A computer simulation for a space-time satellite positioning system

Abstract

This paper concerns the development of an autonomously distributed satellite network synchronization and positioning system. A simulation is developed to study the problem of having the member satellites obtain a system wide space-time coordinate reference system. The simulation models on board clocks for a system of satellites together with transfer via line of sight transmission using an EM signal of time and position data. It accounts for the various errors of measurement together with orbit mechanics that includes relativistic effects. Each satellite keeps a record of the defining equations for the orbits of the other members of the system. The ideal of the simulation is to find an algorithm for transferring timing and position data that will produce much agreement as possible for these records for all the members of the system.