International Journal of ISSN 0974-2107

Systems and Technologies IJST

Vol.3, No.1, pp 25-34
KLEF 2010

Role of MM Waves In Terrestrial and Satellite

Communications
Potturi Raghavendra Rao
Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
potturi_raghaven@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT: Small size, light weight, low probability of interception, better

Land/Sea clutter performance and reduced Electronic Counter Measures
vulnerability are some of the characteristics which make MM Wave spectrum
philosophies suitable to short range terrestrial and Medium to Long range Satellite
Communication links. Various aspects of MM Wave communication links at 35
GHz, 60 GHz and 94 GHz frequencies for terrestrial and satellite applications are
discussed in the paper. Link calculations are carried out and possible hardware
configurations are sketched out briefly in respect of Ground Satellite and Inter
Satellite Communication Links.

1. INTRODUCTION

In Electromagnetic Spectrum, 30-300 GHz frequency band is termed as Millimeter

Wave (MM Wave) spectrum. Apart from Radar System, communication system is
another important application of MM Waves which proved better than Microwaves/optics
in certain features. When compared to Microwaves, MM Waves1 have considerably
broader bandwidths, small component/subsystem sizes, light weight, reduced multipath
effects, reduced vulnerability to jamming, better sea clutter operability and selective
atmospheric attenuation. Because of Narrow beamwidths of MM Wave Antennas having
higher gain values, MM Wave systems have better angular resolutions and reduced
Electronic Counter2 Measure vulnerability and increased immunity to friendly
EMC/hostile interference.
The disadvantages of MM Waves include atmospheric absorption of higher values at
certain frequencies known as „walls‟, greater amount of path loss, higher value of
attenuation during rain conditions and non-availability of some components.

2. POINT-TO-POINT TERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

As it is mentioned above, MM Waves have got selective atmospheric absorption

features for horizontal propagation. The frequencies at which the absorption/attenuation
values are minimum are known as atmospheric

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 Potturi Raghavendra Rao

„WINDOWS‟. 35 GHz, 94 GHz, 140 GHz and 250 GHz are such frequencies. The
attenuation values at these frequencies at sea level are of the order of 0.1 dB/Km,
0.4 dB/Km, 2 dB/Km and 6 dB/Km respectively. The corresponding attenuation values at
these frequencies at an altitude of 4 Km above seal levels are 0.02 dB/Km, 0.1 dB/Km,
0.18 dB/Km and 0.2 dB/Km respectively. The Communication systems can be realized in
34-36 GHz, 94-96 GHz and 60-62 GHz bands.

The frequencies at which the atmospheric attenuation/absorption is high due to

oxygen (at 60 GHz & 120 GHz) and water vapour (at 180 GHz) are known as atmospheric
„WALLS‟. The attenuation values at 60 GHz and 180 GHz at sea level are 19 dB/Km and
36 dB/Km respectively. The attenuation values of these frequencies at 4 Km above sea
level are 4 dB/Km, 1dB/Km and 5 dB/Km respectively.

By taking advantage of the selective atmospheric attenuation/absorption values of

MM Wave frequencies, appropriate/suitable MM Wave Radar systems and
communication systems for different applications can be realized.

Because MM Wave propagation is by means of „Space Wave‟, the MM Wave

repeater spacings are at the most 15 Km because of the curvature of the Earth, due to the
lesser amounts of Transmitter power outputs (when compared to Microwaves) in Ka band
(26.5-40 GHz) of MM Wave spectrum.

One way (SIMPLEX) MM wave Communication System at 35 GHz is sketched

out in Fig.1 for small range Point-to-Point application. Here the carrier frequency of 35
GHz is chosen because the atmospheric attenuation is of the order of 0.1 dB/Km. For a 15
Km one way communication link, the required transmitter power is estimated (during the
absence of rain) as indicated below.

Power Reaching Receiver (RF) Input Port (PR): -75 dBm

Transmitter Power (Tx) : Tx dBm
Transmitter Plumbing Loss (TL) : 3 dB
Path Loss for 15 Km at 35 GHz (PL) : 146 dB
Atmospheric Loss at 35 GHz for 15 Km (PL) : 3.0 dB
Transmitter/Receiver Antenna Gain (GT/GR) : 30 dB
Receiver Plumbing Loss (RL) : 3 dB
The above parameters are estimated values for the system in rectangular waveguide (WR-
28) configuration where all the components used are in Waveguide Configu

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Role of MM Waves

ration. For the system in coaxial configuration (K-connector based components) the over
all plumbing losses will be more by a factor of about 2 dB.
Now Tx + GT + GR - PL - TL - RL - AL = PR ……. (i)
For the parameter values of the MM Wave link as mentioned above, the Transmitter
power turns out has to be 20 dBm (100 mW).
In case it is desired that the communication range to be doubled, for the same value of
Receiver sensitivity, the Transmitter Power has to be increased by 4 times (by 6dB). But,
because of the Line of Sight communication limitation, the 30 Km range cannot be
realized at ground level. But the communication link can be established at higher/elevated
places. In this case, instead of increasing the Transmitter Power, the Receiver sensitivity
can be improved by placement of Low Noise Amplifier of appropriate Gain & Noise
Figure values at the Receiver Front End. The MM Waves can be used to transmit/receive
voice, video and data. But accordingly suitable modulation techniques like PSK (Phase
Shift Keying), QPSK (Quasi-PSK) have to be employed. The block diagram depicted in
Fig.2 is Half Duplex Communication System. (Data, Voice, Video transmission/ reception
is possible in both directions but not simultaneously). Fig.3 sketches out Full Duplex
(Data, Vice, Video transmission/reception is possible in both directions simultaneously).
Communication System shown against Fig.1, Fig.2, Fig.3are self explanatory.

35 GHz

GUNN
ISO MOD BPF MMW
Rx
OSC

SWITCH

DATA VOICE

Fig 1: MICROWAVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

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 Potturi Raghavendra Rao

VIDEO
VOICE DATA
34 GHz
CW ORTHO
ISO DC MOD
SOURCE MODE
TRANS

MIXER DUCER
BPF

PRE
AMP
IF PROC

VOICE
DATA
VIDEO

Fig 2: HALF DUPLEX COMMUNICATION AT 34/36 GHz

VIDEO
VIDEO
35 GHz 35.6 GHz
VOICE DATA
VOICE DATA

DC ORTHO ORTHO DC
ISO MOD MOD ISO
MODE MODE
TRANS
CW TRANS CW
VIDEO
DUCER SOURCE
OSC DUCER

BPF LNA LNA BPF

IF PROC
IF PROC

VOICE DATA VOICE DATA

Fig
VIDEO

3:DUPLEX SECURE COMMUNICATION LINK –35 GHz

But both these communication systems are prone to Electronic Counter Measures /
Jamming. So this system can be employed where no jammer threat exists. Similar
Communication Link can be established/realized around 94 GHz

3. SECURE (TERRESTRIAL) COMMUNICATION LINK

The feasibility study of 60 GHz secure communication link for handling voice,
video and data is carried out. The rider is that the link should be established keeping in
view of Line of Sight methodology. A typical calculation concludes that a 60 GHz
receiver with a sensitivity of -85 dBm can suffice realization of a 6 Km secure
communication link where the 60 GHz carrier power turns out to be 100 watts.

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Role of MM Waves

Power Reaching Receiver (RF) (RS) : -84 dBm

Transmitter Power (Tx) : Tx dBm
Transmitter Plumbing Loss (TL) : 3 dB
Path Loss for 6 Km at 60 GHz : 144 dB
Atmospheric Loss at 60 GHz for 6 Km : 114 dB
Transmitter/Receiver Gain (GT/GR) : 60 dB
Receiver Plumbing Loss (RL) : 3 dB
Using the equation (i) mentioned above the Transmitter Power turns out to be 1000 watts.
The communication subsystem can be realized in rectangular waveguide configuration
(WR-19).
At 60 GHz, the signal overshoot is very low and hence it is possible to make this
communication link „COVERT‟.
In security point of view, it is very difficult to intercept this communication link,
unless the Jammer comes in line of sight with this transmitter and receiver. In addition,
because of the better side lobe levels of the 60 GHz transmitter/receiver antenna, a Jammer
power of few hundreds of kilowatts of power at 60 GHz is required to jam this link which
is not possible easily.
Full duplex configuration for this communication link is mentioned below (Fig.4).
With one transmitter frequency having lower value than the other by around 700 MHz, the
duplex system can be made fully operational. The selection of the building blocks in this
system is made on the basis of Receiver sensitivity values. In all the mm Wave
Communication Links, orthomode transducers are employed to isolate the received signals
from the transmitted signals.

60 GHz VIDEO
DATA VIDEO
VOICE VOICE
DATA

ORTHO ORTHO
ISO MOD MOD ISO
DC DC
MODE MODE
CW TRANS
CW
TRANS SOURCE
OSC DUCER
LNA DUCER
BPF LNA BPF

IF PROC IF PROC

VOICE DATA VOICE DATA

Fig 4:DUPLEX COMMUNICATION LINK – 60 GHz

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 Potturi Raghavendra Rao

In these links voice/data/video can be transmitted by means of Digital techniques like

TDM (Time Division Multiplexing), FSK (Frequency Shift Keying), BPSK (Binary Phase
Shift Keying). Ground/terrestrial links are capable of handling few thousands of 2 way
voice circuits and high speed (better than 250 M Bits/sec) digital bit streams can carry
voice/data at a Bit Error Rate (BER) of better than 10-7. The discouraging factor is that
these carrier frequencies are attenuated considerably during adverse weather conditions of
rain / fog.

4. SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

In the case of any Satellite, the time period of the satellite‟s rotation is dependant
upon its distance from3 the earth. The closer, the satellite is, the more rigorously the
satellite should rotate, in order to off set the effects of earth‟s gravity. The satellites those
are located in Lower Earth Orbits are used for Personal Communication Services (PCS).
Any Satellite which is placed in an orbit at a height of around 35, 800 Km above
the earth‟s surface (at equator) rotates at the same rate/angular velocity as that of the
Earth. So, it appears as if it is stationary above one spot on the earth. Satellites located in
this Geostationary Orbit are available to all Earth Stations within their shadow, 100% of
the time. (This case is not possible during Sun Spot Maximum / Minimum Number and
adverse weather conditions).

The prime advantage of Satellite Communication over terrestrial communication is

greatly exceeding coverage area. The maximum area that can be covered by a
Geostationary Satellite is around 33% of the earth‟s surface. That means the
communication needs of a country like India can be met by a Communication Satellite
launched and located in the Geostationary Orbit.

The main disadvantage with Satellite Communication (Geostationary) is the time

delay of around 260 milliseconds. In the case of continuous Television transmissions this
factor does not matter. But in the case of control signals that move back and forth
between a computer‟s CPU and its peripheral devices this factor is critical. Here, the
computer systems that use Satellite Communication system should be carefully designed
and realized to include/absorb this type of time delay.

The distance (d) between a particular location on the earth‟s surface and a
Geostationary Satellite depends on Latitude (θ) and Longitude (Φ) of the location and
longitude (Φ) of the satellite. This distance can be estimated as follows.

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Role of MM Waves

d2 = X2 + R2 – 2 Rx Cos θ Cos Φ
Where R = 6378 Km, earth‟s Radius
X = 42178 Km = The distance from centre of earth to satellite
When both θ & Φ are equal to 0º, (ie., on earth‟s equator) the Geostationary Satellite Orbit
is at a height of around 35,800 Km. The maximum height is around 42,650 Km when
both θ & Φ are equal 90º.
The shadow of a Satellite includes all the Earth Stations that have a LOS (Line of
Sight) path to the Satellite and within the Radiation Patterns of the Antennas located
onboard the Satellites. These advantages of this application outweigh drawbacks like
signal loss and time delay caused due to the great distance of satellite from earth.
Irrespective of the MM Wave band allocations for satellite links across the world,
the estimations are carried out for various RF parameters.

5. MM WAVES IN SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

MM Wave Communication Satellites can be employed as repeaters. In this case,

they receive signals in one frequency band (up link 36 GHz or 96 GHz or 62 GHz) and re-
transmit the signals in another frequency band (down link 34 GHz or 94 GHz or 60
GHz) like a conventional transponder (Fig.5). These satellites can use 10 W Low Power
Amplifiers at 34 GHz/36 GHz or 94 GHz/96 GHz or 60 GHz/62 GHz. The requirement of
using Low Power of this order is to have optimal use / conservation of the solar energy
available on- board the satellite. To compensate for the lower powers, the satellites
employ higher gain/highly directional antennas and Low Noise Amplifier based receivers.
The difference of about 1-2 GHz in the Down Link/Uplink frequency is to ensure that no
signal interference takes place during the communication phase. Here also the
communication links employ digital techniques.

SATELLITE TRANSPONDER

UP LINK DOWN LINK

SPACE LOSS 34 GHz

36 GHz
EARTH STATION EARTH STATION

TRANSMITTER RECEIVER

Fig 5 (a); SAT COM CONFIGURATION

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 Potturi Raghavendra Rao

LO
High
LNA BPF Power

Amp
Fig 5(b): SATELLITE TRANSPONDER

A Ground Based Satellite Receiver sees a „COLD‟ Noise Source (RF) when
looking at Satellite and hence it is practically possible for the Satellite to give small
amount of output power where as Ground Based/Earth Station Receiver still maintains a
good Signal to Noise Ratio. Thus these Satellites which are used as means of relaying
information results in the communication of different types (Telephone, Fax, Radio, TV,
Data) and Navigation, Weather Broadcasting and Defence applications (Surveillance,
Reconnaissance, Aircraft/Missile Detection, Guidance and Control).Space Loss (Path
Loss) – Satcom : This parameter is indicated by (4 л d/λ)2 where λ is wavelength of the
MM Wave carrier signal and „d‟ is the distance between Geostationary Orbit and the Earth
station. The value is nothing but – [97 + 20 log f + 20 log d] where „f‟ is the carrier
frequency in GHz and d is distance in Miles.

6. SATELLITE SPACING – GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT

The Geo Orbit exists as a circle around the earth at a height of around 35,800 Km. A good
number of Satellites can be placed any where in this orbit. Longitude is used to specify a
particular location in this orbit, because the Latitude for all the Geo Satellites is 0º.
The number of Satellites that can be placed in this orbit is determined by the
minimum spacing between the orbits. Again this minimum spacing value is
limited/controlled by the capability of earth station receivers to distinguish signals from
any two adjacent satellites. When these two satellites use two different down link
frequencies these can be placed very close to earth other because there will be no RF
signal interference.
But when once the two satellites employ same up/down link frequencies, to avoid
and minimize the signal interference, they sould be located with a spatial elevation
difference of 4º. For Geo orbits this corresponds to a distance of about 2950 Km between
the two adjacent satellites.

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Role of MM Waves

For the uplink frequency of 36 GHz for the transponder indicated in Fig.5 (a), the
Power (RF) reaching the Receiver (PR) of the satellite transponder (Geostationary) is
estimated as under. (GR = Gain of Rx Antenna on Satellite)
PR = Pt + Gt – Space loss – Plumbing loss of Transmitter (LT)
+ GR - Plumbing Loss of Receiver (LR)
In this case
Pt = 70 dBm
Gt = 40 dB
GR = 30 dB
LR = LT = 3 dB
SL = 215 dB
With these values, the PR turns out to be -81 dBm. This signal is amplified by the first
stage LNA with a gain of around 30 dB which gives an RF Power output of -51 dBm to
the receiver input. The signal of 36 GHz is down converted to a frequency of 34 GHz.
This signal is fed to a high power amplifier, with 60 dBm power output and
subsequently to the Transmit Antenna of Transponder (Gain of 30 dB). (Fig.5b) In turn,
the power reaching Earth Station Receiver after Antenna with a gain of 50 dB turns out to
be -71 dBm. This will be again suitably amplified and brought down to an appropriate IF
to get the received communication signals processed.
Because Inter Satellite Links do not face the problem of atmospheric attenuation,
94 GHz / 60 GHz / 36 GHz carriers can be used keeping in view of the smaller size of the
system components and less power requirement of the communication system. Fig.6
indicates simplex Inter Satellite Communication system at 94 GHz/60 GHz/36 GHz. A
typical calculation for the above mentioned system at 60 GHz, 36 GHz and 94 GHz are
carried out as given below

36 / 60/ 94
GHz
CW I M B
SOU O
S P
RCE D IF
DATA VOICE
O
F
VIDEO

IF PROC

DATA
VOICE
VIDEO

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 Potturi Raghavendra Rao

Fig 6: INTER SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Parameter 60 36 94 GHz
GHz GHz
Inter Satellite 2,950 2,950 2,950
Range (SR) Km Km Km
Transmitter 1.0 W 100 10 W
Power (Tx) W
Atmospheric 0 0 0
Loss (AL)
Data Stream 100- 100- 100-
Capability 1000 1000 1000
KBPS KBPS KBPS
Transmitter
Plumbing Loss 4 dB 4 dB 4 dB
(TL)
Path Loss (PL) 198 194 202
dB dB dB
Rx/Tx/Antenna 50 dB 40 dB 50 dB
Gain
Receiver
Plumbing Loss 4 dB 4 dB 4 dB
(RL)
Power
Reaching Rx -76 -72 -70
Input dBm dBm dBm
7. CONCLUSION
At MM Waves, Terrestrial Secure Communication Links and Communication
links (Ground to Satellite and Inter Satellite) of different types can be realized.

8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author wishes to thank Dr R Sreehari Rao, OS & CC (R&D) ECS DRDO and
Sri G Boopathy, Director DLRL, Hyderabad for their constant guidance and
encouragement extended to him. He acknowledges the secretarial support extended by
Smt DN Malleswari, Smt B Jayalakshmi, TO-B & Smt B Sobha Rani, TO-B of DLRL,
Hyderabad.

9. REFERENCES
 Kenneth J. Button, “Infra Red and Millimeter Waves”, Vol 4, Academic Press,
Inc1981
 D.Curtis Schleher, “Introduction to Electronic Warfare”, Artech House, 1986
 Gerard Maral, “Satellite Communication System”, John Wiley & Sons Ltd 2002.

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