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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: EEEM031 Module Title: SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS A
Module Provider: Electronic Engineering Short Name: EEM.SCMA
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: EVANS BG Prof (Elec Eng)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Autumn Semester.

Assessment Pattern

Components of Assessment
Method(s)
Percentage weighting
Closed-book examination paper
By written, mandatory
60%
Assignment
By written, mandatory
40%
Part-time Students:
As per full time
As per full time

Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites

Contact School for details.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to provide the student with a broad background across the whole of satellite communications including technology, markets and planning with detailed skills in the planning process

Learning Outcomes

Students completing this course will have a good understanding across the field of satellite communications, its technology, techniques, markets and business. They will be able to plan satellite communications systems for prescribed quality of service and understand the business planning relevant to modern satellite systems.

Module Content
Introduction to Satellite Systems (Lecturer: BGE)

Radio Regulations, ITU-R/T, IFRB. Frequencies, interference management, space and ground segment components, earth stations, bus and payloads, antennas and coverage, transparent and non-transparent transponders. FSS, MSS, BSS applications areas and examples with state-of-the-art systems. GEO, HEO, LEO and hybrid orbits dynamics, echoes control and effect on services: speech, vision, data, and multimedia. Satellite Networking: SCPC, MCPC, and multiple access review. FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, RA and where used. Traffic routing in single and multi beam satellites. Satellites versus other medium and where applicable. Control and operation of satellite systems, earth station planning, siting and maintenance.

Satellite Systems Planning (Lecturer: BGE)

Basic transmission theory, FSL, antenna theory, gain, radiation patter, eirp, satellite look angles and ranges. Noise sources, noise temp, noise figure, sky noise G/T ratio and calculation C/N for up-path and down-path. Intermodulation, back-off, interference and C/I calculation. Effects of rain for FSS and multipath shadowing for MSS systems - calculation of margins. Link budget with overall C/N and availability. Meaning of QoS. Differences between GEO and non-GEO link budgets. Digital modulation PSK types and choice. Eb/No, BER coherent differential etc. modems, filtering and bandwidth calculation. FEC coding, code rates, code types. Error coding in trading off power and bandwidth - power and bandwidth limits. Relationship Eb/No with C/No and system QoS requirements. Examples of link budget planning for desired QoS/availability.

Satellite Organisations and state-of-the-art Review (Lecturer: BGE + Seminar)

IGOS - INTELSAT, INMARSAT, EUTELSAT etc. ESA, NASA, NASDA role, regional and domestic systems, private organisation and consortia - the move to privatisation. Launcher organisations, manufacturers, operators and service providers - enterprise models. Review of FSS, BSS, MSS systems, state-of-the-art and current developments.

Regulation of the Spectrum (Lecturer: PT)

Frequency assignments and limitations – work of ITU in fixed mobile and broadcast areas. Co-ordination procedures for GEO and for non-GEO systems and the management of interference. Latest WRC developments.

Satellite Systems Business (Lecturer: BGE)

Who’s Who in the business and who makes money. Financial planning - NPV and IRR techniques, project planning and scheduling. Building a business case and raising money for projects - the role of equity, debt and the banks. Risk analysis and management.

Satellite System futures (Lecturer: BGE)

A state-of-the art update on current innovations and new systems proposals, standards issues and technology developments that shape satellite communications for the next 10 years
.
Methods of Teaching/Learning

Assignments: A detailed assignment involving the planning of a communications satellite system - (Compulsory, minimum mark 30%) Estimated time to complete assignment: 20 hrs

Labs: None.

Seminar Programme: (Assessable in exams) Following indicative and may change from year to year.

S1 - The INTELSAT System 

S2 - The INMARSAT System

S3 - Payload Engineering

S4 - Earth-Station Engineering

S5 - Finance / Business

Lectures: There will be 24 lecture hours and 6 seminar hours.

Selected Texts/Journals

Maral, G., and Bousquet, M, Satellite Communication Systems, 3rd ed., J Wiley. 0-471-971669 (pbk) A

Richharia, M, Satellite Communication Systems Design Principles 2nd ed, Macmillan 1999. 0-333-74722-4 B

Evans, B.G, Satellite Communication Systems, 3rd ed, IEE Telecoms Series 38. 085296899X A

Withers, D.J, Radio Spectrum Management, IEE Telecoms Series 23. 086341-1770 (£68.00) C

Last Updated

16th July 2008