Satellite Communications
CEESI Module Details| Institution: |
University of Surrey |
| Module Code | eeSCscom |
| Module Credits (level M): | 15 |
| Learning hours | 150 |
| Module Convenor: | Prof. Barry Evans |
| Tutors: | Professor Barry Evans, Professor Gerard Maral, Dr Rahim Tafazolli, Mr Tony Jeans, Dr Peter Sweeney, Professor Ahmet Kondoz, Dr Zhilli Sun, Peter Barnett from ManderCom, Peter Shelswell from the BBC on Digital Audio Broadcasting |
| Industrial Advisors: | UniS MSc Industrial Advisory Board (>20 members from mobile, RF and satellite comms industries) |
| Forbidden full-time module(s): | Candidates obtaining credits/exemptions from eeSCscom cannot simultaneously hold credits in eeMscom1 or eeMscom2. |
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to provide the attendee with a broad
coverage of current satellite communications systems; markets, planning, technology
and future directions.
Learning Objectives
Attendees should achieve a broad understanding of the current trends in satellite communications systems and technologies as well as the future directions of the subject area. They should be able to plan satellite systems for quality of service and understand how new technology will enhance and open up new markets.
Assessment
15 credits for a special exam paper sat at the same time as eeMscomA in the
autumn semester (60%), plus a link budget assignment issued shortly after the
short course (40%).
Content
Topic |
Content |
Introduction to Satellite
Systems |
Radio Regulations, ITU-R/T, IFRB, Frequencies,
interference management, space and ground segment components, earth-stations,
bus and payloads, antennas and coverage, transparent and non-transparent
transponders. FSS, MSS, BSS applications areas and examples with state-of-the-art
systems. GEO, HEO, LEO and hybrid orbits dynamics, echo control and effect
on services: speech, vision, data, multimedia. Satellite Networking: SCPC,
MCPC, multiple access review. FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, RA and where used. Traffic
routing in single and multibeam satellites. Satellites versus other medium
and where applicable. Control and operation of satellite systems; earth-station
planning, siting and maintenance. IGOS - INTELSAT, INMARSAT, EUTELSAT
etc. ESA, NASA, NASDA role, regional and domestic systems, private organisation
and consortia - the move to privatisation. Launcher Organisations, manufacturers,
operators and service providers - enterprise models. Review of FSS, BSS,
MSS systems, state-of-the-art and current developments. |
Satellite Systems Planning |
Basic transmission theory, FSL, antenna
theory, gain, radiations patter, eirp, satellite look angles and ranges. Noise sources, noise temp, noise figure, sky noise G/T ratio and calculation. C/N for up-path and down-path. Intermodulation, back-off, interference and C/I calculation. Effects of rain for FSS and multipath shadowing for MSS systems - calculation of margins. Link budget with overall C/N and availability. Meaning of QoS. Differences between GEO and non-GEO link budgets. Digital modulation PSK types and choice. Eb/No, BER coherent differential etc. modems, filtering and bandwidth calculation. FEC coding, code rates, code types. Error coding in trading off power and bandwidth-power and bandwidth limits. Relationship Eb/No with C/No and system QoS requirements. Examples of link budget planning for desired QoS/availability. |
Modulation and Coding |
Review of analogue modulation fdm, fm carson
bandwidth, s/n versus c/n, pre-emphasis and weighting for TV. Digital
modulation; ask, fsk, psk – mpsk for satellite comms, BER –
Eb/No relationships, bandwidth, filtering; practical
satcom modems, CR/BTR and typical realizations. OQ-PSK, pi/4 PSK, MSK
for mobile applications – linearity and interference – APSK.
QAM for higher capacity – performance and interference limits. |
Channel Coding |
ARQ And FEC, coding gain, bursty channels,
interleaving and system applications. Convolutional codes, decoding mechanisms,
Viterbi algorithm, concatenated codes, performance. Block codes, BCh,
Reed-Solomon and decoding principles. Iterative Turbo codes, LDPC codes
and concatenation of block/convolution codes – system examples.
DVB-S-S2 etc. Coding at higher layers and crosslayer aspects. |
Multiple Access |
Road map of MA and applications. Review
of FDMA and TDMA, SCP, MCPC, INTELSAT, IDR etc. TDMA frame details, synchronisation, open-closed loops, efficiency and frame design. SS-TDMA-frame design and synchronisation aspects. CDMA details; spreading codes, synchronisation, power control, voice activation, receiver tracking and acquisition. Capacity calculations - importance of interference - example link budgets. Synchronisation and asynchronious CDMA. Random access, Aloha, S-Aloha, S Rej Aloha – details and calculations. RA-TDMA, Traffic implications and effects on Access design – comparisons of throughput, delay performance and applications |
VSAT Networks |
Economic and business aspects of VSAT systems,
architecture Star/Mesh, traffic types and modeling. Delay-throughput evolution
of MA schemes – S.A., SRA, RTDMA for various traffic types; design
optimization; flow control for data, IP network interfaces, regulatory
and planning aspects. |
Digital Audio Broadcasting |
DAB/DABS standards and components of DAB
systems for satellite; examples of Xm, Sirius, Worldspace, economics of
DAB on satellite systems and system architecture and modeling. |
Speech and Video Coding |
Low bit rate speech coding standards for
satellite systems and ideas of compression, delay and MOS performance,
network connections and quality – secure voice systems. MPEG video
coding principles – compression, performance, MPEG streams, examples
of MPEG2, 4, H.264 etc. |
Satellite Networking |
Review of networking protocols, PDH, SDH,
B-ISDN and ATM; reference models; network layers and MAC layer protocols,
network architecture; QoS issues for transport and switched on-board systems.
TCP/IP and IP over satellite – TCP variants and slow-start congestion
avoidance; caching, multicast, security IPSEC issues. Traffic management
and signalling SS7 and SIP. IPQoS based on diffserv and intserv. |
Mobile Satellite Systems |
Review of design of mobile systems for
GEO and non-GEO constellations – diversity and coverage. TDMA and
CDMA issues on mobile satellites – receiver architecture and design;
mobility management, cell control, handover and integration with terrestrial
networks. S-UMTS modification to IMT-2000; Mobile broadcasting –
MBMS, SDMB, DVB-H. |
Digital Video Broadcasting |
Broadcasting standards – DVB in general;
system architecture for broadcasting. DVB-S structure and standard and
DVB-S2 modifications and prospects. DMB areas and business prospects. |
Future Satellite Systems |
This lecture will look back at the successes
and failures and draw messages. A vision for future satellite systems
to 2020 in the fixed, mobile and broadcasting areas. |
Project |
The attendees will be given a system design
project to complete at the start of the course and tutorials will be held
at the end of each day to help solution of the project. On the final day
a walk through the solution will be presented. |
Recommended Texts
Maral, G., and Bousquet, M., Satellite Communication
Systems, J Wiley, 0-471-971669 (pbk), 3rd ed.
Gagliardi, R.M., Satellite Communications, 2nd ed. Van Nostrand, 0534-98524-6,
1991 (Out of Print)
Richharia, M., Satellite Communication Systems Design Principles, Macmillan,
1995, 0-333-51420-3, £31.50
Evans, B.G., Satellite Communication Systems, Peter Peregrinus, 085296899X,
3rd ed
Withers, D.J., Radio Spectrum Management, Peter Peregrinus, 086341-1770, 1991,
£68.00