Basics of Satellite Communication
Presented by:Aradhana Tripathi
Communication Satellite
A Communication Satellite can be looked upon as a large microwave repeater It contains several transponders which listens to some portion of spectrum, amplifies the incoming signal and broadcasts it in another frequency to avoid interference with incoming signals.
Satellite Microwave Transmission
Satellites can relay signals over a long distance Geostationary Satellites
Remain above the equator at a height of about 22300 miles (geosynchronous orbits) Travel around the earth in exactly the same time, the earth takes to rotate
Ground Segment
Collection of facilities, Users and Applications
Earth Station = Satellite Communication Station (Fixed or Mobile)
Satellite Uplink and Downlink
Downlink
The link from a satellite down to one or more ground stations or receivers
Uplink
The link from a ground station up to a satellite.
Some companies sell uplink and downlink services to
television stations, corporations, and to other telecommunication carriers. A company can specialize in providing uplinks, downlinks, or both.
Satellite Uplink and Downlink
Satellite Communication
When using a satellite for long distance communications, the satellite acts as a repeater. An earth station transmits the signal up to the satellite (uplink), which in turn retransmits it to the receiving earth station (downlink). Different frequencies are used for uplink/downlink.
Source: Cryptome [Cryptome.org]
Satellite Transmission Links
Earth stations Communicate by sending signals to the satellite on an uplink The satellite then repeats those signals on a downlink The broadcast nature of downlink makes it attractive for services such as the distribution of TV programs
Direct to User Services
One way Service (Broadcasting)
Two way Service (Communication)
Satellite Signals
Used to transmit signals and data over long distances
Weather forecasting Television broadcasting Internet communication
Satellite Transmission Bands
Frequency Band Downlink Uplink
C Ku Ka
3,700-4,200 MHz 5,925-6,425 MHz
11.7-12.2 GHz 17.7-21.2 GHz
14.0-14.5 GHz 27.5-31.0 GHz
The C band is the most frequently used. The Ka and Ku bands are reserved exclusively for satellite communication but are subject to rain attenuation
Types of Satellite based Networks
Based on the Satellite Altitude
GEO Geostationary Orbits
36000 Km = 22300 Miles, equatorial, High latency High bandwidth, High power, High latency Low power, Low latency, More Satellites, Small Footprint
MEO Medium Earth Orbits
LEO Low Earth Orbits
Satellite Orbits
Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO): 36,000 km above Earth, includes commercial and military communications satellites, satellites providing early warning of ballistic missile launch. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): from 5000 to 15000 km. Low Earth Orbit (LEO): from 500 to 1000 km above Earth, includes military intelligence satellites, weather satellites.
Satellite Orbits
Basics: Advantages of Satellites
The advantages of satellite communication over terrestrial communication are:
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.
Basics: Disadvantages of Satellites
The disadvantages of satellite communication:
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.
GEO - Geostationary Orbit
In the equatorial plane Orbital Period = 23 h 56 m 4.091 s = 1 sidereal day*
Satellite appears to be stationary over any point on equator:
Earth Rotates at same speed as Satellite Radius of Orbit r = Orbital Height + Radius of Earth Avg. Radius of Earth = 6378.14 Km
LEO - Low Earth Orbits
Circular or inclined orbit with < 1400 km altitude
Satellite travels across sky from horizon to horizon in 5 - 15 minutes => needs handoff Earth stations must track satellite or have Omni directional antennas Large constellation of satellites is needed for continuous communication (66 satellites needed to cover earth) Requires complex architecture Requires tracking at ground
Why Satellites remain in Orbits
Satellite Communications
Alternating vertical and horizontal polarisation is widely used on satellite communications This reduces interference between programs on the same frequency band transmitted from adjacent satellites (One uses vertical, the next horizontal, and so on) Allows for reduced angular separation between the satellites.
Information Resources for Telecommunication Professionals [www.mlesat.com]
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