Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
RRY100
Arnaud DANNEQUIN
RRY100
SUMMARY
Abstract
Introduction
I. Satellite specifications: Climb out and head to space
I.1 2015 issue selected route
I.2 Orbits
I.3 Footprints
I.4 Description of the overall communication system
I.5 On-board satellite antennas and electronical components
I.6 Satellite system noise temperature
II.Ship specifications: Between sky and sea
2.1 On-board ship antenna
2.2 Ship receiver/transmitter system
2.3 Ship system noise temperature
III. Ground station: Down to earth
3.1 Earth station antenna design
3.2 Earth station transmitter-receiver system
3.3 Earth station system noise temperature
IV Signal propagation: Every cloud has a silver lining
4.1 Atmosphere attenuation
4.2 Rain attenuation
4.3 Galactic noise
4.4 Sun interferences
4.5 Free space loss
4.6 Frequencies, modulation and bandwidth
4.7 Multiplexing and polarization
V Link budget: Receiving you load and clear
5.1 Earth station to GEO satellite communications
5.2 Earth station to LEO satellite communications
5.3 Ship to LEO satellite communications
5.4 LEO to GEO communications
5.5 Review of the obtained results
Conclusion
References
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Abstract
This report proposes a possible model to provide satellite communication for the
2015 Volvo Ocean Race. It deals with the main parties: technical description of chosen satellites (orbits, antennas,
electrical components), earth station (antenna, transmitter/receiver system) and on-board ship communication
system. The purpose of this paper is to verify communication link quality of this system by fixing transmitting
powers, the data rate in order to find the Bit Error Rate, best parameter for describing communication quality.
Calculations are based on the worst case method. In the other hand, the considered attenuations are also
mentioned. The conclusions of this report are that link qualities are, other than GEO-earth station links, very
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acceptable in view of extreme weather conditions. Indeed, BER range between 10 and 10 .
Key words: satellite, earth station, ship, link budget calculation
Introduction
The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the most prestigious world sailing races since
1973. For the 2015 issue, 20 pairs of boats will start the race at Gothenburg. After 9 challenging stages taking
place in all oceans of the world, they will return hopefully, to their starting point.
From telecommunications point of view, each crew must be able to communicate with their other team crew, their
team bases, organizers, and media such as journalists.
More technically, as a consultant in the Satellite Communications department, I have to design a
telecommunication system, which allows voice communications, HDTV, and all data needed relating to the sailing
navigation taken from inboard sensors. The required data rate must be equal at least to 2MB/s. Furthermore, the
designed telecommunication system in the aim of transferring data, must be available most of the time (99.999 %
of the time). We assume that infrastructure needed such as the draft budget and the issues relating to the launch of
our used satellites will not get expanded in this report.
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1.2 Orbits
The first idea was to use only GEO satellites with several earth stations. In that way, this simplifies the project.
However, because GEO are in orbit 35784 km away from Earth, the delay of voice communications is around 250
ms (around 10 ms for LEO satellite). That is why I chose to combine LEO satellites with one GEO satellite. The
GEO satellite is pointing at Gothenburg. Because its revolution is the same as Earth its always visible from it. To
cover almost the entire globe I choose an existing LEO constellation called Globalstar constellation. It is composed
of 48 LEO satellites and 4 spare satellites for redundancy. The inclination of their orbits its 52 degrees, 1414km
away from earth with a velocity around 3km/s. We consider that this satellite constellation works for both KU-band
and KA-band (inter-satellites communications). Since, the global star constellation doesnt cover all ocean regions,
I decided to be sure, to put on orbit 10 more satellites. The other advantage of the LEO satellites is because they
are closer to Earth, the free space loss is lower than for GEO satellites. On the other hand, their revolution period is
very short and they are mobiles, that makes the design much more difficult and increases the number of satellites
required in order to cover the globe.
Globalstar constellation
Because All roads lead to Rome, I could use another communication system. I could use one GEO pointing at
Gothenburg and a constellation of MEO orbiting around the earth. But the main disadvantage is that the delay for
voice communications is higher than a communication system based on LEO constellation; since Medium Earth
Orbit satellites are orbiting around the earth situated from 5000 km to 12000 km.
1.3 Footprints
On the figure of the global satellite footprints of the Globalstar constellation we see that the North Pole and
South Pole are not covered. This is not a problem since the boat wont navigate in these areas. However,
we can see that the Globalstar satellites do not cover some ocean regions. With our 10 more satellites we
will be able to cover all ocean regions.
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Legend: link 1: Voice + HDTV in Ku-band; link 2 : HDTV in Ka-band; link 3: Voice in Ku-band link 4: HDTV
in Ku-band
Voice communication system (ship to ship communication)
LEO
SHIP
SHIP
I use a LEO satellite in order to provide voice communications between ships. The LEO operates as a relay of the
communication for handover management. Moreover, if the two ships are very distant between them, I will use a
second LEO to provide the call. The first LEO will send the incoming call to the second and the latter will send it to
the recipient. This system is called inter-satellite handover.
Ship - home harbour communications
After receiving data from the ships, the earth station based in Gothenburg sends the data to the respective home
harbours by using optical fibber links. Moreover, optical fibber technology is very expensive but we have an
unlimited budget. The advantage is that the data rate is high (around 100 Mb per second).
HDTV and inter-satellite communications
After receiving the signal from the boat, the LEO demodulated it and sends only HDTV data to the GEO, which
send finally to the earth station. In the case that the GEO is not visible from the LEO, which received the signal
from the ship, we use the other LEO or several LEO as relays to reach it.
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G= (d/) = 35 [dBi]
I fixed the transmitted power at 100 W.
During my visit in RUAG, I learned by the antenna department director that fibber carbon is used for making
satellite antennas because fibber carbon doesnt have any distortion features. It is quite interesting to use it
because one side of the dish is in the darkness (cool temperature) and the other side is enlightened by the sun (hot
temperature). Therefore, all of my spacecraft reflector antennas are made in fibber carbon.
On-board LEO receiver system design
The receiving LEO satellite chain system is quite different from the earth station receiving system. It is composed
of:
One feeder
I chose the same feeder as the earth station. Thus,
LF =2 [dB] ,TF =290 [K] and Tefeeder = 106 [K]
One demultiplexer
Since the received signal is composed of several data, we need a demultiplexer placed after the feeder in order to
separate the users, It will allows LEO satellites to send the right data to the right user.
One Traveling Wave Tube (TWT)
A TWT amplifies the power of the weak signal from earth. I chose VZU-6992EB TWT model as the TWT (from
Teledyne datasheet) with:
FTWT=5 [dB] (fixed 10dB max.)
GTWT =70 [dB]
Effective temperature: TeTWT=T0(FTWT-1)=290(3.16-1)=626 [K]
We consider that this TWT works both for KU-band and KA-band with an almost identical noise figure.
One Ku-band receiver
I chose current generation Telecom 2D type as the Ku-band receiver (datasheet from ping pong p.23) :
Noise figure Fr= 2 [dB]
Gain =63 dB
effective temperature : Ter=T0(Fr-1)=290(1.58-1)=168 [K]
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G= ((d/)) =17dBi
Finally,
d= (/)(G/) = 3.7 [cm]
: efficiency factor of 0.8
: wavelength of 0.025 m
G : gain of the horn antenna
Since the horn antennas power is not provided by RUAG i chose to fix it. I fixed the transmitting power of the
antenna at:
Pt=100 Watts
Furthermore, we will use the same Ka-band reflector antennas as the LEO antennas to provide LEO-GEO
communications with obviously the same characteristics except the transmitted power that will be fixed at 500 W.
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After the signal was reflected on the antennas dish (concentrated on the focus), to collect the whole waves
and to transport them to the receiver system to tune them. We put it close to the antenna and close to the
receiver system to minimize ohmic losses. I chose a usual value of
LF =2 [dB] and TF =290 [K]
The main reason to use a LNA is the signal has travel a long way to reach the ground station. At the end of
its path, the signal is very weak. Therefore, the LNA amplifies it without adding a high noise. As the LNA I
used a FET cooled Peltier (for f=12 GHz TLNA=120 K, GLNA =60dB) because it has high gain and noise
temperature relatively low. Indeed, the most important component in the receiving system is the first one it
should have a high gain and low effective input noise temperature. The parameters of the other
components are less important.
Since electronic devices such as oscilloscope or computers dont work for high frequency we need to lower
the frequency of the input signal. Moreover, the demodulation needs to be in low frequencies. For this we
commonly add a down converter which it lowers the signal to allow engineers to do measurements or to
analyze it in intermediate frequencies (IF) and because the demodulator works in low frequencies.
Moreover, it mixes the signal with a local oscillator (LO). I chose commonly values since I didnt find
relevant datasheets and because its not as important as the LNA : GDC=-10 [dB] and TDC=850 [K] .
Finally, we need to filter and amplify the signal again. As the down converter I chose typical values :
GIF=300 [dB] and TIF=400 [K]
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One demodulator
In the aim of recovering the envelope of the modulated signal to separate the voice and the HDTD data
we need a QPSK demodulator. The demodulator is placed at the output of the receiver system.
Earth station transmitter system
The earth station transmitter block is as follow:
QPSK modulator
UP converter
IF amplifier
Duplexer
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Atmospheric gases especially oxygen and vapour water absorb energy of electromagnetic waves. From the figure
below, we see that attenuation from these two gases is very important for a frequency ranged in 22 GHz to
65GHz.SInce our chosen frequency is 12 GHz the resulting attenuation is usually around less than 1 dB (closer to
0.001 dB for our case). This is precisely what has incited me to neglect atmospheric gases attenuation.
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I used the worst-case method. I took the minimum elevation angle to take the longest path length to do my
calculations. That is why i took an elevation angle equal to 2.
b
Arain = a* R *Leff
For a frequency of 12 GHz the two parameters are:
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a=4.21*10 *f
2.42
-0.0779
= 1.162
As mentioned previously, the rain rate R [mm/h] is taken from the ITU-R table: R=250 mm/h
The path length Lrain is equal to:
Lrain=(He-H0)/sin()=100 [km]
He : effective rain rate
Hi : zero degree isotherm
H0 : difference between the earth stations altitude and the sea level (H0=10 meters for Gothenburg)
: elevation angle ( =2 worst case)
For R> 10 mm/h and |Ae|>30 :
He=Hi+log(R/10)=3.45 [km]
where Hi=7.8-0.1*|Ae|=2.057 [km]
Ae is the latitude of the earth station (based in Gothenburg equal to : 5743'N, 1159'E
Lrain=(He-0)/sin()=98.6 [km]
Then,
f=12 [GHz]
=1/22 (empirical quantity)
Leff=((1-exp(-*b*log(R/10)*Lrain*cos()))/(*b*log(R/10)*cos()))=13.54 km
Finally,
b
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Since 3dB < 0.5 according to Lecture 3 formula and figure, for a frequency of 12 GHz: TA =TSun10 [K]
The configuration of the earth station antenna pointing at the satellite and the sun situated just behind it occurs only
few days per year and only few minutes during these days. Moreover, sun outage doesnt affect LEO; only GEO
satellites because of their fixed position relative to earth.
Therefore, I wont take consideration of sun interferences for my calculation.
Probably, my communication system wont work during these short periods.
However, I calculated the system availability according to Lecture 2 :
SysAv = (required time down time) / (required time)
with required time: 1 year and down time : 6*8 minutes
Then, SysAv =99.998599.999%
My system availability is very close to the required system availability even the sun affects the communications.
4 MHz HDTV
1 MHz Voice
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Moreover, between each channel there is an unused bandwidth called guard band of 5MHz for preventing
interferences.
For the 2015 issue, there will be at the start 40 boats. Moreover, we use a QPSK modulation.
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Thus, the required bandwidth B is: B=(8*10 *40+5*10 *40)/2=260 MHz
LEO -GEO
Circular slant 45
Circular slant 135
GEO-earth station
Left-hand circular
Right-hand circular
LEO-earth station
Horizontal slant 135
Vertical slant 45
UPLINK
DOWNLINK
We need spacecraft antennas that work with dual polarization and the earth station working with quadri polarization
diversity.
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Therefore, the Carrier to Noise ratio for uplink between earth station and GEO satellite becomes:
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C/N0=-59.7 + 94 =34 [dBW/H ]
We take a link margin of 3dB for each Carrier to Noise ratio
Then, Eb/N0 = C/N0-10*Log(Rb)-3=-32 [dB]
Unknown BER
GEO-earth station downlink:
C/N0 =-65.5 +94 = 28.5 [dBW/Hz]
Eb/N0 =28.5 -10*Log(Rb)-3=-37.5 [dB]
Unknown BER
GEO-earth station overall link:
Unknown BER
Ship-LEO uplink:
C/N0=-7.7 + 94 =86.3 [dBW/H]
Eb/N0 =86.3 -10*Log(Rb)-3=20.3 [dB]
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BER=9.34*10 <<10
Ship-LEO downlink:
C/N0 =-5 +94 =89 [dBW/H]
Eb/N0 =89 -10*Log(Rb)-3=23 [dB]
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BER=6*10 <<10
Ship-LEO overall link :
(86.3/10) -1
(89/10) -1
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(C / N0)-1 = (C/N0uplink)-1 + (C/N0downlink)-1=(10
) +(10
) =3.5*10
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C/N0 =-10*Log(3.5*10 )=84.5 [dBW/Hz]
Eb/N0 =84.5 -10*Log(Rb)-3=18.5 [dB]
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BER=6*10 <<10
LEO earth station downlink:
C/N0 =-4 +94 = 90 [dBW/H]
Eb/N0 =90 -10*Log(Rb)-3=24 [dB]
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BER=2*10 <<10
LEO earth station uplink:
C/N0 =1.9 +94 = 96 [dBW/H]
Eb/N0 =96 -10*Log(Rb)-3=30 [dB]
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BER=5*10 <<10
LEO-earth station overall link:
(96/10) -1
(90/10) -1
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(C / N0)-1 = (C/N0uplink)-1 + (C/N0downlink)-1=(10
) +(10
) =1.20*10
C/N0 =89 [dBW/Hz]
Eb/N0 =89 -10*Log(Rb)-3=23 [dB]
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BER=1*10 <<10
Changing KU-band to C-band frequency has had a tremendous impact on the attenuation rain and was the
most efficient way to get a Bit Error Ratio acceptable in all links except for the GEO-earth station.
Therefore, since the GEO-earth station link is use to carry HDTV data and I did my calculation in the worst
case with the rain rate corresponding of Australia coasts. We could admit that in this area ships could
communicate (voice communication) but may be they wont be able to send HDTV data to the earth station.
They will upload HDTV few days later when they will leave this zone. Then, except the HDTV during this
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short period since the highest BER is 10 the system availability is 99.9999%, more than what is required.
Or another solution is to change horn antennas with low gains with reflector more directive hence with a
higher gain.
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Conclusion
I underestimated the impact and the significant augmentation of the rain fade
with the increase of frequency when I first designed my communication system. The latter with these parameters
could not provide viable communications in the worst case. By reducing the frequency, my system has become
reliable since the quality of the links were better than those required except for the HDTV link largely due to the low
gain of the GEO horn antennas. I realized that the main attenuations to take into account are the rain fade and the
free space low. Indeed, they affect considerably the satellite communications.
On the other hand, this project allowed me to discover and get familiar with
satellite communications. With my network mobile background, I have now a complete picture of
telecommunications. If I had to make a comparison with network mobile, my personal view is that satellite
communications are much more attractive than the first quoted by their complexity and by all parameters to take
into consideration. Moreover, it permitted me to gain a method to calculate the quality of a telecommunication link.
Even my first designed system was not correct the project allowed me to criticize my results and to review them in
order to design a system meeting the specifications requirements. Some of my calculations perhaps are not fully
accurate, but I think the methodology used was done in the right way. Even this project was very challenging, I
have succeeded to arrive at the end of it by asking myself a lot of questions and to go on leaving my doubts behind
me even I didnt understand in details modulation and electronic parts. I am personally convinced that both the
project and the course have opened my eyes on the satellite communications and help me to find my way for my
future engineer career.
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References
http://www.sky-brokers.com/home/products/amplifiers/twta/indoor-rackmounted/ku-band/cpi-twta-200w-extendedku-band-12.75-14.50ghz-vzu-6992eb-rackmounted-3ru
http://www.ece.gatech.edu/research/labs/bwn/papers/1999/j1.pdf
http://www.cobham.com/about-cobham/aerospace-and-security/about-us/satcom/satellite-communication-atsea/products-and-services/ku-band-maritime-vsat/sailor-900-vsat/sailor-900-vsat-product-sheet.aspx
http://www.cobham.com/media/83787/805-1.pdf
http://www.intelsat.com/tools-resources/satellite-basics/satellite-sun-interference/#sthash.SsuhNIIC.dpuf
http://www.ieee.li/pdf/viewgraphs/fundamentals_satellite_communication_part_2.pdf
https://www.globalstar.com/en/index.php?cid=8400
http://wireless.ictp.trieste.it/handbook/C4.pdf
http://www.afcsat.com/microwav.html#ultra
Dharma Raj Cheruku,Satellite Communications, 2009
D.I Dalgeish An Introduction to Satellite Communications, 1988
Gagliardi and Robert M. Satellite Communications
Thimothy Pratt Charles W.Bostian ,Satellite Communications, 1986
Hereby I certify to be the original author of this report and that it has been designed exclusively by me. In case
external information or work has been used, e.g. in form of figures, equations and ideas by other people, this is
cited and clearly documented in the text. ()
th
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