INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Department of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering

Mid-Semester Examination

Subject No.: EC 60101 Name: Satellite Communications Systems

September 18, 2014 Time: 2 hours Total Marks: 30

Instructions: Answer all questions. All symbols and variables have their usual meaning.
Assumptions may be made with proper justifications.

SECTION - I (20 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

1. Indian meterological satellite “Kalpana” was launched from Satish Dhawan Space
Centre (13.7N, 80.2E) with 102 0 azimuth and was placed in GTO with 250 Km
perigee height and with GEO height as apogee height. Find the minimum
incremental velocity required to place the satellite from GTO to GEO. Assume
spherical earth radius = 6378 Km and μ = 3.986 x 10 5 Km3 / sec2 .

2. How to determine equivalent noise temperature of an amplifier using Y-factor

method. An RF amplifier has 20 dB gain and 1 GHz bandwidth. Hot and cold load
temperatures (T1 and T2) and corresponding amplifier output powers (N 1 and N2)
were measured as at T 1 = 290K, N1 is ̶ 62 dBm and at T 2 = 77 K , N2 is ̶ 64.7 dBm.
Determine the equivalent noise temperature of the amplifier.

If the amplifier is used with input source temperature T s = 450K, Find the output
noise power in dBm.

3. For an interplanetary mission the spacecraft receives tele-command consisting of

header and command word at 100 bps. If the system is designed to accept header
with up to two errors what is the minimum header length for false alarm probability of
once in 400 days and with a channel BER of 2 x 10 -2 what is the probability of
missing this header ?

4. A multiple carrier satellite Transponder operating at 6GHz uplink and 4GHz downlink
has Transponder Saturation Flux Density = ̶ 67.5 dBw/m 2 and corresponding
saturated EIRP = 26.6 dBw. The transponder is operating at Input Back Off = 12 dB.
The satellite power amplifier characteristics specify that for every dB of Input back-
off the Output Back-off changes by 0.5 dB. If Satellite G/T = ̶ 11.6 dB/K, satellite to
earth station range = 40800 Km and Earth Station G/T = 40.7 dB/K, find total C/N 0 .

1
SECTION – II (10 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

Select the correct option and justify the answer

5. If a satellite is having circular orbit in equatorial plane and orbits earth in exactly 24
hrs, then its sub-satellite point with respect to a stationary observer on earth surface
will be

a. stationary b. drifting towards east c. drifting towards west

6. Full solar eclipse for Geo Stationary satellite occurs in which months?

a. March b. June c. September d. December

7. For a Geostationary satellite at 87E the Sub satellite point will be ________
Kharagpur (22N, 87E).

a. Right on b. South of c. North of d. East of e. West of

8. When 10% area of a solar panel is needed for fixing and wiring of 67500 solar cells
of 8 cm2 each, the total area of the panel will be

0.6 m2 b. 6 m2 c. 60 m2 d. 600 m2

9. For a receiver with antenna pointing loss of 0.5 dB the system noise temperature will
be

a. Increased b. Decreased c. Remains same

Assume there is no sun or moon conjunction due to this de-pointing.

2
 SOLUTIONS SECTION I

1. Indian meterological satellite “Kalpana” was launched from Satish Dhawan Space
Centre (13.7N, 80.2E) with 102 0 azimuth and was placed in GTO with 250 Km
perigee height and with GEO height as apogee height. Find the minimum
incremental velocity required to place the satellite from GTO to GEO. Assume
spherical earth radius = 6378 Km and μ = 3.986 x 10 5 Km3 / sec2 .

One sidereal day = T = 86164 sec and radius of GEO = r = 42164 Km

r3
T 2  4 2

r  42164 Km

r = 42164 km = radius of GEO orbit = apogee of GTO = ra

ra = 42164 km
0.5

Velocity at GEO = Vs     3.0746m / s
r

Given, perigee height = 250 Km, Perigee of GTO = rp = 250 + 6378 = 6628 Km

a = semi-major axis of GTO = (ra + rp )/2 = (42164 + 6628) / 2 = 24396 Km

For spending minimum fuel apply correction from GTO to GEO when velocity is
minimum that is at apogee. Velocity at GTO apogee
0.5 0.5
  2 1    2 1 
Va        398600    1.6026 km / sec
  ra a    42164 24396 

Launching is made from non zero latitude with 102 0 azimuth angle. GTO plane will have
inclination with earth equatorial plane. Since at GEO orbit inclination with equatorial
plane is zero, launch inclination needs to be corrected.

Launcher site Latitude (L=13.70 ), Launch Azimuth(A=1020 ) and orbit inclination (i) are
related.

Cos(i) = sin(A) x cos(L)

cos (i) = sin (102) x cos (13.7) = 0.95, GTO orbit inclination, i = 18.13 deg

Incremental velocity for inclination correction and placing satellite to GEO from GTO will
be

3
 
Vi  Vs2  Va2  2VaVs cos( i )  0.5

Va  1602.6m / s Vs  3074.6m / s

Vi   3074.6   1602.6  2  3074.6  1602.6  0.95
2 2
 0.5

Vi  1630.8m / sec  1.6308 km / sec

2. How to determine equivalent noise temperature of an amplifier using Y-factor method.

An RF amplifier has 20 dB gain and 1 GHz bandwidth. Hot and cold load
temperatures (T1 and T2) and corresponding amplifier output powers (N 1 and N2)
were measured as at T 1 = 290K, N1 is ̶ 62 dBm and at T 2 = 77 K , N2 is ̶ 64.7 dBm.
Determine the equivalent noise temperature of the amplifier.
If the amplifier is used with input source temperature T s = 450K, Find the output
noise power in dBm.

Assume Te is the equivalent noise temperature, G is gain and B is bandwidth of the amplifier

N1 = GkT1 B + GkTe B

N2 = GkT2 B + GkTe B

N 1 T1  Te
Y  
N 2 T2  Te
T1  YT2
Te 
Y 1

Y factor in dB = (N1 – N2 ) dB= ( -62.0) – ( -64.7 ) = 2.7 dB

Y = 1.86

Equivalent Noise Temperature

T1  YT2 290  1.86 77

Te   170K
Y 1 1.86  1

For source Temperature Ts = 450K and G = 20dB = 100 and B = 1x109 Hz

The Noise power of the amplifier

N o  GkTs B  GkTe B  1001.38 x10 23 109   450  170  8.56  10 10 watts  60.7dBm

3. For an interplanetary mission the spacecraft receives tele-command consisting of

header and command word at 100 bps. If the system is designed to accept header
with up to two errors what is the minimum header length for false alarm probability of

4
 once in 400 days and with a channel BER of 2 x 10 -2 what is the probability of
missing this header ?

Ans:

At 100 bps Probability of False Alarm = PFA = 1 in 400 days

= 1 in (400 x 24 x 60 x 600 x 100) sec = 1 / 3.456 x 10 -9 = 2.89 x 10-10

Probability of False Alarm with header length = N and with two or fewer errors

2 N  N   N   N 
          
k  2   1   0  N2  N 2
PFA  k  0      2.89  10  10
N N N 1
2 2 2

By iterations N  42

Pr obability of Miss Detection with BER  p  2  10  2

42  42 
Pm      p k   1  p  42  k
k  2 1 k 

 1   0.98  42  0.02  42   0.98  41  0.0002  42  41   0.98  40  0.0517  5.17  10  2

4. A multiple carrier satellite Transponder operating at 6GHz uplink and 4GHz downlink
has Transponder Saturation Flux Density = ̶ 67.5 dBw/m 2 and corresponding
saturated EIRP = 26.6 dBw. The transponder is operating at Input Back Off = 12 dB.
The satellite power amplifier characteristics specifies that for every dB of Input back-
off the Output Back-off changes by 0.5 dB. If Satellite G/T = ̶ 11.6 dB/K, satellite to
earth station range = 40800 Km and Earth Station G/T = 40.7 dB/K, find total C/N 0 .

Uplink:

Saturation Flux Density = ψ = ̶ 67.5 dBw/m2 ,

λ at 6 GHz = 0.05 m, Spreading Loss = S = 10 log(λ2/4π) = ̶ 37 dBm2 ,

Input Back Off = IBO = 12 dB,

G/T = ̶ 11.6 dB/K, Boltzmann’s constant = k = ̶ 228.6 dBw/k/Hz

5
 C  G
     IBO  S     k
 N 0  up  T  sat
 C 
    67.5  12  37  11.6  228.6  100.5dBHz
 N 0  up

Downlink:

(EIRP)sat= 26.6 dBw,

Output Backoff = OBO = 12 x 0.5 = 6 dB,

λ at 4 GHz = 0.075 m, R = 40800 Km = 40800000 m

Free Space path Loss = Lfs = 20 log (4πR/λ) = 196.7 dB

(G/T)es = 40.7 dB/K,

 C  G
   EIRPsat  OBO     L fs  k  26.6  6  40.7  196.7  228.6  93.2dBHz
 N 0  down  T  es
1 1 1
 
 C   C   C 
     
 N 0  total  N 0  up  N 0  down
 C 
   92.6dBHz
 N 0  total

6
 SOLUTIONS SECTION – II (10 Marks)

5. If a satellite is having circular orbit in equatorial plane and orbits earth in exactly
24 hrs, then its sub-satellite point with respect to a stationary observer on earth
surface will be

a. a. stationary b. drifting towards east c. drifting towards west

Ans. drifting towards west

6. Full solar eclipse for Geo Stationary satellite occurs in which months?

a. a. March b. June c. September d. December

Ans. March and September

7. For a Geostationary satellite at 87E the Sub satellite point will be ________
Kharagpur (22N, 87E).
a. a. Right on b. South of c. North of d. East of e. West of

Ans. South of

8. When 10% area of a solar panel is needed for fixing and wiring of 67500 solar
cells of 8 cm2 each, the total area of the panel will be

a. 0.6 m2 b. 6 m2 c. 60 m2 d. 600 m2

Ans. 60m2
9. For a receiver with antenna pointing loss of 0.5 dB the system noise temperature
will be

a. a. Increased b. Decreased c. Remains same

Assume there is no sun or moon conjunction due to this de-pointing.

Ans. remains same

7
 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering

End-Semester Examination
Subject No.: EC 60101 Name: Satellite Communication Systems

November 25, 2014 Time: 3 hours Total Marks: 50

Instructions: Answer all questions. All symbols and variables have their usual meaning.
Assumptions may be made with proper justifications.

SECTION - I (40 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

1. In a satellite ( at 74E) based TDMA system a user station ( at 21.7N, 74E) is transmitting its
burst 7.7 msec after it received TDMA reference burst. The TDMA frame duration is 8 msec.
Find the user station’s burst allotment time from the start of TDMA reference burst. Also find
the antenna elevation and azimuth angle of the earth station towards the satellite. Assume
earth radius and GEO radius as 6378 Km and 42164 Km respectively.

2. In a receiver, signal from antenna passes through RF amplifier, Filter and Mixer in sequence.
The gain and noise figure of RF amplifier is 10 dB and 2 dB respectively. The band pass filter
attenuates the signal by 1 dB. The gain of mixer is - 3 dB and noise figure of mixer is 4 dB.
The antenna noise temperature is 150 K.
(i) Find noise power at the mixer output.
(ii) If minimum 20 dB signal to noise ratio is required at the output of the mixer, what is the
minimum signal voltage that has to be applied at the receiver input?
Assume T0 = 290 K, bandwidth = 10 MHz and receiver input impedance = 50 ohm.

3. A typical INSAT DTH broadcast from Hub to DTH terminal need total C/N of 5 dB and IF
bandwidth of 20 MHz. Losses in uplink and downlink are 207 dB and 203 dB respectively and
transponder gain is 165 dB. If the up link is designed to have negligible effect on overall C/N,
find Hub station EIRP when DTH terminal G/T is 10 dB/K. In the above case the DTH
terminal is located at Kharagpur at ̶ 3dB contour edge of satellite transmit antenna footprint.
For same C/N how much the DTH antenna diameter is to be changed if it is shifted to Port
Blair at ̶ 9 dB contour edge of satellite transmit antenna foot print.

4. A 36 MHz transponder has maximum EIRP of 50 dBw and is operating with multiple carriers.
Output backoff is set at 4 dB. All receive station G/T are ̶ 10 dB/K, down link loss is 198.6 dB.
Each carrier needs 45 dBHz C/No. Each carrier contains 8Kbps signal with rate ½ FEC and
QPSK modulation having 0.25 filter roll-off factor. Assume negligible guard band between
modulated carriers. Find how many carriers can be supported by the transponder. To provide
maximum capacity with equal number of users in both power and bandwidth limited
conditions what could be receive station G/T.

5. Two collocated identical earth stations are operating with two different satellite systems. 12
dB C/N is required by the wanted earth station for satisfactory service. Assuming ITU
recommended C/I limit, is there any need for uplink coordination when both transmit power
and bandwidth of interfering station are same as that of wanted station and interfering station
has 23 dB lower gain towards wanted satellite? During interference coordination process
which parameters of the earth station and the satellite are adjusted?

8
SECTION – II (10 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

Select the correct option and justify the answer

6. A 4 GHz satellite antenna needs 50 beamwidth to cover proposed service area. What
will be approximate satellite antenna diameter?

a. < 0.75m b. Between 0.75m to 1m c. Between 1m to 1.25m

7. For full transponder operation which Multiple Access gets affected by Intermodulation
noise?
a. TDMA b. FDMA c. CDMA

8. Identify which one is wrong.

When satellite is overhead, rain attenuation depends on

a. Rain rate b. Earth station altitude c. Orbit height d. Frequency

9. Select the correct one.

LNA should not be mounted after the lossy antenna feeder cable as it changes following
earth station parameter.

a. EIRP b. G/T c. Receiver gain

10. When 10% area of a solar panel is needed for fixing and wiring of 67500 solar cells of 8
cm2 each, the total area of the panel will be

a. 0.6 m2 b. 6 m2 c. 60 m2 d. 600 m2

9
 SOLUTIONS

Q1. In a satellite ( at 74E) based TDMA system a user station ( at 21.7N, 74E) is
transmitting its burst 7.7 msec after it received TDMA reference burst. The TDMA
frame duration is 8 msec. Find the user station’s burst allotment time from the start of
TDMA reference burst. Also find the antenna elevation and azimuth angle of the earth
station towards the satellite. Assume earth radius and GEO radius as 6378 Km and
42164 Km respectively.

Given,
Latitude of station = Le = 21.7° S Longitude of station = le = 74° E
Latitude of satellite, Ls = 0°N Longitude of INSAT = ls = 74° E
Let the central angle be = γ,
re = earth radius = 6378 Km,
rs = GEO radius = 42164 Km

We know,
Cosγ = cosLe * cos Ls * cos ( ls – le ) + sinLe * sinLs
= cos21.7 * cos 0 * cos (74 - 74) + sin0 * sin21.7 = 0.929
γ = 21.7°

Applying spherical triangular law.

r 2  rs2  d 2
cos   e
2re rs
d r e
2

 rs2  2re rs cos   36315.62 Km

Apply sine rule

d rs rs sin 
 cos( El )   0.431
sin  sin( 90  El ) d

Elevation = 64.4°

tan( l s  le ) tan( 74  74 )
tan    0  0
sin Le sin 21.7

Earth station is at northern hemisphere and sub-satellite point is south of earth

station.
Therefore, Azimuth = 1800
.

10
Propagation delay = d/c = 36315.62km / 300000 Km/sec = 121 msec

Assume, D = start of transmit time from start of reference burst

m = number of frames passed from the reference burst
F = frame duration

For D less than one frame duration, i.e, 8 msec, integer m is taken as 34

D = (m x F) – (2 x propagation delay) = (31 x 8) – (2 x 121) = 6 msec

Burst transmit time from reception of frame sync = 7.7 msec

T = allotted slot time

Burst transmit time = D + T

Allotted slot time = burst transmit time – D = 7.7 - 6 = 1.7 msec

11
Q2. In a receiver, signal from antenna passes through RF amplifier, Filter and mixer in
sequence. The gain and noise figure of RF amplifier is 10 dB and 2 dB respectively.
The band pass filter attenuates the signal by 1 dB. The gain of mixer is - 3 dB and
noise figure of mixer is 4 dB. The antenna noise temperature is 150 K.
(i) Find noise power at the mixer output.
(ii) If minimum 20 dB signal to noise ratio is required at the output of mixer, what is the
minimum signal voltage that has to be applied at the receiver input?
Assume T0 = 290 K, bandwidth = 10 MHz and receiver input impedance = 50 ohm.

Solution:

Gain of RF amplifier = 10 dB = 10, Noise Figure of RF amplifier = 2 dB = 1.58

Trf = 290 ( 1.58 – 1 ) = 168.2 K

Filter attenuation = Filter loss = 1 dB = 1.26, Gain of filter = 1/1.26 = 0.79

Tfilter = 290 ( 1.26 – 1 ) = 75.4 K

Gain of mixer = - 3 dB = 0.5, Noise figure of Mixer = 4 dB = 2.51

Tmixer = 290 ( 2.51 – 1 ) = 438 K

Ts = 150 + 168.2 + 75.4 / 10 + 438 x 1.26 / 10 = 380.8 K

Overall gain = G = 10 x 0.79 x 0.5 = 3.95, Bandwidth = B = 10 x 10 6 Hz

Boltzmann’s constant = k = ̶ 228.6 dBw/k/Hz

Noise power at mixer output

N0 = k Ts B G = 1.38 x 10-23 x 380.8 x 10 x 106 x 3.95

= 2.08 x 10-13 W = 2.08 x 10-10 mW = - 96.8 dBm

Output SNR = 20 dB = 100

So S N 2.08  10 13
Input power to receiver, S i   o o  100   5.27  10 12 W  82.8dBm
G No G 3.95

For 50 ohm system impedance, input voltage

Vi  Z o Si  50  5.27  10 12  1.62  10 5V  16.2 V

12
Q3. A typical INSAT DTH broadcast forward link from Hub to DTH terminal need total
C/N of 5 dB and IF bandwidth of 20 MHz. Losses in uplink and downlink are 207 dB and
203 dB respectively and transponder gain is 165 dB.
a) If the up link is designed to have negligible effect on overall C/N, find Hub station
EIRP when DTH terminal G/T is 10 dB/K.
b) In the above case the DTH terminal is located at Kharagpur at -3dB contour edge
of satellite transmit antenna footprint. For same C/N how much the DTH antenna
diameter is to be changed if it is shifted to Port Blair at -9 dB contour edge of satellite
transmit antenna foot print.

Ans:
(C/N)uplink has negligible effect on overall (C/N)
Therefore, (C/N)downlink= (C/N)required = 5 dB
Bandwidth = 20 MHz = 73 dBHz,
(C/No)downlink = 73 + 5 = 78 dBHz
Also (C/No)downlink
= satellite EIRP + terminal G/T - Downlink path loss - k
Where ,k is Boltzmann const = -228.6 dBW/K/Hz
satellite EIRP = 78 - 10 + 203 - 228.6 = 42.4 dBw

Hub station EIRP

= Downlink satellite EIRP - transponder gain + uplink path loss
= 42.4 – 165 + 207 = 84.4 dBw

Change in contour loss from Kharagpur to Port Blair = - 9 – ( - 3) = - 6 dB

To maintain the same C/N at Port Blair, this contour loss need to be
compensated. This can be done at the receiver by increasing G/T by 6 dB.

Assuming T remains constant.

Gain of receive antenna is increased by 6 dB = 4 times.

2 2
 D  G1  D1 
G     
   G2  D2 
D1 G1
  4 2
D2 G2

Therefore, Diameter of DTH antenna needs to be increased by 2 times.

13
Q4.
A 36 MHz transponder has maximum EIRP of 50 dBw and is operating with multiple
carriers. Output backoff is set at 4 dB. All receive station G/T are ̶ 10 dB/K, down link
loss is 198.6 dB. Each carrier needs 45 dBHz C/No. Each carrier contains 8Kbps
signal with rate ½ FEC and QPSK modulation having 0.25 filter roll-off factor. Assume
negligible guard band between modulated carriers. Find how many carriers can be
supported by the transponder. To provide maximum capacity with equal number of
users in both power and bandwidth limited conditions what could be receive station
G/T.

Per carrier EIRP = C/No – G/T + Loss + k

= 45 + 10 + 198.6 – 228.6 = 25 dBw
Number of carriers with power consideration, n p in dB
= Available EIRP – OBO – per carrier EIRP = 50 – 4 – 25 = 21 dB =125.89 = 125

Available bandwidth = 36 MHz = 75.563 dBHz

Each Carrier bandwidth = 8000 x 2 x (1/ 2) x 1.25 = 10 KHz
Number of carriers with bandwidth consideration, n b in dB
= Available Band width / band width per carrier = 36000000 / 10000
= 3600 = 35.563 dB
Since np is lower than nb the link is power limited and it can support only 125 carriers.

Difference in dB between nb and np = 35.563 – 21 = =14.563 dB

Keeping all other parameters same and by increasing G/T by 14.56 dB n p can be
made equal to nb , thus link will be balanced in both power and bandwidth and can
support 3600 carriers.
New G/T will be -10 + 14.563 = 4.563 dB/K

14
5.Two collocated identical earth stations are operating with two different satellite
systems. 12 dB C/N is required by the wanted earth station for satisfactory service.
Assuming ITU recommended C/I limit, is there any need for uplink coordination when
both transmit power and bandwidth of interfering stations are same as that of wanted
station and interfering station has 23 dB lower gain towards wanted satellite? During
interference coordination process which parameters of the earth station and the satellite
are adjusted?

Q5 Sol.

C  PESMax  GTxESMax  G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq dBw

I  P' ESMax  G' (  )TxES  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq dBw

C
I

 C   I  dB  PESMax  GTxESMax  G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq  P' ESMax G' (  )TxES  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq 
 
  PESMax  P' ESMax    GTxESMax  G' (  )TxES   G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL' Freq
 0  [ 0  ( 23 )]  0  23dB
P' ESMax  PESMax
G' (  )TxES  GTxESMax  23dB

Due to collocation G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq  0
As interfering Bandwidth is same as wanted bandwidth.
Interference adjustment factor Ia = 10log (BWw/BWi) = 10 log (1) = 0
(C/I) available = 23 – 0 = 23 dB

Interference protection criterion of ITU-R Recommendation.

(C/I) required = C/N + 12.2 dB
In this case, (C/I) required = 12 + 12.2 = 24.2 dB

Here, (C/I) available < (C/I) required. Therefore, Coordination is needed.

During the coordination following adjustments are attempted.

15
1. Adjustment of network parameters
1. Uplink PSD
2. Downlink PSD
3. Antenna gains of Earth Station
4. Improvement of satellite antenna pattern
5. Improvement of Earth Station antenna pattern.
6. Working out transponder plan with aim for reduction or elimination of overlapping
between carriers.

16
Q6. A 4 GHz satellite antenna needs 5 0 beam width to cover proposed service area.
What will be approximate satellite antenna diameter?
a. <0.75m b. Between 0.75m to 1m c. Between 1m to 1.25m

Ans. Between 1m to 1.25m D/λ = 75/θ3dB = 75/5 D = 0.075 x 75/5 = 1.125m

Q7. For full transponder operation which Multiple Access gets affected by
Intermodulation noise?
a. TDMA b. FDMA c. CDMA

Ans. FDMA has multiple carriers per transponder with small separation in frequency
and intermodulation products may fall within the transponder bandwidth. TDMA has
single carrier and there is no intermodulation product generation. CDMA has multiple
carriers at same frequency and products fall beyond transponder bandwidth.

Q8. Identify which one is wrong.

When satellite is overhead, rain attenuation depends on

a. Rain rate b. Earth station altitude c. Orbit height d. Frequency

Ans. Rain attenuation depends on rain rate, frequency and path length through rain.
Change in orbit height does not change rain attenuation.

Q9. Select the correct one.

LNA should not be mounted after the lossy antenna feeder cable as it changes following
earth station parameter.

a. EIRP b. G/T c. Receiver gain

Ans. Lossy antenna feeder cable before LNA will increase system noise temperature
and G/T will reduce.

Q10. When 10% area of a solar panel is needed for fixing and wiring of 67500 solar
cells of 8 cm2 each, the total area of the panel will be

b. 0.6 m2 b. 6 m2 c. 60 m2 d. 600 m2

Ans. 60m2 Total area = (67500 x 8 x 10-4 )/0.9 = 60 m2

17
 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering

Mid-Semester Examination

Subject No.: EC 60101 Name: Satellite Communications Systems

September 17, 2015 Time: 2 hours Total Marks: 30

Instructions: Answer all questions. All symbols and variables have their usual meaning.
Assumptions may be made with proper justifications.

SECTION - I (20 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

1. Find minimum incremental velocity required to place a satellite from GTO to GEO
when apogee of GTO is same as GEO radius. Assume, eccentricity of GTO is
0.7174 and inclination of 18 deg.

2. How to determine equivalent noise temperature of an amplifier using Y-factor

method. An RF amplifier has 20 dB gain and 1 GHz bandwidth. Hot and cold load
temperatures (T1 and T2) and corresponding amplifier output powers (N 1 and N2)
were measured as at T1 = 290K, N1 is ̶ 62 dBm and at T2 = 77 K , N2 is ̶ 64.7 dBm.
Determine the equivalent noise temperature of the amplifier.

If the amplifier is used with input source temperature of 450K, Find the output noise
power in dBm.

3.
a. In a TTC system, explain with example, why more than one tone is used
for satellite tracking. To get a range accuracy of 100m with phase
measurement accuracy of 50, calculate the tone ranging frequency?
b. A communication payload has antenna, receiver and transmitter having
reliability of 0.99, 0.96 and 0.75 respectively. What is the overall reliability
of the payload? To achieve overall reliability better than 0.9, which
subsystem needs to be made redundant and minimum how many such
redundant units are required?

4. In a nonlinear satellite circuit the uplink C/N is 25 dB, down link C/N is 20 dB and
carrier to intermodulation ratio is 13 dB. To reduce the intermodulation effect the
Power Amplifier is operated with sufficient back off so that the carrier to
intermodulation ratio is improved by 17 dB more. Calculate the overall improvement
of C/N in dB.

18
SECTION – II (10 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

Select the correct option and justify the answer

5. A 4 GHz satellite antenna needs 5 0 beamwidth to cover proposed service area.

What will be approximate satellite antenna diameter?

a. < 0.75m b. Between 0.75m to 1m c. Between 1m to 1.25m

6. Maximum duration of full solar eclipse for Geo Stationary satellite is between

a. 1 to 30 min b. 30 to 60 min c. 60 to 90 min d. 90 to 120 min

7. In a spread spectrum ranging of GEO, 100 Kbps is used to get required range
accuracy. Smallest Maximum length Linear Feedback Shift Register that can be used to
avoid range ambiguity will be
a. 13 bit b. 14 bit c. 15 bit d. 16 bit

8. When 90% area of a solar panel is occupied with 67500 solar cells of 8 cm 2 each
and rest of the area needed for fixing and wiring, the total area of the panel will be

a. 0.6 m2 b. 6 m2 c. 60 m2 d. 600 m2

9. If at End Of Life (EOL) LNA gain of an earth station is expected to decrease by 3 dB

from the beginning of its operation, but the antenna gain remains same, then G/T of the
earth station at EOL will

a. Decrease b. Increase c. Not change

19
 SOLUTIONS SECTION I
Q1. Find minimum incremental velocity required to place a satellite from GTO to
GEO when apogee of GTO is same as GEO radius. Assume, eccentricity of GTO is
0.7174 and inclination of 18 deg.

One sidereal day = 86164 sec.

radius of spherical earth = 6378 Km
µ = 398600 Km/s2
e = 0.7174

T2 =
r = 42164.12km= radius of GEO orbit = apogee of GTO

Satellite at GTO’s apogee is also equal to r.

Apogee distance = ra = r = 42164.12km

now e = =.7174

rp= perigee of GTO, ra = apogee of GTO

rp = ( ) ra = 6938.15km

a = semi-major axis of GTO = = = 24551.14km

Required velocity for GEO is VGEO

VGEO = ( ).5 = 3.07466 km/sec = V1

Velocity of SAT at GTO apogee, Vapogee2 = µ( ) = 3.986*105( )

= 2.6716
Vapogee= 1.6345 km/sec = V2

With inclination correction required, the incremental velocity to be given at

Apogee

= 1.601 Km/sec

20
2. How to determine equivalent noise temperature of an amplifier using Y-factor method.
An RF amplifier has 20 dB gain and 1 GHz bandwidth. Hot and cold load
temperatures (T1 and T2) and corresponding amplifier output powers (N 1 and N2)
were measured as at T 1 = 290K, N1 is ̶ 62 dBm and at T 2 = 77 K , N2 is ̶ 64.7 dBm.
Determine the equivalent noise temperature of the amplifier.
If the amplifier is used with input source temperature of 450K, Find the output noise
power in dBm.

Assume Te is the equivalent noise temperature, G is gain and B is bandwidth of the amplifier

N1 = GkT1 B + GkTe B

N2 = GkT2 B + GkTe B

N 1 T1  Te
Y  
N 2 T2  Te
T1  YT2
Te 
Y 1

Y factor in dB = (N1 – N2 ) dB= ( -62.0) – ( -64.7 ) = 2.7 dB

Y = 1.86

Equivalent Noise Temperature

T1  YT2 290  1.86 77

Te   170K
Y 1 1.86  1

For source Temperature Ts = 450K and G = 20dB = 100 and B = 1x109 Hz

The Noise power of the amplifier

N o  GkTs B  GkTe B  1001.38 x10 23 109   450  170  8.56  10 10 watts  60.7dBm

21
 3.
a. In a TTC system, explain with example, why more than one tone is used for
satellite tracking. To get a range accuracy of 100m with phase measurement
accuracy of 50 , calculate the tone ranging frequency?

Ans.

Tone signal sent from ground station is received by satellite TTC subsystem and
retransmitted back to ground station. On ground, Phase delay deference of
transmit and receive signal is used to find range.

Assuming negligible delay at satellite TTC system,

 c
2 R  n  *
360 f
R is range, c is velocity of light and f is tone frequency,
 is wavelength of tone frequency,
n is the number of full cycles of tone frequency, it is an integer.
Since n is unknown,it creates an ambiguity in measurement.
For n  0, Lower frequency tone is to be used to remove this ambiguity.
Example, wavelength for 4 Hz is 75000 Km, which is more than one round trip distance
from earth station to a GEO i.e., 36000 x 2  72000 Km.
But for   75000Km
75000
distance corresponding to 1 deg phase   208.3 Km
360
208.3
Range accuracy   104.15 Km
2
SO, lower frequency will give poor range accuracy.
Higher frequency tone is to be used to get better accuracy
Therefore, two tones, one higher and one lower frequency are sent.
- lower frequency removes ambiguity
- Higher frequency gives accuracy.
1  1  c
Range accuracy R   *
2 360 2 360 f
 is accuracy of phase measurement

For range accuracy = 100 m

Phase measurement accuracy = Δφ = 5 deg

 3  108 5 3  10 8
Tone frequency      0.208  10 5  20.8KHz
2  360 R 720 100

Q3b.
A communication payload has antenna, receiver and transmitter having reliability of
0.99, 0.96 and 0.75 respectively. What is the overall reliability of the payload? To
achieve overall reliability better than 0.9, which subsystem needs to be made
redundant and minimum how many such redundant units are required?

22
Ans.

Given ,
Reliability of antenna = Ra =0.99
Reliability of receiver = Rrx = 0.96
Reliability of Transmitter = Rtx = 0.75

Overall reliability = Ra * Rrx * Rtx = 0.7128

Required min. reliability = Rmin = 0.9

As Both Ra and Rrx are more than Rmin and only Rtx is less than Rmin,
Rtx needs to be made more than Rmin to achieve Overall reliability > Rmin
Redundant Transmitters need to be included in parallel
to make overall reliability > Rmin.

Let, n no. of tx are required ( n includes operating transmitter and redundant units).

Overall reliability with minimum number of redundant transmitters

= (1 - (1 - Rtx)n ) * Ra * Rrx = Rmin.

1 - (1 - Rtx)n = Rmin / (Ra * Rrx) =0.9 / 0.99 * 0.96 = 0.9496

(1 - Rtx )n = .053

n * log(1 - 0.75) = log(.053)

n = log(.053) / log(1 - 0.75) = 2.118

n must be next higher integer.

No. Of transmitters with redundant units = 3

Number of redundant transmitters = n - 1 = 3 – 3 = 2

23
4. In a nonlinear satellite circuit the uplink C/N is 25 dB, down link C/N is 20 dB and
carrier to intermodulation ratio is 13 dB. To reduce the intermodulation effect the
Power Amplifier is operated with sufficient back off so that the carrier to
intermodulation ratio is improved by 17 dB more. Calculate the overall
improvement of C/N in dB.

1 1 1 1
  
C C C C
N overall N up N down I int
In the above equation all C/N are in ratio
1 1 1 1
    0.00316  0.01  0.05  0.06316
C 316.2 100 19.95
N overall
C
 15.8  11 .99dB
N overall

C
New  13  17  30dB
I int
1 1 1 1
  
C C C C
N overall N up N down I int
1
New  0.00316  0.01  0.001  0.01416
C
N overall
New C  70.62  18.48dB
N overall
Improvemen t in dB  18.48  11 .99  6.48dB

24
 SOLUTIONS SECTION – II (10 Marks)

Q5. A 4 GHz satellite antenna needs 5 0 beam width to cover proposed service area.
What will be approximate satellite antenna diameter?
a. <0.75m b. Between 0.75m to 1m c. Between 1m to 1.25m

Ans. c. D/λ = 75/5 D = 0.075 x 75/5 = 1.125m

Q6. Maximum duration of full solar eclipse for Geo Stationary satellite is between

a. 1 to 30 min b. 30 to 60 min c. 60 to 90 min d. 90 to 120 min

Ans. c. Earth shadow at GSO is 17.4 deg.

Eclipse Duration = sidereal day x (17.4 /360) ~ 69 min

Q7. In a spread spectrum ranging of GEO, 100 Kbps is used to get required range
accuracy. Smallest Maximum length Linear Feedback Shift Register that can be used to
avoid range ambiguity will be
a. 13 bit b. 14 bit c. 15 bit d. 16 bit
Ans. c.
Assuming GEO height 36000 Km, One hop propagation delay = 120 x 2 = 240
msec
Number of bits in 240 msec at 100 Kbps = 24000 bits
To avoid ambiguity, one sequence of PRBS should exceed 24000 bits.
Number of bits in a Maximum length Linear feedback shift register (2 n – 1) that
exceed 24000 bits, is n > 15
for n = 15 , PRBS length = 32,767 bits, for n = 14, PRBS length = 16383 bits
Therefore, smallest value of n = 15.

Q8. When 90% area of a solar panel is occupied with 67500 solar cells of 8 cm 2 each
and rest of the area needed for fixing and wiring, the total area of the panel will be

c. 0.6 m2 b. 6 m2 c. 60 m2 d. 600 m2

Ans. c 8 cm2 = 0.0008 m2 , 67500 x 0.0008 / 0.9 = 60 m2

Q9. If at End Of Life (EOL) LNA gain of an earth station is expected to decrease by 3 dB
from the beginning of its operation, but the antenna gain remains same, then G/T of the
earth station at EOL will
a. Decrease b. Increase c. Not change

Ans a.
As LNA is the first stage amplifier, reduction of LNA gain will increase the
system noise temperature because in cascaded subsystems of the receiver, LNA
Gain comes in the denominator of the LNA noise temperature. G is gain of

25
antenna and it remained same. Increase in noise temperature decreases G/T.
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering
End-Semester Examination
Subject No.: EC 60101 Name: Satellite Communication Systems
November 23, 2015 Time: 3 hours Total Marks: 50

Instructions: Answer all questions. All symbols and variables have their usual meaning.
Assumptions may be made with proper justifications.

SECTION - I (40 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

1. A network of transmit only Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and a receive hub uses
INSAT (83E) transponder having bandwidth of 180 KHz, G/T of -19 dB/K, saturated EIRP
towards hub of 21 dBw and OBO setting of 4.5 dB. Each AWS delivers 400 bits to Hub every
hour in TDMA mode with following Transmission characteristics: Bit rate = 2400 bps, QPSK
modulation with rate ½ FEC, both filter roll off and guard band factors are 25% each, Transmit
antenna gain is 8 dBi with 1 Watt RF power to antenna. For required BER the Demodulator at
hub is operated at Eb / No of 8 dB. Down link C/No is kept high so that overall C/No is only 0.2
dB lower than uplink C/No. Uplink frequency = 402 MHz, approximate uplink and down link path
losses are 175.6 dB and 196 dB respectively, Hub station G/T = 23 dB/K.
a) For 90% TDMA efficiency, how many AWS can be supported bandwidth-wise and power-
wise?
b) If one AWS is shifted to Indian base at Antarctica (70S, 11E), where wind speed often
exceeds 100 Kmph, do you suggest any change in that AWS for successful data delivery to
Hub located in India? Assume spherical earth diameter = 6378Km, INSAT distance from
earth centre = 42164Km.

2. A receive antenna observes rain attenuation of 7 dB. The receiver noise figure is 2 dB,
and receive antenna gain is 40 dBi. To maintain same C/N0 as in clear sky operation, how much
increase in downlink power is required during rain using power control Fade Mitigation
Technique? Assume negligible clear sky noise temperature, T0 for rain as 275K and T0 for
receiver as 290K.

3. For an interplanetary mission the spacecraft receives tele-command consisting of

header and command word at 100 bps. If the system is designed to accept header with up to
two errors what is the minimum header length for false alarm probability of once in 400 days?
With channel BER of 2x10-2 find the probability of missing this header with up to two errors?

4. Two collocated earth stations are operating with two different satellite systems. 12 dB
uplink C/N is required by the wanted uplink for satisfactory service. Assuming ITU
recommended C/I limit, is there any need for uplink coordination when interfering station has 23
dB lower gain towards wanted satellite and both transmit power and bandwidth of interfering
station are two times more than that of wanted station ?

5. An observer at the geographical North Pole (0, 0, 6378 Km) has a GPS receiver which at
an instant of time, measures same delay of 0.17097528 sec from four GPS satellites. The four
satellite coordinates at that instant of time are (0, -13280.5, 23002.5), (0, 13280.5, 23002.5), (-
13280.5, 0, 23002.5), (13280.5, 0, 23002.5), where all distances are in km. Correct velocity of

26
EM wave propagation is 2.99792458 x 105 Km per sec. If velocity of EM wave propagation is
approximated to 3 x 105 km/sec then what is the difference in pseudorange and clock offset
error due to this approximation.

SECTION – II (10 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

Select the correct option and justify the answer

6. For same size of a GEO satellite antenna Ka-Band beam covers more area on earth than
Ku-Band beam
a. True b. False

7. For a 4.0 GHz downlink link if satellite TWTA Power output is 10 dBW, on axis antenna gain
is 34 dB and Feeder loss is 1 dB then the satellite EIRP on earth at -3 dB contour edge of
coverage will be

a. 48 dBW b. 46 dBW c. 43 dBW d. 40 dBW

8. When satellite is overhead, rain attenuation does not depends on

a. Rain rate b. Earth station altitude c. Frequency d. Orbit height

9. A typical satellite telemetry data from 4 temperature sensors, each having 12 bits resolution
is to be transmitted every second. 240 other parameters of 8 bits each are also to be
transmitted during the same time over the same channel. For a multiplexed data rate of 2
kbps, number of overhead bits can be accommodated is

b. 8 b. 12 c. 32 d. 48

10. Number of ground radars required to find the position of a flying aircraft (in ECEF
coordinate) by measuring its range from known positions on the earth are

a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

27
 Solutions

Q1. A network of transmit only Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and a receive hub uses
INSAT (83E) transponder having bandwidth of 180 KHz, G/T of -19 dB/K, saturated EIRP
towards hub of 21 dBw and OBO setting of 4.5 dB. Each AWS delivers 400 bits to Hub every
hour in TDMA mode with following Transmission characteristics: Bit rate = 2400 bps, QPSK
modulation with rate ½ FEC, both filter roll off and guard band factors are 25% each,
Transmit antenna gain is 8 dBi with 1 Watt RF power to antenna. For required BER the
Demodulator at hub is operated at Eb / No of 8 dB. Down link C/No is kept high so that
overall C/No is only 0.2 dB lower than uplink C/No. Uplink frequency = 402 MHz,
approximate uplink and down link path losses are 175.6 dB and 196 dB respectively, Hub
station G/T = 23 dB/K.
a) For 90% TDMA efficiency, how many AWS can be supported bandwidth-wise and power-
wise?
b) If one AWS is shifted to Indian base at Antarctica (70S, 11E), where wind speed often
exceeds 100 Kmph, do you suggest any change in that AWS for successful data delivery to
Hub located in India? Assume spherical earth diameter = 6378Km, INSAT distance from
earth centre = 42164Km.

Solution:

In each carrier, Throughput = 2400 x 0.9 x 60 x 60 = 7.776 x 106 bits per hour
Each AWS transmits 400 bits per hour
Number of AWS supported by each carrier = 7.776 x 106 / 400 = 19440
Number of carriers supported by the transponder:

Bandwidth wise:
180000 / [(2400 x 2 / 2) x (1 + 0.25)](1 + 0.25) = 180000 / 3750 = 48 carriers

Power wise:
 C  E
   b  10 log( bitrate)  8  33.8  41.8dBHz
 No  required N 0
For this composite satellite link overall C/No should be the required C/No
 C   C   C 
   0.2       41 .8  0.2  42dBHz
 No  up  No  required  No  up
1 1 1
 C   C   C 
         55 .26dBHz
 N0  down  N0  required  N0  up
Satellite EIRP per carrier  55.26  23  196  228 .6  0.34dBw
Number of carriers possible  21  4.5  ( 0.34 )  16 .84dB  48.3  48

Number of AWS supported = 48 x 19440 = 933120

28
Distance from Maitri to satellite:

cos( )  cos( Longes  Longsat ) cos(Lates )

cos( )  cos(11  83 ) cos(70)  0.105
  83.97 deg

d  421642  63782  2 x 42164x 6378x0.105  0.5

 41976km
 4df   4    41976  402  106 
Uplink Path loss at 402 MHz  20 log   20 log   177dB
 c   3  105 
Iniincrease in path loss = 177 – 175.6 = 1.4dB

To compensate this loss, AWS EIRP needs to be increased by this amount.

Modified AWS EIRP = 8 + 1.4 = 9.4dBw

To avoid damage to antenna structure due to wind speed, 8 dB gain antenna gain may be
reduced to 0 dB and 9.4 dBw or 8.7 watt power amplifier may be used in the modified AWS.

29
 Q2: A receive antenna observes rain attenuation of 7 dB. The receiver noise figure is 2 dB,
and receive antenna gain is 40 dBi. To maintain same C/N 0 as in clear sky operation, how
much increase in downlink power is required during rain using power control Fade Mitigation
Technique? Assume negligible clear sky noise temperature, T 0 for rain as 275K and T0 for
receiver as 290K.

Solution:

Total Attenuation during rain = 7 dB = 5, Sky noise temperature is negligible = 0 K

Rain attenuation Receiver

TA

Antenna noise temperature during rain is the Noise temperature at the output of rain attenuation

= To ( L – 1 ) / L = 275 ( 5 – 1 ) / 5 = 220 K

Receiver Noise figure = 2 dB = 1.58

Receiver noise temperature = To ( F – 1 ) = 290 ( 1.58 – 1 ) = 168.2 K

System noise temperature during rain = 0 + 220 + 168.2 = 388.2 K = 25.9 dBK

Receiver G/T during rain = 40 – 25.9 = 14.1 dB/K

Receiver noise temperature without rain = 0 + 168.2 K = 168.2 K = 22.25 dBK,

Receiver G/T without rain = 40 – 22.25 = 17.75 dB/K

Reduction of receiver G/T due to rain Δ G/T = 3.65 dB

C/No during rain will be reduced due to this reduction of G/T and rain attenuation,.

To maintain same C/No as of clear sky using FMT, Downlink EIRP is to be increased to

compensate the effect of rain fade.

Increase in downlink power

= rain attenuation + receiver G/T reduction due to rain = 7 + 3.65 = 10.65 dB

30
Q3. For an interplanetary mission the spacecraft receives tele-command consisting of header
and command word at 100 bps. If the system is designed to accept header what is the
minimum header length for false alarm probability of once in 400 days? With channel BER
of 2x10-2 find the probability of missing this header with up to two errors?

Solution:

At 100 bps Probability of False Alarm = 1 in 400 days

= 1 in (400 x 24 x 60 x 600 x 100) sec = 1 / 3.456 x 10-9 = 2.89 x 10-10

Probability of False Alarm with header length = N and with two or fewer errors accepted

2
N  N   N   N  
  k         
   2   1   0   N  N  2  2.89  10 10
2
PFA 
k 0 
2N 2N 2 N 1

By iterations N  42

Pr obability of Miss Detection with BER  p  2  10  2

42
 42  42
 42 
  k   p  1  p    k   p  1  p 
42  k 42  k
Pm  k
 k

 
k  2 1 k 3  
42
 42 
As     p k  1  p 
42 k
1
k 0  k 
42
 42 
Pm      p k  1  p 
42 k

k 3  k 
42
 42   42  42 k   42  42 k 
  k   p  1  p      p k  1  p      p k  1  p 
42 k
 k
 
k 0    k   k  0  k   k 1
 42  42 k 
    p k  1  p  
 k   k 2
 1  1  1   0.98  42  0.02   0.98  42  41  0.0002   0.98
42 41 40
 0.0517
2
Pm  5.17  10

Q4: Two collocated earth stations are operating with two different satellite systems. 12 dB uplink
C/N is required by the wanted uplink for satisfactory service. Assuming ITU recommended
C/I limit, is there any need for uplink coordination when interfering station has 23 dB lower

31
 gain towards wanted satellite and both transmit power and bandwidth of interfering station
are two times more than that of wanted station ?

Solution:

C  PESMax  GTxESMax  G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq dBw

I  P' ESMax G' (  )TxES  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq dBw

C
I

 C   I  dB  PESMax  GTxESMax  G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq  P' ESMax G' (  )TxES  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq 
 
  PESMax  P' ESMax    GTxESMax  G' (  )TxES   G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq
 3  23  0  20dB
P' ESMax  PESMax  3dB
G' (  )TxES  GTxESMax  23dB

Due to collocation G(  )RxSat  FSL Freq  G(  ' )RxSat  FSL'  Freq  0
 BWoverlap 
I a  10 log    3dB
 BW 
 int erfering 

Available (C/I) = Basic calculated, (C/I)basic – Interference adjustment factor, Ia in dB

(C/I) available = 20 – ( -3) = 23 dB

Interference protection criterion of ITU-R Recommendation.

(C/I) required = (C/N)required + 12.2 dB
In this case, (C/I) required = 12 + 12.2 = 24.2 dB

Here, (C/I) available < (C/I) required. Therefore, Coordination is needed.

Q5. An observer at the geographical North Pole (0, 0, 6378 Km) has a GPS receiver which at an
instant of time, measures same delay of 0.17097528 sec from four GPS satellites. The four
satellite coordinates at that instant of time are (0, -13280.5, 23002.5), (0, 13280.5, 23002.5), (-
13280.5, 0, 23002.5), (13280.5, 0, 23002.5), where all distances are in km. Correct velocity of
EM wave propagation is 2.99792458 x 105 Km per sec. If velocity of EM wave propagation is

32
approximated to 3 x 105 km/sec then what is the difference in pseudorange and clock offset
error due to this approximation.

Solution:

The delay time of T = 0.17097528s

velocity of EM wave propagation is 2.99792458 x 105 Km per sec

Correct psuedorange PRc = T x c= 0.17097528 × 2.99792458 × 105 = 51,257.099 km

With approximate velocity of EM wave propagation 3 x 105 km/sec

Approximate psuedorange PRa = T x c= 0.17097528 × 3 × 105 = 51,292.584 km

Difference in pseudorange = 35.485 Km

As all the four GPS satellites have same range from the observer, we have the ranging
equations as:

(0 – 0)2 + (13280.5 - 0)2 + (23002.5 - 6378.0)2 = (51,257.099-  c)2

(0 – 0)2 + (-13280.5 - 0)2 + (23002.5 - 6378.0)2 = (51,257.099 -  c)2

(13280.5 - 0)2 + (0 – 0)2 + (23002.5 - 6378.0)2 = (51,257.099 -  c)2

(-13280.5 - 0)2 + (0 – 0)2 + (23002.5 - 6378.0)2 = (51,257.099 -  c)2

Solving any one gives,  c = 29,979.278 km.

With correct velocity of EM wave propagation 2.99792458 x 105 Km per sec

clock offset error  correct = 0.1000001074s = 100.0001074ms

With approximate velocity of EM wave propagation 3 x 105 km/sec

clock offset error  approx = 0.099930926s = 99.930926ms

Difference in clock offset error = 0.069180733 ms

33
Q6. For same size of a GEO satellite antenna Ka-Band beam cover more area on earth than
Ku-Band beam
a. True b. False

Ans: b. False.
Wavelength λ is less in Ka band than Ku band. Beamwidth (θ = 75 λ/d) will be small in
Ka band compared to Ku band.

Q7. For a 4.0 GHz downlink link if satellite TWTA Power output is 10 dBW, on axis antenna
gain is 34 dB and Feeder loss is 1 dB then the satellite EIRP on earth at -3 dB contour edge of
coverage will be:

a. 48 dBW b. 46 dBW c. 43 dBW d. 40 dBW

Ans: d. satellite EIRP on earth at - 3 dB contour edge of coverage will be 40 dBW.

EIRP at – 3 db contour = 10 + 34 – 1  3 = 40 dBW

Q8. When satellite is overhead, rain attenuation does not depends on

a. Rain rate b. Earth station altitude c. Frequency d. Orbit height

Ans. d. Orbit height has no effect on the signal path through the rain.

Q9. A typical satellite telemetry data from 4 temperature sensors, each having 12 bits resolution
is to be transmitted every second. 240 other parameters of 8 bits each are also to be
transmitted during the same time over the same channel. For a multiplexed data rate of 2 kbps,
number of overhead bits can be accommodated is

a. 8 b. 12 c. 32 d. 48
Ans. c. Total bits in one second = 2000, Useful bits = 12 x 4 + 240 x 8 = 1968
Overhead bits = 2000 – 1968 = 32 bits

Q10. Number of ground radars required to find the position of a flying aircraft (in ECEF
coordinate) by measuring its range from known positions on the earth are

a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4
Ans: c.
As radar finds true range using two way ranging unlike pseudo-range in GPS, only simultaneous
equations are to be solved to find three coordinates of the aircraft.

34
 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering
Mid-Semester Examination

Subject No.: EC 60101 Name: Satellite Communications Systems

September 13, 2016 Time: 2 hours Total Marks: 30

Instructions: Answer all questions. All symbols and variables have their usual meaning.
Assumptions may be made with proper justifications.

SECTION - I (20 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

1. A communication satellite has twelve transmitters of equal capacity with DC to RF

conversion efficiency of 25%. If 80% of total satellite power is drawn by all these
transmitters together find total DC power required by the satellite and maximum RF
power output from each transmitter with following solar panel characteristics. Solar
panel area = 60 m 2, solar cells occupy 88.7% of the solar panel area, mean solar flux at
satellite = 1375 w / m2 , overall efficiency of solar flux to DC power conversion = 8.2%.
2. An earth station at Shillong (25.5 0 N, 91.90 E) is to receive data from INSAT satellite
at 480E. A hill obstructs any signal reception by the station below 30 deg elevation from
south to south-west direction. Find the azimuth, elevation and distance of the earth
station to the satellite and check whether satellite data reception is possible. Assume
spherical earth of radius 6378Km and satellite distance from earth centre as 42164Km.

3.
a. Assume above mentioned earth station antenna radiation pattern is rotationally
symmetric in azimuth plane and an idealized pattern in elevation plane having Directivity
D and Background temperature TB as:
 30dB for 0  θ  10  10K for θ  30 0
D TB  
10dB for 1  θ  90 100K for 30  θ  90
0 0 0 0

Assume antenna radiation efficiency of 100%. Find the antenna noise temperature.

b. Assuming no feeder loss, mis-pointing and depolarization, find power received at the
output of earth station antenna. Assume satellite transmit antenna gain towards earth
station is 30 dB, link is operating at 12 GHz and satellite transmit power and distance to
earth station are same as found in the above question 1 and question 2 respectively.

4. Received power from antenna output at above mentioned earth station is given to a
receiver consisting of LNA, Mixer and band pass filter. Gain and noise figure of the LNA
are 10 dB and 2 dB respectively and that of the mixer are – 3 dB and 4 dB respectively.
Band pass filter attenuates the signal by 1dB. The antenna output power and antenna
noise temperature are the same as found in question 3. If minimum S/N required at

35
Band pass filter output is 7 dB, find whether the link works. Assume T 0 as 290 K and
noise bandwidth of 10 MHz.

SECTION – II (10 Marks) All questions carry equal marks

Select the correct option and justify the answer

5. For a LEO satellite one hop delay is 10 msec when it is overhead. What is the orbital
height?
a. 1000km b. 1500km c. 2000km d. 2500Km

6. Azimuth angle for an earth station located at 78E, 22N towards geostationary satellite
at 78E will be
a. 0 deg b. 90 deg c. 180 deg d. 360 deg

7. If 500 watt of RF power fed to an earth station antenna saturates a transponder

having SFD of 86 dBw/m2 at a distance of 40000km, then earth station transmit antenna
gain is

a. 30 dBi b. 40 dBi c. 50 dBi d. 60 dBi

8. In a spread spectrum ranging of GEO (for simplicity, assume GEO height of 36000
Km), 100 Kbps is used to get required range resolution. Smallest Maximum length
Linear Feedback Shift Register that can be used to avoid range ambiguity will be
a. 13 bit b. 14 bit c. 15 bit d. 16 bit

9. If a satellite is having circular orbit in equatorial plane and orbits earth in exactly 24
hrs in same direction as the earth rotates, then its sub-satellite point with respect to a
stationary observer on earth surface will be

a. stationary b. drifting towards east c. drifting towards west

36
 SOLUTIONS

Q1. A communication satellite has twelve transmitters of equal capacity with DC to RF

conversion efficiency of 25%. If 80% of total satellite power is drawn by all these
transmitters together find total DC power required by the satellite and maximum RF
power output from each transmitter with following solar panel characteristics. Solar
panel area 60 m2, solar cells occupy 88.7% of the solar panel area, mean solar flux at
satellite = 1375 w / m2 , overall efficiency of solar flux to DC power conversion = 8.2%.
Q1 Solution:

Given Solar panel area = 60 m2 , solar cell occupancy factor = 0.887,

Given mean solar flux = 1375 w/m2 , overall efficiency = 8.2%
Total DC power = solar panel area x cell occupancy factor x mean solar flux x efficiency
= 60 x 0.887 x 1375 x 0.082
= 6000.5 w ~ 6000 w

Given Total DC power drawn by Transmitters is 80 % of Total DC power generated

Total DC power drawn by Transmitters
= DC power capacity generated by solar panel x DC to RF conversion efficiency
= 6000 x 0.8 = 4800 w
Given total number of transmitter = 12 and each is sharing same amount of DC power
DC power required by each transmitter = 4800 / 12 = 400 W
Given DC to RF conversion efficiency of 25% by each transmitter
RF output power of each transmitter = 400 x 0.25 = 100 W = 20 dBw

37
Q2 An earth station at Shillong (25.50 N, 91.90 E) is to receive data from INSAT satellite
at 480E. A hill obstructs any signal reception by the station below 30 deg elevation from
south to south-west direction. Find the azimuth, elevation and distance of the earth
station to the satellite and check whether satellite data reception is possible. Assume
spherical earth of radius 6378Km and satellite distance from earth centre as 42164Km.

Q2 Solution

tan(l e  l s )
tan   = 0.186
Sin( Le )

α = 2.235
As sub satellite point is satellite is west of ES
Azimuth = 180 + α = 182.2350
Azimuth angle shows that the satellite is in South to South-west direction of earth station.
Hill is in the same direction. Elevation angle of more than 30 deg required for clear reception
of satellite signal.

For GEO, cos γ  cos( Le ) cos( l e  l s )

Cosγ = cos(25.5) * cos(91.9 - 48) = 0.65
γ = 49.43

d = [63782 + 421642  2 x 6378 x 42164 x cos(49.43)]0.5 = 38326 Km

d / sinγ = 42164 / cos El

Cos(El ) = 42164 x sin(49.43) / [63782 + 421642  2 x 6378 x 42164 x cos(49.43)]0.5 = 0.835

Elevation angle = cos-1 (0.83) = 33.30

As elevation angle towards satellite is more than the obstructing angle of 30 deg, data reception
from satellite is possible.

38
Q3a.

Assume above mentioned earth station antenna radiation pattern is rotationally

symmetric in azimuth plane and an idealized pattern in elevation plane having
Directivity D and Background temperature T B as:
 30dB for 0  θ  10  10 K for θ  30 0
D TB  
10dB for 1  θ  90 100K for 30  θ  90
0 0 0 0

Assume antenna radiation efficiency of 100%. Find the antenna noise temperature.

Q3a. Solution
Converting D with maximum value of unity,

For θ = 0 deg to 1 deg, D = 1, TB = 10 K

For θ = 1deg to 30 deg, D = 0.01, T B = 10 K
For θ = 30deg to 90 deg, D = 0.01, T B = 100 K

Let Antenna noise Temperature = TA.

2 

  T  ,  D ,   sin dd

 0  0
B

TA  2 

  D ,   sin dd

  0  0
10 30 0 900

 10  1  sin d   10  0.01 sin d   100  0.01 sin d

 0  10  30 0
 10 90 0

 sin d   0.01sin d

 0  10
0 0
1 30 90 0


 10 sin d   0.1sin d   sin d
0 0 0  10 cos
10
 0.1 cos 
30 0
0  cos
90 0
 1  30 30 0
 1 0
90 0
 0
10
1
90 0

 cos   0.01cos
 0
 sin d   0.01sin d 0 10

 10

0.001523  0.0138  0.866

  86.4 K  19.36dBK
0.0102

Gain at boresight (θ = 00 ) = antenna radiation efficiency x D (at θ = 0 0 )

Given, D = 30 dB = 100, Antenna radiation efficiency = 100% = 1
G = 1 x 1000 = 1000 = 30 dB

39
Q3b.
Assuming no feeder loss, mis-pointing and depolarization, find power received at the
output of earth station antenna. Assume satellite transmit antenna gain towards
earth station is 30 dB, link is operating at 12 GHz and satellite transmit power and
distance to earth station are same as found in problem 1 and problem 2 respectively.

Q3b solution

Received power in dBw = Satellite transmit power dBw + Satellite transmit antenna gain dB
– Path loss dB + earth station antenna gain dB.

Satellite transmit power (from problem 1) = 20 dBw

Satellite transmit antenna gain = 30 dB (given)
Path loss = 10 log (4πdf/c)2 = 20 log [4 x π x 38326 x 12 x 109 / (3 x 105)]
= 20 log(1926474.881 x 104) = 205.7 dB
Earth station receive antenna gain = 30 dB

Received power in dB = 20 + 30 – 205.7 + 30 = - 125.7 dBw = 2.69 x 10-13 w

40
Q4. Received power from antenna output at above mentioned earth station is given to a
receiver consisting of LNA, Mixer and bandpass filter. Gain and noise figure of the LNA
are 10 dB and 2 dB respectively and that of the mixer are – 3 dB and 4 dB respectively.
Band pass filter attenuates the signal by 1dB. The antenna output power and antenna
noise temperature are the same as found in question 3. If minimum S/N required at
Bandpass filter output is 7 dB, find whether the link works. Assume T 0 as 290 K and
noise bandwidth of 10 MHz.

Q4 solution

TA = 86.4K (from problem 3)

Gain of LNA = 10 dB = 10, Noise Figure of LNA = 2 dB = 1.585
Noise Temp of LNA, TLNA = 290 ( 1.58 – 1 ) = 169.6 K
Gain of mixer = - 3 dB = 0.5, NF of mixer = 4 dB = 2.51,
Noise Temp of mixer = TM = 290 (2.51 – 1 ) = 437.9 K
Band Pass Filter loss = 1 dB = 1.26, Gain of BPF = 1 / 1.26 = 0.794
Noise Temp of BPF, TBPF = 290 ( 1.26 – 1 ) = 75.4 K
Effective Noise temperature of receiver
Te =TLNA + TM / (GLNA ) + TBPF / (GLNA x GM )
= 169.6 + 437.9 / 10 + 75.4 / ( 10 x 0.5 ) = 228.47 K
Bandwidth = B = 10 x 106 Hz
Boltzmann’s constant = k = ̶ 228.6 dBw/k/Hz
Total receiver gain = G = 10 x 0.5 x 0.794 = 3.97
Antenna noise temperature TA = 86.4 K (from problem 3)
Noise power at the output of BPF = k (TA + Ts ) B G
= 1.38 x 10-23 x ( 86.4 + 228.47) x 10 x 106 x 3.97 = 1.725 x 10-13 W
Input power to the receiver = Receive antenna output = - 125.7dBw = 2.69 x 10 -13 w
(from problem 3)
Output power from receiver = 2.69 x 10-13 x 3.97 = 10.68 x 10-13 w
Output S/N = 10.68 x 10-13 / 1.725 x 10-13 = 6.14 = 7.9 dB
As the minimum output SNR required is 7 dB, this link will work with 0.9 dB margin.

41
5. For a LEO satellite one hop delay is 10msec when it is overhead. What is the orbital
height?
a. 1000km b. 1500km c. 2000km d. 2500Km

Ans.(b)
For a LEO satellite, one hop delay = (2xh)/c sec
Orbital height h = one hop delay x c /2
Where c= velocity of light in m,
h = 10x10-3 x 3x108/2= 1500 km

6. Azimuth angle for an earth station located at 78E, 22N towards geostationary satellite
at 78E will be
b. 0 deg b. 90 deg c. 180 deg d. 360 deg

Ans. c.180 deg.

Since Earth station is in same longitude but in northern latitude the earh station has
to look southwards for satellite. So the Azimuth angle will be 180deg from north.

7. If 500 watt of RF power fed to an earth station antenna saturates a transponder

having SFD of 86 dBw/m2 at a distance of 40000km, then earth station transmit
antenna gain is
30 dBi b. 40 dBi c. 50 dBi d. 60 dBi

Ans, c. 50 dBi
EIRP
Power Flux Density 
4πR 2
EIRP in dBw  PFD  10 log 4πR 2 
 
EIRP    86  10 log 4π  4  107    86  163  77dBw
2

RF power in dB  10log(500)  27 dBw

EIRP in dBw  RF Power in dBw  Antenna gain in dB
Ant . gain  EIRP  10 log( 500 )  77  27  50dBi

42
8. In a spread spectrum ranging of GEO (for simplicity, assume GEO height of 36000
Km), 100 Kbps is used to get required range resolution. Smallest Maximum length
Linear Feedback Shift Register that can be used to avoid range ambiguity will be
13 bit b. 14 bit c. 15 bit d. 16 bit
Ans. c. 15 bit
Assuming GEO height 36000 Km,
One hop propagation delay = 120 x 2 = 240 msec
Number of bits in 240 msec at 100 Kbps = 24000
To avoid ambiguity, one sequence of PRBS should exceed 24000 bits.
Number of bits in a Maximum length Linear feedback shift register (2 n – 1) that
exceed 24000 bits, is n > 15
for n = 15 , PRBS length = 32,767 bits, for n = 14, PRBS length = 16383 bits
Therefore, smallest value of n = 15.

9. If a satellite is having circular orbit in equatorial plane and orbits earth in exactly 24
hrs in same direction as the earth rotates, then its sub-satellite point with respect to a
stationary observer on earth surface will be
a. stationary b. drifting towards east c. drifting towards west

Ans. c. drifting towards west

Earth revolves west to east in one sidereal day which is less than 24 Hrs. So
satellite is orbiting slower than earth surface. Then sub-satellite point of a 24hr orbit
satellite will move west wards on earth surface.

43
 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electronics & Electrical Communication Engineering
End-Semester Examination
Subject No.: EC 60101 Name: Satellite Communication Systems

November 21, 2016 Time: 3 hours Total

Marks: 50
Instructions: Answer all questions. All symbols and variables have their usual meaning.
Assumptions may be made with proper justifications.
SECTION - I (40 Marks) All questions carry equal marks
1. An earth station is located at Kharagpur (22.34 N. 87.230 E). The earth station antenna
0

cannot move below 150 elevation. A satellite orbits with velocity of 3074.7 m/sec have same
apogee and perigee and its orbital plane inclination is zero degree. If the satellite is visible to the
earth station at its lowest elevation angle towards south-east direction then find the sub-satellite
point. Assume earth radius = 6378Km.
2.
a. Why two tones are used in tone based satellite ranging? How this problem is addressed in
spread-spectrum based ranging?
b. A communication payload has antenna, receiver and transmitter having reliability
of 0.99, 0.96 and 0.85 respectively. Find the overall reliability of the payload. To improve
overall reliability one redundant receiver and two redundant transmitters are used. Find the
improved overall payload reliability.
3.
a. What is indirect method of earth station G/T measurement? Derive expressions for
finding earth station antenna noise temperature, receiver noise temperature and system noise
temperature using this method.
b. An amplifier with a gain of 12 dB, bandwidth of 150 MHz and noise figure of 4 dB feeds
a receiver with noise temperature of 900K. Find the overall noise figure of this system.
4.
a. For a bent pipe transponder, derive expressions for overall (C/No) in clear sky explaining
all the possible losses and their effects in the expression of C/No.
b. A receive antenna observes rain attenuation of 7 dB. The receiver noise figure is 2 dB,
and receive antenna gain is 40 dBi. To maintain same C/N0 as in clear sky operation, how much
increase in downlink power is required during rain using power control Fade Mitigation
Technique? Assume negligible clear sky noise temperature, T 0 for rain as 275K and T0 for
receiver as 290K.
5.
a. Derive an expression for Frame efficiency of TDMA system in terms of frame time,
transmission bit rate, reference bursts, uniform user burst size, preamble bits and guard bits,.
Consider ref. burst size = 576 bits, each user burst preamble size = 560 bits, guard bits =128
buts, number of ref. bursts = 2, transmission bit rate = 120 Mbps, frame time = 2 msec, frame
efficiency = 95%, find number of user bursts.
b. Derive an expression for CDMA system capacity in terms of energy per bit, total noise
power density, receiver thermal noise power density and processing gain.

44
SECTION - II (10 Marks) All questions carry
equal marks
Select the correct option and justify selection

6. Two parabolic reflector antennas of diameter D1 and D2 are operating at same frequency (D1>
D2). If both are mis-pointed by same angle θ, identify the correct statement from the
following.
a. The pointing loss of antenna with diameter D1 will be less than that of D2
b. The pointing loss of antenna with diameter D2 will be less than that of D1
c. The pointing loss will be same for the two antennas
d. None of the above

7. A satellite in circular orbit with 1000 Km orbital height having velocity of 7.35 Km/s,
transmits at 2.65 GHz. A station in the plane of the satellite orbital plane receives the signal
from the satellite when it is rising from horizon. Assuming spherical earth radius of 6378Km,
the Doppler shift of the received signal will be

a. - 44.27 KHz b. 44.27 KHz c. 56.13 KHz d. - 56.13 KHz

8. For a RF receiver with 30 KHz bandwidth, the minimum SNR required for demodulator is 12
dB. If the input antenna noise temperature is 900K and the RF receiver noise figure is 8 dB,
minimum detectable signal at the receiver input is between

a. -100 to – 105 dBm b. -105 to – 110 dBm c. -110 to – 115 dBm d. -115 to – 120 dBm

9. What is meant by F in the direct method of earth station G/T measurement, which is
expressed as

G 8 πk  Y  1

T Fλ 2

a. noise figure b. flux density of radio star c failure rate d. none of these

10. Identify which one is wrong. When satellite is overhead the rain attenuation depends on

a. rain rate b. earth station altitude c. orbit height d. frequency

45
 Solutions

Q1. An earth station is located at Kharagpur (22.34 0 N. 87.230 E). The earth station antenna
cannot move below 150 elevation. A satellite orbits with velocity of 3074.7 m/sec have same
apogee and perigee and its orbital plane inclination is zero degree. If the satellite is visible to the
earth station at its lowest elevation angle towards south-east direction then find the sub-satellite
point. Assume earth radius = 6378Km.

Vs = 3074.7 m/s = 3.0747 Km/s

Since apogee = perigee it is a circular orbit, with inclination = 0, it is geo stationary orbit.
 μ 
Radius R   2 
 μ = 3.986 x 105 km3 /s2
 Vs 
R = 42163 km
Le = 22.34o N, le = 87.23o E, elevation= 150 , re = 6378 Km, For GEO sub satellite point Ls = 0 ls
=?

sinx = 0.1461 x = 8.40

γ = 180 – (105 +8.4) = 66.60
Since satellite is towards south east of earth station ls > le
cos (ls – le ) = cos(γ) / cos (Le ) = 0.42937
ls – le = cos-1 (0.42937) = 64.57
ls = 64.57 + + 87.23 = 151.8 E

46
Q2.
a. Why two tones are used in tone based satellite ranging? How this problem is addressed in
spread-spectrum based ranging?

Tone signal (single frequency) sent from ground station is received by satellite TTC
subsystem and retransmitted back to ground station. On ground, Phase delay deference of
transmit and receive signal is used to find range.
Assuming negligible delay at satellite TTC system,
φ c
2 R  λn  *
360 f
R is range, c is velocity of light and f is tone frequency, λ is waveleng th of tone frequency,
n is the number of full cycles of tone frequency, it is an integer.
Since n is unknown, it creates an ambiguity in measuremen t.
For n  0, Lower frequency tone is to be used to remove this ambiguity.
Example, wavelengt h for 4 Hz is 75000 Km, which is more than one round trip distance
from earth station to a GEO i.e., 36000 x 2  72000 Km. But for λ  75000Km
75000
distance correspond ing to 1 deg phase   208.3 Km
360
So, lower frequency removes ambiguity, but gives poor range resolution.
higher frequency tone is to be used to get better resolution.
Therefore, two tones, one higher and one lower frequency are used.
In spread spectrum ranging with PRBS, higher frequency corresponds to chip rate and lower
frequency corresponds to PRBS repetition rate. PRBS length to be selected to get low enough
PRBS repetition that is required to remove range ambiguity.
b. A communication payload has antenna, receiver and transmitter having reliability of 0.99,
0.96 and 0.85 respectively. Find the overall reliability of the payload. To improve overall
reliability one redundant receiver and two redundant transmitters are used. Find the improved
overall payload reliability.

Given ,
Reliability of Antenna: Ra =0.99, Reliability of Rx.: Rrx = 0.96, Reliability of Tx. Rtx =
0.85
Reliability without redundancy Rtot1 = Ra * Rrx * Rtx = 0.99 * 0.96 * 0.85 = 0.8078

No. of Receivers with redundant units = 1 + 1 = 2

No. of transmitters with redundant units = 1 + 2 = 3

Reliability with redundancy RTot2 = Ra * (1 - (1 - Rrx)2 ) * (1 - (1 - Rtx)3 )

= 0.99 * 0.9984 * 9966 = 0.985

47
Q3.
a. What is indirect method of earth station G/T measurement? Derive expressions for
finding earth station antenna noise temperature, receiver noise temperature and
system noise temperature using this method.

G/T measurement of Small/mobile earth station is not possible by Direct method because of the
inaccuracy in the measurement of Y factor. In such cases, indirect method is adopted to
evaluate the G/T of the earth stations. In This case, the gain of the antenna and receive system
noise temperature are measured separately. The gain of the antenna is measured in Anechoic
Chamber or Test Range facility and the system noise temperature is measured as follows :

Arrange the set up as shown in fig.

Antenna

Noise LNA/ NF Meter/

Precision
Source Receiver Receiver

Dummy
Load

FIG - 2. RECEIVE SYSTEM NOISE TEMPERATURE & G/T MEASUREMENT

* Measurement should be done in open environment.

* Disable any AGC circuitry and tune the receiver to receive the signal.
* Connect the antenna to the receiver and measure the noise power Pa.
* Connect the noise source to the antenna port of the receiver and measure the noise
power Pn.
* Disconnect noise source and connect the ambient load (termination) at the antenna port
and measure the noise)
* Calculate the Y factor according to the formula :
Pn = k(Tn + Tr)B, Pa =k(Ta + Tr)B, Po = k(To +Tr)B
Tn  T r To  Tr To  Tr
T  Tr
Y1 = Pn / Pa = a Y2 = Po / Pa = Ta  Tr Y3 = Po / Pn = Tn  Tr ;

48
 To  Tn Y3
Tr 
Y3  1
gives

where, Tn = Temperature of noise source

To = Ambient temperature
Ta = Antenna noise temperature
Tr = Receiver noise temperature

* From the above equations

To  Tn
Y2  Y1 
Ta  Tr
or
T0  Tn
Ta  Tr 
Y2  Y1
* System noise temperature TS is given by
T0  Tn
TS = Ta + Tr
Y2  Y1 ,
=

Tn  T r
Ta  Tr
Y1 = ,

Tr = Y1 Ts – Tn ,

Ta = Ts – Tr

b. An amplifier with a gain of 12 dB, bandwidth of 150 MHz and noise figure of 4 dB feeds a
receiver with noise temperature of 900K. Find the overall noise figure of this system.

Ga = 12 dB=15.8, Fa = 4 dB = 2.51, bandwidth = 150 MHz, Te = 900 K, T0 = 290K

Receiver noise figure Fr

Te 900
Fr  1   1  4.1
T0 290
Fr  1 4.1  1
Fcas  Fa   2.51   2.71  4.3dB
Ga 15.8

49
Q4.
a. For a bent pipe transponder, derive expressions for overall (C/No) in clear sky explaining all
the possible losses and their effects in the expression of C/No.
At receive r input power c  p rx ,
eirp  received a ntenna gain
Power rece ived p rx  watts
Path Loss
g tx max
eirp  tx power  tx composite antenna gain  pt 
ltx  l ftx
Path loss  free spac e loss  atmosphere loss  l fs  l a
g rx max
composite rx antenna gain g rx 
l rx  l frx  l pol
g tx max 1 g rx max
c  pt    watts
ltx  l ftx l fs  l a l rx  l frx  l pol

At the rec eiver input noise n  kt s b, n0  kt s watts/Hz

tA  1  terx
Rx system noise temperature t s   t0   1   Kelvin
l frx  l frx  l frx

tA  1  terx
n0  k   t0   1   watts/Hz
l frx  l frx  l frx


c g 1 g rx max 1 1
 pt  tx max     Hz
n0 ltx  l ftx l fs  la lrx  l frx  l pol k t A  1  terx
 t0   1  
l frx  l frx  l frx
 
c 1 composite rx antenna gain 1
 eirp    Hz
n0 path loss rx system noise temp k

C 1 Composite Rx Antenna Gain 1

 EIRP    dBHz
N0 Path Loss Rx System Noise Temp k

C G
( dBHz )  EIRP( dBw )  Path Loss( dB )  ( dB / K )  k (dBw/K/Hz)
N0 T

 C 
   EIRP  es1      L  up  k
G
 dBHz
 N 0  up  T  sat
 C  G
    EIRP  sat      L  down  k dBHz
 N 0  down  T  es 2

50
For ES1 to ES2 link, satellite provide gain gsat
Total carrier power received at ES2 = ctotal = cdown = gsat x cup watts
Total noise power density at ES2 = (n0)down + gsat x (n0 )up w/Hz

 n0  g sat   n0  up   n0  down g sat   n0  up  n0  down

    
 c  total  c  down g sat   c  up  c  down
1 1 1
 c   c   c 
        Hz 1
 0  total  0 up  n0  down
n n

b. A receive antenna observes rain attenuation of 7 dB. The receiver noise figure is 2 dB, and
receive antenna gain is 40 dBi. To maintain same C/N 0 as in clear sky operation, how much
increase in downlink power is required during rain using power control Fade Mitigation
Technique? Assume negligible clear sky noise temperature, T 0 for rain as 275K and T 0 for
receiver as 290K.

Total Attenuation during rain = 7 dB = 5, Sky noise temperature is negligible = 0 K

Rain attenuation Receiver

TA
Antenna noise temperature during rain is the Noise temperature at the output of rain attenuation
= To ( L – 1 ) / L = 275 ( 5 – 1 ) / 5 = 220 K
Receiver Noise figure = 2 dB = 1.58
Receiver noise temperature = To ( F – 1 ) = 290 ( 1.58 – 1 ) = 168.2 K
System noise temperature during rain = 0 + 220 + 168.2 = 388.2 K = 25.9 dBK
Receiver G/T during rain = 40 – 25.9 = 14.1 dB/K
Receiver noise temperature without rain = 0 + 168.2 K = 168.2 K = 22.25 dBK,
Receiver G/T without rain = 40 – 22.25 = 17.75 dB/K
Reduction of receiver G/T due to rain Δ G/T = 3.65 dB
C/No during rain will be reduced due to this reduction of G/T and rain attenuation.
To maintain same C/No as of clear sky using FMT, Downlink EIRP is to be increased to compensate the
effect of rain fade.
Increase in downlink power
= rain attenuation + receiver G/T reduction due to rain = 7 + 3.65 = 10.65 dB

51
Q5. Derive an expression for Frame efficiency of TDMA system in terms of reference bursts,
uniform user burst size, preamble and guard bits, frame time and transmission bit rate. Consider
ref. burst size = 576 bits, each user burst preamble size = 560 bits, guard bits =128 buts, number
of ref. burst = 2, transmission bit rate = 120 Mbps, frame time = 2 msec, frame efficiency = 95%,
find number of user bursts.

TDMA frame efficiency

ηf = number of useful bits / total number of bits in a frame
= 1 – number of overhead bits / total number of bits in a frame
= 1 – [ nr br + nu bp + ( nr + nu ) bg ] / rt tF
Where,
TDMA frame time = tF, TDMA transmission rate = rt , Number of reference stations = nr
Number of user bursts = nu , Number of bits in reference burst = br , Number of preamble bits in
user bursts = bp , Number of bits in guard band = bg

Putting the corresponding values

0.95 = 1 – [ 2 x 576 + nu x 560 + ( 2 + nu ) x 128 ] / (120 x 106 x 0.002)
nu = 15.3
Rounding to next lower integer number of user bursts = 15

b. Derive an expression for CDMA system capacity in terms of energy per bit, total noise power
density, receiver thermal noise power density and processing gain.

For M number of CDMA signals received by a receiver

p j  ( M  1 ) ps
pj ( M  1 ) ps er
nt  n 0  n j  n 0   n0   n0  ( M  1 ) b b
brf brf brf
brf gp g p  n0 
M  1  ( n t  n0 )  1  ( nt  n0 )  1 1
eb rb eb eb  nt 
nt
Since sec ond term  1
gp  n0 
M 1  n 
eb  t 
nt

52
6. Two parabolic reflector antennas of diameterD 1 and D2 are operating at same frequency (D 1>
D2). If both are mis-pointed by same angle θ, identify the correct statement from the following.
a. The pointing loss of antenna with diameter D1 will be less than that of D2
b. The pointing loss of antenna with diameter D2 will be less than that of D1
c. The pointing loss will be same for the two antennas
d. None of the above
Ans. b.
7. A satellite in circular orbit with 1000 Km orbital height having velocity of 7.35 Km/s,
transmits at 2.65 GHz. A station in the plane of the satellite orbital plane receives the signal from
the satellite when it is rising from horizon. Assuming spherical earth radius of 6378Km, the
Doppler shift of the received signal will be

a. - 44.27 KHz b. 44.27 KHz c. 56.13 KHz d. - 56.13 KHz

Ans. c

8. For a RF receiver with 30 KHz bandwidth, the minimum SNR required for demodulator is 12
dB. If the input antenna noise temperature is 900K and the RF receiver noise figure is 8 dB,
minimum detectable signal at the receiver input is between

a. -100 to – 105 dBm
Ans. b.
F = 8 dB = 6.3, s/n = 15.84
b. -105 to – 110 dBm c. -110 to – 115 dBm d. -115 to – 120 dBm
Simin = kB[ TA + (F – 1)T0 ] (So /No )min
= 1.38 x 10-23 x 30 x 103 x [900 + (6.3 – 1) x 290] x
15.84
= 1.598 x 10-14 W = 1.57 x 10-11 mW = -107.9 dBm

9. What is meant by F in the direct method of earth station G/T measurement, which is
expressed as
G 8 πk  Y  1

T Fλ 2

a. noise figure b. Flux density of radio star c failure rate d. none of

these

Ans. b.

10. Identify which one is wrong. When satellite is overhead the rain attenuation depends on
a. rain rate b. earth station altitude c. orbit height d.
frequency

Ans. c.

53