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EEE C 472

Satellite Communication
BITS Pilani
K K Birla Goa Campus

The Satellite Platform


Sub-systems
o
o
o
o
o

Attitude Control
Propulsion Subsystem
Electric power Supply system
Telemetry, Tracking and Command and Onboard Data Handling
Thermal Control and Structure

Communication Payload
o
o
o

Characteristics
Transparent & Regenerative Repeater
Antenna Payload & Characteristics

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Description of Satellite
Satellite antennas keep pointing at a selected portion of earth,
i.e., satellite is stabilized in orbit
Two classes: Spin-stabilized and three-axis body stabilized
Spin-stabilized satellites have gyroscopic stiffness as a result
of rotating about their axis of maximum moment of inertia:
dual-spin satellites with spinning section and de-spun
(counter-rotating) section
Three axis-body stabilized satellites are attitude controlled
about their three axes- yaw axis, pitch axis and roll axis, to
provide gyroscopic stiffness
Satellite body is aligned with local vertical and with the normal
to the orbit

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Spin Stabilized Satellite

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Three Axes Stabilized Satellite

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Sub-systems of
Communication Satellite
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Communications Subsystem,
Telemetry, command and ranging sub-system,
Attitude and Orbit Control Sub-system (AOCS),
Electrical Power Sub-system,
Reaction Control Sub-system,
Apogee Kick Motor,

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

BITS Pilani
K K Birla Goa Campus

Communications Sub-Systems

Communications Subsystems
Transponders
Antennas
Explore recent advancement in Satellite
Communication Technologies

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Context for Communications


System
Communication Satellite in GEO for relaying voice, video
and data communications,
Small part of volume, weight and cost of entire system,
but provides largest traffic capacity possible
Larger, heavier, costlier satellites have been put
operation, with cost per transmitted bit reducing
Distance of 36000 km; power of transmitters is low ; low
power signals are received (low gain antennas), power
of signal must exceed noise power
Thus, narrower receiver bandwidth and effective
modulation schemes must be used.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Direction of advancement
1. The total channel capacity of a satellite can be
increased only if bandwidth can be increased or reused.
2. The trend in high-capacity satellites has been to reuse
the available bands by employing several directional
beams at the same frequency (spatial frequency reuse)
and orthogonal polarizations at the same frequency
(polarization frequency reuse)
3. Different frequency is to be used for transmit path than
for receive path
4. The spacing between GEO satellite is reduced to 2o
5. Trend in favor of use of Ka band frequencies

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Illustration of Advancement of
Intelsat satellites

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Transponders
Satellites are provided with zone or beam antennas,
LNAs, and redundancy
For both receive and transmit paths, allotted 500 MHz
bandwidth is divided into channel of 36 MHz wide plus 2
MHz Guard Bands on either sides, (the channel
allocation is therefore 40 MHz)
Each channel is handled by separate transponder,
A transponder consists of a band-pass filter,
downconverter and output amplifier
Many transponder (including spares) are provided,
switching of transponder can be effected from earth
station

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Transponder arrangement of
satellites and frequency plan

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Switch matrix allows many possible interconnections


between uplink beams and downlink transmitters.

SATCOM with Switch Matrix


Bulk of traffic is carried by 6/4 GHz section, though 14/11
GHz section is also provided,
Total of 2000 MHz bandwidth is available by frequency
reuse,
Switch matrix provides very large number of variations in
connecting receivers and transmitters, thus flexibility in
setting up links through the satellite,
When more than one signal shares a transponder, the
power amplifier must be operated below its maximum
output power to maintain linearity and reduce
intermodulation products (output backoff)

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Transponders
The 500 MHz bandwidth is divided up into
channels, often 36 MHz wide which are
each handled by a separate transponder.
A transponder consists of a band pass
filter to select particular channel.

A transponder also consists of a down


converter to change the frequency from 6
GHz to the input to 4 GHz at the output
and an output amplifier.
12 to 44 active transponders are carried
by a high capacity satellite some of which
may be spares. (Redundancy)
TWT [Travelling Wave Tube] gives the
best
performance
at
microwave
frequencies as an amplifier.

Simplified block diagram for single


conversion transponder is shown in fig.
This transponder is commonly used in
many satellites for the 6/4 GHz band.
When high output power is required
travelling wave tube power amplifier is
used instead of solid state power amplifier.
The local oscillator is at 2225 MHz to
provide the appropriate shift in frequency
from 6 GHz to 4 GHz.

The attenuator is used to control the gain


via uplink command system.
Providing a spare HPA in each
transponder
greatly
increases
the
probability of transponders still operational
after the satellite life time.
Transponders for use in the 14/11 GHz
bands normally employ a double
frequency conversion scheme. In these
scheme 1 GHz carrier can be used as IF.

Bent Pipe Transponder: single conversion


transponder for 6/4 GHz band

HPA can be SSPA or TWTA (for output in excess of 50


W).
HPA is a least reliable component, and M for N
redundancy is provided

Bent Pipe Transponder : Double Conversion for 14/11


GHz band

Travelling-wave tube (TWT)


A traveling-wave tube (TWT) is a specialized vacuum
tube that is used in electronics to amplify radio frequency
(RF) signals to high power, usually as part of an
electronic assembly known as a traveling-wave tube
amplifier (TWTA).
The bandwidth of a broadband TWT can be as high as
one octave, although tuned (narrowband) versions exist,
and operating frequencies range from 300 MHz to 50
GHz. The power gain of the tube is on the order of 70
decibels.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Components of TWT

Cutaway view of a helix TWT. (1) Electron gun; (2) RF


input; (3) Magnets; (4) Attenuator; (5) Helix coil; (6) RF
output; (7) Vacuum tube; (8) Collector.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Travelling Wave Tube


Amplifier (TWTA)
..1/4..
1) Operates by interaction between an electron beam and
radio wave,
2) Electron beam, generated by a cathode raised to a high
temperature, is focused and accelerated by a pair of
anode,
3) Wave propagates along a helix, the electron beam,
whose focus is maintained by concentrically located
magnets, flows within the helix,
4) Axial velocity of wave is artificially reduced by the helix
to a value close to the velocity of the electrons. The
interaction leads to a slowing of electrons which give up
their K.E.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

TWTA..

..2/4..

1) The interaction between the electron beam and the e.m.


wave to be amplified causes the electrons to slow down (on
average) near the output end of the helix.
2) The TW thus gradually moves faster and faster compared to
the electrons and the synchronism condition necessary for is
no longer fulfilled.
3) A way to draw more power from the electron beam, and
therefore to increase electronic efficiency, is to slow down the
wave on the helix progressively as it nears the output end,
which strengthens the interactions between the RF waves
and the electron beam.
4) This is obtained by decreasing the helix pitch, at the expense
of an increased phase distortion.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

TWTA

..3/4..

1) Collector captures the electrons at the output of helix.


2) Division of the collector into several stages at different
potentials permits better matching to the dispersion of
the residual energy of the electrons and hence an
increase in the efficiency of the tube.
3) The residual energy is to be dissipated in the form of
heat.
4) The collector conducts the heat to be dissipated either
by conduction (conduction-cooled) towards the satellite
radiative surfaces of the satellite or directly into space
by a self-radiating system part of the TWT (radiationcooled).

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

TWTA.

..4/4..

1) Radiation-cooling makes it possible to reduce the


thermal load of the satellite and to decrease the overall
platform mass for a given RF performance.
2) The past six decades of helix TWT development have
resulted in a constant increase in the overall DC to RF
conversion efficiency, up to 75% with potential to
approach 80% for commercial satellite communication
applications.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Characteristics of TWT
Power at saturation: from 20 250 W
Efficiency at saturation: 60 75%
Gain at saturation: Around 55 dB
(C/N)IM at saturation: 10-12 dB (two carriers of
equal amplitude)
5. AM/PM conversion coefficient Kp: around
4.5o/dB (near saturation)
1.
2.
3.
4.

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Solid State Power Amplifier


(SSPA)- Characteristic values
1. Power: 20 40 W
2. Efficiency: 30 45%
3. Gain at saturation: 70 90 dB (depending on
number of stages)
4. (C/N)IM at saturation: 14 18 dB (two carriers
of equal amplitude)
5. AM/PM conversion coefficient, Kp: around
2o/dB (near saturation)

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Comparison of TWTA and


SSPA
Characteristic

TWTA

SSPA

Operating Band

C, Ku, Ka

L, C

Saturated power o/p (W)

20 - 250

20 - 40

Gain at saturation (dB)

~ 50

70 -90

(C/N)IM3 (dB)

10 - 12

14 - 18

AM/PM conversion (o /dB)

4.5

DC to RF efficiency (%)

50 - 65

60 - 45

Mass including EPC (kg)

1.5 2.2

0.8- 1.5

Failure in 109 h (FIT)

< 150

< 150

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

Double Frequency Conversion


IF 1100 MHz is used, as it is easy to make
filters, amplifiers and equalizers for this
frequency
Stringent requirements for filters, as these
must reject unwanted frequencies, IM
products, and amplitude and phase ripples
Communication capacity can be increased by
using OBP with switched beam technology
(narrow beams at Ka band (0.4o) with high
gain can be generated)

Multiple Beam, Onboard processing transponder

Technological Advancement..
Multiple beam antennas with baseband processing
transponders are used on GEO and LEO satellites
providing service to mobile terminals and handheld
telephones.
The low gain of the omni-directional antenna of a mobile
earth station must be compensated by a high gain
antenna on the satellite, necessitating the use of multiple
beam antennas
The bandwidth can be conserved by using different
modulation techniques on U/L and D/L and by providing
baseband processor on the satellite

BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

BITS Pilani
K K Birla Goa Campus

Satellite Antennas

Satellite antennas

Four main types of antennas are used on


satellites . These are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Wire antennas,
Horn antennas,
Reflector antennas,
Array antennas,

Wire antennas: these are used primarily


at
VHF
and
UHF
to
provide
communications for the TTC&M systems.

Horn antennas are used at microwave


frequencies when relatively wide beams
are required, as for global coverage.
A horn is a flared section of waveguide
that provides an aperture several
wavelengths wide and good match
between the waveguide impedance and
free space.

Reflector antennas are usually illuminated by


one or more horns and provide a larger
aperture that can be achieved with a horn
alone.
Parabolic reflector is the most common type
of reflector antennas and is commonly used
for earth stations.
Phased arrays are also used on satellites to
create multiple beams from a from a single
aperture. these are used by IRIDIUM &
GLOBALSTAR.

Typical satellite antenna patterns and coverage zones. The


antenna for the global beam is usually a waveguide horn.
Scanning beams and shaped beams require phased array
antennas or reflector antennas with phased array feeds.

Figure 3.17 (p. 84)


Contour plot of the spot beam of ESAs OTS satellite projected onto the
earth. The contours are in 1 dB steps, normalized to 0 dB at the center of
the beam.

Figure 3.16 (p. 81)


Typical coverage patterns for Intelsat satellites over the Atlantic
Ocean.

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