Impact of proactive LEO satellite tracking on heterogeneous IoRT network performance

The Internet of Remote Things pertains to connecting and communicating dispersed, often inaccessible devices for data collection, monitoring, and management in remote areas with limited network infrastructure. To address this challenge, a combination of satellite communications and energy-efficient terrestrial wireless technologies is explored, although limitations like costly message transmission, restricted channel bandwidth, and high latency and power usage in satellite communication persist. This paper introduces a proactive satellite tracking algorithm for enhancing LoRa-Iridium networks. The algorithm optimizes satellite positioning, generates transmission schedules, and uses time windows for data transmission, aiming to reduce failed attempts and minimize active system operation. By precisely timing message transmission to satellites during optimal positioning, this algorithm compiles satellite flight schedules based on Two-Line Element data and user-defined angles. The algorithm cyclically matches local time with schedules, activating data transmission when satellites are within the defined intervals. Through extensive experiments with a real satellite link and experimental gateway, our approach demonstrates substantial benefits, including up to 17 times higher transmission success, up to 67% reduced transmission delay, up to 9.62 times enhanced energy efficiency per data bit, and up to 2.13 times extended battery life for the LoRa-Iridium gateway, compared to conventional continuous message transmission methods.