Satellite Space and Earth Segment - Lecture Notes

Satellite Space &
Earth Segment
Semester 2, 2016-2017
Exploded view of a spinner satellite based on the
Boeing (Hughes) HS 376 design. INTELSAT IVA
(courtesy of Intelsat).
A spinner satellite,
INTELSAT IV A (courtesy
of Intelsat).
A three-axis stabilized satellite, INTELSAT V (courtesy of Intelsat).
Typical onboard control system for a spinner
satellite.
Typical tracking,
telemetry,
command and
monitoring
system
Transponder
arrangement of RCA’s
SATCOM satellites and
frequency plan. The
translation frequency is
2225 MHz. [Reproduced
with permission from W.
H.Braun and J. E.
Keigler, “RCA Satellite
Networks: High
Technology and Low
User Cost,” Proceedings
of the IEEE 72, 1483-
1505
Simplified block diagram of an INTELSAT V communication system. Note that the switch
matrix allows many possible interconnections between uplink beams and downlink
transmitters. (Courtesy C. F. Hoeber, Ford Aerospace and Communications Corp.)
Simplified block diagram of Transparent (bent
pipe) single conversion transponder for 6/4 GHz
band
Simplified block diagram of Transparent (bent pipe)
double conversion transponder for 14/11 GHz band
Regenerative Transponder with memory
Equipment with 1/2 redundancy

Reliability and Redundancy of Transponders in Satellite

Redundant W/TA configuration in HPA of a 6/4
GHz bent pipe transponder
Switch matrixes: (a) with splitters and combiners and (b) cross-bar
Architecture of the ACTS satellite payload [NAD-88]. ( AIAA. Used with
permission.)
An arrangement
to achieve p/n/m
redundancy
Satellite Antennas
Deployment sequence of ATS-6 10-m
Intelsat VI satellite on station antenna. (Courtesy of NASA.)
Typical satellite antenna patterns and coverage zones. The antenna for the
global beam is usually a waveguide horn. Scanning beams and shaped beams
require phased array antennas or reflector antennas with phased array feeds.
Shaped beam antenna using an array of radiating elements.
Separate multiple beams
Contiguous multiple beams
A single beam in a given frequency band with a given polarisation, multiple beam
coverage implies generation of several beams which may be in different
frequency bands and have different polarisations.
Multifeed antennas: By locating an array of radiating elements at the focus of

the antenna, it is possible to obtain either a shaped beam or multiple beams.
If the array of radiating elements is fed from the same signal with a particular
amplitude and
phase distribution, a shaped beam is obtained
Reflector antennas with offset mounting: (a) simple reflector and
(b) dual reflector (Gregorian).
This type of antenna is the most commonly used to obtain spot beams or
shaped beams. The antenna consists of a parabolic reflector illuminated by
one or more radiating elements located at the focal point.
Two-reflector mounting. A two-reflector mounting in which the main reflector is

illuminated by an auxiliary reflector which is itself illuminated by the radiating
element or elements (a Cassegrain or Gregorian mounting, according to
whether the auxiliary reflector is hyperbolic or parabolic) can also be used.
Offset mounting. Symmetrical mountings suffer from blocking of the

aperture by the radiating elements or the auxiliary reflector and their
supports; this leads to a degradation of efficiency and an increase in
the level of side lobes.
Dichroic reflectors: A dichroic
surface is reflecting to radio waves
within a given band of frequencies
and transparent outside this band.
By realising the auxiliary reflector of
two-reflector antennas using this
technique, the antenna has two focal
points which depend on the
frequency of operation. This permits
the same reflector to be used in two
different frequency bands. Figure
shows an example where the
dichroic reflector is reflecting in Ka-
band and transparent in Ku-band.
Furthermore, a surface which is
polarisation selective can be used to
generate two different foci according
to the polarisation of the wave in Ku
band.
Dual frequency antenna with a dichroic surface

Earth Segment
A master antenna TV (MATV) system is used to provide
reception of DBS TV/FM channels to a small group of users
One possible arrangement for the indoor unit of a community antenna
TV (CATV) system.
More detailed block diagram of a transmit-receive earth station
Simplified earth station receiver at C-band
(Single Conversion)
Double conversion earth station receiver for Ku and Ka-band.
The first downconversion shifts signals in a 500-MHz band to the first IF range
900-1400 MHz. The second downconverter has a tunable local oscillator and
channel selection filter to select the wanted transponder signal in the second
IF centered at 70 MHz.
The Parabolic Reflector Antenna used by earth station
(a) Ray paths for an
offset reflector. (b)
The offset feed for a
paraboloidal
reflector.
Double-Reflector Antennas
A19-m Cassegrain
antenna. (Courtesy
of TIW Systems,
Inc.)

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What are the different types of satellite antennas discussed in the document?

What are the different types of transponders mentioned?

Satellite Space &

Equipment with 2/3 redundancy

Equipment with 1/2 redundancy

Equipment with 2/3 redundancy

Multifeed antennas: By locating an array of radiating elements at the focus of

Two-reflector mounting. A two-reflector mounting in which the main reflector is

Offset mounting. Symmetrical mountings suffer from blocking of the

Dual frequency antenna with a dichroic surface

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