arXiv AI
Sep 2

FractalNet-Based Heterogeneous Federated Learning for Orbital Edge Intelligence in Satellite Mega-Constellations: A Wildfire Case Study

The paper introduces a heterogeneous federated learning approach using the FractalNet architecture tailored for satellite mega‑constellations. It formalizes contact‑window‑constrained, depth‑heterogeneous optimization and proposes a distributed path scheduler that assigns model depth based on satellite SWAP‑C constraints, predicted contacts, and training statistics. The framework includes periodic update pooling and a three‑tier agentic control plane, and is validated through a wildfire detection case study across LEO, MEO, and GEO/HEO shells, demonstrating improvements in convergence, communication efficiency, energy adaptation, and robustness.

By Sai Puppala, Koushik Sinha