Satellite Autonomous Clock Fault Monitoring with InterSatellite Ranges Using Euclidean Distance Matrices
Abstract
To address the need for robust positioning, navigation, and timing services in lunar environments, this paper proposes a novel onboard clock phase jump detection framework for satellite constellations using range measurements obtained from dual one-way inter-satellite links. Our approach leverages vertex redundantly rigid graphs to detect faults without relying on prior knowledge of satellite positions or clock biases, providing flexibility for lunar satellite networks with diverse satellite types and operators. We model satellite constellations as graphs, where satellites are vertices and inter-satellite links are edges. The proposed algorithm detects and identifies satellites with clock jumps by monitoring the singular values of the geometric-centered Euclidean distance matrix (GCEDM) of 5-clique sub-graphs. The proposed method is validated through simulations of a GPS constellation and a notional constellation around the Moon, demonstrating its effectiveness in various configurations.
Fields of Study & Subjects
GNSS positioning and interference
Satellite Communication Systems
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
Publication details
- Journal / source
- NAVIGATION Journal of the Institute of Navigation
- Volume
- 73
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- navi.764–navi.764
- Publication date
- 25 January 2026
- Language
- EN