eg, within the segment of the satellite's orbit between the first orbital position and the second orbital position).

Some examples of the method 700 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving information (e.g., different information) representing differences between the first geographic distribution of information and the fifth geographic distribution of information, and generating an updated basemap. based on this information.

In FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method or methods 800 that enable delta coding for remote sensing, in accordance with the examples disclosed herein. The operations of method 800 may be implemented by a central mapping system or components thereof, as described herein. For example, the operations of method 800 may be performed by a central mapping system, as described with reference to FIG. 4 and 6. In some examples, the operations of method 800 may be performed by components of ground segment 110, such as the ground segment mapping system 130 described with reference to FIG. 1. In some examples, the central mapping system is configured to execute a set of commands to control the functional elements of the central mapping system in order to perform the described functions. In a further or alternative embodiment, the central mapping system is configured to perform aspects of the functions described using dedicated hardware.

At 805, method 800 may include transmitting to a device (e.g., a satellite) containing a remote sensing platform a first basemap including a first geographic distribution of information, the first basemap corresponding to a first position (e.g., altitude position, orbital position) of the device. In some examples, aspects of the operations of step 805 may be performed by the baseline transmitter, as described with reference to FIG. 6.

At 810, method 800 may include receiving from a device over a communication link (eg, a wireless link) a transmission including different information representing certain differences between the second geographic distribution of information detected by the remote sensing platform at the first position and the first geographic distribution. information. In some examples, aspects of the operations of step 810 may be performed by a different information receiver, as described with reference to FIG. 6.

In some examples, the device described herein is configured to perform a method or methods, such as method 800. The device may include features, means, or instructions (for example, a machine-readable physical medium that stores instructions executable by a processor) for transmission to a device containing a platform for remote sensing, a first basemap including a first geographic distribution of information, the first basemap corresponding to a first position of the device, and receiving from the device over a communication link a transmission including different information representing certain differences between the second geographic distribution of information detected by the platform for remote sensing in the first position, and the first geographic distribution of information.

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, receiving a transmission may include operations, features, means, or commands for receiving a transmission at a ground station to provide a communication link for the device via another device (eg, relay device, relay satellite).

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, transmitting the first base map may include steps, features, means, or instructions for transmitting the first base map from a ground station to a device via another device (eg, relay device, relay satellite).

In some examples of the method 800 and device described herein, the device may be a first satellite in low Earth orbit and the other device may be a second satellite in geostationary orbit.

Some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or commands for generating a first basemap based on one or more images of a geographic area corresponding to a first geographic distribution of information and an elevation model for that geographic area.

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, generating a first basemap may include operations, features, means, or commands for modifying one or more images to represent the device's perspective at the first position based on a terrain model for a geographic area.

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, generating the first basemap may include operations, features, means, or commands for changing one or more images based on time of day, meteorological information for a geographic area, or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining transmission reception scheduling based on link channel conditions, link bandwidth costs, or data volume of differing information.

Some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or commands for communicating one or more parameters to the device to determine differing information.

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, the remote sensing platform includes a visible spectrum imaging device, an infrared imaging device, a hyperspectral imaging device, or a combination thereof.

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, the first basemap contains one or more identified features in the first geographic information distribution, and the different information contains data about one or more additional features in the second geographic information distribution that are not present in the first geographical distribution of information.

Some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting to the device over the link a second basemap corresponding to a second position (e.g., second orbital position) of the device, the second basemap including a third geographic distribution of information, and receiving from the device via a communication link a second data transmission containing a second different information representing a certain difference between the fourth geographical distribution of information detected by the remote sensing platform at the second position and the third geographical distribution of information.

In some examples of the method 800 and apparatus described herein, the transmission of the second basemap occurs at a position along the path between the first position and the second position (eg, within the portion of the device's orbital path between the first position and the second position).

Description of the device is given. Said device may include a transmitter, a receiver, a sounding platform, a processor, a memory device connected to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory device. The instructions may be executed by the processor for reception by the receiver of a base map including a first geographic distribution of information; detecting a second geographic distribution of information using a sensing platform; determining different information representing differences between the second geographic distribution of information and the first geographic distribution of information; and transmitting, by means of the transmitter, the differing information to the ground station. In some examples, the device may be a satellite.

It should be noted that the methods described herein represent possible implementations, that operations or components may be rearranged or otherwise changed, and that other implementations are possible. In addition, segments can be combined in two or more ways.

The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to herein may be voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules presented herein may be implemented or implemented using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array ( field-programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete or transistorized logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof capable of performing the functions described in this document. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or in an alternative embodiment, the processor may be a conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (eg, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software running on a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executable by a processor, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementation options are included in the scope of the description and the attached claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardware, or combinations of any of the above. Features that implement functions may also be physically located in different locations, including distributed locations such that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

Computer-readable media includes both physical computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that enables a computer program to be transferred from one place to another. The physical storage medium may be any existing medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or dedicated computer. By way of non-limiting example, a computer-readable physical medium can be random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash ROM, ROM on a compact disc (CD), or other optical disk drive, magnetic disk drive or other magnetic storage devices, or any other physical medium that can be used to carry or store the required program code means in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed using a universal or a dedicated computer, or a general purpose or special purpose processor. In addition, any connection, strictly speaking, is called a computer-readable medium. For example, when you transfer software from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave signals, in Media definitions include coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave signals. As used herein, the term "disc" includes compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disc, and Blu-ray disc, with discs of the same type typically reproducing data magnetically, while discs another type reproduces data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of the term "computer-readable medium".

As used herein, the term "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items preceded by an expression such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates the all-encompassing nature of the list, so that, for example, a list including "at least one of A, B, or C" means the presence of A, or B, or C, or AB, or AC, or BC, or ABC (i.e., A, and B, and C ). In addition, the expression "based on" used herein should not be understood as a reference to a limited set of conditions. For example, an illustrative step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present description. In other words, in this document, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same way as the phrase "at least partially based on".

In the accompanying figures, like components or features may be given the same reference numerals. In addition, different components of the same type can be distinguished by a dotted line reference symbol and a second symbol that is different from similar components. If only the first reference symbol is used in the present description, the description applies to any one of the like components having the same first reference symbol, regardless of the second reference symbol or other subsequent reference symbol.

The description set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provides examples of configurations and does not represent all possible examples that may be implemented or that fall within the scope of the claims. The term "given as an example", as used in the present description, means "serving as an example, sample or illustration", and not "preferred" or "preferential in relation to other examples." The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be implemented without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate understanding of the ideas of the examples described.

The present description is provided so that a person skilled in the art can recreate or use the present invention. Various modifications to the description will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the description. Thus, the present description is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but follows the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims (64)

1. Method of delta coding for remote sensing, including: receiving with a satellite (105) having a remote sensing platform (175) a basemap containing a first geographic distribution of information (210), the basemap containing one or more identified objects of the first geographic distribution of information (210); satellite detection (105) using a remote sensing platform (175) of the second geographical distribution of information (230); determining by satellite different information (250) representing the difference between the second geographic distribution of information (230) and the first geographic distribution of information (210), wherein the determination of different information (250) includes identifying one or more additional objects in the second geographic distribution of information (230) ) that are missing from the first geographic information distribution (210), or identifying the movement of one or more identified objects between the first geographic information distribution (210) and the second geographic information distribution (230), or identifying that one or more identified objects are missing from the second geographical distribution of information (230), or a combination thereof; And transmission via satellite (105) to ground station (110) via link (160, 140) of different information (250). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the satellite (105) includes a first satellite (105-a) and the link is served by a second satellite (105-b) and transmitting different information to the ground station (110) includes transmitting different information to the second satellite (105-b) for retransmission by the second satellite (105-b) to the ground station (110). 3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the base card includes receiving a base map from a ground station (110) via a second satellite (105-b). 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first satellite (105-a) is in low Earth orbit and the second satellite (105-b) is in geostationary orbit. 5. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, wherein the basemap includes a first basemap corresponding to the first orbital position of the satellite (105), wherein the method further includes: receiving a second basemap corresponding to a second orbital position of the satellite (105), the second basemap including a third geographic distribution of information (210); detection by satellite (105) using platform (175) for remote sensing of the fourth geographical distribution of information (230) in the second orbital position; satellite determination (105) of a second different information (250) representing differences between the fourth geographic distribution of information (230) and the third geographic distribution of information (210); And transmission via satellite (105) to the ground station (110) via the link (160, 140) of the second different information (250). 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the reception of the second base map occurs within the orbital portion of the satellite (105) between the first orbital position and the second orbital position. 7. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, wherein the remote sensing platform (175) comprises a visible spectrum imaging device, an infrared imaging device, a hyperspectral imaging device, a synthetic aperture radar, or a combination thereof. 8. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1–7, further including determining different information transmission scheduling (250) at least in part based on link (160, 140) channel conditions, link (160, 140) bandwidth costs, or different information (250) data volume. 9. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1–8, additionally including receiving from the ground station (110) one or more parameters to determine different information (250). 10. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, further comprising: receiving a second different information (250) representing differences between the first geographic information distribution (210) and the fifth geographic information distribution (210); And generating an updated basemap based at least in part on the second different information (250). 11. Method of delta coding for remote sensing, including: transmission to the satellite (105) having a platform (175) for remote sensing, the first base map containing the first geographical distribution of information (210), the first base map corresponding to the first orbital position of the satellite (105), the first base map containing one or more identified objects of the first geographical distribution of information (210); And receiving from a satellite (105) over a communication channel (160, 140) a transmission containing different information (250) representing a certain difference between the second geographic distribution of information (230) detected by the remote sensing platform (175) in the first orbital position, and a first geographical distribution of information (210), wherein the different information (250) contains an indication of one or more additional objects in the second geographical distribution of information (230) that are not present in the first geographical distribution of information (210), or an indication of the movement of one or more identified objects between the first geographic information distribution (210) and the second geographic information distribution (230), or an indication that one or more identified objects are missing from the second geographic information distribution (230), or a combination thereof. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the satellite (105) includes a first satellite (105-a) and the transmission reception includes receiving a transmission at a ground station (110) to provide a communication link (160, 140) for the first satellite (105-a) via the second satellite (105-b). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmission of the first base card includes transmitting the first basemap from the ground station (110) to the first satellite (105-a) via the second satellite (105-b). 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first satellite (105-a) is in low Earth orbit and the second satellite (105-b) is in geostationary orbit. 15. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 11–14, additionally including generating a first basemap based at least in part on one or more images of a geographic area corresponding to the first geographic distribution of information (210) and an elevation model for that geographic area. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the first basemap includes modifying one or more images to represent a perspective of the satellite (105) at the first orbital position at least in part based on a terrain model for the geographic area. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the first basemap includes changing one or more images based at least in part on time of day, meteorological information for a geographic area, or a combination thereof. 18. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 11–17, further comprising: transmitting to the satellite (105) a second basemap corresponding to the second orbital position of the satellite (105), the second basemap including a third geographic distribution of information (210); And reception from the satellite (105) of a second transmission containing a second different information (250) representing a certain difference between the fourth geographical distribution of information (230) detected by the remote sensing platform (175) at the second orbital position and the third geographical distribution of information ( 210). 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transmission of the second basemap occurs within the portion of the orbit of the satellite (105) between the first orbital position and the second orbital position. 20. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 11–19, additionally including determining transmission reception scheduling based at least in part on link (160, 140) channel conditions, link (160, 140) bandwidth costs, or data amount of differing information (250). 21. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 11–20, additionally including transmitting to the satellite (105) one or more parameters to determine different information (250). 22. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 11-21, wherein the remote sensing platform (175) comprises a visible spectrum imaging device, an infrared imaging device, a hyperspectral imaging device, or a combination thereof. 23. Satellite (105, 403, 505) containing: transmitter (525); receiver (535); platform (175, 515) for probing; processor (190, 520, 530, 540); a storage device connected to the processor (185, 520, 530, 540); And instructions stored in memory and executed by the processor to: receiving with the receiver (535) a base map containing a first geographic distribution of information (210), wherein the base map contains one or more identified objects of the first geographic distribution of information (210); detection using the platform (175, 515) to probe the second geographic distribution of information (230); determining different information (250) representing the difference between the second geographical distribution of information (230) and the first geographical distribution of information (210), wherein the definition of different information (250) includes identifying one or more additional objects in the second geographical distribution of information (230) that missing from the first geographic distribution of information (210), or identifying the movement of one or more identified entities between the first geographic distribution of information (210) and the second geographic distribution of information (230), or identifying that one or more identified entities are missing from the second geographic distribution information (230), or a combination thereof; And transmission by means of a transmitter (525) of different information (250) to a ground station (110). 24. Ground station (110, 130, 401, 605), containing: processor (620, 625); a storage device connected to the processor (620, 625); And instructions stored in memory and executed by the processor to: transmission to the satellite (105) of the first base map containing the first geographical distribution of information (210), wherein the first base map corresponds to the first orbital position of the satellite (105), while the first base map contains one or more identified objects of the first geographical distribution of information (210) ; And receiving from a satellite (105) over a communication channel (160, 140) a transmission containing different information (250) representing a certain difference between the second geographical distribution of information (230) detected by the satellite (105) at the first orbital position and the first geographical distribution of information (210), wherein the different information (250) contains an indication of one or more additional objects in the second geographical distribution of information (230) that are absent in the first geographical distribution of information (210), or an indication of the movement of one or more identified objects between the first geographical distribution of information (210) and second geographic distribution of information (230), or an indication that one or more identified objects are missing from the second geographic distribution of information (230), or a combination thereof.

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