L-1 INTRODUCTION

TO

SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

1. Introduction Long distance communications, particularly to remote locations, using conventional terrestrial media is both uneconomic and unreliable. A geo-stationary communication satellite which acts as a repeater hung in the sky can cover a very large area and provide a reliable and cost effective alternative. Although satellite communication would seem to be a straightforward extension of terrestrial radio system, the use of satellites for communications brings in new operational features not found in terrestrial systems. In this hand out, some of the features of satellite communication are discussed. Basic knowledge of terrestrial radio systems is assumed. 2. Structure of a Satellite Link A satellite link is similar to a terrestrial microwave link with two hops, the satellite playing the role of a repeater (Fig.1).

EARTH STATION
Fig. 1 Two distinctly separated frequency bands for the uplink path from the earth station to the satellite and the downlink path from the satellite to the earth station.

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are used to facilitate separation of the transmitted and received signals at the common earth station antenna. The satellite, as a repeater receives the uplink signals from the earth stations, translates them to the down link frequency band, amplifies them, and transmits back to the earth stations.

The up link and down link signals are modulated carriers as in terrestrial microwave links. The satellite, as a repeater, does not distinguish between the type of modulation used in the carrier. It can be a frequency modulated or a QPSK carrier. 3. Choice of Frequency of Operation The majority of present day communication satellites use the following frequencies in the Cband and other bands assigned by CCIR : C Band Extended C Band 5.925 GHz to 6.425 GHz 3.7 GHz to 4.2 GHz 5.85 GHz to 5.9 GHz 6.425 GHz to 7.025 GHz 3.4 GHz to 3.7 GHz 4.5 GHz to 4.8 GHz 12.75 GHz to 13.250 GHz 14.00 GHz to 14.5 GHz 10.7 GHz to 11.7 GHz 27.00 GHz to 30.00 GHz 18.10 GHz to 20.20 GHz used for Up link. used for Down link. used for Up link. used for Down link. used for Up link. used for Down link. used for Up link. used for Down link.

Ku Band

Ka Band

The available frequency band in each direction is 500 MHz wide. The satellite translates the uplink carrier frequencies by 2.225 GHz before retransmission back to the earth. While being at higher frequency, these frequency bands permit much smaller size of antenna, but there are other technological and atmospheric attenuation problems, which must be overcome.

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3.1

RF Channels The 500 MHz frequency band is divided into 12 subbands each of 36 MHz

bandwidth and with 4 MHz guard band between the adjacent subbands (Fig.2). Each subband is treated as one RF.

Fig. 2 In the downlink frequency band, the satellite inserts one or more beacon signals, which are used by the earth stations to track the satellite.

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4.

Orbit of a Satellite

The orbit of an artificial satellite is an ellipse, the plane of which passes through the centre of the earth. Parameters of the orbit are defined by three laws of Kepler. The third law relates to the period of revolution of the satellite. Fig.3 shows the period of revolution of a satellite as a function of its altitude.

Inclined Satellite

Fig. 3

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4.1

Geostationary Satellite Satellite at low altitude are moving satellites, which shift rapidly with respect

to a point on the surface of the earth. On the other hand, a satellite which appears to be immobile when seen from the earth, is called geostationary. Majority of the communication satellites are geostationary for the very practical reason that an earth station antenna can be easily pointed towards its. Else the antenna has to continuously track the satellite as it moves relative to the earth station. For a geostationary satellite, the following orbital conditions must be satisfied : Period of revolution should be same as period of the earths rotation which is 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds. The altitude of the satellite should be 35786 km as per the Keplers third law (Fig.3). The orbit should be in equatorial plane of the earth (Fig.4). The satellite should move in the easterly direction same as the direction of rotation of the earth.

Fig. 4

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5.

Level Diagram The geostationary communication satellite is at about 36000 km from the

earth. Over this long distance, the uplink and downlink carriers are attenuated to a large extent. The received signals at the satellite and at the earth stations are very weak necessitating critical design of the receive equipment. Fig.5 shows the order of signal levels encountered in satellite communications.

Fig. 5 6. Satellite Delay Transmission path of a communication link through a satellite is about 72000 km long (36000 km uplink path and 36000 km downlink path). Electromagnetic waves travelling at 3 x 10 km/sec take about 240 ms. from one end to the other. Such large propagation delay is at the limit of psychologically tolerable values in telephony. The propagation delay results in echo in a telephony channel. A special equipment called echo suppressors is incorporated in the earth station to counteract the echo. Propagation delay also restricts the number of satellite hops for building up a telephony circuit to one as the resulting propagation delay will be much beyond acceptable value for more than one hop.
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7.

Equipment in a Communication Satellite The equipment carried aboard a satellite essentially consists of Payload Support subsystems

Payload refers to the equipment used to provide the service for which the satellite has been launched. In communication satellites, payload consists of transponders which carry out the repeater function and the transmit and receive antennas. Support subsystems include altitude and orbit control equipment, power subsystem, telemetry and tele-command subsystem, etc. 7.1 Transponders

A transponder is a series of interconnected units which form a single chain for processing an RF channel between the receive and transmit antennas. Some of the equipment in the RF chain is common for all the channels as shown in fig.

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Fig. 7 The first stage is a 500 MHz bandpass filter followed by a low noise wide band receiver in 1+1 redundant configuration. The wide band receiver is common for all RF channels. It consists of a low noise amplifier and a mixer stage which translates the entire frequency band 59256425 MHz received from the earth stations to 37004200 MHz frequency band (Fig.7). The frequency translation is carried out using a local oscillator at 2225 MHz. The input demultiplexer separates the broadband input into 12 RF channels using filters. A separate Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifier for each channel provides sufficient gain and output power for transmission back to earth. The RF channels are combined using an output multiplexer and sent to the transmit antenna. 6. Satellite Communication in India In India, satellite communication has been in use for overseas communication by Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. for many years. This service is provided through INTELSAT satellite. For domestic communications, INSAT program was formulated during mid seventies. Two locations in the geostationary orbit were reserved for Indian satellites. These locations were 74 east and 93.5
o o

east. Series of four satellites (INSATI series) was planned to provide services in the following areas : Telecommunications Radio and Television Boradcasting Meteorology

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First satellite of this series, INSAT1A, was launched in 1982. The last satellite of this series, INSAT1D was launched in 1989. These satellites were designed and fabricated by Ford Aerospace, a US firm. These satellites had the following payload configuration : Telecom Pay load Number of transponders Uplink frequency band Downlink frequency band Beacon frequencies Direct TV Broadcast Payload Number of transponders Transponder Bandwidth Uplink frequency band Downlink frequency band Meteorological Payload Number of transponders Transponder Bandwidth Uplink frequency band 9. o o o o Downlink frequency band Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) Frequency of VHRR carrier 12 5.9256.425 GHz 3.7004.200 GHz 4.031, 4.038 GHz 2 36 MHz 5.8555.935 GHz 2.5552.635 GHz S band 2 200 KHz 402.65402.85 GHz L band Centred at 4038 MHz 1

4034.55 MHz. INSAT : Indian National Satellite System INSAT1 in April 1982 5 Satellites in INSAT-2 and INSAT-3 5 Communication Satellite planned in INSAT-4 Series. Orbit location (Longitude)

SATELLITEs AND TRANSPONDER CAPACITIES S. NAME OF Transponder capacity No. SATELLITE C Ext-C KuSMobile -Band band band band (MSS0 (CxS &SxC) 1 INSAT-1D 12 2 2 INSAT-2A 12 6 2 3 INSAT-2B 12 6 2 4 INSAT-2C 12 6 3 1 1 5 INSAT2E 12 5 6 INSAT-2DT 25 1 7 INSAT-3B 12 3 1

83 deg E 74 deg E 93.5 deg E 93.5 deg E 83 deg E 55 deg E 83 deg E

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INSAT Satellite :

Satellite 2E 3A 3B 3C 3E

Location 83 Deg E 93 Deg E 83 Deg E 74 Deg E 55DegE

C-Band 12 12 24 24

Xc-Band 5 6 12 6 12

Ku-band 6 3 -

Life 2011 2016 2010 2015 2016

INSAT Satellite (Planned)

Satellite 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E

Location 83 Deg E 93 Deg E 74Deg E 93 Deg E 83 Deg E

C-band 12 12 12 -

Xc-band -

Ku-band 12 12 12 -

Planned 9,054 9.06 3.06 9.07 9.08

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10.

Advantages of Satellite Communications Wide coverage Almost one third of the earth except the polar regions is visible from a

geostationary satellite. It is, therefore, possible to cover wide geographical area irrespective of intervening terrain using a single satellite. Satellite media is the only alternative for remote areas inaccessible through terrestrial routes. By suitable design and configuration of earth station equipment, satellite links can be used for thin and heavy traffic routes in a cost effective manner. Suitable for both Digital and Analog Transmission Same satellite can be used for both digital and analog communication links. Satellite is transparent to the type of service being provided. High Quality Satellite links are designed high quality of performance. The links are free from atmospheric disturbances and fading. As only one repeater is involved, the reliability is very high. Flexibility In terrestrial links, the topology of the network gets tied down to the installed equipment. On the other hand, a satellite can be accessed from any point on the earth from where it is visible. The earth stations can be relocated and reconfigured providing complete flexibility of operation and utilisation of the satellite capacity. Quick Provision of Services Compared to the terrestrial links, earth stations can be installed in much shorter period and, therefore, services can become available faster. Mobile and Emergency Communication An earth station can be mounted on a vehicle to provide mobile communication services. Using small air liftable earth station terminals, telecommunication services can be extended to any location in emergency.

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Types of Satellites
Anti-Satellite weapons, sometimes called "Killer satellites" are satellites designed to destroy "enemy" satellites, other orbital weapons and targets. Some are armed with kinetic rounds, while others use energy and/or particle weapons to destroy satellites, ICBMs, MIRVs. Both the U.S. and the USSR had these satellites. Links discussing "Killer satellites", ASATS (Anti-Satellite satellite) include USSR Tests ASAT weapon and ASAT Test. See also IMINT Astronomical satellites are satellites used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects. Biosatellites are satellites designed to carry living organisms, generally for scientific experimentation. Communications satellites are an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purposes of telecommunications. Modern communications satellites typically use geosynchronous orbits, Molniya orbits or low Earth orbits. Miniaturized satellites are satellites of unusually low weights and small sizes. New classifications are used to categorize these satellites: minisatellite (500200 kg), microsatellite (below 200 kg), nanosatellite (below 10 kg). Navigation satellites are satellites which use radio time signals transmitted to enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location. The relatively clear line of sight between the satellites and receivers on the ground, combined with ever-improving electronics, allows satellite navigation systems to measure location to accuracies on the order of a few metres in real time.

ORBITS
Orbit is a path traversed by a satellite, orbit may be Equilateral, inclined and Polar. The time taken to complete one orbit is known as Orbit Period. In GEO stationary orbit, it is equal to the Sidereal Day.

Altitude Classifications: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) - Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 0 2,000 km (0 - 1,240 miles). Low Earth Orbit (LEO) refers to a satellite which orbits the earth at altitudes between (very roughly) 200 miles and 930 miles. Low Earth Orbit satellites must BRBRAITT, Jabalpur, issue March 07 13

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travel very quickly to resist the pull of gravity -- approximately 17,000 miles per hour. Because of this, Lowe Earth Orbit satellites can orbit the planet in as little as 90 minutes. Low Earth Orbit satellite systems require several dozen satellites to provide coverage of the entire planet. Low Earth Orbit satellites typically operate in polar orbits. Low Earth Orbit satellites are used for applications where a short Round Trip Time (RTT) is very important, such as Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). Low Earth Orbit satellites have a typical service life expectancy of five to seven years. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) - Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 2,000 km (1,240 miles) - to just below geosynchronous orbit at 35,786 km (22,240 miles). Also known as an intermediate circular orbit. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) refers to a satellite which orbits the earth at an altitude below 22,300 miles (geostationary orbit) and above the altitude of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Medium Earth Orbit represents a series of tradeoffs between geostationary orbit (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Medium Earth Orbit enables a satellite provider to cover the earth with fewer satellites than Low Earth Orbit, but requires more satellites to do so that geostationary orbit. Medium Earth Orbit terrestrial terminals can be of lower power and use smaller antennas than the terrestrial terminals of geostationary orbit satellite systems. However, they cannot be as low power or have as small antennas as Low Earth Orbit terrestrial terminals. Medium Earth Orbit satellite systems offer better Round Trip Time (RTT) than geosynchronous orbit systems, but not as low as Low Earth Orbit systems. High Earth Orbit (HEO) - Geocentric orbits above the altitude of geosynchronous orbit 35,786 km (22,240 miles). Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) - Orbits with an altitude of approximately 35,786 km (22,240 miles). Such a satellite would trace an analemma in the sky. Geostationary orbits are often referred to as geosynchronous or just GEO. A geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of zero. To an observer on the ground this satellite would appear as a fixed point in the sky. A geostationary satellite is any satellite which is placed in a geostationary orbit. Satellites in geostationary orbit maintain a constant position relative to the surface of the earth. Geostationary satellites do this by orbiting the earth approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. This orbital path is called the Clarke Belt, in honor of Arthur C. Clarke.In other words, if a satellite in a geostationary orbit is in a certain place above the earth, it will stay in that same spot above the earth. Its latitude stays at zero and its longitude remains constant. A single geostationary satellite will provide coverage over about 40 percent of the planet. Geostationary BRBRAITT, Jabalpur, issue March 07 14

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satellites are commonly used for communications and weather-observation. The typical service life expectancy of a geostationary satellite is ten to fifteen years. Because geostationary satellites circle the earth at the equator, they are not able to provide coverage at the Northernmost and Southernmost latitudes.

Choice of Transponder
One-Way Communication: Data Relay Transponder Two-Way Communication: MSS Transponder SATELLITEs AND TRANSPONDER CAPACITIES S. No. NAME OF SATELLITE C -Band 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 INSAT-1D INSAT-2A INSAT-2B INSAT-2C INSAT2E INSAT-2DT INSAT-3B 12 12 12 12 12 25 Transponder capacity Ext-C band 6 6 6 5 12 Kuband 3 3 Sband 2 2 2 1 1 Mobile (MSS0 (CxS &SxC) 1 1 Orbit location (Longitude)

830 E 740 E 93.50 E 93.50 E 830 E 550 E 830 E

INSAT Satellite :

Satellite 2E 3A 3B 3C 3E

Location 830 E 930 E 830 E 740 E 550 E

C-Band 12 12 24 24

Xc-Band 5 6 12 6 12

Ku-band 6 3 -

Life 2011 2016 2010 2015 2016

INSAT Satellite (Planned)

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SATELLITES IN OPERATION AS UPDATED ON 15-11-2006: Satellite End of Life (EOL) Frequency Band/ Transponders No. of

INSAT-2E INSAT-3A INSAT-3B INSAT-3C INSAT-3E GSAT-2 GSAT-3 INSAT-4A INSAT-HIGH POWER (GE-1A) FUTURE PLAN Satellite INSAT-4C INSAT-4B GSAT-5/ INSAT-4D

2010 2015 2010 2011 2015 2009 2011 2017

C/14, Ext. C/05, Ku/00, MSS/00 C/12, Ext. C/06, Ku/06, MSS/00 C/00, Ext. C/12, Ku/06, MSS/00 C/24, Ext. C/06, Ku/00, MSS/01 C/24, Ext. C/12, Ku/00, MSS/00 C/04, Ext. C/00, Ku/04, MSS/01 C/00, Ext. C/06, Ku/06, MSS/00 C/12, Ext. C/00, Ku/12, MSS/00

Orbit 74 E 93.5 /Q1

Launch Date Mission failed 2007 Arian-5

Band/Transponders C/00, Ext. C/00, Ku/12 C/12, Ext. C/00, Ku/12

82 E / Q3

2007 GSLV-MK- C/12, L-Ext. C/06, Ku/00 2

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INSAT Satellite (Planned)

Satellite 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E

Location 830 E 930 E 740 E 930 E 830 E

C-band 12 12 12 -

Xc-band -

Ku-band 12 12 12 -

Planned 9-05 9-06 3-06 9-07 9-08

Frequency Bands For Satellite Communication C- Band : U/L : 5.925 6.425 GHz. D/L : 3.7 4.2 G Hz. Total 500 M Hz BW. Extended C- Band : U/L : 6.725 7.025 GHz. D/L : 4.5 4.8 G Hz. Additional 300 MHz BW. Ku band : U/L : 14.0 - 14.5 G Hz. D/L : 10.95 11.2 and 11.45 - 11.7 GHz. A total of 500 MHz BW in Ku band.

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