KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

INTERNSHIP REPORT

SAGARMATHA SATELLITE EARTH STATION

BALAMBU, KATHMANDU

by:
Sujeet Kumar Jha
Roll no.: - 41009
Regd no.: - 015818-13

October 2017

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CERTIFICATION

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 ABSTRACT

The industrial internship is completed in the field of satellite communication at the Sagarmatha
Earth Station, Balambu, Kathmandu, Nepal from September 4 to September 21, 2017. During
the internship the study and work is focused toward getting experienced with the essential skill
required in the professional and industrial atmosphere. The industry is related to the
sophiscated mode of communication i.e. Satellite Communication along with basic of
communication between Earth station (Ground Station) and Satellite.
In this internship program, the deep observation and operating of essential equipment needed
for earth to satellite communication including complex technology in antenna propagation used
by Nepal Telecom for wireless communication.
Internships helps reveals the important technology in terms of software and hardware of Earth
Station in the field of Satellite Communication. Not only with in technical aspect but it also
teaches to cope with the colleague and seniors at the professional workplace.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I heartily thank Nepal Telecom, Kathmandu, Nepal for providing me an opportunity to
complete my 'Internship at the Sagarmatha Earth Station, Balambu, Kathmandu, Nepal. I am
grateful to Mr. Dinesh Chandra Yadav (Plant Incharge) for helping me to complete my
internship.

I’m equally thankful to Mr. Dhaka Ram Poudyal (Senior Engineer) for giving me opportunity
to study each and every instruments involved in ground to satellite communication. I would
like to thank Mr. Lok Raj Paneru (Senior Engineer) for his technical guidance. I’m equally
thankful to all the staffs of Station for giving me chance to learn the software control of station.
I would like to thank Nepal Telecom and Nepal Telecom Training Centre for giving me
opportunity of internship.

I sincerely thank to Mr. Brajesh Mishra, Internship coordinator for his help and guidance during
internship.

Last but not least, I sincerely thank Amit Bhagat, Rupa Rokaya and Chanda Hygou being my
classmate, close friend and finally colleagues. Their company makes the internship interesting
and easier.

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 Table of Contents

CERTIFICATION ...................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................... iv
SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATION ..................................................................................... vi
LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES ..........................................................................................vii
LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1
OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION ............................................................................ 1
1.1 History .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Vision & Objectives ......................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Organizational Structure and Hierarchy .......................................................................... 2
1.4 Products and Services ...................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Equipment ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.6 HR Management .............................................................................................................. 9
1.7 Unique Observation ....................................................................................................... 10
1.8 Collaborators and Competitors ...................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................... 12
INTERNSHIP DETAIL ........................................................................................................ 12
2.1 Training Detail ............................................................................................................... 12
2.2 Work Assigned............................................................................................................... 14
2.3 Work Accomplished ...................................................................................................... 14
2.4 Problem Encountered ..................................................................................................... 16
2.5 Limitation ....................................................................................................................... 16
CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................................... 17
3.1 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 17
3.2 Recommendation ........................................................................................................... 17
REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 18
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................ 19
A. Picture of Internship .................................................................................................. 19

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 SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATION

Abbreviation Full Form First used in Page

BALUN Balance unbalance 11
DAMA Demand Assigned Multiple Access 4
DCME Digital Circuit Multiplication Equipment 6
FSS Fixed Satellite Service 3
GEO Geosynchronous Earth Orbit 9
LEO Lower Earth Orbit 9
NEA Nepal Electric Authority 8
NTC Nepal Telecom 1
RSAT Regional Satellite Trunk 1
SCPC Single channel per carrier 1
SSPA Solid State Power Amplifier 5
VLC VSAT Local Controller 7
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal 1

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 LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Organizational Structure of Sagarmatha Satellite Earth Station. ............................... 2

Figure 2: Block schematic arrangement of a generalized Earth station..................................... 3
Figure 3:A VSAT network [4] ................................................................................................... 4
Figure 4: Up-Down converter. ................................................................................................... 5
Figure 5: (a) Hub Antennas at Sagarmatha Earth Station (b )NTSAT terminal Antenna (c)
VSAT HUB Antenna . .............................................................................................................. 6
Figure 6:CDM-600/600L Open Network Satellite Modem ....................................................... 7
Figure 7: Antenna control unit (ACU) ....................................................................................... 8
Figure 8: Software interface for installing Satellite modem. ..................................................... 8
Figure 9:Intelsat 33e coverage in Indian ocean. ...................................................................... 10
Figure 10: Footprint of Sinosat in Indian Ocean ..................................................................... 11
Figure 11: Spectrum Analyzer monitoring Network. .............................................................. 13
Figure 12:Monitoring all Sites of VSAT and DSAT .......................................................... 19
Figure 13: Detail Monitoring of particular Station …………………………………………19
Figure 14:Ethernet Traffic Monitor at Remote site. …………………………………………19
Figure 15: Report Generation ………………………………………………………………..19
Figure 16: Bandwidth of working Station……………………………………………………20
Figure 17:Bandwidth Graph of not working station. ............................................................... 20
Figure 18: Status of Particular Site ………………………………………………………….20
Figure 19: Monitoring by spectrum Analyzer. ........................................................................ 20
Figure 20: Training Session Given by Supervisor. .................................................................. 21
Figure 21: Monitoring and Configuring of Satellite Modem................................................... 21
Figure 22: Observing the outdoor Antenna unit with Collegue. .............................................. 22
Figure 23: Paper work at the Internship. .................................................................................. 22

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1:Sagarmatha Earth Station Hub Antennas [2] ................................................................ 6

Table 2: Profile for Task 1 Accomplished. ............................................................................. 14
Table 3: Profile for Task 2 Accomplished .............................................................................. 15
Table 4: Profile for Task 3 Accomplished ............................................................................... 15
Table 5: Profile for Task 4 Accomplished .............................................................................. 16

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 CHAPTER 1

OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION

1.1 History
Nepal Telecom (then Nepal Telecommunication Corporation) established Sagarmatha
Satellite Earth Station in 1982, as a section of International System Manager’s Office
(now International Services Department),starting its service with only six SCPC channels
for international communication. Later in 1985, TV receive facilities were added for providing
newsfeed to Nepal Television. Using this video reception facility,World Cup football to was
broadcasted by Nepal Television for the first time. Since then this station is in operation and
has already completed its 25 years of successful operation.
This technology has become an attractive means for providing quality communication service
to most remote anddifficult locations. Noting these facts, Sagarmathastationwas opened for
domestic applications in 1996 for first time[1][2].
Some of the milestones of this station are:
 Oct 1982– Standard B Earth Station (STH-01B) Operational via INTELSAT 60°E
Satellite.Services started with 6 SCPC Circuits.
 1985 – TV Reception Service for Nepal TV.
 1987- Upgradation of Earth Station facilities with installation of:
 IDR System.
 TV Equipment for Occasional Use TV Transmission/ Reception.
 Digital Microwave Link between Earth Station and International Telecom
Building (ITB)
 1989- Nepal Became 116th Member of INTELSAT.
 1996 – Commissioning of Standard A Earth Station (STH-02A).
 2000 – Implementation of Regional Satellite Trunk (RSAT) System (STH-03B
Antenna)
 2002 - Implementation of new VSAT System.
 2004 – Introduction of TCM/IDR Services.
 2008- Implementation of DSAT, augmentation of Frequency converter system and
introduction of Turbo Code IDR modems.
 2010 – Completed installation of 83 NTSAT terminals in remote VDC’s of Nepal.

1.2 Vision & Objectives

It is the subsidiary of Nepal telecom so the vision and objective is resembles with the Nepal
telecom so, the vision of Sagarmatha Satellite Earth station is “ To assists Nepal Telecom to
remain dominant player in telecommunication sector in the country while also extending
reliable and cost effective services to all.”
The main objective of the Sagarmatha Satellite Earth Station is “To provide effective
communication services to every nook and corner of country. ”

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1.3 Organizational Structure and Hierarchy
As per the orientation at training and at the website the organizational structure is as shown
per below [2].

Nepal Telecom
Satellite Service Directorate

Station Manager

Non-Technical Technical Regional

Department Department Department

Administrative
Department Planning
All the
terminal
Finance & Operation and station at the
Account. Maintenance Remote
District of
Nepal.
Power and
Office
Switching
Assistant
Maintenance

Logistic
management

Figure 1: Organizational Structure of Sagarmatha Satellite Earth Station.

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1.4 Products and Services
Earth Station provides the communication pathway between the Geo-Stationary Satellite and
local networks. Signals from the all the local networks are send to the Satellite for long distant
communication and signal received from the Satellite are send to desired location within a
network is done by the Earth Station. International Calls, International Direct Dialing,
Occasional TV Broadcasting, Internet Access, Weather Forecasting, VSAT (Very Small
Aperture Terminal) Communication are prominent benefits of an Earth Station.

Intelsat-1 to Intelsat-4, ThaiCom, ChinaSat Arabsat, TelStar, Early Bird, KoreaSat are some
satellites send by many countries to guide wireless long distant communication [3].A signal
also termed as baseband signal or message signal is send via antenna to the Satellite by the
unique uplink frequency and signal are received from the satellite by the downlink frequency.

Figure 2: Block schematic arrangement of a generalized Earth station.

The sagarmatha satellite earth station is Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Earth Stations which is
the backbone of the telecommunication communication where all the other medium of
communication like wireline, optical fiber, Terrestrial microwave etc. The field of service of
satellite communication is subjected under two sub headings.

 International services
Once in while during the era of 2000 the whole international communication is depending upon
the sagarmatha satellite earthsation. There were 37 carriers for 18 countries with 21 operators.
With the advancement of the optical fiber connection with India and submarine cables across
the globe. Now, it is decrease to 6 carriers to for 3 countries. It is still now in operation. The
band is used for the international satellite communication is C- band i.e.

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The satellite used for the international circuit is Intelsat -4 which is communicating using the
standard ‘A’ Cassegrain antenna which diameter is 16.4m and largest in Nepal. The main
reason for moving away from satellite communication for international circuit is the high cost
[1].

 Domestic Services
Sagarmatha Earth Station has served the people of remote district like Humla, Jumla, Mugu,
Kalikot etc. where wired communication can never be thought of, as we have entered into the
modern era of high speed communication i.e. Optical Fiber communication still, it is not
utilized efficiently due to unfavorable geography of Nepal. So, satellite communication is only
alternative. The following are the services falls under the domestic services [1] [2].
i. RSAT System
R-SAT terminals for satellite Backhaul link for PSTN switch, GSM BTS, CDMA BTS
with 9 carriers and 4 stations. This system was conceived in order to provide satellite
connectivity to major cities so that connection from these cities to capital city
Kathmandu could still be maintained even in case of failure of main links such as
microwave or optical fiber. The main city connected is Biratnagar, Bhairrahawa,
Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi. It is not currently in used and phased out but in case of
emergency like natural disasters, it can be activated.

ii. VSAT system

Nepal telecom is using DAMA technology in its VSAT system so as to achieve
economy in space segment charges. This system comprises of 2 channel and 8 channel
terminals for direct distribution of telephone lines. Currently VSAT telephone service
has been provided to more than 300 remote locations of the country. Accordingly, this
VSAT system also consists of equipment that could be used to provide E1 connectivity
to remote exchanges. A single backhaul VSAT terminal can serve satellite trunk for
either CDMA or GSM BTS. Channel remote VSAT terminals popularly known as
"NTSAT". VSAT in Nepal operated in both C- Band and KU- Band.

Figure 3:A VSAT network [4]

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 iii. DSAT
DSAT is terminals for satellite Backhaul link for PSTN switch, GSM BTS, CDMA BTS. for
GSM and CDMA BTS. A single DSAT terminal can serve satellite trunk for both CDMA and
GSM BTS. This system is intended for providing satellite connectivity to various district
headquarters and remote locations for extension of GSM and CDMA mobile services. This
service is in Ku-Band, first of its kind in Nepal Telecom in Satcom applications, and carry via
ChinaSat satellite. It is also known by the NTSAT [2] [5].

1.5 Equipment
The critical equipment consists of the Hardware and software on which the working of the
earth station is dependent to provide the service is.

1.5.1 High Power Amplifier: ARMA C400 SSPA

A device that amplifies a specific band of frequencies by a large amount, sufficiently large to
enable the antenna to beam them up to the satellite The featured SSPAs are designed for C-
Band and ku satellite up-link applications. They are designed for 19-inch rack mounting in a
protected environment. The ARMA-C series are available in output power from 20W to
800W.For higher power Advantech provides phase-combined systems. With all the features of
the ARMA-C, also offers a built-in converter.

1.5.2 NEC UP/DOWN CONVERTER

A device that increases the frequency of the carrier, typically from Intermediate Frequency (IF)
to Radio Frequency (RF). The up converter is used in the transmission system or satellite
communication earth station which converts a 70 MHz or 140 MHz IF signal into a 6 GHz RF
signal. Similarly, the function of down converter is vice versa. These SATCOM Up converters
and Down converters are available as single, 1:1 and 1:2 redundant systems that ensure
continuous operation. Both indoor rack mounted or ruggedized outdoor antenna mounted units
are available with a host of options.

Figure 4: Up-Down converter.

1.5.3 ANTENNAS
In Sagarmatha Earth Station we have two type of antenna one is Standard ‘A’ (16.4 m)
antennas and another is Standard ‘B’ antenna (11m and 9m), two microwave antennas (not in
operation) and demos antennas for training and testing purpose. Standard antennas ‘A’ are
linked IntelSat. These all are either Cassegrain Antenna or Gregorian antenna.
Standard ‘A’: Main purpose is International Calls, Internet Connection for NTC, and
Occasional TV for NTV. Its diameter is 16.4m and largest in Nepal.

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Standard ‘B’: There are two standard antennas. Used mainly for VSAT network. Their
diameters are 11m and 9m. Placed for 66º E satellite [2] [3].

(a) (b)

Figure 5: (a) Hub Antennas at Sagarmatha Earth Station (b )NTSAT terminal Antenna (c) VSAT HUB Antenna .

Table 1:Sagarmatha Earth Station Hub Antennas [2]

Antenna ID Band Orb Loc/Satellite Application

STH-01B C Band 64 deg/lntelsat , C Band International Circuits
STH-02A C Band 60 deg/lntelsat, C Band International Circuits
STH-03B C Band 66 deg/lntelsat, C Band V-SAT
STH-04 KU Band 110 deg/ Sinosat,KU Band D-SAT
STH-01B KU Band 110 deg/ Sinosat,KU Band VSAT

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 MODEM
 CDM- 600/600L System:
The CDM-600/600L Open Network Satellite Modem is intended for both Intelsat and
closed network applications. Apart from the IF frequency band, the two modems are
essentially identical: The CDM-600L (Figure 1-1) operates on the L-Band frequency,
while the CDM-600 is the 70/140 MHz IF version of the same modem.

Figure 6:CDM-600/600L Open Network Satellite Modem

1.5.3 Digital Circuit Multiplication Equipment (DCME)

Digital Circuit Multiplication Equipment (DCME) is a type of voice compression equipment
that is installed at either end of a long-distance link (typically communications satellite or
submarine communications cable). There are three types of DCME used in Sagarmatha
Standard-A Satellite Earth Station. They are as follows.

 DTX-360: Ethernet HUB for VSAT

It is data compression system which made communication, possible in Sagarmatha Earth
Station by utilizing DAMA technology and dedicated technology in this HUB. Due to use
VSAT technology internet access in Base camp of Mount Everest has been made possible.
The other types of DCME devices are in use at Sagarmatha Earth Station are.

 DTX- 600
The DTX 600 is a high-capacity, multi-service, multi-rate voice and data compression system,
designed to serve as a network optimizer platform in diverse network applications and end-
user environments.

 DTX 240
The DTX240 system accepts up to two hundred and forty (240) 64 kbps trunks carrying either
voice, voice band non-speech signals, or digital data for transmission over a 2.048 Mbps or
1.544 Mbps digital link.

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 1.5.4 ANTENNA STEP TRACK CONTROLLER
Used to operate in different modes of antenna. It is fully automated system and software
oriented control system. Controller works according to values of Look Angles I.e. Azimuth
and Elevation. Azimuth is measured eastward (clockwise) from geographic north to the
projection of satellite path on a (locally) horizontal plane at the earth station. Elevation is the
angle measured upward from the local horizontal plane at the earth station to the satellite path.
Operated by 7200 Antenna Control Unit, which is fully software oriented control system.

Figure 7: Antenna control unit (ACU)

1.5.5 COMPUTER SYSTEM

The earth station has specialized computer system having dedicated software in order to
operate and monitor the various communication process and the situation. Some of the main
system with software detail are.
 Network Management software on Windows XP.
Network Management System is a comprehensive software-based system providing
monitoring and control of Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC)/ Multiple Channels Per
Carrier (MCPC) VSAT stations and in general satellite ground stations from a central
site. The system consists of two parts: Network Management System (NMS) & VSAT
Local Controller (VLC).

 Windows 98 interface for installing and configuring Satellite Modem.

The system is for the installing, upgrading, flashing, uploading FTP procedure for the
satellite modem. Since this model of the satellite modem is compatible with windows
98 system.

Figure 8: Software interface for installing Satellite modem.

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  Microsoft Network Monitor on Microsoft Server 2003.
Microsoft Network Monitor is a packet analyzer that allows you to capture, view and
analyze network traffic. This tool is handy for troubleshooting network problems and
applications on the network. Main features include support for over 300 public and
Microsoft proprietary protocols, simultaneous capture sessions, a Wireless Monitor
Mode and sniffing of promiscuous mode traffic, amongst. The system to look over
the health of the network communication of earth station with main exchange of NTC.

1.5.8 Combiner
Combiner is used for 6 GHz band signal in satellite communication E/S. This equipment
requires no power supply and does not need any adjustment.
Electrical performances are as follows:
Frequency range 5850 to 6425 MHz
Insertion toss is more than 5 dB
Input/output impedance 50 ohms.
Return loss: unbalanced more than 17 dB.
Isolation: more than 40 dB.

1.5.9 Cooling Unit

The equipment and hardware place in the controlled temperature so that the device work
continuously and efficiently. It is necessary for the certainty of functionality of the Earth
station. For this two heavy unit of 4 tons’ air condition with large vent is placed around the
control unit. The optimum temperature is maintained at 250C.

1.5.9 Power System of Sagarmatha Satellite E/S

Generally, power supply comes from NEA. If NEA fails, power supply comes from UPS
battery instantly and uninterruptly. After a few seconds generator will start automatically and
takes load until NEC power supply comes,

1.6 HR Management
Since it is the subsidiary of the Nepal Telecom so the all the HR management work is managed
by the HR unit of the Nepal telecom. The Recruitment Secretariat previously looked after the
recruitment process now, it comes under the public Service commission. The Human
Resources Department looks for personal record like Recruitment, promotion, transfer etc. It
also maintains Leave and training records and the salary and their payment and tax calculation
are made through this system.
The company has its own training center of Directorate level. The training center is equipped
with computer lab and other labs regarding switching, power and transmission networks. The
internship related work is look after by the TTC office of the Nepal telecom, Bhadrakali plaza.

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1.7 Unique Observation
This is the one of the subsidiary of Nepal telecom which is for the service purpose not for
economic benefit. The communication through satellite is expensive means of communicate-
ion. But in order to provide the communication facility to the last people of the corner of the
country the huge amount of money and resource is invested. The Nepal telecom won the
contract for the remote VSAT by filling lowest bid amount of contract ‘zero’ with the sense of
responsibility of nation building.
Also the earth station is facing the lack of manpower working in it. During the period of
internship there is lack of manpower is observed. The workload of available individual is
increased. It is essential service so there is work carried also on public holiday also

1.8 Collaborators and Competitors

Since this earth station is single type of earth station used for the telecommunication purpose.
It has no competitor till date for this sector in Nepal. However, for the broadcasting service
(once it is used to provide occasionally). It has the competitor i.e.
 Dish Home
It is direct to Home service for the viewing television in Nepal. It has nationwide
coverage. It has own its earth station located at Naakhu, Kathmandu. In broadcasting
field, it is the competitor for the Sagarmatha satellite earth station. But till now the
broadcasting service is halted by sagarmatha satellite earth station.

Similarly, the IntelSat and Sinosat satellite service center is the collaborator for the sagarmatha
Earth station.
 Intelsat Satellite System
Intelsat Limited is the world’s largest commercial satellite communications service
provider. Originally, it was formed as the International Telecommunication Satellite
Organization (INTELSAT) in 1964 to own and manage a constellation of GEO
satellites that could provide international communication services mainly including
video, voice and data services to the telecom, broadcast, government and other
communications markets. It was an intergovernmental consortium initially having 11
members. It is used for the international telecommunication.

Figure 9:Intelsat 33e coverage in Indian ocean.

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 ChinaSat
As a Subsidiary of China Satcom, Sino satellite Communications Co., Ltd. was founded
on 1994; Sinosat provide professional end-to-end satellite communication service to
NTC for VSAT and DSAT domestically at lower cost. Services are from it is broadcast,
Telecommunication, Internet access and other value-add services over APAC, MENA,
Africa, Europe and America.

Figure 10: Footprint of Sinosat in Indian Ocean

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 CHAPTER 2

INTERNSHIP DETAIL

2.1 Training Detail

The orientation about the rules, regulation, working discipline, introduction to staffs, safety
instruction is carried on the first day of internship. Also, the whole plan of internship for 21
days is planned with consent of the supervisor Er. Dhaka Ram Poudyal. The first week is
dedicated for the training purpose. The training activities is discussed below.

2.1.1 Basic introduction to Equipment at Earth Station

The equipment discussed in section 1.5 is introduced on the second day of internship. The detail
introduction to every useful equipment which in use or which is used to introduced. The indoor
section is consisting of critical hardware like modem, up/down converter, SSPA, BALUN,
Switching system, PABX etc. The outdoor section consists of Antenna, Antenna controller,
Waveguides, LNB etc.

2.1.2 Configuring, Installation and Using the Satellite Modem

There is the facility of separate test bench for training purpose, where the training for the
installation of satellite modem physically and to the computer system on windows 98 is
provided. The configuration of satellite modem also provided in training for the purpose of
satellite communication. It is required in the case of traffic management, monitoring and
troubleshooting the error.

2.1.3 Training on Network Management V.2.3 and Allot communication software

The monitoring system for the all of the remote station of VSAT is monitored through this
software. The training on using this software on how to monitor different station. The
monitoring system shows the graph of the traffic of bandwidth of each and every station. Also
it shows the graph of individual leased line customer.

2.1.4 Training on Windows Server 2003

The windows server 2003 operating system is used to monitor the health of the connection of
satellite connectivity to terrestrial network with main switching center of Nepal telecom,
Jawalakhel.It can be used for the switching and configuring the link with terrestrial network
but training is limited to monitoring purpose only.

2.1.5 Satellite tracking, Antenna step track controlling.

The acquisition system acquires the desired satellite by either moving the antenna manually
around the expected position of the satellite. Automatic tracking is initiated only after the
received signal strength due to the beacon signal transmitted by the satellite is above a certain
threshold value. There is provision of both manual and auto tracking.

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The antenna setup device makes use of the beacon signal to track itself to the desired positions
in both azimuth and elevation. The auto track receiver derives the tracking correction data or
in some cases, the estimated position of the satellite. The estimated position is compared with
the measured position in the control subsystem whose output feeds the servo mechanism.

2.1.6 Using a Spectrum Analyzer

Sometime the monitoring through the computer is not reliable then there is provision of
monitoring the health of signal by using the spectrum analyzer. The satellite signal quality
measurement option provides information on link quality and real-time performance data on
signals of interest. Parameters such as C/N, MER, EVM and modulation/code schemes are
presented.

Figure 11: Spectrum Analyzer monitoring Network.

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2.2 Work Assigned
After completing the basic training, the request for the work is made to the supervisor. Since
the work of the earth station is monitoring and maintaining the communication and
troubleshooting to the certain extent. So the work is assigned to the intern is to monitor only
and certain extent to assisting in troubleshoot if any minor error occurs. The detail of work
assigned is listed below.

I. Monitor the Signal Strength, G/T ratio, traffic, bandwidth of the network
communication setup to all the three main setup that is International circuit, V-sat and
D-sat.
II. Generate the auto report from the system in every two hours for the V-sat and D-sat
system and present to the supervisor.
III. For the International circuit maintain the manual log sheet and report to the supervisor.
IV. If any error or abnormalities appear in communication, immediately report to operation,
maintenance room via supervisor.
V. Assists in troubleshooting the error by timely reporting the current situation of network.
For this situation, the overall condition is evaluated by the computer system and
spectrum analyzer.

2.3 Work Accomplished

As per the work assigned by the supervisor, the work is beginning from the second week. The
main job is carried in the earth station is monitoring and maintain healthy the status of network
connection, in order to ensure the continuity of service provided. As per the work assigned, the
completion of assigned job is done as per possible. There was constant monitoring of the
supervisor. The following work accomplished within the period of internship.

2.3.1 Monitoring the V-sat and D-sat system.

It was monitored in dedicated computer system. It is necessary for maintaining the continuity
of service. The following table illustrated the detail of the job activity. The picture of the
monitoring and network status is mentioned in the appendixes.

Table 2: Profile for Task 1 Accomplished.

Task Accomplished Problem Encountered Remarks

Monitored the overall statusThe monitoring work of
of V-Sat and D-Sat more than 500 station
connection with a remote together is tedious task. Also
station. the software is of old version
so most of the work is done
The report was generated on manually.
the hourly basis.

The overall summary report

was presented to the
supervisor.

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2.3.2 Monitoring the International Circuit.
It was monitored manually by observing the front display panel of the satellite modem. The
manual log sheet was maintained. If required detail monitoring is done by the spectrum
analyzer. Since there are only 3 station to monitor so it is preferred manually. The following
table illustrated the detail of the job activity.

Table 3: Profile for Task 2 Accomplished

Task Accomplished Problem Encountered Remarks

The readings from the front There are only 3 station to
display panel was manually monitor so this work was
monitored. carried along with
monitoring the other job.
The maintenance of the log
sheet.

The detail was maintained in

log is G/T, the unit status,
transmitting power.

2.3.3 Error Reporting.

If any remote site is down, it is immediately reported to the supervisor. The process of reporting
is carried by the intercom. The following table illustrated the detail of the job activity.

Table 4: Profile for Task 3 Accomplished

Task Accomplished Problem Encountered Remarks

The hindrance in
communication frequently
occurred in the remote site
due to power shortage,
weather condition etc.
Since, there is no automated Error reporting is done
system of alarming, the site frequently while the error
down in system. So , it is correction is done from
necessary to monitor upper level.
continuously.

There error was pointed out

in the way of monitoring
network status.

The error reporting is carried

in the intercom system.

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2.3.4 Assisting in troubleshooting the connection Error.
It is the job carried occasionally if the site is down due to the fading. The following table
illustrated the detail of the job activity.

Table 5: Profile for Task 4 Accomplished

Task Accomplished Problem Encountered Remarks

The constantly reporting the Intern is occasionally The error occurred only in
situation to supervisor the involved in error domestic service. The
status of network. correction process. international service rarely face
error.
The status was observed on
satellite modem, spectrum
analyzer and satellite
modem.

2.4 Problem Encountered

The problem encountered in the internship period of 21 days is many. Only technical problem
encountered is discussed here.
 Lack of the manpower at earth station.
Due to lack of manpower at earth station, the training is completed in tight schedule of
supervisor. Due to which long time is spared in taking training.

 Lack of equipment at training Bench

Since the critical hardware and software training is carried at the testing bench. Due to
lack of equipment at testing bench, the training is limited to observing the equipment
with no hand on experience for example: Antenna step controller.

 Outdated and unfriendly equipment and Software.

Some of the equipment are outdated and unfriendly, specially the software interface
which is still working on windows 98.

2.5 Limitation
Since the lot of things learned during internship but the job scope for the internship is limited.
Because due to presence of the sophiscated systems, it is difficult for the supervisor to handle
responsibility to non-authorize person like interns to do critical task. So, the job scope is limited
to the only monitoring.

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 CHAPTER 3

3.1 Conclusion
The sagarmatha Satellite Earth Station is linkage hub for the NTC to satellite communication.
It is backbone infrastructure for communicating to the remote area of the Nepal. Also, once it
was gateway hub for the international call. The internship at the Sagarmatha satellite Earth
station provide first hand job experience in the professional environment, surronded by the rack
of the critical equipments and hardware. The webbed cables arround the control centre gives
the real sense of working environment which any engineer prefer. Internship at earth not only
taught the technial aspect of performing job but also the practical activity, behaviour required
to perform at any working environment. It enhances the capability, how perform job efficiently
with friendly coperating with collegue and seniors .The internship remain fruitful in terms of
developing the professional attitude.
Finally, the internship is completed with success, achieving the aims and objectives for which
it was assigned

3.2 Recommendation
As per the individual experience, the following things should be implemented.
 Duration of the internship should be increased from 21 days to at least period of two
months.
 There should be proper coordination between the department and organization placing
internship.

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 REFERENCES

[1] B. K. Shakya and L. R. Paneru, "Sagarmatha Satellite Earth Station-A Journey of 25

Years," in 4th Anniversary Sovenir 2008, Kathmandu Nepal, Nepal Telecom, 2014, pp.
50- 62.
[2] Nepal Telecom, "Satellite Service Directorate," Nepal Telecom, 2017. [Online].
Available: http://internet.ntc.net.np/departments/wtd/ssd. [Accessed 3 October 2017].
[3] D. Dhakal, "A Field visit to Sagarmatha Satellite Earth Station," Prime College,
Kathmandu, 2012.
[4] K. A. Maini and V. Agrawal, Satellite Technology: Principles and Application, New
Delhi India: Wiley Publication, 2011.
[5] D. C. Yadav and D. R. Poudyal, Interviewees, Sagarmatha Satellite Service Centre:
Product and Services.. [Interview]. 4 September 2017.

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 Appendixes
A. Picture of Internship

Figure 12:Monitoring all Sites of VSAT and DSAT Figure 13: Detail Monitoring of particular Station

Figure 14:Ethernet Traffic Monitor at Remote site. Figure 15: Report Generation

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Figure 16: Graph of total Bandwidth of working Station Figure 17: Graph of total Bandwidth of not working station.

Figure 18: Status of Particular Site Figure 19: Monitoring by spectrum Analyzer.

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 Figure 20: Training Session Given by Supervisor.

Figure 21: Monitoring and Configuring of Satellite Modem

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Figure 22: Observing the outdoor Antenna unit with Colleague.

Figure 23: Paper work at the Internship.

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