FU Berlin

Institute of Computer Science

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

support mobile communications

global coverage without wiring costs for base stations
implementation of varying population densities
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

MC SS02

5.1

Basics
Satellites in circular orbits

attractive force Fg = m g (R/r)

centrifugal force Fc = m v/r

m: mass of the satellite

R: radius of the earth (R = 6370 km)
r: distance to the center of the earth
g: acceleration of gravity (g = 9.81 m/s)
v: satellite speed

Stable orbit

Fg = F c

mgR/r = mv/r
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen H. Schiller

2002

r = g R/v
MC SS02

5.2

5.1

FU Berlin
Institute of Computer Science

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

Satellite period and orbits

24

satellite
period [h]

velocity [ x1000 km/h]

20
16
12
8
4

synchronous distance
35,786 km
10

20

40 x106 m

30
radius

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

MC SS02

5.3

Inclination
plane of satellite orbit

satellite orbit
Perigee (closest point to the earth)
d
inclination d
equatorial plane

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen H. Schiller

2002

MC SS02

5.4

5.2

FU Berlin
Institute of Computer Science

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

Elevation

Elevation:
angle e between center of satellite beam
and surface

minimal elevation:
elevation needed at least
to communicate with the satellite

LOS (Line of Sight) to the satellite

necessary for connections.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

MC SS02

5.5

Atmospheric attenuation
Attenuation of
the signal in %

Example: satellite systems at 4-6 GHz

50

40

rain absorption

30
fog absorption

e
20

10
atmospheric
absorption
5 10

20

30

40

50

elevation of the satellite

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen H. Schiller

2002

MC SS02

5.6

5.3

FU Berlin
Institute of Computer Science

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

Orbits I

Four different types of satellite orbits:

GEO: geostationary orbit,

ca. 36000 km above earth surface

LEO (Low Earth Orbit):

ca. 500 - 1500 km

MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) or

ICO (Intermediate Circular Orbit):
ca. 6000 - 20000 km

HEO (Highly Elliptical Orbit) elliptical orbits

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

MC SS02

5.7

Orbits II
GEO (Inmarsat)
HEO

MEO (ICO)

LEO
(Globalstar,
Irdium)

inner and outer Van

Allen belts
earth
1000
10000

Van-Allen-Belts:
ionized particles
2000 - 6000 km and
15000 - 30000 km
above earth surface

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen H. Schiller

2002

35768
km

MC SS02

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5.4

FU Berlin
Institute of Computer Science

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

Classical satellite systems

Inter Satellite Link

(ISL)

Mobile User
Link (MUL)

Gateway Link
(GWL)

GWL

Some satellites have

special antennas to
create smaller cells
using spot beams
(e.g. 163 spot beams
MUL
per Satellite in then
ICO-system)

small cells
(spotbeams)

base station
or gateway

footprint

ISDN

PSTN: Public Switched

Telephone Network

PSTN

GSM

User data

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

MC SS02

5.9

Satellites

Iridium
Globalstar
ICO

(LEO)
(LEO)
(MEO)

The have all gone

Bankrupt!
LEO: low earth orbit
MEO: medium earth orbit
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen H. Schiller

2002

MC SS02

5.10

5.5

FU Berlin
Institute of Computer Science

Mobile Communications
Chapter 5: Satellite Systems

End

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schiller, http://www.jochenschiller.de/

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen H. Schiller

2002

MC SS02

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5.6