School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)
 
AT77.15 : Satellite Communications  3(3-0)
 
Course objectives:

This course is designed to provide a comprehensives understanding of satellite communications principles and related technologies involved. Starting from orbital mechanics related to spacecraft deployment, the course evolves through satellite link design, signal processing and access techniques, type of networks and finally drawing conclusion with performance and reliability of the system.
 
Learning Outcomes:

Introduction to Satellite Communications; Orbital Aspects of Earth Satellites; Satellite Link Design; Propagation on Satellite-Earth Paths and Its Influence on Link Design; Modulation, Multiplexing and Multiple Access Techniques in Satellite Communications; Satellite Networking ; Spacecraft and Earth Station Technology; Types of Satellite Networks; Performance and Reliability of Satellite Communications.
 
Pre-requisite(s):

Consent of the Instructor

 
Course Outline:

I Introduction to Satellite Communications
1. Origin, History, Current Technology State  and Overview of Satellite System Engineering

II Orbital Aspects of Earth Satellites
1. Orbital Mechanics and Orbital Elements
2. Azimuth and Elevation, Coverage Angle and Slant Range
3. Placement of a Satellite in a Geostationary Orbit

III Satellite Link Design
1. Basic Radio Transmission Theory
2. System Noise Temperature and G/T Ratio
3. Uplink and Downlink Design
4. Interference Analysis
5. Carrier-to-Noise plus Interference Ratio
6. Interference to and from Adjacent Satellite Systems
7. Terrestrial Interference
8. Cross-polarization Interference
9. Intermodulation Interference
10. Design of Satellite Links for Specified Carrier-to-Noise plus Interference Ratio
11. Digital Satellite Link

IV Propagation on Satellite-Earth Paths and Its Influence on Link Design
1. Absorbitive Attenuation Noise by Atmospheric Gases
2. Rain Attenuation, Noise due to Rain, Rain Depolarization
3. Tropospheric Multipath and Scintillation Effects

V Modulation, Multiplexing and Multiple Access Techniques in Satellite Communications
1. Classification of Different Analog and Digital Modulation Schemes as Used in
Satellite Communications and their Performance
2. Band-Limited Nonlinear Satellite Channel
3. Digital Modulation with Error-Correction Coding
4. Different Multiple and Multiple Access Techniques as Used in Satellite Communication

VI Satellite Networking
1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Multibeam Satellites
2. Interconnection by Transponder Hopping
3. Interconnection by On-board Switching
4. Interconnection by Beam Scanning
5. On-Board Processing
6. Intersatellite Links

VII Spacecraft and Earth Station Technology
1. Spacecraft Subsystems, Description of Communication Subsystems
2. Types of Earth Stations and Design
3. Types of Antennas in Satellite Communications
4. Small Earth Station Antennas

VIII Types of Satellite Networks
1. Fixed Point Satellite Network, INTELSAT
2. Mobile Satellite Network, INMARSAT
3. Low Earth Orbit and Medium Earth Orbit Satellite Systems
4. Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Network
5. Direct Broadcast Satellite Systems

IX Performance and Reliability of Satellite Communications
1. General Comments on Satellite Communication System Performance
2. Satellite System Reliability
3. Satellite System Availibility
4. Sub-systems Reliability
 
 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:

Lecture Notes
 
Reference Books:

T. Ha:
Digital Satellite Communications, McGraw?Hill, 1990, 640 pp.
G. Maral, M. Bousquet:
Satellite Communications Systems, John Willey and Sons, Fourth Edition, 2003, 757pp.
T. Pratt, C.W. Bostian:
Satellite Communications, John Wiley and Sons, 1986, 472 pp.
L.J. Ippolito:
Radiowave Propagation in Satellite Communications, Van Nostrand, N.Y., 1986, 241 pp.
K. Miya, ed.:
Satellite Communications Technology, KDD Engineering and Consultants, Inc., Tokyo, 1982, 442 pp.
W.L. Prichard, H.G. Suyderhoud and R.A. Nelson:
Satellite Communications Systems Engineering, Prentice Hall, Inc., New Jersey, 1993.
G.D. Gordon and W.L. Morgan:
Principles of Communication Satellites, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., N.Y., 1993, 533 pp.

 
Journals and Magazines:

IEE Proceedings, Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation
IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications
International Journal of Satellite Communications
 
 
Teaching and Learning Methods:

N/A
 
Evaluation Scheme:

The final grade will be computed from the following components: midsem exam. (40%), final exam. (50%), assignments (10%).
Closed-book examination is normally used in both midsem exam and final exam.

 
Instructor(s):
SECTION NAME