Satellite Communication Course

Lesson 1 • History and Evolution of Satellites

Traces satellite development from early experimental launches to modern broadband constellations. Provides context for understanding current system design choices.

Lesson 2 • Satellite System Architecture Overview

Introduces space segment, ground segment, and user segment components. Builds a mental model of end-to-end signal flow used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Signal Propagation in Space

Examines free-space path loss, atmospheric effects, and propagation delays. Prepares students to quantify link impairments in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • Orbital Mechanics and Satellite Orbits

Covers Kepler's laws, orbital parameters, and orbit classifications. Connects orbital geometry to coverage, latency, and link budget planning.

Lesson 1 • Link Budget Spreadsheet Design

Guides construction of a structured link budget tool covering all loss and gain terms. Students validate results against published satellite operator specifications.

Lesson 2 • Carrier-to-Noise Ratio Calculations

Derives C/N, C/No, and Eb/No from first principles using link budget components. Provides the analytical core for evaluating link performance margins.

Lesson 3 • Rain Fade Mitigation Techniques

Analyses rain attenuation statistics and countermeasures including uplink power control and site diversity. Directly applies propagation knowledge to link budget margins.

Lesson 4 • Transmitter and Antenna Parameters

Covers EIRP, antenna gain, beamwidth, and transmit power. These parameters form the source side of every link budget calculation.

Lesson 1 • DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X Standards

Examines the DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X framing, modulation, and coding options used in broadcast and broadband satellites. Connects standards to real transponder configurations.

Lesson 2 • Adaptive Modulation and Coding Systems

Describes ACM loop operation, channel estimation, and switching thresholds. Demonstrates throughput gains over fixed modulation under variable propagation.

Lesson 3 • Spread Spectrum Techniques

Explains DSSS and FHSS principles, processing gain, and anti-jam applications. Relevant to military, government, and interference-resistant commercial links.

Lesson 4 • Forward Error Correction Coding

Covers convolutional, turbo, and LDPC codes with coding gain analysis. Shows how FEC reduces required Eb/No to meet availability targets.

Lesson 1 • Demand Assignment and Dynamic Allocation

Explains DAMA protocols, bandwidth-on-demand, and dynamic resource management. Prepares students to design responsive networks for bursty traffic.

Lesson 2 • Transponder Power and Bandwidth Loading

Quantifies power-bandwidth trade-offs and loading efficiency for mixed carrier scenarios. Directly applies link budget skills to multi-carrier transponder planning.

Lesson 3 • Time Division Multiple Access

Covers TDMA burst structure, frame efficiency, and synchronisation requirements. Shows how TDMA enables full transponder saturation with a single carrier.

Lesson 4 • Code Division and OFDMA Access

Introduces CDMA orthogonality, soft capacity, and OFDMA subcarrier allocation. Connects these schemes to broadband satellite and return-link designs.

Lesson 1 • Satellite Broadband and IP Integration

Covers TCP/IP performance over satellite, acceleration techniques, and QoS implementation. Bridges satellite physical layer knowledge to IP network operations.

Lesson 2 • Non-Geostationary Orbit Constellations

Analyses LEO and MEO constellation design, inter-satellite links, and handover management. Addresses latency advantages and operational complexity of NGSO systems.

Lesson 3 • VSAT Network Design

Covers VSAT terminal specifications, hub architecture, and network management. Connects multiple access and link budget knowledge to enterprise network deployment.

Lesson 4 • Star and Mesh Topology Fundamentals

Compares hub-and-spoke star networks with full-mesh direct connectivity. Establishes topology selection criteria based on traffic patterns and latency needs.

Lesson 1 • On-Orbit Anomaly Management

Addresses common on-orbit anomalies, telemetry interpretation, and contingency procedures. Equips students to support spacecraft operations teams during anomaly resolution.

Lesson 2 • Transponder Architecture and Types

Covers bent-pipe, regenerative, and digital transparent processor transponders. Establishes how payload type affects link budget, flexibility, and on-orbit reconfigurability.

Lesson 3 • Spacecraft Bus Subsystems

Examines power, thermal, attitude control, and propulsion subsystems supporting the payload. Understanding bus constraints is essential for payload sizing and lifetime planning.

Lesson 4 • Satellite Launch and Early Orbit Operations

Covers launch vehicle selection, injection accuracy, and early orbit phase procedures. Provides operational context for understanding satellite availability and commissioning timelines.

Lesson 1 • RF Equipment and Signal Chain

Examines LNA, BUC, HPA, and waveguide components in the earth station RF chain. Connects component specifications to link budget transmit and receive parameters.

Lesson 2 • Site Selection and Environmental Factors

Addresses site survey criteria, interference environment assessment, and civil infrastructure needs. Ensures earth station performance is not degraded by site-related factors.

Lesson 3 • Earth Station Commissioning and Monitoring

Guides acceptance testing, carrier monitoring, and fault management procedures. Prepares operators to maintain service quality and respond to outages efficiently.

Lesson 4 • Baseband and Modem Equipment

Describes satellite modem functions, interface standards, and baseband processing. Ties modulation and coding knowledge to physical modem configuration.

Lesson 1 • Interference Detection and Geolocation

Describes spectrum monitoring, carrier ID, and time-difference-of-arrival geolocation methods. Enables operators to locate and resolve interference sources rapidly.

Lesson 2 • Types and Sources of Satellite Interference

Classifies co-channel, adjacent channel, cross-polarisation, and terrestrial interference sources. Builds the taxonomy needed for systematic interference diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Interference Calculation Methods

Applies carrier-to-interference ratio analysis and protection ratio concepts to quantify interference impact. Extends link budget skills to multi-system interference scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Interference Mitigation Techniques

Covers polarisation isolation, orbital separation, uplink power control, and filtering as mitigation tools. Provides practical countermeasures applicable to operational networks.