Frequency Division Multiple

Access (FDMA)
Difference between FDM and FDMA
FDM FDMA
• Multiple input signals can be • It is a technique to access the
combined in frequency sent to channel based on FDM method.
the receiver.
FDMA
 Advantages of FDMA
•Simple to realize

•Same filter can be used for the same type of input bit rate

•No need of time synchronization

•Ideal for known continuous traffic

•Not Suitable for variable input rate ( Disadvantage)

For Fixed Traffic : Filter with same BW

For Mixed Traffic: Filter with different BW

For Variable Traffic: Filter need tuning when changes. (More

complex and costly)
Two types of FDMA techniques are operation in today
• Single Channel per Carrier (SCPC) FDMA
Each earth station signal modulates the separate RF carrier, which is then
transmitted to the FDMA transponder.

• Multiple Channel per Carrier (MCPC) FDMA

Each earth station frequency multiplex the several signals/channels which
then modulates the RF carrier and transmitted to satellite FDMA transponder.
 Pre-assigned FDMA
•The frequency slots are pre-assigned to the Earth stations.

•The slot allocations are pre-determined and do not offer flexibility.

•Hence, some slots may be facing the problem of over-traffic, while other
slots are sitting idle.
 Demand Assigned FDMA
•Earth station is assigned a channel depending upon its request to
the control station.

•Demand assignment may be carried out either

➢polling method

➢random access method

 FDMA Capacity Estimation for equal size
carriers
Find the individual carrier EIRP or individual C/No

K = Boltzmann constant = 1.38 × 10-23 j/k = -228.6 dB

•Estimate number of carriers possible from power

10

•Estimate number of carriers possible from BW

nB = Total BW/ Individual carrier BW
•Individual carrier BW
Capacity is np or nb whichever is lower

When np is lower : Transponder is power limited.

When nb is lower : Transponder is BW limited.

 Problem 1

From each station 24 channels are multiplexed to transmit as one carrier with QPSK
modulation, bit rate of 1.544 mbps, 20% filter roll of factor and 20% guard band factor.
Required C/NO per carrier is 5.5 dB. Total C/NO the link is supported for a full
transponder is 81 dB Hz. For one transponder find
a. Number of FDMA carriers
b. The number of total channel that can be supported

Sol. A. 10 log(np) = 81 – 5.5 = 75.5 dB = 35481338

B. 35481338 * 24 =

Log (np) = 7.55

Np = 10^7.55
 Problem 2
From each station 24 channels are multiplexed to transmit as one carrier with QPSK
modulation, bit rate of 1.544 mbps, 20% filter roll of factor and 20% guard band factor.
Required C/N per carrier is 5.5 dB. Total C/NO the link is supported for a full transponder
is 81 dB Hz. For one transponder find
a. Number of FDMA carriers
b. The number of total channel that can be supported by satellite = 31 * 24 =

Sol. Noise Power Density NO = Noise Power (N)/ Bandwidth (B)

C/No = (C/N) * B
(C/No)i = (C/N)i + Bi Bi = (1.544/2)(1+0.2)(1+0.2) M
= 5.5 + 60.46 = 65.96 dB = 1.112 M Hz = 60.46 dB

10log np = (C/No)T - (C/No)i

= 81 – 65.96 = 15.04 dB = 31 carrier
 Problem 3

A 36 M Hz transponder has maximum EIRP of 50 dBW and has multiple carriers. Receive
station G/T is -10 dB/K, free space loss is 192 dB and miscellaneous loss is 6.6 dB. Each
10 kHZ carrier needs 45 dB Hz C/NO .Find
a. Number of FDMA carriers that can supported by transponder = 316 carriers
b. Is the transponder is BW limited or Power limited. = Power limited

Sol. Given BT = 36 M Hz, EIRPMAX = 50dBW, G/T = -10 dB/K, Bi = 10 kHz, (C/NO)i = 45
dB
EIRPMAX = 45 – (-10) + (192+6.6)+ (-228.6) = 25 dB
10lognp = EIRPMAX - EIRPi = 50 – 25 = 25 dB
np = 316.22 = 316 carriers

nB = 36 M/ 10 K = 3600 carrier
 Problem 4

Transponder BW and EIRP are 36 MHZ and 50 dBW. Receive station G/T is 30 dB/K, free
space loss is 198.6 dB. Each 1 MHZ carrier needs 65 dB Hz C/NO .Find
a. Number of FDMA carriers that can supported by transponder (36)
b. Is the transponder is BW limited or Power limited. ( BW limited)

Sol. (EIRP)i =65 – 30 + 198.6 + (-228.6) = 5 db

10log(np) = 50 – 5 = 45 db, np = 31622 carriers

Carriers from BW nb = 36 M / 1 M = 36 carriers

 Problem 5
a. A transponder has 3 carriers in FDMA, has 40 watt saturated output power with output
backoff of 3 dB. BW required by stations are A= 15 MHz, B = 10 MHz and C = 5
MHz. Find
1. Power level for each carrier at the transponder output
2. Power level for each carrier at the transponder input
3. If satellite gain is 105 dB. Find the I/P power to satellite for each carrier
4. If 20 W transponder O/P can be achieved by transmitting 250W from a station.
Find EIRP to each station

Sol. Output power from the transponder = 10 log 40 – 3 dB = 16.02- 3 = 13 dB = 20 W

Total BW = 15+10+5 = 30 MHz
1. PA = 15/30 * 20 = 10 W = 10 dB
PB = 10/30 * 20 = 6.66 W = 8.2 dB
PC = 5/30 *20 = 3.33 W = 5.2 dB
2. A = 10 – 13 = -3 dB A = 10
B = 8.2 – 13 = -4.8 B= 8.2
C = 5.2 – 13 = -7.8 13 db C= 5.2

3. A = 10 – 105 = -95 dB A = 10
B = 8.2 – 105 = -96.8 dB B= 8.2
C = 5.2 – 105 = - 99.8 dB 105 db C= 5.2

4. Earth station transmit = 250 W = 24 dB

A = 24 – 3 = 21 dBW = 125.89 = 126 W
B = 24 – 4.8 = 19.2 DBW = 83 W
C = 24 – 7.8 = 16.2 DB W = 42 W