Satellite Communication

Done by: Omar Abdulwahab Algilani 318-2009

Content

Introduction What are Satellites for? Principle of Satellite work? How does a satellite stay in its orbit? Satellite Frequency Bands The Downlink and the Uplink of A Satellite Satellite Link Analysis Orbits Applications Disadvantages

Introduction
The satellite link is probably the most basic in application of microwave communications since a line-of-sight path typically exists between the Earth and space. A satellite has the ability to send information through signals and we are able to communicate with it. like:

A communication satellite is a station in space that is used for telecommunication, radio and television signals.

What are Satellites for?

Communication Navigation Collecting Information Weather Photos of Earth Military etc

Principle of Satellite work?

Two Stations on Earth want to communicate through radio broadcast but are too far away to use conventional means. The two stations can use a satellite as a relay station for their communication One Earth Station sends a transmission to the satellite. This is called a Uplink. The satellite Transponder converts the signal and sends it down to the second earth station. This is called a Downlink.

Send satellite to space

Satellite Frequency Bands

There is a inverse relationship between frequency and wavelength. As wavelength increases (and frequency decreases), larger antennas (satellite dishes) are necessary to gather the signal.

Frequency Bands C-Band

C-Band occupy 4 to 8 GHz frequency: - Low frequency. - Large antenna (2-3 meters).

Frequency Bands KU-Band

KU-Band occupy 11 to 17 GHz: - Large frequency. - Small antenna (18-inches!)

Satellite Frequency Bands

Most

common are C-Band & KU-Band.

Band
C- Band Ku-Band

Up-LINK (GHz) Down-Link (GHz)

5.925 - 6.425 14.00 - 14.50 3.7 4.2

10.70 - 11.70

Satellite Frequency Bands

Frequency Bands for commercial satellite communication are in spectrum 100010000MHz 3700-4200MHz downlink. 5925-6425MHz uplink. For military application. 7250-7750MHz downlink. 5925-6425MHz uplink. (Less noise/rainfall/less free-space)

The bands are shared with the terrestrial services. There is orbital crowding So we use higher frequency band Like :10.95-11.2GHz downlink. 11.45-12.2GHz uplink.

Satellite Communications

Sat.Comm
Receive Antenna

Satellite

Trans Antenna

Downlink Fd

Uplinkl Fu

Earth Station

Earth Station

The Downlink and the Uplink of A Satellite

One Earth station transmits the signals to the satellite at Up link frequency. Up link frequency is the frequency at which Earth station is communicating with a satellite. point to point communication
The satellite transponder process the signal and sends it to the second Earth station at another frequency called downlink frequency. broadcast communication

Satellite Link Analysis

The attenuation due to rain is negligible at the UHF frequency ,but relatively severe at SHF and EHF frequencies. Free space path loss increases with frequency increase.

Orbits:
LEO: Low Earth Orbit. MEO: Medium Earth Orbit GEO: Geostationary Earth Orbit

Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)

Orbit is synchronous with the earths rotationRotate at same speed of earth so from the ground the satellite appears fixed.

Orbital height above the earth about 23000 miles/35000km

Coverage to 40% of planet per satellite.

Approximately 300 GEO satellites are in orbit.

commonly used for communications , weatherobservation and TV broadcasting.

GEO (cont.)

At the Geostationary orbit the satellite covers 42.2% of the earths surface. Theoretically 3 Geostationary satellites provides 100% earth coverage

GEO (cont.)

Advantages
A GEO satellites distance from earth gives it a large coverage area. GEO satellites have a 24 hour view of a particular area. Used to track major developments such as hurricanes 24 hours a day.

GEO (cont.)

Disadvantages
A GEO satellites distance also cause it to have both a comparatively weak signal and a time delay in the signal, which is bad for point to point communication.

Because geostationary satellites circle the earth at the equator, they are not able to provide coverage at the Northernmost and Southernmost latitudes.

Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO)

A low Earth orbit is an orbit from roughly 100 to 1240 miles (160-2000km) above the Earths surface Satellites in LEOs circle around the Earth at 27,359 km per hour The orbits take the satellites over the geographic poles. Each revolution takes from less than 90 minutes up to a few hours

Advantages:
Reduces transmission delay . A LEO satellites proximity to earth compared to a GEO satellite gives it a better signal strength and less of a time delay, which makes it better for point to point communication. A LEO satellites smaller area of coverage is less of a waste of bandwidth.

Disadvantages:
Smaller coverage area. Shorter life span (5-8 yrs.) than GEO (10 yrs). Costly. Increased probability of shadowing.$

Medium -Earth-Orbiting (MEO)

MEOs orbits between the altitudes of 5,600 and 9,500 miles. These orbits are primarily reserved for communications satellites that cover the North and South Pole.

Unlike the circular orbit of the GEO, MEOs are placed in an elliptical (oval-shaped) orbit.

Approximately a dozen MEO orbiting satellites are necessary to provide continuous global coverage 24 hours a day.

Applications

Telephony Fixed points< earth station> Satellite> earth station> fixed points.

Television & Radio e.g. Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) & Fixed service satellite (FFS).

Mobile satellite technology - Special antenna called mobile satellite antenna. - No matter where or how this antenna is mounted on.

Applications

Amateur radio - Access to OSCAR satellite. - Low earth orbits.

Internet - High Speed. - Useful for far away places. Military - Uses geostationary satellites. - Example: The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS).

Disadvantages

The antenna noise due to energy - Unwanted radiation sources (stars galaxies etc). Atmosphere behaves as a resistive medium - Supplies noise power to the antenna.
Meteors - Have to be programmed to avoid any rock or any harmful thing. - Rules of orbits. Expensive - only for governments or large organizations.

In Conclusion
Satellites remain the best utilization used for communications due to their speed and other advantages mentioned in this presentation.