Satellite Communication

UNIT-1
Introduction to Satellite System

Presented by,
SHITAL DAWANE
 SATTELITE
• The word ‘Satellite” refers to an
object that revolves around earth or
any other body in a space

Communication
• The word ‘Communication” refers to
the exchange of information between
two or more entities through any
medium or channel.
 Satellite Communication
• If the communication takes place between any
two earth stations through a satellite then it is
known as satellite communication.
• Telephone, radio, television, internet, and
military applications use satellite
communications.
 Need for Satellite Communication
• We know that there are different ways to
communicate, and the propagation of these
waves can occur in different ways. Ground
wave propagation and sky wave
propagation are the two ways communication
takes place for a certain distance. The
maximum distance covered by them is 1500
km, which was overcome by the introduction
of satellite communication.
 Satellite Communications in India
Satellite name Launch date Application
• GSAT-30 Jan 17, 2020 Communication

• GSAT-31 Feb 06, 2020 Communication

• GSAT-15 Nov 11, 2015 Communication and navigation

• GSAT-10 Sep 29, 2012 Communication and navigation

• INSAT-3A Apr 10, 2003 Communication and climate and environment

• KALPANA-1 Sep 12, 2002 Communication and climate and environment

 Frequency Allocation
• The higher frequency 6-8 GHz slot is for
uplink signals to the satellite, and the lower
frequency 4-6 GHz slot is used for downlink
signals to earth receivers. For the direct
broadcast service in the Ku band, the
frequency used is 14/12 GHz. Many
communications satellites use C-band and Ku-
band.
 How is frequency allocated?
• The frequency allocation process involves
several steps that include: International
Planning: International regulatory bodies,
such as the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), coordinate
and allocate frequency bands globally to
avoid cross-border interference and ensure
harmonization.
 The Importance of Frequency
Allocation
• Efficient frequency allocation is essential for
telecommunication networks for the following
reasons:
• Prevention of Interference: By assigning specific
frequencies to different network providers,
interference between their signals is minimized,
ensuring seamless communication.
• Enhanced Quality of Service: The correct
assignment of frequencies ensures high-quality
voice and data transmission, leading to improved
overall customer experience.
 Satellite Communication
• There are two categories in which
satellite communication services can be
classified:
• One-way satellite communication
• Two- way satellite communication
One-way Satellite Communication
Two-Way Satellite Communication
 Advantages of Satellite
Communication
• Point to Multipoint communication is possible.
• Installments of circuits are easy.
• With the help of satellite communication, every
corner of the earth can be covered.
• sending and receiving information is independent
on distance
• The user fully controls the network.
• 24 hours communication can be possible.
 Disadvantages of Satellite
Communication
• Initial expenditure is expensive.
• Launching of satellite into orbits is an expensive process.
• Time delay reduces the efficiency of satellite in data
transmission etc.
• difficult to repaire if any problem occurs in a satellite
system.
• Transmitter and receiver are used in satellite
communication require high power and large diameter
antenna.
 Applications of Satellite
Communication
• Telephone
• Television broadcasting
• Navigations
• Earth observations
• Whether condition monitoring
• Digital cinema
• Radio broadcasting
• Internet access
• Military
Frequency Allocation
 There are two major elements of satellite
communication system
• 1. Ground segment
• 2. Space segment
Element of Satellite Communication
Introduction to satellite orbit
GEO
LEO
MEO
 Satellite Communication - Subsystems

• A satellite communication
consists of mainly
two segments. Those are space
segment and earth segment. So,
accordingly there will be two
types of subsystems namely,
space segment subsystems and
earth segment subsystems.
Space Segment Subsystems
• AOC Subsystem
• TTCM Subsystem
• Power and Antenna Subsystems
• Transponders
 Earth Segment Subsystems

• The subsystems present in the ground segment

have the ability to access the satellite repeater in
order to provide the communication between the
users. Earth segment is also called as ground
segment.
• Earth segment performs mainly two functions.
Those are transmission of a signal to the satellite
and reception of signal from the satellite. Earth
stations are the major subsystems that are present
in earth segment.
 Space segment:
• Space segment: Space segment means the satellite
is in space so the components or the subsystems of
this segment are the communication satellite itself,
satellite payloads, launch vehicles, etc. Major space
segment subsystems are:
– AOC Subsystem(altitude and orbit control
subsystem)
– TT&C Subsystem
– Power and Antenna Subsystem
– Transponders
 Altitude and Orbit Control (AOC)
• The satellite may deviates from its orbit due to the
gravitational forces from sun, moon and other
planets. These forces change cyclically over a 24-
hour period, since the satellite moves around the
earth.

• Altitude and Orbit Control (AOC) subsystem consists

of rocket motors, which are capable of placing the
satellite into the right orbit, whenever it is deviated
from the respective orbit.
Altitude Control Subsystem
• Altitude control subsystem takes care of the
orientation of satellite in its respective orbit.
Following are the two methods to make the
satellite that is present in an orbit as stable.

• Spinning the satellite

• Three axes method
 Spinning the satellite
• In this method, the body of the satellite rotates
around its spin axis. In general, it can be rotated at
30 to 100 rpm in order to produce a force, which is
of gyroscopic type. Due to this, the spin axis gets
stabilized and the satellite will point in the same
direction. Satellites are of this type are called as
spinners.

• Spinner contains a drum, which is of cylindrical

shape. This drum is covered with solar cells. Power
systems and rockets are present in this drum.
• Communication subsystem is placed on top of the
drum. An electric motor drives this communication
system. The direction of this motor will be opposite
to the rotation of satellite body, so that the antennas
point towards earth. The satellites, which perform
this kind of operation are called as de-spin.

• During launching phase, the satellite spins when the

small radial gas jets are operated. After this, the de-
spin system operates in order to make the TTCM
subsystem antennas point towards earth station.
Spin Stabilizer
 Three Axis Method
• In this method, we can stabilize the satellite by
using one or more momentum wheels. This method
is called as three-axis method. The advantage of this
method is that the orientation of the satellite in three
axes will be controlled and no need of rotating
satellite’s main body.
• Roll axis is considered in the
direction in which the satellite
moves in orbital plane.

• Yaw axis is considered in the

direction towards earth.

• Pitch axis is considered in the

direction, which is
perpendicular to orbital plane.
 TTCM Subsystem
• Telemetry, Tracking, Commanding and Monitoring
(TTCM) subsystem is present in both satellite and
earth station. In general, satellite gets data through
sensors. So, Telemetry subsystem present in the
satellite sends this data to earth station(s). Therefore,
TTCM subsystem is very much necessary for any
communication satellite in order to operate it
successfully.
• It is the responsibility of satellite operator in order to
control the satellite in its life time, after placing it in
the proper orbit. This can be done with the help of
TTCM subsystem.