Satellite communication

Prepared by
Jinju Joy
Satellite communication
A communication satellite is a special man-made vehicle placed in
orbit around the earth that carries receiver and transmitter
equipment capable of transferring signals.
It can receive the wave transmitted from ground based stations called
earth stations and retransmit the same back to other earth stations.
A transmission from an earth station to the satellite is referred as
uplink
the transmission from the satellite to the earth station is called
downlink.
Satellite communication
The electronic system that takes an uplink signal converts it to a down
link signal is called transponder.
A satellite orbiting the earth stays in position because the centripetal
force on the satellite balances the gravitational force of the earth.
For satellite communications orbits may be of different types;
inclined elliptical, polar circular and geostationary.
Satellite communication
Satellite communication
The uplink frequency for communication signals is in the range from
5.9 to 6.4 GHz (C- band). The uplink signal from the earth station is
fed to a transponder in the satellite.
A transponder is a combination of receiver, amplifier and transmitter.
Receiver in the transponder amplifies the uplink signal and converts it
into downlink frequency (3.7-4.2 GHz).
Satellite communication
Geostationary satellite
A geostationary satellite is an earth-orbiting satellite, placed at an
altitude of approximately 35,800 kilometers (22,300 miles) directly
over the equator. It revolves in the same direction the earth rotates.
At this altitude, one orbit takes 24 hours, the same length of time as
the earth requires rotating once on its axis.
The term geostationary comes from the fact that such a satellite
appears nearly stationary- in the sky as seen by a ground-based
observer.
Geostationary satellite
A single geostationary satellite roughly covers one third of the earth.
So if one satellite covers one third of the surface of the earth then by using three
satellites, the entire earth can be covered.
Thus with the help of three geostationary satellites it is possible to have global
coverage.
A geostationary satellite can be accessed using a directional antenna, usually a
small dish, aimed at the spot in the sky where the satellite appears to hover.
The principal advantage of this type of satellite is that an earthbound directional
antenna can be aimed and then left in position without further adjustment.
Another advantage is that since highly directional antennas can be used,
interference from surface-based sources, and from other satellites, is minimized.
Geostationary satellite
Geostationary satellite
Advantages of satellite communication
1. Through the satellite communication, it is possible to provide
complete global coverage. As a result, satellite communication
systems are used for providing communication capabilities in many
remote areas where other technologies would not-be viable.
2. It offers high flexibility.
3. Circuit cost is independent of distance.
Geostationary satellite
Applications of satellite communication
1. Wide range of applications such as television, telephony, data
transfer such as mail and Internet etc. uses satellite communication.
Remote sensing and earth observation is done with the help of
Lower Earth Orbits (LEO) satellite.
2. Metrological applications such as weather survey to study different
layers and amount of ozones content in the atmosphere are done
with the support of satellites.
3. Military applications like short distance local communication from
one camp to another, localization of the enemy etc. are some of the
applications of satellite communication technology.
Thankyou