Robotic exploration of the solar system using small satellites (SmallSats) is gaining popularity because of SmallSats' lower cost and faster development cycle compared to primary science missions. A potential obstacle for deployment of SmallSats in deep space is the limitation associated with the communications link imposed by SmallSats' frugal power and antenna size. These technical limitations constrain the range and throughput of SmallSats and may impact their navigation performance. To allow SmallSats to play a greater role in deep space science endeavors, we propose an enhanced communications architecture that will lessen the communications disparity between larger, more expensive missions and SmallSats. The objectives of the study are to define a communications architecture, in-flight and flight-to-ground, that is needed for planetary SmallSats, both standalone or in support of a larger mission; and to develop a guideline for primary spacecraft that would communicate with ride-along SmallSats. This work treats the space segment and the ground network as a whole to provide for improvements not only via investments in technology, but also via improvements in operational procedures. The study includes reviews of current communication concepts, technologies, and procedures, as well as an assessment of navigation needs, evaluation of the communication architecture performance for a range of destinations and applications, and identification of any gaps in capability. The study product is a set of recommendations to space agencies and the planetary SmallSat community. The main thrust of these recommendations is investment in technology, such as radios, antennas, protocols, and methodologies. The concepts for improving communications capability of deep space SmallSats are discussed in a series of three articles, Improving Small Satellite Communications in Deep Space. In this article, Part I, we discuss SmallSat direct-to-Earth links, as well as SmallSat communications equipment. In Part II, we discuss navigation topics, proximity links and networks, and the use of the communications channel for science observations. We present the ground network in Part III. Definitions and assumptions are provided here in Part I.

中文翻译：

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改善深空小型卫星通信——对现有系统和技术的审查以及改进建议。第一部分：直接到地球的链路和小型卫星电信设备


使用小型卫星 (SmallSats) 进行太阳系机器人探索越来越受欢迎，因为与初级科学任务相比，SmallSats 的成本更低，开发周期更快。在深空部署小型卫星的一个潜在障碍是小型卫星节俭的功率和天线尺寸所带来的与通信链路相关的限制。这些技术限制限制了小型卫星的范围和吞吐量，并可能影响其导航性能。为了让小卫星在深空科学事业中发挥更大的作用，我们提出了一种增强的通信架构，该架构将缩小更大、更昂贵的任务与小卫星之间的通信差距。该研究的目标是定义行星小型卫星所需的飞行中和飞地通信架构，无论是独立的还是支持更大的任务；并为可与随行小卫星进行通信的主要航天器制定指南。这项工作将空间部分和地面网络视为一个整体，不仅通过技术投资，而且通过操作程序的改进来提供改进。该研究包括对当前通信概念、技术和程序的审查，以及对导航需求的评估，对一系列目的地和应用的通信架构性能的评估，以及识别能力差距。该研究产品是向航天机构和行星小卫星社区提出的一系列建议。这些建议的主旨是对无线电、天线、协议和方法等技术的投资。 改善深空小型卫星通信能力的概念在三篇系列文章《改善深空小型卫星通信》中进行了讨论。在本文第一部分中，我们讨论 SmallSat 直接到地链路以及 SmallSat 通信设备。在第二部分中，我们讨论导航主题、邻近链接和网络，以及科学观测通信通道的使用。我们在第三部分介绍地面网络。第一部分提供了定义和假设。