SATELLITE

COMMUNICATIONS
 Outline
Introduction
Communications Satellite
Satellite Orbital Dynamics
Frequency Allocation
The Satellite System Link Model
The Satellite System Parameters
Test Your Knowledge
Take Home Study Guide
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 Introduction
Satellite
A relatively small physical object that orbits
around a massive object.

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Satellite Communications
A communication process that employs
satellites acting as relay stations or repeater in
the sky.

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 Types of Satellite
Natural Satellite
It is part of nature and normally, it does not
have the capability to amplify the received
signals.

Moon

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Artificial Satellite
It is often times man-made and it amplifies
signals before retransmitting it towards an
intended destination on earth.

Active
Satellite

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 Satellite Applications
Communications
Satellites that are used for relaying private
and/or broadcast information.

AsiaSat

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Spy/Military
Used by the military to monitor or spy the
activities of their counterparts in other country,
especially those that they consider an enemy or
threat to their security.

Lockheed Martins
DSCS III

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Space Explorations
Used by scientist to explore the outer space.
It gathers whatever available data in space and
send it to earth for analysis.

Hubble
Telescope

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Scientific Research
Used to provide data that can map the earth,
the moon, the stars, and the nearby planets. It
study the dynamics of space, the ocean, the
atmosphere and everything there is.

NASAs
UARS

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Weather Forecasting
Used to monitor weather conditions around
the world so that in the event of disastrous
weather conditions, an advance warning can be
forwarded to any concern.

US Weather Satellite
(GOES 8)

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Search and Rescue
Used to locate survivors in disaster affected
areas, which are in-accessible by the
conventional means, and provide relevant data
that could aid the time-sensitive retrieval
operations.

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Navigation
Used to provide data about a specific location
on earth. Commonly used by ships, aircraft,
and even land mobiles for location finding.

GPS

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 Historical Perspective
1940s & 1950s
The moon served as the
first passive satellite

1957, October 4
Russia launch Sputnik 1
(1st active satellite)
A 58 cm in diameter, 84
kg satellite
Transmitted telemetry
information for 21 days
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1958, January 31
USA launch Explorer 1
(1st American satellite)

A nearly 31 lbs. space

craft

Follows a highly elliptical

orbit

Transmitted telemetry
information for nearly 5
months
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1958 (late)

USAs NASA launch Score

A 150-lbs conical shape projectory space craft.

Re-broadcasted the then President Eisenhowers

1958 Christmas message.

The first artificial satellite that relayed terrestrial

communications.

A delayed repeater satellite.

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1960, August 12

USAs NASA launch Echo 1

A 100-ft in diameter plastic

balloon with aluminum
coating.

It accomplished the first

transatlantic transmission of
real time voice messages.
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1960, October 4

USAs DOD launch

Courier

A 500-lbs., 52 in. in
diameter sphere.

It transmitted 3 W of
power but lasted for
only 17 days in orbit.

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1962, July 10

AT&T of USA launch Telstar I

The first active repeater

communication satellite
because it transmits and
receives simultaneously

Destroyed by the newly

discovered Van Allen
Radiation Belt
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1963, May 7

AT&T of USA launch

Telstar II

Accomplished the first

successful transatlantic
transmission of video

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1963, February 14

Synchronous Communication
launch Syncom 1

Cylindrical in shape, 71 cm in
diameter, 39 cm in height,
and 68 kg in weight.

The first attempt to place a

satellite in a GEO orbit.

Syncom 1 was lost during

orbit injection but was
recovered later.
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1963, July 26

Synchronous
Communication launch
Syncom 2

Cylindrical in shape, 71
cm in diameter, 39 cm
in height, and 68 kg in
weight.

The first satellite to

used a GEO orbit.
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1964, August 19

Synchronous
Communication launch
Syncom 3
Cylindrical in shape, 71 cm
in diameter, 39 cm in
height, and 68 kg in
weight.
It was used to broadcast
the 1964 Tokyo Olympics,
the first TV program to
cross the Pacific ocean.
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1965, April 6

Intelsat 1 (Early Bird) was

launch

It has two transponder with

25 MHz bandwidth which
could simultaneously carry
1 TV signal and 480 voice
channels.

Considered as the worlds

first commercial
communication satellite.
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1966

Russia launch Molniya, which they called lightning

Its the first set of domestic satellites

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August 20, 1997

Aguila II was launch in

Xi Chang China
Its the first Filipino
commercial satellite.
.

It has 54 transponders,
30 C-band and 24 Ku-
band.
The estimated lifespan
is 15 years.
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 Communications Satellite
A space vehicle put into orbit around earth
or any other planet in order to relay useful
information from space down to earth.

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Satellite Link Model
A network consisting of a satellite and the
earth ground stations.

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Satellite Network
A satellite network consist of one or more
satellite, a ground base station, and network of
users.

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Satellite Network

A. Space segment
The space vehicle and all its
equipment on-board.
- Payload
- Platform

B. Ground segment
All earth stations including end users.

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Satellite Transponder
The communication equipment on-board a
satellite.

May Consists of the following:

Transmitter
Receiver
Amplifier/Regenerator

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Filters

On-board computers

Multiplexer/Demultiplexer

Antenna

Waveguides

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 Classification of Satellite

Passive Satellite (Moon)

Satellite that simply reflects the received
signal towards the intended destination on earth.
No further processing is involved.

Active Satellite (AGUILA II)

Satellite that processed the received signal
before re-transmitting it towards the intended
destination on earth.
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According to Coverage
Global Satellite (INMARSAT, GPS)
Satellite that provides global coverage.

Regional Satellite (PALAPA, AGUILA II)

Satellite that provides a smaller coverage
such as a region.

National/Domestic Satellite (MOLNIYA)

Satellite that provides coverage to its owner
nation only.
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According to Type of
Service
Fixed Satellite Service (Dream TV)
Satellite that covers links between satellites
and fixed earth stations.

Mobile Satellite Service (GPS, IRRIDIUM)

Satellite that covers mobile earth stations
such as ships, aircraft, and land vehicles.

Broadcast Satellite (DBS-TV, ESPN)

Satellite that provides broadcast signals.
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According to Orbit
Polar Orbit Satellite
Satellite that orbits or passes through the
north and south pole of earth.

Elliptical or Inclined Orbit Satellite

(EXPLORERI)
Satellite that follows an elliptical orbit pattern.

Equatorial or Circular Orbit Satellite

(AsiaSAT)
Satellite that orbits earth directly above the
equator.
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 Orbit Direction

Earths spinning motion

Retrograde orbit

Orbit

Prograde orbit

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 Orbit Related Terms
Orbital
Line of direction
nodes
N Ascending
node
Equatorial
orbit

Inclined
W E orbit

Inclination
angle
Descending
node S
Orbital
Polar orbit
direction
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According to Elevation
LEO Satellite (IRRIDIUM)

Satellite whose orbit is closer to earth.

Orbital height = 100 300 miles
Orbital velocity = 17,500 mph (approx.)
Orbital time (period) = 1.5 hours (approx.)
Availability per orbit = 15 minutes (approx.)
Typical Frequency = 1 2.5 GHz

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MEO Satellite (NAVSTAR GPS)

Satellite whose orbit is higher than LEOs.

Orbital height = 6000 12000 miles
Orbital velocity = 9,580 mph (approx.)
Orbital time (period) = 5 12 hours (approx.)
Availability per orbit = 2 4 hours (approx.)
Typical Frequency = 1.2 1.66 GHz

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GEO Satellite (Ex. PALAPA)

Satellite whose orbit is farthest from earth.

Orbital height = 22,300 miles (approx.)
Orbital velocity = 6,879 mph (approx.)
Orbital time (period) = 24 hours (approx.)
Availability per orbit = 24 hours (approx.)
Typical Frequency = 2 18 GHz

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 GEO v.s. LEO
LEO GEO

Lower free space loss Higher free space loss

Lighter antenna Larger antenna
Minimal propulsion jets Requires a number of
propulsion rockets
Easier to deploy
Difficult to deploy

Limited availability 24-hour coverage

Requires tracking system Stays fixed on earth
Limited single coverage 40% single coverage
Prone to Doppler effect Minimal Doppler effect 46
According to Size and
Weight
 Size Mass (kg.) Cost ($M)

Large Satellite > 1000 > 100

Small Satellite 500 1000 50 100

Mini-Satellite 100 500 5 20

Micro-Satellite 10 100 23

Nano-Satellite < 10 <1

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According to Attitude
Control
3-axis Stabilized Satellite Spinner Satellite

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 Pitch, Roll, and Yaw

Pitch

Orbit
Yaw

Roll

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 Satellite Orbital Dynamics
Refers to the forces that keep the satellite in
orbit, and the physical and mathematical laws
that it follows.

Keplers Law (German Astronomer)

Johannes Kepler (1571 - 1630)

First Law - Law of Orbit

Second Law - Law of Areas

Third Law - Harmonic Law

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 Keplers Law of Orbit

Line of apsides

Perigee Apogee

Elliptical Orbit

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 Keplers Law of
Areas

d2

A2

A1 A1 = A2
d1 d2 > d1

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 Keplers Law of Harmonic
The square of the periodic time of orbit
is proportional to the cube of the mean distance
between the primary and the satellite.

2
AP 3
Where:
= Semi-major axis (km)
A = Constant (42241.0979) for earth
P = Mean solar earth days (0.9972)

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 Centrifugal & Gravitational Forces
In order for a satellite to stay in orbit, its
centrifugal force (Fc) must balance the
gravitational force (Fg) of earth.

Orbit
V Fc F g

Fc Fg
Where:
Fc = Centrifugal force
Fg = Gravitational force
V = Velocity of satellite

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 ms me msV 2
Fg k Fc
( R h) 2
( R h)

Where:
ms = Mass of satellite
me = Mass of earth (5.98 x 1024 kg)
R = Earths true radius (3960 mi)
h = Satellite height
V = Satellite velocity in orbit

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 Satellite Parameters
Satellite Velocity in Orbit (v)

4 1011 m Where:
v ,
Rkm hkm s R = Earths true radius (3960 mi)
h = Satellite height
Satellite Height (h) V = Satellite velocity in orbit

2 2
T = Satellite period
gT R
h 3 R, km g = Gravitational acceleration
4 2

(9.81 x 10-3 km/s2)

Satellite Escape Velocity (ve)

v 2 gR
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Problem 1

Determine the height of a certain satellite in

orbit with a sidereal period of 30 hours.

a. 42, 628 miles

b. 43, 275 miles

c. 42, 628 km

d. 43, 275 km

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Satellite Range (d)

d ( R h ) 2 R 2 cos 2 R sin

Satellite Azimuth Angle (Az) Where:

= cos-1[coscos]
tan
1
AZ cos = Latitude of earth station
tan antenna
= Difference in longitude
between earth
Satellite Elevation Angle () station antenna and
SSP
1 R
tan 1
h = Satellite height in km
tan ( R h ) sin R = Earth radius in km
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 Satellite Look Angles

W
d

h

S N

Az
SSP
Horizontal Plane
E
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 Satellite Footprint
The satellites beam coverage on earth.

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 Types of Beam
Global (Approx. 1/3 of earths surface)

Footprint covers a
very wide area.
(Ex. GEO)

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Zonal
(Approx. less than 1/3 of earths surface)

Footprint covers a
certain region or zone
(Ex. MEO)
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Spot
Footprint covers a very small or limited
area or spot (Ex. LEO)

Used when frequency

re-use is necessary

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 Frequency Allocations
Band Uplink Cross-link Downlink BW (MHz)

C 5.9 6.4 3.7 4.2 500

X 7.9 8.4 7.25 7.75 500

Ku 14 14.5 11.7 12.2 500

Ka 27 30 17 20

30 31 20 21

Q 40 41 1000

41 43 2000

V 50 - 51 1000

ISL 54-58/59-64 3900/5000

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Problem 2

What is the maximum acceptable range for a

geosynchronous satellite?

a. 41, 191 km

b. 41, 191 mi

c. 40, 200 km

d. 44, 200 mi

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Problem 3

What is the free space loss between an earth

station and a satellite when the elevation angle
is 300 and the up-link frequency is 5 GHz?

a. 198.13 dB

b. 200.08 dB

c. 198.13 dBm

d. 200.08 dBm
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Problem 4

Determine the transmission delay when a

signal is transmitted by an earth station to a
GEO satellite and then received by that same
earth station.

a. 239 s

b. 239 ms

c. 239 s

d. 239 ns
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Problem 5

Satellite communication link between Tanay

earth station, Philippines and Mt. Fucino earth
station, Italy is to be established. The uplink
frequency of Tanay earth station is 6175 MHz,
what is the downlink frequency of Mt. Fucino
earth station?

a. 3950 GHz
b. 3950 MHz
c. 3950 PHz
d. 3.950 MHz
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Problem 6

What is the uplink frequency when the

downlink frequency is 4.1 GHz?

a. 6.325 MHz

b. 6.325 THz

c. 6.325 GHz

d. 6.325 THz
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 Satellite System Parameters
Bit Energy (Eb)
The energy in joules/bps of a single bit.

Eb Pt Tb
Where:
Pt = Transmit power (W)
Tb = Time of a bit (s)
Pt
Eb fb = Transmission rate (bps)
fb

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Noise Density (No)
The normalized noise power or noise power
present in a 1 Hz bandwidth.

N
No Where:
BW N = Noise power (W)
BW = Noise bandwidth (Hz)
k = Boltzmanns constant
N o kTe
Te = Equivalent noise temp. (K)

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CarriertoNoise Density Ratio (C/No)
The ratio between the wideband carrier power
to noise density.
Where:
No = Noise density
C C
C = Carrier power (W)
N o kTe
k = Boltzmanns constant
Te = Equivalent noise temp. (K)

1 1 1

System C/No C C C

No S N o UL N o DL
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Energy per bittoNoise Density Ratio
(Eb/No)
The ratio between the bit energy to noise
density.

C
Eb fb Where:

No N Eb = Energy of a bit
BW
C = Carrier power (W)
fb = Transmission rate (bps)
Eb C BW
BW = System BW
N o N fb N = Noise power (W)

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GaintoEquivalent Noise Temperature
Ratio (G/Te)
The figure of merit used to represent the
quality of a satellite or an earth station
receiver.

G Ar ALNA

Te Te

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With noise temp.:

G Ar ALNA 290(l 1) Tsky

Ta
Te Ta Te l

Where:
ALNA = Low-noise amp. gain
Ar = Rx antenna gain
l = Loss in feed line and antenna
Ta = Effective noise temp. at ant.

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Problem 7

What is the equivalent noise temperature for

a receiving station that a G/T of 30 dB if its
antenna gain is 45 dB and the antenna noise
temperature is 22 K?

a. 9.62 K

b. 29.62 K

c. 39.62 K

d. 19.62 K
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Satellite Accessing Technique
FDMA
- FAMA
f1
Station A
- DAMA
f2

f3

Station B
Station C
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TDMA

T1
Station A

T2

T3

Station B
Station C

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CDMA

C1
Station A

C2

C3

- DSSS

- FHSS
Station B
Station C

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 Preparing for the board examination is just like
going into an all important expedition with no other
aspirations but to return home with an
accomplished mission. But reaching the far end of
the expedition was never easy; doubly difficult is
returning home with the bacon. So strive hard!
Work your way out to succeed and keep
working until you get what you came for.
GOOD LUCK!

END