Accuracy–Synchronization Delay Trade-off in Satellite Digital Twin Networks

Determine how satellite Digital Twin Network architectures can balance model accuracy against synchronization delay while supporting real-time operation in highly dynamic satellite constellations.

Background

The paper identifies a fundamental unresolved challenge in applying Digital Twin Network architectures to satellite systems: increasing model fidelity generally requires more data, computation, and synchronization, whereas real-time operation requires low-latency communication and processing. Long propagation distances, rapidly changing LEO topologies, limited onboard computing and storage, and asynchronous data updates make it difficult to maintain both an accurate virtual representation and timely two-way synchronization. Existing hierarchical and lightweight approaches mitigate some latency and scalability constraints but may sacrifice modeling reliability, leaving the accuracy–delay trade-off unresolved for large satellite constellations.

References

Although existing DTN approaches show strong potential, the literature indicates that the trade-off between model accuracy and synchronization delay is still an open challenge.

— Digital Twin Satellite Networks: A Paradigm for Intelligent, Efficient, and Resilient Operations  (2608.12865 - Alhassan et al., 13 Aug 2026) in Section II, subsection “Digital Twin Network (DTN)”