Module I—Digital Communications for Geosynchronous Satellites
- Introduction and Overview
- Guided and Unguided Transmission Media
- Telecommunications Component Functions
- Some Transport and Switching Terminology
- Digital vs. Analog
- Digital/Analog Comparison
- Analog Multiplexing
- Line Codes: Bit Rate, Baud Rate and Bandwidth
- Harry Nyquist and Claude Shannon
- Bandwidth and Bit rate at Baseband
- Line Code Variations
- Voice Encoding Techniques: Bandwidth vs. Latency
- Waveform Encoding
- Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
- Adaptive Differential PCM
- Source Coding
- Linear Predictive Coding
- Code-book Excited Linear Prediction (CELP)
- Voice Coding Issues over Satellites
- Waveform Encoding
- Digital Communications Protocols
- Overview of Protocol Layers
- Physical Layer Aggregation and Switching Protocols
- Standards-based TDM: T-carriers and E-carriers
- Proprietary TDM: Aggregate Rate Multiplexing
- Digital Cross-Connect Switching (DCS)
- Digital Circuit Multiplication Equipment (DCME)
- Data Link Layer Protocols and Equipment
- Frame Relay FRADs and Switches
- ATM and Negative Latency
- Ethernet: Not just for LANs
- Network Layer Devices and Functions
- Network Timing and Synchronization
- Timing Terminology and Concepts
- Stratum Levels and Timing Architectures
Module II—Geosynchronous Satellites
- Satellite Communications Overview
- A Brief History of Satellite Communications
- Overview of Earth Station Sub-systems
- Satellite Network Management
- Control and Monitor Systems
- SNMP for Network Management
- The Role of Proxy Agents
- Geosynchronous Satellites: Strengths and Weaknesses
- Common Satellite Deployments
- Problems Caused by Long Path Delays
- Need for Echo Cancellation
- Perceptible Delay in Conversation
- Talk Collisions over Double-hops
- Reduction in Throughput When Using Protocols That Require Acknowledgement and Re-transmission
- Problems Caused by Relative Satellite Motion
- Doppler Shift of High-speed Data Streams
- Tracking Requirements due to Satellite Inclination
- Comparison of Satellite Types
- Orbital Variations
- Payload Types
- Operating Frequencies
- Overview of Satellite Access Techniques
- FDMA for Digital and Analog Access
- TDMA and F/TDMA for Digital Access
- ALOHA and Slotted ALOHA
- CDMA
- Comparing Satellite Access Techniques
- Satellite Topologies and Access Techniques
Module III—RF Basics for Satellite and Earth Station
- A Quick Review of Decibels
- Logarithms and Their Functions
- Using Decibels for Small and Large Ratios and Values
- When NOT to use Decibels
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Frequency vs. Wavelength
- Band Designations
- Radar Bands Common to Satellite Communications
- Transmission Lines and Filters
- Waveguide vs. Coax
- Filter Parameters
- Overview of System Components
- Basics of Radio Amplifiers
- Filter Types and Functions
- Types of Oscillators (Sources)
- Mixers and Multipliers
- Combiners and Splitters
- Bent-pipe Payload: A closer Look
- Transponder Block Diagram
- Basic Uplink/Downlink Components
Module IV—Earth Station Equipment: Parameters and Impairments
- Earth Station Uplink Equipment
- Upconverter Types and Characteristics
- Typical Upconverter Specifications
- Amplifier Types and Characteristics
- Amplifier Impairments Due to Non-linearity
- Intermodulation Distortion
- Spectral Regrowth
- Typical Amplifier Specifications
- Post-Amplifier Combining Techniques
- Wide-band Signal Combining
- Frequency-specific Signal Combining
- Antennas and Tracking Systems
- Antenna Types
- Antenna Patterns and Gain Calculations
- Antenna Polarization Techniques
- Linear Polarization Concept
- Circular Polarization Concept
- Comparison of Linear and Circular Polarization
- Typical Antenna specifications
- Antenna Tracking Systems
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- Step-tracking Systems
- Mono-pulse Tracking Systems
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- Earth Station Downlink Equipment
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- The Low Noise Amplifier: The Heart of the Receive System
- LNA Types
- LNA Characteristics
- Typical LNA Specifications
- Downconverter Characteristics
- The Low Noise Amplifier: The Heart of the Receive System
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- Basics of Digital Modulation
- Modulation Scheme Constellations
- Noise and Errors and Free Distance
- C/N and Eb/N0 Calculations
- Pre-modulation Processing and Error Correction
- Digital Energy Dispersal
- Convolutional Encoding
- Interleaving to Improve Data Recovery
- High Level Modulation Schemes
- Block Coding Techniques
- Modem Variations
- Coherent vs. Differential Demodulation
- Offset QPSK for PAPR Improvement
- Important Modem Characteristics and Specifications
- Thermal Noise and C/N
- Quantifying Thermal Noise
- Determining the C/N
- Adding the Uplink C/N and the Downlink C/N
Module V—Earth Station Design
- Uplink Design Considerations
- Earth Station EIRP
- Earth Station Gains and Losses
- Setting Uplink levels
- Downlink Design Considerations
- Downlink Levels
- Internal and External Noise Contributions
- Noise Figure and Noise temperature
- Performing a Cascade Analysis
- G/T Contributing Factors
- Performing a Detailed G/T Analysis
- Determining System Availability
- Equipment Configuration
- Sparing strategy
- Equipment reliability
- Link Availability and rain fade
Module VI—Link Analysis Techniques
- Overview of Link Analysis
- Limiting Factors
- Satellite Transponder Parameters
- Earth Terminal Parameters
- Operational Parameters
- Sources of Interference
- Self-Interference
- External Interference from Orbit
- Terrestrial Sources of Interference
- Spreading Loss and Path Loss
- Determining Distance to Satellite
- Determining Power Flux Density at Satellite
- Free Space Loss for Determining IRL at Satellite
- Other Loss Contributions
- Pointing Loss
- Polarization Offset Loss
- Bent-pipe Transponder Parameters
- Transponder Footprint
- Saturation Flux Density (SFD)
- G/T
- Saturation EIRP
- Transponder Padding
- Transponder Bandwidth
- Satellite Inclination
- Performing Link Budgets for Bent-pipe Satellites
- Determining Total C/N on a Link
- Determining EIRP for Bandwidth-limited Operation
- Performing Detailed Uplink/Downlink Power Budgets
- Putting It All Together: Link Budget Exercises
- End-to-End Link budget for Mesh Topology (one direction)
- End-to-End Link Budget for Spoke Network (both ways)
- Wrap-up: Course Recap, Q/A, and Evaluations