Distributed collaborative scheduling technology for random access in real-time

¹ Engineer, State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an 710043, P.R. China
² Senior Engineer, State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an 710043, P.R. China
³ Associate Researcher, State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an 710043, P.R. China

^* Corresponding author: 15799034054@163.com

Received: 24 November 2022
Accepted: 22 January 2024

Abstract

The planning and deployment of mega constellations has posed increasing pressure on the existing telemetry, track and command (TTC) resource scheduling strategy. The current plan-based scheduling strategy distributes resources according to needs, however, it cannot address sudden resource requests with prompt responses. By analyzing the status quo of resource scheduling systems, we have proposed a distributed collaborative scheduling technology for random access in real-time, based on the theory of low costs and rapid transfers of scheduling task resources. First, we use knowledge graph technology to map the link between scheduling tasks and idle resources and develop a graph network. Furthermore, by analyzing and evaluating the resource transfer capability of a multi-target TTC system in hemispherical coverage (MT-TTC), we propose the concept of a virtual resource pool and develop a two-layer scheduling framework in which the central scheduling system coordinates with multiple regional systems. This scheduling strategy works well when a sudden TTC request occurs. The central system manages the satellite requests and make plans, while regional systems are responsible for handling the sudden requests and report to the central system on its resource change. With regional systems sharing some degree of autonomy, the central system making a final decision and systems across the framework coordinating in real-time, we design a model on resource transfers for MT-TTC equipment and a collaboration mechanism that coordinates the resource transfers across MT-TTC equipment and other single-beam equipment within and between regions. We do experiments in simulation scheduling environments. The results show that the regional scheduling system based on MT-TTC equipment is able to manage continuous random-access requests in real-time, and avoid resource conflicts across regions by collaborating with the central scheduling system. It is of value to be applied in real scenarios.