How do you meet satellite communication system requirements?

1 Link budget

A link budget is a calculation of the power and signal quality of a satellite communication link. It takes into account the transmitter power, antenna gain, free space loss, atmospheric attenuation, noise, and receiver sensitivity. A link budget helps you to determine the feasibility and performance of a satellite communication system, as well as the optimal parameters for the transmitter and receiver. You can use various tools and software to perform link budget analysis, such as MATLAB, Excel, or online calculators.

2 Frequency allocation

Frequency allocation is the process of assigning specific frequency bands to different satellite communication services and regions. It is governed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which regulates the use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits. Frequency allocation aims to avoid interference and ensure efficient and fair use of the limited spectrum resources. You need to follow the ITU rules and regulations when designing and operating a satellite communication system, as well as coordinate with other satellite operators and users.

3 Modulation and coding

Modulation and coding are techniques that enable the transmission and reception of data over a satellite communication link. Modulation is the process of changing the characteristics of a carrier wave, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase, to convey information. Coding is the process of adding redundancy or error correction to the data, to improve its reliability and robustness. Modulation and coding affect the data rate, bandwidth, power efficiency, and error performance of a satellite communication system. You need to choose the appropriate modulation and coding schemes based on the requirements and constraints of your application and link budget.

4 Multiple access

Multiple access is the method of allowing multiple users to share the same satellite communication channel or resource. There are different types of multiple access techniques, such as frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). Multiple access enables the efficient and flexible utilization of the satellite communication capacity, as well as the provision of different quality of service (QoS) levels to different users. You need to select the suitable multiple access technique based on the number, type, and demand of your users and applications.

5 Interference management

Interference management is the process of minimizing or mitigating the effects of unwanted signals or noise on a satellite communication link. Interference can originate from various sources, such as other satellites, terrestrial stations, natural phenomena, or intentional jamming. Interference can degrade the signal quality, reduce the data rate, increase the error rate, or disrupt the communication service. You need to implement various interference management strategies, such as frequency planning, antenna design, filtering, power control, adaptive modulation and coding, or anti-jamming techniques.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?