Satellite communication

Satellite Link design 2

Level: 5th
Dr. A. Aldhaibani
Figure of Merit
 Carrier to noise ration
 It can be calculated by:
 Received signal power/receive system noise power, in
case the path loss presented only, the equation given as:

OR in dB::

where the EIRP is in dBw, the bandwidth BN is in dBHz, and k = −228.6 dBw/K/Hz. The c/n is the
single most important parameter that defines the performance of a satellite communications
link. The performance of the link will be degraded in two ways: if the carrier power, c, is
reduced, and/or if the noise power, nB, increases. Both factors must be taken into account
when evaluating link performance and system design.
Simple link power budgt
 Link power budgt
 uplink frequency greater than download frequency in satellite
communication!!!
 The power in satellite is limited, which is derived from solar
panels. The power at earth station is in a way unlimited, since
you can get from a power line. So they see that loss is less in
downlink, since it uses the power from satellite to transmit.
 The attenuation faced by a high frequency wave is more than
that faced by a lower frequency wave. Since the resources on a
satellite are precious, the satellite is allowed to transmit in low
frequencies (Down link) than the earth station (Up link).

 The case is reverse in mobile communication where the power

resources on a mobile device is precious than at the base station.
 Also the antenna dish diameter is low (typically 60 to 100 cm),
and since antenna gain is a function of the diameter,
 Link margin

 the link margin, measured in dB, is the difference between the receiver's
sensitivity (i.e., the received power at which the receiver will stop working)
and the actual received power. A 15 dB link margin means that the system
could tolerate an additional 15 dB of attenuation between the transmitter
and the receiver, and it would still just barely work.

 It is typical to design a system with at least a few dB of link margin, to allow

for attenuation that is not modeled elsewhere. For example, a satellite
communications system operating in the tens of gigahertz might require
additional link margin (vs. the link budget assuming lossless propagation), in
order to ensure that it still works with the extra losses due to rain fade or
other external factors.

 A system with a -negative link margin would mean the system is insufficient
to transfer data, usually this means a better receiver is needed, with
improved sensitivity.