Satellite Communications Systems - Advanced

This three-day course covers all the technology of advanced satellite communications, as well as the principles behind current state-of-the-art satellite communications equipment. New and promising technologies will be covered to develop an understanding of the major approaches, including network topologies, VSAT and IP networking over satellite. Material will be complemented with a continuously evolving example of the application of systems engineering practice to a specific satellite communications system. The example of WCDMA over a GEO satellite will address issues from the highest system architecture down to component details, budgets, specifications, etc.

• Characteristics of satellites – GEO vs. non-GEO, area coverage vs. spot beam, bent pipe vs. processor-based
• Characteristics of satellite networks – broadcast, interactive, star and mesh, high-throughput satellite (HTS) alternatives
• The tradeoffs between major alternatives in SATCOM system design.
• SATCOM modulation and coding tradeoffs and link budget analysis.
• DAMA/BoD for FDMA, TDMA, and CDMA systems.
• Critical RF parameters in terminal equipment and their effects on performance.
• Technical details of RF antennas, amplifiers and receivers.
• Use of spread spectrum for Comm-on-the-Move and aeronautical broadband.
• Characteristics of IP traffic over satellite.
• Innovative approaches using phased arrays, cancellation and adaptive coding and modulation.

1. Introduction to SATCOM. History and overview. Examples of current military and commercial systems.
2. Satellite orbits and transponder characteristics – area coverage, high throughput at Ku and Ka bands, advanced L and S band systems.
3. Traffic Connectivities: Mesh, Hub-Spoke, Point-to-Point, Broadcast.
4. Multiple Access Techniques: FDMA, TDMA, Wideband CDMA, Random Access. DAMA and Bandwidth-on-Demand, adapting WCDMA to the GEO environment.
5. Communications Link Calculations. Definition of EIRP, G/T, Eb/No, Es/No. Noise Temperature and Figure. Transponder gain and SFD. Link Budget Calculations.
6. Digital Modulation Techniques. BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, 32/64APSK. Nyquist signal shaping (raised cosine). Ideal BER performance, implementation margin, adaptive codes and modulation (ACM).
7. RF Components. HPA, SSPA (GaN), LNA, Up/down converters. Intermodulation, band limiting, oscillator phase noise. Examples of BER Degradation.
8. TDMA Networks. Time Slots. Preambles. Suitability for DAMA and BoD, ALOHA.
9. Characteristics of IP and TCP/UDP over satellite. Need for Performance Enhancing Proxy (PEP) techniques, acceleration.
10. VSAT Networks and their system characteristics; DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS standards and MF-TDMA.
11. Earth Station Antenna types. Pointing/Tracking. Small antennas at Ku band. Mobile antennas – planar array, phased array. FCC-Intelsat-ITU antenna requirements and EIRP density limitations.
12. Application of Wideband CDMA over satellite – applied in the US MUOS GEO system.
13. Emerging Technology Developments and Future Trends.

Bruce R. Elbert, MS (EE), MBA, Adjunct Professor (ret), College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Mr. Elbert is a recognized satellite communications expert and has been involved in the satellite and telecommunications industries for over 40 years. He founded Application Technology Strategy, LLC, to assist major private and public sector organizations that develop and operate cutting-edge networks using satellite and other wireless technologies During 25 years with Hughes Electronics, he directed the design of several major satellite projects, including Palapa A, Indonesia’s original satellite system; the Galaxy follow-on; and the development of the first GEO mobile satellite system capable of serving handheld user terminals. Mr. Elbert was also ground segment manager for the Hughes system, which included eight teleports and 3 VSAT hubs. He served in the US Army Signal Corps as a radio communications officer and instructor. By considering the technical, business, and operational aspects of satellite systems, Mr. Elbert has contributed to the operational and economic success of leading organizations in the field. He has written nine books on telecommunications and IT.

Christopher F. Hoeber, MSEE, Cornell University. Mr. Hoeber’s career in the communications satellite industry has spanned 52 years, since his start at Hughes Aircraft Company as the communications systems engineer on the first generation of commercial domestic satellites. He held a variety of executive positions at the industry leader Space Systems Loral (SSL), where he served as the engineering lead for the development of the long lived 1300 product line, and the program manager for Superbird A&B, the first 1300 spacecraft and led engineering efforts for the first direct broadcast TV services, the first digital radio broadcast services, and the first high throughput communications services. He retired as the SSL CTO in 2015, and has continued his career as an industry consultant through today’s NewSpace revolution, serving as the CTO on several startup programs – LEO, GEO and hybrid. He is the winner of 2016 AIAA Communications Award.  He was mentored by the firs winner of the award, Harold Rosen, and inspired by the second winner, Arthur C. Clark, 50 years ago. He is well known in the industry not only for his knowledge of current satellite systems, but for his vision of the future of the industry,  both in spacecraft technology and the services provided and his goal is to provide the same education in fundamentals and inspiration to the men and women who will be responsible for the growth of the industry for the next 50 years.