TCP/IP Remote Control of a Ground Station

Abstract

Satellite tracking ground stations are under continuous pressure to automate. Autonomy is generally the desired goal, but if the ground stations are in a Commercial Ground Network(CGN) setup to support many missions simultaneously, remote control of such stations is of much more importance. The proliferation of Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) science, earth resources and eventually global communications satellites either in orbit or planned, requires a much lower cost methodology for ground support. A CGN of TCP/IP remotely controlled ground stations lowers much of the manpower that was historically required to operate such stations. This paper will cover the remote control aspects needed for a satellite ground tracking station and offer a unique remote control topology utilizing TCP/IP.