Performance analysis and validation of hybrid RF measurement scheme for multi-satellite formations

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.12.014

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2026, Vol. 60

Issue (12): 2683-2693 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.12.014

Performance analysis and validation of hybrid RF measurement scheme for multi-satellite formations

Yunshang ZHU1(

),Xiaojun JIN1,2,3,*(

),Jiaying SHI1,Zhaobin XU1,2,Zhonghe JIN1,2,3

1. Micro-Satellite Research Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
2. Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Satellite Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310027, China
3. Huanjiang Laboratory, Zhuji 311899, China

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Abstract

A hybrid measurement scheme combining time-division multiplexing (TDM) and frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) was proposed in order to meet both the measurement accuracy and scalability requirements of inter-satellite ranging systems for micro-satellite formations. An asymmetric double-side two-way ranging (ADS-TWR) method was applied under the time-division mechanism in order to ensure system scalability with relatively low hardware complexity. A dual one-way ranging (DOWR) method was adopted under the frequency-division mechanism to exploit the high-precision advantage of frequency-division mechanism and improve measurement efficiency. Error modeling analysis, simulation evaluation and experimental validation of ranging error were conducted for the proposed scheme, and the performance of two mechanisms was compared. Simulation based on a six-satellite Cartwheel formation showed that centimeter-level ranging accuracy was achieved over inter-satellite distance within one hundred kilometers, which was superior to the pure time-division-based system. The experimental verification of the DOWR method under the frequency-division mechanism confirmed the feasibility and performance benefits of the proposed hybrid scheme.

Key words： micro-satellite formations autonomous inter-satellite radio frequency measurement hybrid measurement scheme dual one-way ranging asymmetric double-sided two-way ranging

Received: 23 September 2025 Published: 21 October 2026

CLC:

V 448

Fund: 国家自然科学基金资助项目（62073289）.

Corresponding Authors: Xiaojun JIN E-mail: 22324062@zju.edu.cn;axemaster@zju.edu.cn

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Cite this article:

Yunshang ZHU,Xiaojun JIN,Jiaying SHI,Zhaobin XU,Zhonghe JIN. Performance analysis and validation of hybrid RF measurement scheme for multi-satellite formations. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2026, 60(12): 2683-2693.

URL:

https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.12.014 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2026/V60/I12/2683

多星编队混合射频测量体制性能分析与验证

为了兼顾微小卫星多星编队星间测量系统的测量精度与可扩展性，提出融合时分复用(TDM)与频分复用(FDM)的混合体制测量方案. 在时分复用体制中采用非对称双边双程测量(ADS-TWR)方法，在较低的硬件复杂度下实现系统的可扩展性. 在频分复用体制中采用双向单程测量(DOWR)方法，以发挥频分体制的高精度优势并提升测量效率. 围绕该混合体制测量方案，开展距离测量误差的建模分析、仿真评估及实验验证，并对2种体制的测量性能进行对比. 基于Cartwheel构型六星编队的仿真结果表明，在百公里内的星间距离场景下，该混合体制方案可以实现cm级测距精度，优于单纯时分复用方案. 通过频分体制双向单程测量方法的实验，验证了该混合体制方案的可行性与性能优势.

关键词： 微小卫星多星编队, 自主星间射频测量, 混合测量体制, 双向单程测量, 非对称双边双程测量

Fig.1 Frequency-division system measurement scheme

Fig.2 Frequency-division measurement between two satellites in a formation

Fig.3 Time-division system measurement scheme

Fig.4 Time-division measurement between two satellites in a formation

Fig.5 Hybrid system measurement scheme

Fig.6 DOWR measurement procedure

Fig.7 Delays in DOWR measurement

Fig.8 Delays in ADS-TWR measurement

Fig.9 Frequency deviation error of DOWR/ADS-TWR

Fig.10 Cartwheel multi-satellite formation

Tab.1 Orbital parameters of virtual reference satellite

Fig.11 Simulation result of satellite motion error

Fig.12 Simulation result of pseudo-code phase noise

Tab.2 System and loop parameters of pseudo-code phase noise　　　　

Tab.3 Comparison of DOWR, ADS-TWR and hybrid measurement scheme

Fig.13 Simulation results of overall inter-satellite ranging error

Fig.14 Overall architecture of measurement transceiver

Fig.15 Overall architecture of RF measurement board

Tab.4 Main hardware parameters of measurement equipment

Fig.16 Photograph of TDM experimental platform

Fig.17 Photograph of FDM experimental platform

Fig.18 Function validation results of DOWR

Fig.19 Stability verification results of DOWR ranging

Fig.20 Carrier-to-noise ratio verification results of DOWR ranging

Fig.21 Stability verification result of ADS-TWR


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