Satellite Communication And Radar

Sub. Code – (ECE-S508)

Question Bank

1. Describe briefly the main advantages offered by satellite communications. Explain what
is meant by a distance-insensitive communications system.

2. State Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion. Illustrate in each case their relevance to
artificial satellites orbiting the earth.

3. Show that for the ellipse the differential element of area dA _ r2d_/2, where d_ is the
differential of the true anomaly. Using Kepler’s second law, show that the ratio of the
speeds at apoapsis and periapsis (or apogee and perigee for an earth-orbiting satellite) is
equal to (1 _ e)/(1 _ e)

4. A satellite orbit has an eccentricity of 0.2 and a semimajor axis of 10,000 km. Find the
values of (a) the latus rectum; (b) the minor axis; (c) the distance between foci.

5. The orbit for an earth-orbiting satellite has an eccentricity of 0.15 and a semimajor axis of
9000 km. Determine (a) its periodic time; (b) the apogee height; (c) the perigee height.
Assume a mean value of 6371 km for the earth’s radius.

6. The semimajor axis for the orbit of an earth-orbiting satellite is found to be 9500 km.
Determine the mean anomaly 10 min after passage of perigee.

7. The exact conversion factor between feet and meters is 1 ft _ 0.3048 m. A satellite travels
in an unperturbed circular orbit of semimajor axis a _ 27,000 km. Determine its
tangential speed in (a) km/s, (b) ft/s, and (c) mi/h.

8. Explain what is meant by apogee height and perigee height. The Cosmos 1675 satellite
has an apogee height of 39,342 km and a perigee height of 613 km. Determine the
semimajor axis and the eccentricity of its orbit. Assume a mean earth radius of 6371 km.

9. The Aussat 1 satellite in geostationary orbit has an apogee height of 35,795 km and a
perigee height of 35,779 km. Assuming a value of 6378 km for the earth’s equatorial
radius, determine the semimajor axis and the eccentricity of the satellite’s orbit.

10. Explain what is meant by the geostationary orbit. How do the geostationary orbit and a
geosynchronous orbit differ?

11. Determine the maximum possible longitudinal separation which can exist between a
geostationary satellite and an earth station while maintaining lineof- sight
communications, assuming the minimum angle of elevation of the earth station antenna is
5°. State also the latitude of the earth station.

12. An earth station is located at latitude 35°N and longitude 65°E. Calculate the antenna-
look angles for a satellite at 19°E.
13. Calculate for your home location the look angles required to receive from the satellite (a)
immediately east and (b) immediately west of your longitude.
14. How can parabolic reflectors used in satellite communication to enhance the gain of
antennas?

15. What is the need of creating ripples on the surface of Hughes shaped reflector antennas?
Write a note on describing the shaped reflector system.

16. Discuss the design considerations of a communication satellite. What issues are faced by
communication satellites wrt lifetime and reliability?

17. Describe the telemetry, tracking and command facilities of a satellite communication
system. Do they are a part of space segment or ground segment?

18. What are limits of satellite visibility? Derive and explain the concept of earth coverage and
slant range for geostationary satellite.

19. Explain what are meant by uplink and downlink system design. Find out the expression
for combined uplink and downlink (C/No) ratio, also discuss the effect of interference on
complete link design.

20. For a satellite earth station receiver with equivalent noise temperature of 400oK, a noise
bandwidth of 36MHz and receiving antenna gain of 100dB. Determine gain to equivalent
noise temperature, total noise power and noise density. Assume carrier frequency of
24GHz.

21. What do you mean by System Noise Temperature. Calculate the expression of equivalent
system to noise temperature for a superhetrodyne receiver.

22. Draw the block diagrams of altitude and orbit control subsystem? What mechanisms are
provided in satellite for altitude and orbit control?

23. Discuss the block diagram of TDM system. Explain in detail the frame acquisition and
synchronization in a TDMA.

24. Discuss channel reservation scheme for Satellite communication.Explain the principle
used in spectrum spreading and dispreading. How is this used to minimize interference in
a CDMA system?

25. Write a note on Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). Discusses the transmission
losses seen between a space craft and earth station.

26. Diagrammatically explain the combined Uplink and Downlink carrier to noise
ratio.Derive the Equation for Combined Uplink and Downlink.