Introduction to Satellite Communication (Artech House Space Applications)

463 Pages·2008·9.96 MB·English

by  Bruce R. Elbert

Introduction to
Satellite Communication
Third Edition
For a listing of recent titles in the Artech House Space Application Series,
turn to the back of this book.
Introduction to
Satellite Communication
Third Edition
Bruce R. Elbert
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this book is available from the U.S. Library of Congress.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59693-210-4
Cover design by Yekaterina Ratner
 2008 ARTECH HOUSE, INC.
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Norwood, MA 02062
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Contents
Preface xi
CHAPTER 1
Fundamentals of Satellite Systems 1
1.1 Basic Characteristics of Satellites 1
1.1.1 Advantages of Satellite Communication 7
1.1.2 Use of Microwave Frequencies 11
1.1.3 Digital Transmission, Compression, and Routing 12
1.1.4 Improved Space Platforms and Launching Systems 13
1.1.5 Integration with Terrestrial Wired and Wireless Networks 14
1.2 System Elements 15
1.2.1 Space Segment 15
1.2.2 Ground Segment 17
1.2.3 Overall System 20
1.3 Satellite Orbit Configurations 20
1.4 Frequency Spectrum Allocations 22
1.4.1 ITU Spectrum Allocations and Regions 24
1.4.2 VHF and UHF Frequency Ranges 26
1.4.3 Microwave Bands: L and S 27
1.4.4 Microwave Bands: C, X, and Ku 31
1.4.5 Millimeter Wave and Higher: Ka-, Q-, and V-Bands 35
1.4.6 Guided and Unguided Optical Properties 36
References 38
CHAPTER 2
Evolution of Satellite Communication 39
2.1 Source of the Original Idea 39
2.1.1 SYNCOM 40
2.1.2 COMSAT 41
2.2 Evolving Satellite Coverage 42
2.2.1 Global Service: INTELSAT, PanAmSat, and Orion 42
2.2.2 Regional Coverage: EUTELSAT and SES 50
2.2.3 Domestic Systems: Telesat, Westar, and Palapa 51
2.3 Specialized Systems: DTH and Mobile 60
2.3.1 DTH Development 61
2.3.2 MSS Development 62
2.3.3 Digital Information Broadcasting 64
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vi Contents
2.4 Expansion at Higher Frequency Bands: Ka-Band 66
References 68
CHAPTER 3
Satellite Network Architectures 69
3.1 General Features of Satellite Networks 69
3.1.1 Dedicated Bandwidth Services 71
3.1.2 Circuit-Switched Services 75
3.1.3 Packet-Switched Services 77
3.1.4 Flexibility Features 78
3.1.5 Reliability of Satellites and Links 81
3.1.6 Quality Features and Issues 82
3.2 Point-to-Multipoint (Broadcast) Networks 88
3.2.1 Video Distribution 89
3.2.2 Direct-to-Home Television 96
3.2.3 Content Distribution Networks 97
3.2.4 Mobile Satellite Communications 99
3.3 Point-to-Point Networks 104
3.4 VSAT Networks 105
References 107
CHAPTER 4
Microwave Link Engineering 109
4.1 The Decibel 109
4.2 Propagation on the Earth-Space Link 111
4.2.1 Basic Microwave Propagation 112
4.2.2 Isotropic Radiator 113
4.2.3 Directional Properties of Antennas 115
4.2.4 Polarization (Linear and Circular) 119
4.2.5 Propagation Losses 123
4.3 Microwave Transmitters and Receivers 133
4.3.1 Transmitting Station 133
4.3.2 Receiving Station 139
4.3.3 Definition of a Transponder 140
4.4 Overall Link Quality 142
4.4.1 How Noise and Interference Affect a Microwave Link 142
4.4.2 Carrier-to-Noise Ratio 144
4.4.3 Link Budget Analysis 146
4.4.4 Link Margin 148
References 149
CHAPTER 5
Modulation, Multiple Access, and Impairments 151
5.1 Digital Baseband Signals and Hierarchies 151
5.1.1 Digital Information Sources and Bandwidth Requirements 153
5.1.2 Analog-to-Digital Conversion 156
Contents vii
5.1.3 Compression 158
5.1.4 Error Detection and Correction 159
5.1.5 Scrambling and Encryption 162
5.2 Digital Modulation 165
5.2.1 Frequency Shift Keying 169
5.2.2 Phase Shift Keying 169
5.2.3 Amplitude and Phase Shift Keying 171
5.3 Multiple Access Methods 172
5.3.1 Frequency Division Multiple Access 173
5.3.2 Time Division Multiple Access 175
5.3.3 ALOHA Packet Multiple Access 177
5.3.4 Code Division Multiple Access 179
5.3.5 RF Bandwidth Utilization in Multiple Access 181
5.4 Distortion and Impairments 183
5.4.1 Digital Signal Impairments 183
5.4.2 Transponder Intermodulation Impairment 185
5.4.3 Uplink and Downlink RF Interference 189
References 193
CHAPTER 6
Spacecraft and Repeater 195
6.1 Overview of Communications Spacecraft 195
6.1.1 Overall Payload Requirements 198
6.1.2 Transmit Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) 199
6.1.3 Receive Gain-to-Noise Temperature Ratio (G/T) 203
6.1.4 Bent-Pipe Transponder Filtering 204
6.1.5 Linearity 205
6.1.6 Frequency Translation Effects 206
6.2 Analog Bent-Pipe Repeaters 208
6.3 Digital Processing Repeaters 208
6.3.1 Multiple Beam Switching and Routing 209
6.3.2 Digital Processor Architecture 212
6.3.3 Demod-Remod Repeater 215
6.4 Standard Repeater Elements 216
6.4.1 Wideband Receiver 217
6.4.2 Redundancy Switching 219
6.4.3 Waveguide Filters and Multiplexers 224
6.4.4 Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers 228
6.4.5 Solid-State Power Amplifiers 232
6.4.6 Transponder Gain Control and Linearization 234
References 236
CHAPTER 7
Spacecraft Antennas 237
7.1 Horn Antennas 237
viii Contents
7.2 Reflector Antennas 243
7.2.1 Center-Fed Parabolic Reflectors 246
7.2.2 Offset-Fed Parabolic Reflectors 249
7.3 Antenna Patterns 251
7.4 Direct Radiating Array Antennas 255
References 256
CHAPTER 8
Spacecraft Mission and Bus Subsystems 257
8.1 Mission Summary 257
8.1.1 GEO Mission Profile 257
8.1.2 On-Station Operation Requirements 258
8.1.3 Non-GEO Requirements 259
8.2 Spacecraft Configuration 260
8.3 Spacecraft Bus Subsystems 262
8.3.1 Attitude-Control Subsystem 262
8.3.2 Solar Cells and Panels 268
8.3.3 Battery Design and Configuration 271
8.3.4 Liquid Propulsion System 274
8.3.5 Electric and Ion Propulsion 278
8.3.6 Solid-Fuel Rocket Motors 279
8.3.7 Tracking, Telemetry, and Command (TT&C) 280
8.3.8 Thermal Control 286
8.3.9 Structural Arrangements 289
References 289
CHAPTER 9
Earth Stations and Network Technology 291
9.1 Basic Earth Station Configuration 291
9.2 Performance Requirements 294
9.2.1 Transmit EIRP 294
9.2.2 Receive G/T 295
9.2.3 Location and Platform Requirements 297
9.3 Radio Frequency Equipment 299
9.3.1 Antennas for Earth Stations 300
9.3.2 Antenna Beam Pointing 302
9.3.3 High-Power Amplifiers 302
9.3.4 Upconverters and Downconverters 304
9.3.5 RF Combining 305
9.3.6 Uplink Power Control 305
9.4 Intermediate Frequency and Baseband Equipment 306
9.4.1 Modulators, Demodulators, and Modems 306
9.4.2 Multiplexing and Packet Processing 307
9.5 Tail Links and Terrestrial Interface 307
9.5.1 Terrestrial Tail Options 308
9.5.2 Terrestrial Network Interfaces 310
Contents ix
9.6 Earth Station Facility Design 311
9.7 Major Classes of Earth Stations 313
9.7.1 TT&C Ground Facilities 314
9.7.2 TV Uplinks and Broadcast Centers 319
9.7.3 FDMA Digital Communications Service 322
9.7.4 Full-Mesh TDMA Earth Station 324
9.7.5 VSAT Star Network Terminal 326
9.7.6 TV Receive-Only Design 330
9.7.7 MSS User Terminals 334
References 336
CHAPTER 10
Launch Vehicles and Services 337
10.1 The Launch Mission 338
10.1.1 The Boost Phase 339
10.1.2 Non-GEO Missions 341
10.1.3 Geostationary Transfer Orbit 342
10.1.4 Drift Orbit for GEO Operation 343
10.1.5 Deployments and In-Orbit Testing 345
10.1.6 RCS Fuel Allocation 346
10.2 Launch Technology and Systems 349
10.3 Typical Launch Vehicles 351
10.3.1 Ariane 352
10.3.2 Atlas 353
10.3.3 Delta 354
10.3.4 H-1 and H-2 354
10.3.5 Long March 355
10.3.6 Proton 356
10.3.7 Zenit 358
10.4 Launch Interfaces 359
10.4.1 Physical Launch Interfaces 359
10.4.2 Management Interfaces 360
10.5 Risk Management in Launch and Operation 361
10.5.1 Launch Insurance 362
10.5.2 Backup and Replacement Satellites 364
CHAPTER 11
Satellite Operations and Organization 367
11.1 The Satellite Control System 367
11.1.1 GEO Satellite Control 369
11.1.2 Non-GEO Satellite Control 371
11.2 Intercommunication Networks 372
11.2.1 Backbone Communications 373
11.2.2 Alternate Routing for High Reliability 374
11.2.3 Network Management 375