GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

Agenda
Calculating system noise power (N)

ECE 739 Fall 2003

Satellite Communications
Lecture 5

Link Design (Part 2)

Dr. Leila Z. Ribeiro
September 29, 20003

Noise temperature: LNAs, Mixers, etc.

Lossy elements

Numerical examples

Noise temperature
Lossy elements
DBS
Intelsat
2

Introduction

System Noise Power

Performance of system is determined by

C/N ratio (at demodulator input)
Most systems require C/N > 10
(Remember [in dB]: C - N > 10 dB)

Hence, C (=Pr) > N + 10 dB

We need to know the noise temperature of
our receiver to calculate N, the noise power
(= Pn)
Tn (noise temperature) is in Kelvins (K)
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

Temperature Relationships

System Noise Power (1)

System noise is caused by thermal noise sources
External to receiver (Rx) system

Kelvins and degrees Celsius (C)

[ ]

Noise on link
Scene noise observed by antenna

T [K ] = T C + 273
0

Internal to Rx system

Power due to thermal noise is

Kelvins and degrees Fahrenheit (F)

([ ]

N = kTs B (dBW)

5
T [K ] = T 0 F 32 + 273
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5

Noise Power Spectral Density (PSD)

All bodies with Tp > 0 K radiate microwave
energy
N = K.T.B N/B = N0
Define N0 = the noise power spectral density
(noise power per hertz):
N kT B
N 0 = = s = kTs (dBW/Hz)
B
B
N0 = noise spectral density is constant up to
300 GHz
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

where k = Boltzmanns constant

= 1.38x10-23 J/K (-228.6 dBW/HzK),
Ts is the effective system noise temperature
B is the effective system bandwidth

System Noise Temperature

System noise power proportional to system noise
temperature
Noise from different sources is uncorrelated =>
assume additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN)
So noise powers from sources can be added
From noise temperatures
E.g.
Ts = Ttransmitted + Tantenna + TLNA + Tlineloss + TRX

But
Noise temperatures must be referenced to the same
point in the system to add them
Calculate effective noise temperature for each source

GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

Typical Earth Station (E/S) Receiver

Signal from
satellite

Receiving
Antenna

Noise Model
Tin

Each of these devices is noisy

(Need a model for this)

Noiseless RF
amplifier

GRF

Pr

LNA

Grf

Gm

(RF amplifier)

IF amplifier

Gif

Local
Oscillator

Equivalent Noise Model of Receiver

Noise
Source
Ts

GRFGmGIF

Pn

Noisy components have been

replaced by one noiseless
component (of gain = GRFGmGIF)
and one noise source (Ts) at the
input, where Ts is the system
noise temperature.

Tm

Pn

GIF

Tif

Components are represented as noiseless units, with

equivalent noise generators at their inputs.
Noise is added prior to each device (indicated by noise
temperature)
Noise at component input must be multiplied by
corresponding gain to reference at component output

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Calculating System Noise Temperature (1)

Pn = GIF kTIF B
+ GIFGmkTm B

+ GIFGmGRFkB(TRF + Tin )
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

Gm

How do we calculate equivalent noise

temperature (Ts) at receiver input ?
Receiver noise comes from several sources.
Need to reduce sources to equivalent source at
receiver input with effective temperature Ts
Use noise model to write Pn

Noiseless
amplifier

Noiseless IF
amplifier

Pr
Trf

Downconverter
(mixer)

Noiseless
mixer

(IF)
(LocalOscilator)
(Front- End: RF + Input)
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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Calculating System Noise Temperature (2)

Divide equation by GIFGmGRFkB

T
TIF
Pn = GIF GmGRF kB TRF + Tin + m +

GRF GmGRF

Note that equivalent noise model gives

Pn = GIF GmGRF kTs B

Equate to obtain

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Minimizing Noise Power (2)

Since C (received power, Pr) is invariably

small, N (noise power, Pn) must be
minimized in order to achieve a given C/N
threshold.
How can we make N as small as possible?

Minimize Ts and/or B

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Low Noise Amplifiers

1) Make B as small as possible

Parametric amplifier (older technology, complex and

expensive):

Just enough to accept signal power (C)

2) Make Ts as small as possible

T
TIF
TS = TRF + Tin + m +

GRF GmGRF

possible

Lowest TRF
Lowest Tin possible (How?)
Highest GRF possible

o Cooled (thermo-electrically or liquid nitrogen or helium):

- 11 GHz: TRF = 90 K
- 4 GHz : TRF = 30 K
o Uncooled:
- 11 GHz: TRF = 100 K
- 4 GHz : TRF = 40 K

Ga AS FET (Galium Arsenide Field-Effect Transistor):

If TRF is low (good LNA) and GRF is high, Ts can

be minimized =>

(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

Minimizing Noise Power (1)

N = kTs B (dBW)

T
TIF
TS = TRF + Tin + m +

GRF GmGRF

TS TRF + Tin

Class: Sept-29-2003

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o Cooled (thermo-electrically):
- 11 GHz: TRF = 125 K
- 4 GHz : TRF = 50 K
o Uncooled:
- 11 GHz: TRF = 125 K
- 4 GHz : TRF = 50 K

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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

E/S Antenna Tin Contributors (1):

Natural Sources (Sky Noise)

Input Noise Temperature (Tin)

Earth stations: Antennas looking at space
which appears cold and produces little
thermal noise (about 50K)

Cosmic noise (star and inter-stellar matter)

Satellites: Antennas beaming towards earth

(about 300 K)

Moon

Decreases with frequency (negligible above 1GHz)

Certain parts of the sky have hot sources - avoid

Sun (T 12000 f-0.75 K)

Making the LNA noise temperature much less

gives diminishing returns
Improvements aim reduction of size and weight

Point E/S antennas away from it

Black-body radiator: 200 to 300 K if pointed at moon

Propagation medium
E.g. rain, oxygen, water vapor
Noise reduced as elevation angle increases

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E/S Antenna Input

Noise Temperature Increase Due to Rain (1)

E/S Antenna Tin Contributors (2):

Man-Made Sources

Recall: Rain causes attenuation and depolarization

and increase in E/S antenna noise temperature
Due to thermal radiation by the raindrops
The increase Tir in antenna input noise temperature
in rain is:

Vehicles
Industrial machinery

Tir = Ter 1 e A / 4.34

Other terrestrial and satellite systems

operating at the same frequency

) [K ]

Ter is the effective rain temperature (280 K typical)

A is the rain attenuation (formula takes value in dB)

Note: This effect can be as bad or worse than the

attenuation itself
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

E/S Antenna Input

Noise Temperature Increase Due to Rain (2)

E/S Antenna Noise Temperature:

Clear Sky (No Rain)

Example:

Earth Station Antenna - Noise Temperature

Suppose rain attenuation is 1 dB and Ts (of

antenna plus receiver) is 230 K:

Tir = Ter 1 e

A / 4.34

50
45

) [K ]
) 58 K

40

Ta (K)

Tir = 280 1 e 1.0 / 4.34

Noise power increase: (Ts + Tir)/Ts =

(230+58)/230 = 1.252 => 10log10(1.25) = 0.98 dB
So: C 1 dB & N 1 dB
Net result:
C/N 2 dB

35
30
25
20
15
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

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Noise from Lossy Elements (1)

Noise from Active Devices

Active devices produce additional noise

All lossy elements reduce the amount of power

transmitted through them

Dissipative losses in device or supporting circuits

Electrical noise caused by the active device

Carrier or signal power

Noise power

Effective temperature of active devices is supplied

by the manufacturer (equipment specs)

Noise temperature contribution of a loss is

TN = T0 (1 - G) [K]

Can be measured or calculated

Assumes specific impedance matches.

Effective temperature is (almost) always specified

at the input of the device.
Noise is often given as a noise figure
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

100

Elevation Angle (degrees)

G is the gain (smaller than unity), also called

transmissivity G = 1/Loss = (Pout /Pin)
T0 is the physical temperature of the lossy element
This temperature is referenced to the output of the lossy
element.
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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Noise from Lossy Elements (2):

Noise from Lossy Elements (3):

Lossy element: L = Loss

G=Pout/Pin =1/L (Note: GdB< 0 dB because 0 < G < 1 or Pout<Pin)

Noisy, Lossy Device

S

Noisy, Lossy Device

S

Class: Sept-29-2003

SG+N*

SG+N*
Noiseless
S

Noiseless
S

SG+N

TN

(N=kTNB)
TN Noise source at output

TN=T0(1-G) [K]

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Noise Figure

[S / N ]in
[S / N ]out

N out
kT0 BN G

Convert to Noise Temperature:

(N=kTNB)

TN = TN/G
= T0(1/G-1) [K]
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Can be done with noise temperature sources or

power
Only valid if system is linear

Tn = T0 ( Fn 1)

T0 = standard noise temperature = 290 K

FN is not in dB
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

Noise source at input:

SG+N

To calculate system noise temperature,

noise must all be referenced to a common
point
Output flange of lossless antenna is
standard reference point
Move appropriate noise sources to this point

Relates noise temperature to a reference

Easily used in dB scale

FN =

Translating Noise to Common Reference

Noise Figure

Definition

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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Translating Noise to Common Reference (2)

Tin

Ta

L1

Ts ,a = Tin +

Tb

G2,T2

Tc

T3

1
C 1 C 1
C
C
= + + ... +
N n
N total N 1 N 2

Noise must be uncorrelated between the links

These are ratios not dB

T3
G2

For baseband processing links

Ts ,c = G2Ts ,b = G1G2Ts ,a = G2 (G1Tin + T1 + T2 ) + T3

With:

G1 =

1
L1

and

T1 = (1 G1 )T phys

Multiple Bounce Link Budgets (1)

If the C/N ratios for each of the linear bent
pipe transponder links are available 1

T1 1
T
+ T2 + 3
G1 G1
G2

Ts ,b = Ts ,a G1 = TinG1 + T1 + T2 +

Class: Sept-29-2003

BERtotal = BER1 + BER2 + ... + BERn

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Multiple Bounce Link Budgets (2)

Figure Of Merit: G/T

The C/N for the uplink and downlink should

be balanced

Transmitters characterized by EIRP

Equal margins

Receivers characterized by G/T

Overall C/N will be less than smallest

component C/Ni (i = 1, 2, , N)

The Gain of the antenna divided by the noise

temperature of the receiver

If uplink C/N margin < downlink C/N margin,

the link will be uplink limited
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

Gives feel for C/N of the receive system

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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

Link Budget Summary:

So Many Trade-Offs!

Link Budget Equation & G/T

Now we have defined C and N, write C/N as

PG G
C
P
= r = t t r
N kTs B
kTs B

4R

D
G=

C
P
= r
N kTs B

P G Gr
= t t
kB 4R Ts
Therefore,

C Gr

N Ts

Usually given in dB/K or

Pr =

Pt Gt Gr
L p La Lta Lra L pol Lother Lr

4R
Lp =

La f

T
TIF
TS = TRF + Tin + m +

G
G
RF
m GRF

dBK-1
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Downlink Design
Maximum number of channels at minimum
cost results in higher revenue
Low outage => High availability
99.99% => 1 hour per year
99.5 => 40 hours per year

Numerical Examples

Problems
Propagation effects
Interference
Equipment
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Class: Sept-29-2003

Numerical Example 1 (1):

Noise Temperature

Numerical Example 1 (2):

Noise Temperature

Given: 4 GHz Receiver

Tin =Ta =50 K
TRF =50 K
Tm =500 K
TIF =1000 K

Solution:

T
TIF
TS = TRF + Tin + m +

GRF GmGRF

500 1000

= 50 + 50 +
+
200 200 x 1

= [50 + 50 + 2.5 + 5] = 107.5K

GRF = 23 dB (=200)
Gm = 0 dB
(=1)
GIF = 30 dB (=1000)

Find: System temperature Ts at antenna output

System Temperature (Ts) referred to this point
Tin=50 K

TRF=50 K

GIF=1000

Gm=1

GRF=200

Tm=500 K

TIF=1000 K
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Numerical Example 1 (3):

Noise Temperature

Numerical Example 2 (1):

Lossy Elements

If mixer has 10 dB loss => Gm = -10dB = 0.1

500
1000

TS = 50 + 50 +
+
= 152.5 K
200 0.1 200

Now insert a lossy waveguide with L = 2

dB between antenna and LNA
Find system temperature at LNA input

Comment: GRFGm is too small, so IF amplifier

contribution is large

System Temperature referred to this point

Tin=50 K

If, in addition, GRF = 50 dB (=105)

500
1000

+
TS = 50 + 50 +
= 100.1K
100,000 0.1100,000

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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

GL

Gm=1

GRF=200

TL

TRF=50 K

Tm=500 K

GIF=1000

TIF=1000 K

40

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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Numerical Example 2 (2):

Lossy Elements

Numerical Example 2 (3):

Lossy Elements

Loss of 2 dB, obtain GL and TL

T
TIF
TS = Tin + TRF + m +

GRF GmGRF

500 1000

= 138.8 + 50 +
+
200 200 1

= [138.8 + 50 + 2.5 + 5] = 196.3K

1
= 0.63
1.58
TL = 290(1 GL )
GL = 2dB =

= 290(1 0.63)
= 107.3K
Input noise power is attenuated by 2 dB. New Tin:
Tin = Ta G L + TL

= 50 x 0.63 + 107.3 K
= 138.8 K

So noise temperature (power) increased from 107.5

to 196.3 K at the same reference point
N 2 KTs 2 B Ts 2
=
=
= 1.82 or 2.6 dB
N1 KTs1 B Ts1
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Numerical Example 2 (4):

Lossy Elements

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Numerical Example 3: (1)

Link Budget: DBS-TV

Inserting 2 dB loss at receiver front end decreased

carrier power (C ) by 2 dB and increased noise
temperature by 88.8 K, from 107.5 K to 196.3 K
(comparing at the same reference point)
N has increased by 2.6 dB
C has decreased by 2 dB
Net result: C/N has been reduced by 4.6 dB
Moral:
Losses before LNA must be kept very small
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

Class: Sept-29-2003

Received Power:
Transponder output power, 160 W
Antenna beam on-axis gain
Path loss at 12 GHz; 38,500 km
Receiving antenna on-axis gain
Edge of beam loss
Miscellaneous losses
Received power, C

22.0 dBW
34.3 dB
-205.7 dB
33.5 dB
-3.0 dB
-0.8 dB
-119.7 dBW
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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Numerical Example 3: (2)

Link Budget: DBS-TV

Numerical Example 4: (1)

Intelsat IV A Downlink Antenna Beams

Noise power
Boltzmanns constant, k
-228.6 dBW/K/Hz
System noise temperature, clear air, 143 K
21.6 dBK
Receiver noise bandwidth, 20MHz
73.0 dBHz
Noise power, N
-134.0 dBW
C/N in clear air
Link margin over 8.6 dB threshold
Link availability throughout US

Class: Sept-29-2003

14.3 dB
5.7 dB
Better than 99.7 %

Global:

Transmit horn
Receive horn
18.5 dB boresight gain

Spot:

Four transmit (NW,NE,SW,SE)

25.7 dB

Hemi:

Two transmit, two receive (E,W)

22.7 dB

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Numerical Example 4: (2)

Intelsat IV A Downlink

Numerical Example 4: (3)

Intelsat IV A Downlink
Large E/S, 4 GHz

Global beam, 8 dBW output power

EIRP = 24 dBW at edge of coverage
Distance to Earth, R = 40,000 km
PFD = -139 dBW/m2

Ts = 70 K = 18.4 dBK
B = 36 MHz = 75.6 dBHz
N = kTsB = -134.6 dBW

Goal: C/N > 11 dB (nominal FM threshold)

Aside: Max. allowable PFD at 4 GHz in 4

kHz bandwidth (FCC requirement)

Use 7 dB fading margin => (C/N)min = 18 dB

Elevation angle

So, Cmin = -134.6 + 18 = -116.6 dBW

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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

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GMU - ECE 739, Fall 2003 - Satellite Communications

Numerical Example 4: (4)

Intelsat IV A Downlink

Class: Sept-29-2003

Numerical Example 4: (5)

Intelsat IV A Downlink

PFD = -139 dBW/m2

Apply 3 dB output back-off

So, antenna diameter is

To avoid saturation and intermodulation products

PFD = -142 dBW/m2

C = -116.6 dBW
E/S antenna Ae = -116.6 (- 142) = 25.4 dBm2
Ae = 346 m2
Assume aperture efficiency is 65% => physical E/S
antenna area, Ar = 346/0.65 = 533 m2
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Conclusion: With Intelsat IV A global beam,

36 MHz bandwidth, 70 K E/S; need antenna
diameter, Dr = 26.1 m to achieve C/N = 18 dB
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Note: Link Budgets and Multiple Access

FDMA

Each user occupies a portion of the bandwidth

B = total bandwidth; N = number of users
Users transmit data rate less than B
Each user has B/N [Hz]

TDMA
Each user occupies total bandwidth B
Users transmit (on average) a data rate B/N
When transmitting, signal uses full data rate and full
bandwidth
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(C) Leila Z. Ribeiro, 2003

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