Reg. No.

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Question Paper Code : 77700

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M.E. DEGREE EXAMINATION, APRIL/MAY 2011

Second Semester

Communication Systems

CU 9224 — SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

(Common to M.E. Network Engineering)

(Regulation 2009)

Time : Three hours Maximum : 100 marks

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Answer ALL questions

PART A — (10 × 2 = 20 marks)

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1. Mention two major advantage of satellite communication over terrestrial
communication.

2. What is a LEO orbit? Give an example of a satellite system in LEO.

3. Define processing gain with respect in a spread spectrum system.

4. Mention the drawbacks of FDMA scheme.

5. In a certain satellite communication link, uplink CNR is 25 dB and the

downlink CNR is 20 db. Find the CNR of the total link.

6. What is system noise temperature?

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7. What is dilution of precision with regard to a GPS system?

8. Mention the frequencies used in GPS systems.

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9. What services are offered by INMARSAT satellites?

10. What is the need for mobile satellite, service? Give examples of satellites used
for this purpose.
 PART B — (5 × 16 = 80 marks)

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11. (a) Derive the orbital equations and explain how Kepler’s laws of planetary
motion are applied to the case of geostationary satellites. (16)

Or

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(b) (i) List the major subsystems of a satellite. Explain the functions of
the attitude and orbit control system. (8)

(ii) What factors determine selection of a launch vehicle? Explain the

steps involved in launching a satellite to a geostationary orbit. (8)

12. (a) (i) Describe the operation of time division multiple accessing scheme.
Obtain the frame efficiency of a TDMA frame. (10)

(ii) Explain what a super frame is and differentiate it from a simple

TDMA frame. (6)
Or

(b) (i) Distinguish between pre-assigned and demand assignment in

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relation to a satellite communication network. (8)

Explain the functioning of demand assigned FDMA and TDMA

schemes. (8)
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13. (a) (i) An antenna of an X band Satellite has 100% aperture efficiency.
The transmitted power at 8 GHZ is 12 Kilowatt and the EIRP of the
earth station is 98.2 dB watts. Assuming a path loss of 142 DB and
other losses of 3.2 DB, determine the power density at the satellite
station and the transmitting antenna aperture diameter. (8)

(ii) Explain carrier to noise density noise and energy of bit to noise
density ratio with respect to satellite link. (8)
Or

(b) What are the various interferences that may affect the satellite link
performance? Explain how these interferences effects are taken into
account in the satellite link design? (16)
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14. (a) (i) Explain the principle involved in position determination in a GPS
system. (10)

(ii) What is the minimum number of satellites that must be visible at

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any earth station for position determination in a GPS system and

give reason for the same? (6)
Or

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 (b) (i) Describe the operation of a UPS receiver. (8)

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(ii) Explain the factors that can degrade the GPS signal and how these
errors could be corrected. (8)

15. (a) (i) Describe the main features and services offered by INTELSAT

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satellite system. (8)

(ii) Write a note on Indian activities in satellite communication. (8)

Or

(b) Describe the operation of a typical VSAT system. Mention its typical
applications and shortcomings. (16)

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