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Model validation and analysis of antenna look angles of geostationary satellite

Conference Paper · May 2012

DOI: 10.1109/CSAE.2012.6272824

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Ayansola Daniel Ogundele Yinusa Adediran

National Space Research and Development Agency Abuja Nigeria University of Ilorin
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 MODEL VALIDATION AND ANALYSIS OF ANTENNA LOOK ANGLES
OF GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE
Ogundele, Daniel Ayansola
Engineering and Space Systems (ESS)
National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) , Abuja, Nigeria
ayansoladaniel@gmail.com
Aiyeola, Sikiru Yommy
Centre for Satellite Technology Development,
National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) , Abuja, Nigeria
aiyetomorrow@yahoo.co.uk
Adediran, Yinusa A.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
yinusaade@yahoo.com
Oyedeji, Elijah Oyewusi
Centre for Satellite Technology Development,
National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) , Abuja, Nigeria
e.oyedeji@hotmail.co.uk

Oseni O.F.
Electrical and Electronics Department
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH),
Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Oseni12002@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract: The performance of a satellite the large earth stations used for commercial
communications system can be optimized communications, the antenna beamwidth is
by pointing the direction of maximum gain very narrow and a tracking mechanism is
of an earth station antenna (referred to as required to compensate for the movement of
boresight) directly at the satellite. To the satellite about the nominal geostationary
ensure that an earth station antenna is position. With the types of antennas used for
aligned with the satellite, two angles must home reception, the antenna beamwidth is
be determined: the azimuth angle and the quite broad, and no tracking is necessary. This
elevation angle. These are the co-ordinates, allows the antenna to be fixed in position, as
look angles, to which an earth station evidenced by the small antennas used for
antenna must be pointed in order to reception of satellite TV that can be seen fixed
communicate with a satellite. This paper to the sides of homes [1][2]. An unvalidated
describes validation and analysis of the model is just a hypothesis; as a result, the
models of antenna look angles of models of Satellite Ground Control Station
geostationary communications satellite. developed are validated [8][9].
Model validation was utilized in order to
determine whether the models developed In this paper, the model of antenna look angles
were accurate representations of the real of geostationary satellite developed has high
system. validity, the model assumptions were
validated and the simulated model was
Keywords: azimuth angle, elevation angle, compared with the real system in order to
geosynchronous satellite, simulation, look ascertain the genuiness of the model
angles, boresight, model validation. developed.

I INTRODUCTION II MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Although, in general, no tracking is necessary Two models of satellite ground control

for satellite located in geostationary orbit, with stations were.
___________________________________
978-1-4673-0089-6/12/$26.00 ©2012 IEEE


For satellite ground control station 1 The azimuth angle is given as follows [6]:
Model:
sin( ) = tan  tan| −  | (7)
(a) Range of the satellite
Therefore,
/



 =  1 +  − 2     (1) tan| −  |
   =    (8)
sin(L )
(b) Elevation angle
The azimuth angle  can be found in the
(  ( ) −  ) same manner as in Model 1.
 = sin   (2)
 Satellite Visibility
(c) Azimuth angle of the satellite For a satellite to be visible from a satellite
ground control station, and 
must satisfy
The azimuth angle is calculated as [6]
the inequalites [3]:
sin( ) = tan  tan| −  | (3)
1) 0 ≤  ≤ 81.3 . . (0 ≤  ≤
Therefore, 1.4191 )

tan| −  | 2) 278.70 ≤ 
≤ 360 . . (4.8649 ≤

 =    (4) 
≤ 6.2840 )
sin(L )

Once angle A is determined, the azimuth angle From Figure 2, using < !" = # = 90 −
 can be found using the four situations  and < $!" = #
= 90 − 
, the following
below: are obtained:

1.  < 0;  < 0:  =  1) For 0 ≤  ≤ 81.3 , we have (8.70 ≤

# ≤ 90 ) i.e. (0.1591 ≤ # ≤
2.  < 0;  > 0:  = 360 −  1.571 ).

3.  > 0;  < 0:  = 180 +  2) For 278.70 ≤ 

≤ 360 , we have
(−270 ≤ #
≤ −188.7 ) i.e.
4.  > 0;  > 0:  = 180 −  (−4.7130 ≤ #
≤ −3.2939 ).
For satellite ground control station 2 Considering the values obtained in (a) and (b),
another additional assumptions to the ones in
(a) Range of the satellite (1) and (2) of Timothy et al (2003) for a
/
satellite to be visible from a Satellite Ground



=  1 +  − 2   
 (5) Control Station are that # and #
must satisfy
  the inequalities:
(b) Elevation angle of the satellite 1) (8.70 ≤ # ≤ 90 ) i. e. (0.1591 ≤
# ≤ 1.571 ) and
(  (
) −  )

= sin   (6)

2) (−270 ≤ #
≤ −188.7 ) i.e.
(−4.7130 ≤ #
≤ −3.2939 ).
(c) Azimuth angle of the satellite


Angles  and 
are related to the earth III ANALYSIS AND MODEL
station north latitude Le and west longitude le VALIDATION
and the subsatellite point at north latitude Ls
and west longitude ls by [3] (a) Range of the Satellite

cos( ) = cos( ) cos( ) cos( −  )
+ sin( ) sin( ) (9)
cos(
) = cos( ) cos( ) cos( −  ) +
sin( ) sin( ) (10)
For most geostationary satellites, the
subsatellite point is on the equator at longitude
ls, while latitude Ls is 0. %
. (3.57)
and (3.58) therefore simplify to
For the range simulation and validation,
equations (1) and (5) are used. MATLAB
codes were written for the simulation. The
simulation results showed that Satellite
Ground Control Station X will be able to see
the satellite because it lies within the visible
region (unshaded region) 0 ≤  ≤ 81.3 . .
(0 ≤  ≤ 1.4191 ), which is to the left of
the sub-satellite point V shown in Figure 1.
Satellite

rs = distance from the center of the earth to the

cos( ) = cos( ) cos( −  ) (11) satellite
Z
re = distance from the center of the earth to the
earth station
cos(
) = cos( ) cos( −  ) (12) d = distance from the earth station to the satellite

β2 = 90 –
90 –

El2 – Ɣ2
re

Ɣ1
rs -

El1 -
β1 =
Ɣ1 and Ɣ2 are angles between re and rs
cos γ
The analysis and validation of antenna look Ψ1 and Ψ2 are angles between re and d1 and re and

angle was carried out using the parameters of d2

Ɣ1

90 +
d1 D d2

90 +
Abuja Satellite Ground Control Station
Ɣ2
rs

located in Abuja, Nigeria and Nigeria θ1 =

θ2 =
90 – Ɣ1
Communications Satellite (Nigcomsat-1) as El1
90 – Ɣ2
El2
re
given in Chai (2005). The parameters are as Subsatellite point
V cos Ɣ1

follows: Satellite longitude (sub-satellite

point),  = 42.5 ,Satellite latitude,  = Satellite Ground Control
re
Ψ2
Satellite Ground Control

0 , Satellite ground control station longitude,

Station Ψ1 Station
X Y

 = 7.3891 , Satellite ground control re Ɣ1 Ɣ2

re

station latitude  = 8.9916 &. O

Center of earth

Substituting the values above into Equator

Eqns. (1), (2), (4) and using radius of the

Earth  = 6,378.14 km, and orbital radius
 = 42,164.17 km we have, Figure 1 Geometry of the range and
elevation angle calculation
Central Angle:  = 36.1002 = 0.6301
Satellite Ground Control Station Y will also
Range:  = 37,201.0110 '* be able to see the satellite because it lies
within the visible region (4.8695 ≤ 
≤
Elevation Angle:  = 48.1020 =
6.2840 ), which is to the right of the
0.8396 
subsatellite point V shown in Figure 2. Abuja
Azimuth Angle: Az = 1.3522  ,  = Satellite Ground Control Station will be able
35.1109 > 0. Since  > 0   > 0 , to see the satellite (Nigeria Communication
then - = 1.7898 . Satellite) because its central angle  =
0.6301  falls within the visible region


(0 ≤  ≤ 1.4191 ) as indicated in the
Table 1.
(a) Elevation Angle of the Satellite
For the elevation angle simulation and
validation equations (2) and (6) were used. The
simulation result showed that between the
0.1290  and  = 0.1569.  is the
longitude of the satellite,  is the longitude of
the ground station and  is the latitude of the
ground station. The azimuth angle obtained is
Az = 1.7894. Figure 2 shows the geometry of
range and elevation angles calculation
showing visible and invisible region.
Nigeria

visible region(0 ≤  ≤ 1.4191 ), Satellite Communication

Satellite

Ground Control Station X’s elevation angles Geo

stati
onary
orbit
Ge

range from 1.5708   0.0052  and

os
tat
ion
ary
Z or
bit
they are positive, meaning that it is visible
region. Between the visible region (4.8695 ≤ rs = distance from the center of the earth to the satellite

β2 = 90 –
El2 – Ɣ2
90 –
re = distance from the center of the earth to the earth station


≤ 6.2840 ), Satellite Ground Control

Ɣ 1
d = distance from the earth station to the satellite

El1 -
β1 =
Ɣ = 3600 – (Ɣ1+Ɣ2)
Ɣ1 and Ɣ2 are angles between re and rs
Station Y’s elevation angles range from Ψ1 and Ψ2 are angles between re and d1 and re and
d2
rs -
re

0.0052   1.5708  and they are

rs

Ɣ1
cos γ

90 +
d1 d2

90 +

Ɣ2
positive, meaning that they are in visible Visible region (0≤Ɣ1≤ 1.4191 rad)
Subsatellite point
Visible region (4.8695≤Ɣ2≤

region. lies to the left of the subsatellite

point V and between ǀLVǀ [Any
Satellite Ground Control Station
θ1 =
90 – Ɣ1
θ2 =
90 – Ɣ2
6.2840) rad) lies to the right of the
subsatellite point V and between
ǀMVǀ [Any Satellite Ground
within this region will be able to El1 El2 Control Station within this region

In the invisible region (1.4191 <  <

see the satellite] will be able to see the satellite]
V re

cos Ɣ1

4.8695 ) the elevation angles are negative,

Satellite Ground Control re
indicating that any ground station located in Station
X Ψ1 Ψ2
Y
Satellite Ground Control
Station

this region will not be able to see the satellite. L re re M

Since for a nominal geostationary orbit Ɣ1 Ɣ2

[Timothy et al, 2003] the central angle Ɣ O

 ≤ 81.3 (. .  ≤ 1.4191 )

Center of earth
and the
central angle of Abuja Satellite Ground Control Invisible region (1.4191<Ɣ<
4.8695 rad) lies between ǀLMǀ
[Any Satellite Ground Control
Station used as case study is less than Station within this region will not
be able to see the satellite]

1.4191  (. .  < 1.4191 ), then

Nigcomsat-1 is visible to it. Also from the
assumption made in chapter three, since
# = 90 −  = 90 − 36.1002 = 53.90 =
0.9409  lies within the range of (8.70 ≤
# ≤ 90 ) i. e. (0.1591 ≤ # ≤ 1.571 )
then the satellite is also visible. Therefore, the
proposition is correct and valid.
(b) Azimuth Angle
Validation of the azimuth angle of the
satellite was carried out using equation (8). By
running the azimuth angle MATLAB codes,
the program requested for the values of ls, le
and Le. The following values of Abuja
Ground Control Station and Nigeria
Communication Satellite (Nigcomsat – 1) as
given in [Chai, 2005] were used for the
simulation;  = 0.7419 ,  =
Figure 2 Geometry of Range and Elevation
angles
The value obtained for the azimuth angle of
the ground station, - = 1.7894 , is
approximately equal to the calculated value of
- = 1.7898 . The validation showed
that, the simulation results conformed to with
the mathematical model.
IV VALIDATION OF THE
SIMULATED VALUES OF ABUJA
SATELLITE GROUND CONTROL
STATION
The real values and simulated values of Abuja
Satellite Ground Control Station (ABSGCS)
[10] are compared as shown in Table 1.


 Engineering, Steven Water Monitoring
Table 1 Comparison of Real values and Systems, Inc.
Simulated values of ABSGCS [2] B.G. Evans, Satellite Communication
Parame Real Simulated Differ % Systems, The Institution of Electrical
ters values values ence Diffe Engineers, London, 1999, pp. 68- 260.
renc [3] P. Timothy, B. Charles and A. Jeremy,
e Satellite Communications, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York, 2003, pp. 1 – 43.
Range 37,201.0 37,200 km 1.011 0.27 [4] Dennis R., Satellite Communications, New
1 km 18
York, Third Edition, The McGraw – Hill
Elevatio 0.8396 0.8393 0.000 0.03
n Angle rad 3 57
Companies, Inc., 2002.
Azimuth 1.7898 1.7894 rad 0.000 0.02 [5] S. Tomas and W. David, “Determination
angle rad 4 23 of Look Angles to Geostationary
As shown in Table 1, the percentage Communication Satellites”, National Geodetic
difference of the look angles (range, elevation Survey, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 1994, pp.
angle and azimuth angle) of real values of 115-126.
Abuja Satellite Ground Control Station and [6] T. Wayne, Electronic Communications
simulated values were minimal indicating that Systems: Fundamentals Through Advanced,
the model developed is valid and there is 4th ed., Pearson Education, Inc., 2001, pp.
confidence in it. 790-800.
V CONCLUSION [7] D.A. Ogundele, E.C.A. Akoma and Y.A.
Adediran, “Mathematical Modelling of
Abuja Satellite Ground Control Station and Antenna Look Angles of Geostationary
Nigcomsat-1 were used for the case study. Communications Satellite Using Two Models
The values obtained using the mathematical of Control Stations”, 2010 3rd International
equations developed were compared with the Conference on Advanced Computer Theory
values obtained through simulation in order to and Engineering(ICACTE), pp. V4-236 to V4-
verify the assumptions made for the models. 240.
The values were in comformity indicating that [8] A. Maria, Introduction to Modeling and
the modelled equations are right and valid. Simulation, State University of Binghamton,
Nigcomsat-1 satellite was visible from the Department of Systems Science and Industrial
Abuja Satellite Ground Control Station Engineering, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000,
because the station lies within the visible USA.
region. [9] C. Hicks and C.F. Earl, “The Validation of
Simulation Models”, University of Newcastle
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT upon Tyne.
The authors acknowledge the contribution and [10] J. Chai, Ground Control Station (GCS)
conducive environment provided by the System Design, Beijing Institute of Telemetry,
National Space Research and Development Tracking and Telecommand (BITTT), Beijing,
Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria for carrying 2005, pp. 1- 48.
out this research.

REFERENCES
[1] E.D. Williams, “Basics of Satellite
Antenna Positioning”, RF and Communication



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