Satellite Communications and Systems
About this course
Satellites have the unique ability to provide coverage in large geographic areas and to connect remote and inaccessible telecommunication nodes. Thus satellite networks are now an integral part of most telecommunications systems. In recent decades the technology of satellite systems is advancing constantly and the use of all kind of satellites for long distance communications is developing rapidly.
Today, electronic engineers face the absolute necessity to have in depth knowledge of the satellite technology, communications and links, because satellite communications play an ever-increasing role in modern telecommunication systems. This course properly prepares students for a career in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry.
Expected learning outcomes
The aim of this course is to familiarize tomorrow’s electronics/telecommunications engineers with the analysis of satellite communication systems and the design of satellite links. The course covers the total of the required theoretical and practical background. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to:
+ understand the structure of any satellite communications system,
+ understand the basic principles and concepts governing satellite communications,
+ understand the operation of satellite systems and the principles of modern telecommunications networks,
+ understand the design issues and options concerning satellite links,
+ have experience in the design and optimization of real telecommunication systems, which can be used for the analysis and design of new microwave and satellite radio links,
+ design and analyze satellite communication systems,
+ be familiar with various practical antenna devices,
+ have initial training in satellite link design,
+ be familiar with radio propagation models and modern techniques for digital modulation and voice-data information encoding,
+ be informed about the latest developments in the field of wireless and personal communication systems,
+ be familiar with the modern satellite technology, communications systems, assembly and subsystems,
+ supervise and maintain satellite communication systems,
+ understand the factors that degrade the quality of satellite wireless links and the methods to overcome this degradation,
+ evaluate the quality of services provided by satellite communications systems,
+ be familiar with the multiple access satellite networking techniques and the modern standards for satellite communications and mobile telephony systems.
The course is at the core of the Electronic Engineer curriculum.
Note: The project-based version of the course will help the Erasmus students to get many of the above mentioned learning outcomes.
Indicative Syllabus
The project-based version of the course will cover many of the following subjects:
Configuration of a satellite communication system. Radio frequencies of satellite services. Motion, position and orbit of satellites. Satellite networks. Geosynchronous, geostatic, GEO, LEO satellites. Satellite segments. Basic features related to satellite link design [radio regulations, transmission/broadcasting types, line of sight, link power budget, refractive index, Fresnel zones, troposcatter links].
Electromagnetic wave propagation and the satellite radio channel. Radiation characteristics and types of satellite dishes. Parabolic antenna and targeting control. Noise measures. Signal noise in satellite systems.
Space environment. Absorption, diffusion, refraction and depolarization of electromagnetic wave signals in the satellite channel. Effects of rainfall, noise and propagation medium on the satellite link power balance. Frequency reuse techniques.
Channel configuration, modulation and coding. Analog techniques PM, FM. Digital communication techniques. Digital signal modulation. Custom filter analysis. Error possibility in digital communications. FSK, PSK, QPSK, DPSK, DQPSK, MSK modulations/encodings (with emphasis on demodulation, spectrum and error probability). Spectrum modulation techniques.
Telecommunication satellite and ground station platform, configuration and subsystems (monitoring, control, position stabilization, orbit determination, propulsion, telemetry, communication, thermal control, power supply/generation). Satellite types. Earth stations. Receiver input. RF-filters and satellite signal frequency converters. Power amplifiers and low noise satellite signal amplifiers. Amplification non-linearity. Effects of noise, filtering, frequency conversion and amplification on satellite system design. Analysis of error possibility in satellite systems.
Methods of coding, detection and error correction in satellite systems. Rectangular, semi-rectangular, linear (Hamming, Golay, BCH, Reed-Solomon), circular and convolutional codes. Error checking, parity check, syndromes. Error correction. Spectrum control. Satellite channel capacity. Coding gain. Channel discrete model. Coding error possibility. State diagrams. Coding trees. Trellis chart. Coding systems evaluation.
Communication payload. Channel and modulation type performance. Bit error rate in digital data transmission systems. Noise factor. Noise models (white, pink, Gaussian). Factors affecting satellite link reliability and availability. Space differential reception. Effects of rainfall, depolarization and neighboring satellite interference on satellite system performance.
Study of satellite communication systems. Satellite link design based on ITU’s specifications and recommendations. Applications.
Multiplexing techniques FDM, FDM/MA, TDM, TDM/MA, CDMA, Carrier Sense Multiple Access, CSMA/ Collision Avoidance, CSMA/Collision Detection (signal to noise ratios, multipath, jamming). Frequency Division Multiple Access System FDMA (with emphasis on nonlinear phenomena effects). Time Division Multiple Access System TDMA (with emphasis on synchronization, carrier retrieval, identity word detection and frame synchronization). Code division multiple access systems DS-CDMA and FH-CDMA (with emphasis on interpolation analysis).
Satellite system protocols ALOHA, S-ALOHA, R-ALOHA. Services: telecommunication audio systems, telephony, analog TV, digital TV, direct to home broadcasts, SMATV, satellite news gathering, VSAT, meteorology, global atmospheric research program, geostationary meteorological satellites, sea navigation, Global Positioning System, differential GPS, mobile communications, Iridium, computer networks, fast internet, video on demand, multimedia services, video conferencing, telemedicine, geography, topography, GIS.
Satellite installation and launch vehicles. Reliability of satellite communication systems.
Teaching / Learning Methodology
Project-based (exclusively)
Recommended Reading
TBA
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of telecommunication systems.
Start Date
2023
End Date
2024
Apply
2023
Local Course Code
TBA
Cycle
TBA
Year of study
TBA
Language
English
Study Load
Based on the 5-year undergraduate curriculum of the Electronic Engineering Department of HMU (Course 712), but modified according to the actual workload of the Erasmus students
Mode of delivery
Final project evaluation. Blended learning using synchronous and asynchronous methods.
Instructors
Dr. Ioannis Vardiambasis
Course coordinator
Dr. Ioannis Vardiambasis
ivardia@hmu.gr