The communication and measurement architecture of BDS-3 global operations and services

This study introduces the third-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) system's creative global operation and service architecture based on regional stations and Ka-band inter-satellite links (ISLs). The architecture's contributions to BDS-3 include not only combined orbit determination and time synchronization but also autonomous orbit determination and time synchronization, global operations and services. The BDS-3 on-orbit operation results are being presented in the paper to verify the designed capabilities. Compared with BDS-2, the orbit determination accuracy is improving from 0.6 m to 0.15 m, and the time synchronization accuracy is improving from 6.67 ns to 1.16 ns. Under autonomous orbit determination and time synchronization, the 30-day orbit maintenance accuracy reaches 16 m, and the time synchronization accuracy reaches 3.74 ns. The success rate of data transmission reaches 99%, and the delay is better than 12.9 s. In the future, laser ISLs will be used to enhance the system structure and further improve global operation and service capabilities. The innovative BDS-3 structure can solve the global service problem even when there are only regional ground stations. Verifies the superior performance of the BDS-3 system based on Ka-band inter-satellite links. Forecasts the technological development trend of the next generation BDS based on laser inter-satellite links.