Overview

 Basics of Satellites
 Types of Satellites
 Components of Satellites
Overview
 Basics of Satellites
 Types of Satellites
 Components of Satellites
How do Satellites 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.
 Transponder

Uplink Downlink

Earth Station B
Earth Station A
 A few reasons of satellite
revolution:
 Multiple access capability,
 point-to-point,
 point-to-multipoint
 multipoint-to-multipoint

point-to-point, multipoint-to-multipoint

point-to-multipoint
A few reasons of satellite
revolution:
 Distribution capability (a particular case of point-to-
multipoint transmission), including:
 TV program broadcasting and other video and multimedia applications.
 Data distribution, e.g. for business services, Internet wideband
services, etc.;
 A single satellite can provide coverage to over 30% of Earth’s surface.
 It is ideal for broadcast applications.
 Wide bandwidths (155 Mbps) are available now.
A few reasons of satellite
revolution:
 Flexibility for changes in traffic and in network
architecture and also ease of operation and putting
into service.
 It is scalable.
 It can be rapidly deployed.
 Depending on application, there is no need for the local loop.
Advantages of Satellites
 The coverage area of a satellite greatly
exceeds that of a terrestrial system.
 Transmission cost of a satellite is
independent of the distance from the
center of the coverage area.
 Satellite to Satellite communication is
very precise.
 Higher Bandwidths are available for use.
Coverage of Satellite
Disadvantages of Satellites
 Launching satellites into orbit is costly.

 Satellite bandwidth is gradually

becoming used up.

 There is a larger propagation delay in

satellite communication than in
terrestrial communication.
Overview
 Basics of Satellites
 Types of Satellites
 Components of Satellites
Due to Mass
Class mass
Large satellite More than 1000kg
Small satellite 500 to 1000 kg
Mini satellite 100 to 500 kg
Micro satellite 10 to 100 kg
Nano satellite Less than 10 kg
 Due to Orbit Altitude
 A) low earth orbits (LEO),
 B) Medium earth orbits (MEO),
 C) geostationary earth orbits (GEO).
 Due to Missions
 Telecommunication
 Relay for telephone, TV, Internet
 Visibility from everywhere in a country
 Constellations for global earth coverage
 Usually GEO orbits
 Molniya orbits for high latitudes
 high RF power
 Earth observation
 Imaging, topographic mapping
 intensity measurements
 images with good resolution
 good optical payloads
 civil and military applications
 Usually LEO polar orbits
 Weather
 global coverage of a country
 visible and IR
 Atmosphere sounding
 GEO or LEO
 Navigation (GPS, GNSS)
 Ranging, navigation signals
 Global coverage
 LEO
 Constellations
 Space Science
 Astronomy, Space telescopes
 All wavelength range (X to radio)
 Usually far away orbits (minimise
earth perturbation), high eccentricity
 Complex payload
 high data rate
 Space station, shuttle mission
 Microgravity experiments
 Presence of human, safety
 Pressurised spacecrafts
 Environment control
Due to Service Types
 Fixed Service Satellites (FSS)
• Example: Point to Point Communication

 Broadcast Service Satellites (BSS)

• Example: Satellite Television/Radio
• Also called Direct Broadcast Service (DBS).

 Mobile Service Satellites (MSS)

• Example: Satellite Phones
Fixed-satellite services FSS
Broadcasting-satellite service (BSS)
Mobile-satellite service (MSS)
Overview
 Basics of Satellites
 Types of Satellites
 Components of Satellites
Components of a Satellite System
• Satellite:
• Launcher:
– Used to bring the satellite on the
desired orbit
• Ground station (s)
– Commissioning of the satellite
– Communication with the satellite
– Prepare & Send telecommands
– Receive Telemetry
Satellites
– process data
– Distribute data to end users
– Archive data Launcher

• Satellite bus
Ground
stations
– Space segment
– Collect and redistribute data
Ground Station Components:
Planning and Ballistics Team Server Room Control Room Simulator

1 1 1
2 1 Checking Information
2 2 2
2 Mathematical
Checking
Simulation
Information
Analysis and
Display WS
2

3 Checking
Information
Ballistic and Analysis and
Mission Manager WS
Navigation Server Display WS
Planning WS
Support WS Cluster Ballistic and
Payload Navigation
WS Switchboard 2 Checking Information Support WS
Analysis and Display WS Mission
2 (Flight Director WS)
Universal Planning WS
Printers Fax
Time System Shift Flight On-line
Ballistic and Director Control WS
Payload
Navigation WS 2 2 WS
Support WS
Routers
2
3 2
General Engineering
Systems Specialist
Exchange
Computer Manager WS,
Dispatch
Subsystem Server
Exchange
Computers

Modem
Mission Mathematical Cabinet
Pool
Planning WS Simulation WS

1 - Air-conditioner
2 - Talk-Back Equipment
3 - Telephone
Ground Stations

A Futuristic Network Earth Station

Operations Center
Main Subsystems of the satellite
Satellite

Payload Satellite Bus

Module (SM)

Attitude & Data

Electronics Structure orbit control Handling
(AOCS) (OBDH)
Thermal
control

Mechanisms
Telescopes Propulsion
Antennas
Telemetry/
Instruments Telecommand
Power
(TM/TC)
Catia: Typical command breakdown
Catia: Typical command breakdown
Arabsat III-A
Arabsat III-A

Payload

Radiator

Central tube
(Main structural element,
carbon fibre sandwich)
SM
(Service Module)
 Arabsat III-A
 Propulsion Module (UPS):
Central tube

14 x 10 N
Thrusters

Propellant Tanks
(2 x 860 l)

Helium
pressurisation
Tanks (50 l)

400 N Engine
 Arabsat III-A
 One telecommunication panel on the Payload:

Interface for
solar array

Honeycomb Heat Wave- Harness

Panel (Radiator) pipes Components guides (not
shown)
Arabsat III-A

Telecommunication payload: 
Repeater accommodation 
 Arabsat III-A

Transmission
Antenna

Radiator
Reception
Antenna

 Exploded view
Arabsat III-A
 Stowed configuration
Arabsat III-A

Deployed Configuration 
 Arabsat III-A

 Antenna deployment
Arabsat III-A

 Preparation for TV test

Usage of Satellites
Teledesic: Internet-in-the-Sky

Collaborative
Telemedicine Computing
Aviation Maritime

PSTN Gateway Voice

Public
Library/School Distance Video
Learning Cellular Conferencing LAN
Backhaul Extension

Internet
Backbone
Access
t wo rks
T err est rial Ne
Business Access
Corporate Enterprise

Teledesic P roprietary Slid e 2 of 9 1

What Is a Link Budget?

 The carrier level received at the

end of the link is a
straightforward addition of the
losses and gains in the path
between transmitting and receiving
Earth stations.
Why we use Link Budget?
 A link budget is used to predict performance
before the link is established.

 Show in advance if it will be acceptable

 Show if one option is better than another

 Provide a criterion to evaluate actual performance

Link Budget Components
 A satellite link budget should include the
following parts:
1. Uplink
2. Downlink
3. Combine 1 & 2
4. Define Performance Limit(s)
5. Compare calculated and actual
performance.
Link Budget Basic Question
It must be
positive to Is the
account for operating
the items margin
listed in the large
budget enough?
Link Budget Evaluation
 Important Factors are:
 Satellite non-linearity (NPR)
 Satellite transmit power for your signal
 Interference (including CDMA if implemented)
 Allowance for future (worse) conditions
 Lifetime of the system under evaluation
 How closely can it be maintained at the parameters
used in the budget
Link Budget Evaluation
 Performance objectives for digital links consist
of:
 BER for normal operating conditions
 Link Availability, or percentage of time that the
link has a BER better than a specified threshold
level
 Link Budget Calculations
 The link equation in its general form is:

C
   EIRP dBW   Losses dB   Gains dB  10 log( kTB)
 N  dB
Free Space Loss k= Boltzman const.
Effective 1.38*10-23
Isotropic Waveguide Loss W/°K/Hz
Radiated
Power Atmospheric Loss B= Noise B/W (Hz)

Rain Attenuation T=Abs. temp in °K

(Sometimes
Tracking Errors Equivalent temp)
Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP):

The gain of a directive antenna results in a more

economic use of the RF power supplied by the source.
Thus, the EIRP is expressed as a function of the
antenna transmit gain GT and the transmitted power PT
fed to the antenna.

EIRPdBW = 10 log PT dBw + GT dBi

e.g., transmit power of 6 W & antenna gain of 48.2 dB:

EIRP = 10 log 6 + 48.2 = 56 dBW

Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP):

Maximum power flux density at distance r from a

transmitting antenna of gain G:

EIRP GT  PT
M  
4 r 2
4 r 2
Receiver Power Equation
Receiver
Antenna


Gain 2
PR  M  Aeff  M  GR 
4
2
GT  PT  2
  
 GR  GT GR PT   Free
Space
4 r 2
4  4 r  Loss

 4 r 
PR dB  GT  GR  PT  20 log  
  
Antenna Gain
The antenna gain, referred to an isotropic radiator,
is defined by:
GdBi = 10log(η)+20log(f)+20log(d)+20.4 dB

Where:
η = antenna efficiency (Typical values are 0.55 - 0.75)
d = antenna diameter in m
f = operating frequency in GHz
Antenna Gain
Antenna Gain

Gain Increases
with Diameter
Diameter

Gain Increases
with Frequency!
Losses
generally consist of four components:

L = Lo + Latm + Lrain + Ltrack

Where:
Lo = free Space Loss
Latm = atmospheric losses
Lrain = attenuation due to rain effects
Ltrack = losses due to antenna tracking errors
Free Space Loss
The expression [4πD/λ]2 is known as the basic
free space loss Lo. The basic free space loss is
expressed in decibels as:
Lo = 20log(D) + 20log(f) + 92.5 dB
Where:
D = distance in km between transmitter and
receiver,
f = frequency in GHz
92.5 dB = 20 log {(4π*109*103)/c}
Free Space Loss
 Example:
ES to satellite is 42,000 km, ƒ is 6 GHz, what is Lo?
Lo = 92.5 + 20 log 42000 + 20 log 6 = 200.5 dB
Very large loss!!
Assume EIRP = 56 dBW, Rx antenna gain 50 dB
PR = 56 + 50 - 200.4 = -94.4 dBW = 355 pW
 Depends on:
 Distance and frequency
 About 200 dB at C-band
 About 206 dB at Ku-band
Atmospheric Losses Due to Freq.
 Table shows an example of the mean value of
atmospheric losses for a 10-degree elevation
angle.
Atmospheric Freq.
Loss(dB) (GHz.)
0.25 2<f<5
0.33 5 < f < 10
0.53 10 < f < 13
0.73 13 < f
Atmospheric Losses Due to Elevation
Atmospheric Losses Due to Elevation
Atmospheric Losses
 Contributing Factors:
 Molecular oxygen Constant
 Uncondensed water vapor
 Rain
 Fog and clouds Depend on weather
 Snow and hail
 Effects are frequency dependent:
 Molecular oxygen absorption peaks at 60 GHz
 Water molecules peak at 21 GHz
 Decreasing elevation angle will also increase
absorption loss
Typical Losses (4/6 GHz)
Geographical Advantage
 A station which is located near the center of a
satellite beam (footprint), will have an
advantage in the received signal compared to
another located at the edge of the same beam
of the satellite.

 The satellite antenna pattern has a defined

beam edge to which the values of the satellite
Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
(EIRP), Gain-to-Noise Temperature ratio
(G/T), and flux density are referenced.
 Geographical Advantage

Be am Pe ak 48. 7 dBW

e . i. r. p. Le ve ls
47. 7 dBW
46. 7 dBW
45. 7 dBW
44. 7 dBW
43. 7 dBW
42. 7 dBW
41. 7 dBW
7/04/0515M
40. 7 dBW
Thank You For
Attention

Any Questions?