Optimal Design Framework for Distributed Array Using Magnetically-Actuated Satellite Swarm

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Main Authors: Shim, Seang, Takahashi, Yuta, Usami, Naoto, Sakai, Shin-ichiro
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866914591393447936
author Shim, Seang
Takahashi, Yuta
Usami, Naoto
Sakai, Shin-ichiro
author_facet Shim, Seang
Takahashi, Yuta
Usami, Naoto
Sakai, Shin-ichiro
contents Distributed space antennas using electromagnetic formation flight (EMFF) are a promising architecture for large-aperture, long-life space communication systems. Their feasible aperture, however, is governed by coupled constraints on antenna performance, satellite mass, power generation, coil geometry, and formation-keeping power. This paper proposes a system-level design framework for EMFF-based distributed space antennas. It links phased-array requirements with satellite-level sizing constraints and provides a static grid-based reference for designing feasible apertures under a fixed system mass. Unlike our previous bucket-brigade disturbance-compensation model, the formation-maintenance requirement is incorporated through a control index derived from distributed-control simulations. This index is integrated into an antenna-aperture maximization problem with sizing, power, coil, and sidelobe-envelope constraints. Parametric case studies examine margin magnetic moment, prescribed transmit power, and large inter-satellite spacing. Results show that increasing system mass improves footprint reduction or effective isotropic radiated power only while satellite-level design headroom remains. In direct-to-device cases with 0.15 m spacing, generated-power and coil-geometry constraints dominate the feasible aperture. In the 0.60 m large-spacing case, the required coil burden can exceed satellite-level mass, size, and power capacities, making the design infeasible despite favorable communication performance. The proposed framework enables the design and evaluation of feasible static grid-based EMFF distributed antennas under coupled antenna, satellite, and control constraints.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_23481
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Optimal Design Framework for Distributed Array Using Magnetically-Actuated Satellite Swarm
Shim, Seang
Takahashi, Yuta
Usami, Naoto
Sakai, Shin-ichiro
Signal Processing
Multiagent Systems
Distributed space antennas using electromagnetic formation flight (EMFF) are a promising architecture for large-aperture, long-life space communication systems. Their feasible aperture, however, is governed by coupled constraints on antenna performance, satellite mass, power generation, coil geometry, and formation-keeping power. This paper proposes a system-level design framework for EMFF-based distributed space antennas. It links phased-array requirements with satellite-level sizing constraints and provides a static grid-based reference for designing feasible apertures under a fixed system mass. Unlike our previous bucket-brigade disturbance-compensation model, the formation-maintenance requirement is incorporated through a control index derived from distributed-control simulations. This index is integrated into an antenna-aperture maximization problem with sizing, power, coil, and sidelobe-envelope constraints. Parametric case studies examine margin magnetic moment, prescribed transmit power, and large inter-satellite spacing. Results show that increasing system mass improves footprint reduction or effective isotropic radiated power only while satellite-level design headroom remains. In direct-to-device cases with 0.15 m spacing, generated-power and coil-geometry constraints dominate the feasible aperture. In the 0.60 m large-spacing case, the required coil burden can exceed satellite-level mass, size, and power capacities, making the design infeasible despite favorable communication performance. The proposed framework enables the design and evaluation of feasible static grid-based EMFF distributed antennas under coupled antenna, satellite, and control constraints.
title Optimal Design Framework for Distributed Array Using Magnetically-Actuated Satellite Swarm
topic Signal Processing
Multiagent Systems
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.23481