Table Of ContentRobert Dybdal i
Communication Satellite Antennas: System
Architecture, Technology, and Evaluation
Robert Dybdal
New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan New
Delhi San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto
Robert Dybdal ii
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Dybdal, Robert.
Communication satellite antennas : system architecture, technology,
and evaluation / Robert Dybdal.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13:978-0-07-160918-0 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10:0-07-160918-0
1. Artificial satellites—Radio antennas. 2. Satellite dish antennas.
3. Artificial satellites in telecommunication. I. Title.
TL3035.D93 2009
621.382’54—dc22
2009017847
McGraw-Hill books are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in
corporate training programs. To contact a special sales representative, please visit the Contact Us page at
www.mhprofessional.com.
Communication Satellite Antennas:System Architecture, Technology, and Evaluation
Copyright © 2009 by The McGraw-Hill Companies.
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part
of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval
system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
All trademarks or copyrights mentioned herein are the possession of their respective owners and McGraw-Hill makes no
claim of ownership by the mention of products that contain these marks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 FGR FGR 0 1 9
ISBN 978-0-07-160918-0
MHID 0-07-160918-0
Sponsoring Editor
Wendy Rinaldi
Editorial Supervisor
Jody McKenzie
Project Manager
Madhu Bhardwaj, International Typesetting and Composition
Acquisitions Coordinator
Joya Anthony
Copy Editor
Michael McGee
Proofreader
Andy Saff
Indexer
Steve Ingle
Production Supervisor
George Anderson
Composition
International Typesetting and Composition
Illustration
International Typesetting and Composition
Art Director, Cover
Jeff Weeks
Cover Designer
12E Design
Information has been obtained by McGraw-Hill from sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility
of human or mechanical error by our sources, McGraw-Hill, or others, McGraw-Hill does not guarantee the accuracy,
adequacy, or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors oromissions or the results obtained
from the use of such information.
Robert Dybdal iv
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BOB DYBDAL has supported a broad base of military and commercial communication satellite programs and
is affiliated with The Aerospace Corporation. His interest in antennas and RF systems developed at the
ElectroScience Laboratory at Ohio State University, where he received a BSEE, MSc, and PhD in Electrical
Engineering. He has been involved in a wide range of IEEE technical activities and is a past president of the
Antenna Measurement Techniques Association. He holds patents in instrumentation, adaptive antennas,
antenna tracking, satellite transponder designs, interferometry, and microwave components.
Professional Engineering 6X9 / Communication Satellite Antennas / Bob Dybdal / 918-0 / Front Matter
Contents at a Glance
Chapter 1. Fundamental Parameters 1
Chapter 2. Technology Survey 25
Chapter 3. Communication Satellite System Architectures 73
Chapter 4. Propagation Limitations and Link Performance 105
Chapter 5. Interference Susceptibility and Mitigation 137
Chapter 6. Space Segment Antenna Technology 167
Chapter 7. User Segment Antennas 197
Chapter 8. Antenna Test Facilities and Methodologies 225
Chapter 9. Satellite Antenna System Evaluation 277
Index 311
v
FM.indd 5 5/6/09 7:55:15 PM
Professional Engineering 6X9 / Communication Satellite Antennas / Bob Dybdal / 918-0 / Front Matter
Contents
Preface ix
Introduction xi
Chapter 1. Fundamental Parameters 1
1.1 Overview 1
1.2 Antenna Parameters 1
References 23
Chapter 2. Technology Survey 25
2.1 Overview 25
2.2 Wide Coverage Antennas 26
2.3 Earth Coverage Antennas 32
2.4 Narrow Coverage Antennas 35
2.5 Array Antennas 41
2.6 Antenna Tracking 49
References 70
Chapter 3. Communication Satellite System Architectures 73
3.1 Overview 73
3.2 Space Segment Architectures 74
3.3 User Segment Architectures 95
3.4 Orbital Alternatives 98
References 102
Chapter 4. Propagation Limitations and Link Performance 105
4.1 Overview 105
4.2 Propagation Limitations 106
4.3 Modulation and Multiple Access 125
4.4 Link Analyses 129
References 133
vii
FM.indd 7 5/6/09 7:55:16 PM
Professional Engineering 6X9 / Communication Satellite Antennas / Bob Dybdal / 918-0 / Front Matter
viii Contents
Chapter 5. Interference Susceptibility and Mitigation 137
5.1 Overview 137
5.2 Interference Environment Definition 138
5.3 Susceptibility Analyses 149
5.4 Interference Mitigation Techniques 159
References 165
Chapter 6. Space Segment Antenna Technology 167
6.1 Overview 167
6.2 Spot Beam Antennas 168
6.3 Multiple-Beam Designs 171
6.4 Adaptive Uplink Antennas 180
6.5 Active Aperture Antennas 188
6.6 Point-to-Point Antennas 192
References 194
Chapter 7. User Segment Antennas 197
7.1 Overview 197
7.2 User Antenna Technology 198
7.3 Antenna Sidelobe Control 201
7.4 Adaptive User Antennas 207
7.5 Mission Control Assets 212
References 223
Chapter 8. Antenna Test Facilities and Methodologies 225
8.1 Overview 225
8.2 General-Purpose Test Facilities 226
8.3 Radio Source Techniques 244
8.4 Adaptive Antenna Evaluation 257
8.5 Evaluation of Antennas Having Integrated Electronics 262
8.6 Antenna Tracking Evaluation 266
8.7 System Evaluation 272
References 274
Chapter 9. Satellite Antenna System Evaluation 277
9.1 Overview 277
9.2 Space Segment Antenna Testing 278
9.3 Space Segment Test Issues 291
9.4 User Segment Antenna Testing 296
9.5 User Segment Test Issues 304
References 309
Index 311
FM.indd 8 5/6/09 7:55:16 PM
Robert Dybdal ix
Preface
Antenna systems are a fundamental part of communication satellite systems. Antenna technology has a long
development history beginning with the fundamental experiments performed by Hertz in the 1880s, the
development of broadcast antennas in the 1920s where fundamental concepts of antenna pattern shaping and
array synthesis began, the microwave technology demonstrated during World War II, and today’s technology
and analysis capabilities. Antenna technology has had a significant impact not only on communication systems
but also in radar, remote sensing, and other applications.
Antenna technology is extensively documented in IEEE publications and those of other organizations,
including the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association. A number of excellent textbooks are available
to educate future antenna developers, and a variety of books address specific antenna technologies. This book
describes the way in which antenna technology is used in communication satellite systems. The book is
motivated by a belief that practicing system designers and technology developers would benefit from a system
view of antenna applications, a description of antenna technology, and guidance on methodologies needed in
their evaluation. On an educational level, the material would be suitable for academic courses on applications
of antenna technology to systems that have a major importance worldwide.
The material in this book has evolved from an innumerable collection of people spanning the development
history and application of anten-nas. The technology heritage is very rich, spanning a variety of system
applications, innovative designs, well-developed analysis capabilities, and instrumentation and measurement
facilities. Future system development and application likewise depend on the efforts of a large number of
people. Clearly, this publication is indebted to the efforts of many. On a personal level, the author is likewise
indebted to many people, including peers, members of professional organizations, and the contractor and
customer communities. One of life’s riches is the opportunity to benefit from lively
Robert Dybdal x
technical debate, learn and teach, collaborate, and create and evolve in a technology area as vibrant as
antennas and their system applications. The enthusiasm and encouragement of Wendy Rinaldi of McGraw-Hill
and the careful editing of Madhu Bhardwaj and her colleagues are gratefully acknowledged.
