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]

Thank you