SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Introduction, advantages and limitation of satellite communication, Communication satellite

system; Frequency Bands, satellite orbit, Block representation and description of satellite
subsystems, transponders and earth stations, Basic link analysis, Brief idea of Multiple access
techniques.

LECTURE NOTES ON SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

Basic points about Satellite Communication

In general terms, a satellite is a smaller object that revolves around a larger object in space.
For example, moon is a natural satellite of earth.
We know that Communication refers to the exchange (sharing) of information between two
or more entities, through any medium or channel. In other words, it is nothing but sending,
receiving and processing of information.
If the communication takes place between any two earth stations through a satellite, then it is
called as satellite communication. In this communication, electromagnetic waves are used as
carrier signals. These signals carry the information such as voice, audio, video or any other data
between ground and space and vice-versa.
Soviet Union had launched the world's first artificial satellite named, Sputnik 1 in 1957. Nearly
after 18 years, India also launched the artificial satellite named, Aryabhata in 1975.

Need of Satellite Communication

The following two kinds of propagation are used earlier for communication up to some
distance.
• Ground wave propagation: Ground wave propagation is suitable for frequencies up to
30MHz. This method of communication makes use of the troposphere conditions of the
earth.

• Sky wave propagation: The suitable bandwidth for this type of communication is
broadly between 30–40 MHz and it makes use of the ionosphere properties of the earth.
The maximum hop or the station distance is limited to 1500KM only in both ground wave
propagation and sky wave propagation. Satellite communication overcomes this limitation. In
this method, satellites provide communication for long distances, which is well beyond the
line of sight.
Since the satellites locate at certain height above earth, the communication takes place between
any two earth stations easily via satellite. So, it overcomes the limitation of communication
between two earth stations due to earth’s curvature.

How a Satellite Works

A satellite is a body that moves around another body in a particular path. A communication
satellite is nothing but a microwave repeater station in space. It is helpful in
telecommunications, radio and television along with internet applications.
A repeater is a circuit, which increases the strength of the received signal and then transmits
it. But, this repeater works as a transponder. That means, it changes the frequency band of the
transmitted signal from the received one.

The frequency with which, the signal is sent into the space is called as Uplink frequency.
Similarly, the frequency with which, the signal is sent by the transponder is called as Downlink
frequency. The following figure illustrates this concept clearly.

The transmission of signal from first earth station to satellite through a channel is called as
uplink. Similarly, the transmission of signal from satellite to second earth station through a
channel is called as downlink.
Uplink frequency is the frequency at which, the first earth station is communicating with
satellite. The satellite transponder converts this signal into another frequency and sends it down
to the second earth station. This frequency is called as Downlink frequency. In similar way,
second earth station can also communicate with the first one.
The process of satellite communication begins at an earth station. Here, an installation is
designed to transmit and receive signals from a satellite in an orbit around the earth. Earth stations
send the information to satellites in the form of high powered, high frequency (GHz range)
signals.
The satellites receive and retransmit the signals back to earth where they are received by other
earth stations in the coverage area of the satellite. Satellite's footprint is the area which receives
a signal of useful strength from the satellite.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Satellite Communication

In this section, let us have a look at the advantages and

disadvantages of satellite communication.
Following are the advantages of using satellite communication:
• Area of coverage is more than that of terrestrial systems

• Each and every corner of the earth can be covered

• Transmission cost is independent of coverage area

• More bandwidth and broadcasting possibilites

Following are the disadvantages of using satellite communication:

• Launching of satellites into orbits is a costly process.

• Propagation delay of satellite systems is more than that

of conventional terrestrial systems.

• Difficult to provide repairing activities if any problem occurs in a

satellite system.

• Free space loss is more.

• There can be congestion of frequencies.

Applications of Satellite Communication

Satellite communication plays a vital role in our daily life.
Following are the applications of satellite communication:
• Radio broadcasting and voice communications

• TV broadcasting such as Direct To Home (DTH)

• Internet applications such as providing Internet

connection for data transfer, GPS applications, Internet
surfing, etc.

• Military applications and navigations

• Remote sensing applications

• Weather condition monitoring & Forecasting

Salient features of a satellite system:

The satellite should have the following features:

1. It should be reliable with back-up for redundancy.
2. The weight of the satellite should be small for lifting and sending it to its designated
orbit.
3. The size should also be small.
The types of link shown in Figure above are:
— the uplinks from the earth stations to the satellites;
— the downlinks from the satellites to the earth stations;
— the intersatellite links, between the satellites.
 Satellite Communication ─ Orbital Mechanics

We know that the path of satellite revolving around the earth is known as orbit. This path can
be represented with mathematical notations. Orbital mechanics is the study of the motion of
the satellites that are present in orbits. So, we can easily understand the space operations with
the knowledge of orbital motion.

Orbital Equations

In this section, let us discuss about the equations which are related to orbital motion.

Forces acting on Satellite

A satellite, when it revolves around the earth, it undergoes a pulling force from the earth due
to earth’s gravitational force. This force is known as Centripetal force (F1) because this force
tends the satellite towards it.
Mathematically, the Centripetal force (F1) acting on satellite due to earth can be written as
𝐺𝑀
𝐹1 = 𝑚

Where,
𝑅2

• G is universal gravitational constant and it is equal to 6.673 x 10-11 N∙m2/kg2.

• M is mass of the earth and it is equal to 5.98 x 1024 Kg.
• m is mass of the satellite.
• R is the distance from satellite to center of the Earth.

A satellite, when it revolves around the earth, it undergoes a pulling force from the sun and the
moon due to their gravitational forces. This force is known as Centrifugal force (F2) because
this force tends the satellite away from earth.
Mathematically, the Centrifugal force (F2) acting on satellite can be written as
𝑚𝑣2
𝐹2 =
𝑅
Where, v is the orbital velocity of satellite.

Orbital Velocity
Orbital velocity of satellite is the velocity at which, the satellite revolves around earth. Satellite
doesn’t deviate from its orbit and moves with certain velocity in that orbit, when both
Centripetal and Centrifugal forces are balance each other.
 Earth Orbit Sattelites

Satellite should be properly placed in the corresponding orbit after leaving it in the space. It revolves
in a particular way and serves its purpose for scientific, military or commercial. The orbits, which are
assigned to satellites with respect to earth are called as Earth Orbits.

The satellites present in those orbits are called as Earth Orbit Satellites. We should choose an orbit
properly for a satellite based on the requirement. For example, if the satellite is placed in lower orbit,
then it takes less time to travel around the earth and there will be better resolution in an onboard
camera.

Similarly, if the satellite is placed in higher orbit, then it takes more time to travel around the earth
and it covers more earth’s surface at one time.
Following are the three important types of Earth Orbit satellites:
• Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Satellites
• Medium Earth Orbit Satellites
• Low Earth Orbit Satellites Now, let us discuss about each type of earth orbit satellites one by one.

Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Satellites

A Geo-synchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Satellite is one, which is placed at an altitude of 22,300 miles
above the Earth. This orbit is synchronized with a side real day (i.e., 23 hours 56 minutes). This orbit
can have inclination and eccentricity. It may not be circular. This orbit can be tilted at the poles of
the earth. But, it appears stationary when observed from the Earth.

These satellites are used for satellite Television. The same geo-synchronous orbit, if it is circular and
in the plane of equator, then it is called as Geostationary orbit. These Satellites are placed at
35,900kms (same as Geosynchronous) above the Earth’s Equator and they keep on rotating with
respect to earth’s direction (west to east).

The satellites present in these orbits have the angular velocity same as that of earth. Hence, these
satellites are considered as stationary with respect to earth since, these are in synchronous with the
Earth’s rotation. The advantage of Geostationary orbit is that no need to track the antennas in order
to find the position of satellites. Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellites are used for weather forecasting,
satellite TV, satellite radio and other types of global communications