Cloud Free Line of Sight Prediction for Low Earth Orbit Optical Satellite Networks

In this paper, a methodology for the generation of cloud free line of site time series for low earth orbit optical satellite communication systems is presented. The proposed methodology is based on the synthesis of 3D cloud fields employing Integrated Liquid Water Content (ILWC) statistics. The methodology captures the temporal and spatial variability of cloud coverage and takes into account the varying elevation angle of the LEO optical link with each optical ground station (OGS) and the altitude of each OGS for the estimation of the CFLOS probability. The ILWC statistical parameters required for the CFLOS time series are taken from ERA Interim data base, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Finally CFLOS numerical results are reported and some significant conclusions are drawn.