Description

This three-day foundational course is completely revised and updated to reflect the rapid evolution of space architecture in all orbits (LEO, MEO and GEO), with an emphasis on proper requirements definition, end-to-end system design, and performance optimization (throughput, reliability, latency and cost). Designed to empower new engineers, cross-functional professionals and domain experts alike, the course identifies the critical elements in space and on the ground and explores the technical and operational characteristics of each aspect and shows how they interconnect in a dynamic environment. There is in-depth coverage of the microwave link in the 1 – 60 GHz range (e.g., L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka, Q, V bands and above), and the introduction of optical paths between satellites and with earth stations. For consistent application support and data throughput, there is a focus on proper interfacing and integrating elements into an effective service structure. Basic design of the satellite, user terminal and large earth station is covered to identify primary elements of each and to compare alternatives (e.g., passive and active antenna systems, space vehicle concepts, modem technologies, solid state power amplifiers and advanced digital processing and network management systems) which have been and continue to be employed in real-world systems. These include geostationary (GSO) satellites and non-geostationary (N-GSO) constellations that are currently operating or in development which offer capabilities to ground, air and seaborne users, including terrestrial and near-earth data transfer. Ultimately, this course demystifies space system architecture, equipping attendees with tools to design and deploy effective solutions across today’s commercial and government environments.

What You Will Learn:

• How satellite communications relate to other forms of wireless systems that are used to provide one-way broadcasting and two-way interactive services, especially those delivered through the global Internet
• The framework that defines the properties of the satellite itself as part of the system and as governed by international rules and regulations, and as offered by commercial operators around the world
• The types of earth stations used to employ space resources, particularly very small aperture terminals (VSATs) to fixed and mobile users, and larger stations used as hubs and gateways
• The basic principles of radio-wave propagation and the link budget, which establish whether the connection between user and satellite will work as required
• The tradeoffs among the various orbits, frequency bands, and modulation and coding technologies needed to realize the required services via the satellite link
• The evolution of this technology in a changing world

Course Outline:

1. Satellite Systems, Operators and Service Providers, and International and Domestic Regulation. Introduction and historical background. The place of satellites in telecommunications and the Internet. Contrasting LEO, MEO and GEO systems for delivery of services to all platforms. Regulatory service definitions: broadcasting BSS, fixed-satellite FSS, and mobile satellite MSS. Major suppliers and operators of satellites. Satellite regulation: role of the ITU, FCC, and regulatory bodies of the various countries where services are provided.
2. Technical Fundamentals. Satellite orbit alternatives and their characteristics: geostationary and non-geostationary. Basic definitions: channels, circuits, transponders, decibels. Satellite frequency bands – L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka, Q, V and above. Properties of EM waves, free space loss, polarization – LP and CP, bandwidth vs. power trades. Propagation through the atmosphere: air and clouds, rain, the ionosphere. Role of optical links between satellites and for space-to-ground high-bandwidth transmission. Baseband systems for coding, modulation, multiplexing, DVB-S2 standard and extensions. Digital communications demands: bit error rate and availability.
3. Satellite system design overview – types of terminals, fixed and mobile, and major earth stations as hubs and gateways. Satellite real-world demands: bandwidth, reliability, security, control of accidental and intentional radio-frequency interference, effective RFI resolution. Potentials for direct to device (DTD) applications from orbit and in realistic environments.
4. The Space Segment. The space environment: gravity, radiation and space debris. Detailed properties of orbits: geostationary satellite orbit (GSO); non-geostationary (N-GSO) orbits – LEO and MEO. Time delay versus altitude. GSO slots, ITU coordination requirements, footprints, and coverage; eclipses and sun interference. N-GSO constellation design and performance. How major constellations like Starlink provide services and impact the overall satellite communications environment. Multi-orbit potentials.
5. Basic design of a satellite: structure, power, attitude and orbital control, and other spacecraft subsystems (bus), antennas and repeaters (payload). Launch vehicle selection and interface. Earth coverage footprints, multi-beam systems for frequency reuse and RFI control, managing operations in today’s multi-orbit environment. Comparison of commercial versus government systems and requirements.
6. The Ground Segment. Earth stations: types – VSATs and hubs, RF equipment (amplifiers and frequency converters), antenna configurations (reflector and feed designs, phased arrays), mounting and pointing (fixed and mobile installations). Antenna properties: gain; directionality; sidelobes and legal limits on sidelobe gain. Electronics, EIRP, and G/T budgets: LNA and LNB, SSPA; signal flow through an earth station. Sourcing of state-of-the art equipment and achieving an integrated ground segment that is versatile and sustainable. Trends in Earth Station as a Service (ESaaS) and cloud-based models.
7. Satellite-to-Earth Link Design. Atmospheric effects on signals: rain effects and the ITU rain/climate model; rain fade margins and availability. Link budgets, C/N and Eb/No. Multiple access techniques: FDMA, TDMA and ALOHA, CDMA; Paired Carrier Multiple Access (e.g., Carrier-in-carrier), demand assignment; on-board processing. Signal security issues. Internet Protocol networks and adaptation to satellite links. Available link analysis tools – SatMaster Pro and STK.
8. Conclusion. Industry issues and trends: non-geostationary constellations for broadband, small sats, and challenges of evolving demands – multi-orbit and DTD potentials.

Instructor(s):

Bruce Elbert has revamped this intensive course for relevancy and accuracy, based on his 50+ years as a satellite communications engineer at manufacturers and satellite operators, a program manager for several major satellite systems, a new business developer and a leading industry consultant for the last 25 years who continues to advise providers and users of space technology and systems. He has published many books dealing with all aspects of the technology and application of satellites and space communications, and has been active as a teacher through ATI, UCLA and University of Wisconsin – Madison.