Ground Segment and Earth Station
Engineering for Satellite Communications
Bruce Elbert, Coordinator and
Instructor
Satellite
communications systems rely on orbiting satellites to provide reliable wireless
transmission, in conjunction with the ground-based infrastructure that delivers
a wide range of narrowband and broadband services. This ground segment
comprises major earth stations and user terminals that have been configured and
optimized for cost-effective fixed and mobile applications. Owing to the
diversity of new applications based on the Internet Protocol and the DVB and
MPEG series of standards and the availability of high-power satellite capacity
on a global basis, these systems have become vital to users in both the
commercial and government sectors.
This course
presents a comprehensive, up-to-date development of ground segment engineering
principles and practical techniques for satellite communications engineers,
earth station developers and operators, enterprise network engineers,
electronics maintenance engineers, and providers of voice, data, video, and
Internet services with GEO and non-GEO satellites. Instruction addresses earth
station design, user terminal configuration and production, and facility design
and operation, providing a detailed and integrated understanding of how to
proceed with complex projects. Throughout the course, emphasis is on the latest
technologies and techniques, particularly in the areas of digital
communications and standards, RF and wireless design, and production of a
workable ground-based facility that meets both current needs and future
requirements.
Course
methodologies and examples come from a variety of applications in satellite
communications and networking, including fixed and mobile voice and data,
Internet services via satellite, digital video and audio broadcasting,
high-speed delivery of broadband and multimedia content, and international
telecommunications services that integrate both satellite and land-based cable and
wireless systems. These capabilities apply to commercial as well as government
military and civil uses.
Participants
learn to:
·
Design
an earth station from system requirements (top down) and component and
subsystem performance (bottom up), taking into account RF terminal, baseband
system, and supporting facility needs in reliable power and the physical plant
·
Perform
tradeoff studies to determine the optimal RF terminal design
·
Evaluate
the critical questions that can hamper the introduction of the ground segment
and earth stations, including radio frequency interference and coordination,
maintainability and survivability, and effective monitor and control of the
entire terrestrial infrastructure
·
Create
performance budgets and allocations using link budgets and RF gain and noise
budgeting techniques
·
Understand
the design and construction of major earth stations used as digital TV
broadcast origination centers, VSAT hubs, and mobile gateways
·
Select
appropriate devices for user terminal implementation, including antenna, RF
electronics, baseband functions, and the end user interface for fixed
installation and mobile terminals for handheld, vehicular, and airborne use
The course
is intended for practicing earth station designers and operators in the
commercial and government sectors, satellite systems engineers and system
architects, network engineers and managers who are implementing earth station
networks, and equipment designers and manufacturers. Throughout the course,
participants are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the specific issues
that they face on the job.
UCLA Extension has
presented this highly successful short course since 2000.
Course Materials
The text, The Satellite Communication Ground Segment
and Earth Station Handbook, B. Elbert (Artech House, 2001), and updated
lecture notes are distributed on the first day of the course. The notes are for
participants only and are not for sale.
Coordinator and Lecturer
Bruce R. Elbert,
MSEE, MBA, President, Application Technology Strategy, Inc., Thousand Oaks,
California; and Adjunct Professor, College of Engineering, University of
Wisconsin, Madison. Mr. Elbert is a recognized satellite expert and has been
involved in the satellite and telecommunications industries for over 30 years.
He founded ATSI to assist major private and public sector organizations that
develop and operate cutting-edge networks using satellite technologies and
services. During 25 years with Hughes Electronics (now the DIRECTV Group), he
directed the design of several major satellite projects, including Palapa A,
UCLA Faculty Representative
Kung Yao, PhD,
Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Henry Samueli School of
Engineering and Applied Science
Course Program
Ground Segment and Earth Station Fundamentals
·
Evolution
of satellite communication earth stationsfrom major international gateways to
the home dish installation
·
Earth
station design philosophy for performance and operation effectiveness
·
Engineering
principles
Review of link budget
Digital modems and coding for error correction
Multiple access systems: performance and control
End-to-end network integration: design and test strategy to minimize risk
·
Radio
frequency clearance and interference consideration
RFI prediction techniques
Interference criteria and coordination
Site selection
RFI problem identification and resolution
Service Requirements and Delivery
·
Two-way
communications services
Satellite-based voice networks, speech compression
VSAT data networks (STAR and MESH)
·
One-way
(broadcast) services
Digital video broadcasting of TV and the DVB-S standards
Digital audio broadcast
·
System
design analysis
Service objectives (QoS and capacity)
Allocation of impairments between space and ground
Derivation of earth station requirements
Major Earth Station Engineering
·
RF
terminal design and optimization
Antennas for major earth stations (fixed and tracking)
Upconverter and HPA chain (SSPA, TWTA, and KPA)
LNA/LNB and downconverter chain
Optimization of RF terminal configuration and performance (redundancy, power
combining, and safety)
·
Baseband
equipment configuration and integration
FDMA
TDMA
VSAT hub
CDMA
·
Designing
and verifying the terrestrial interface
·
Station
monitor and control
·
Facility
design and implementation
Prime power and UPS systems
Developing environmental requirements (HVAC)
Building design and construction
Grounding and lightening control
·
Major
earth station design case study
Radio frequency design and configuration
Redundancy designs and the effect on grade of service
Baseband systems
Building design and site layout considerations
Interfacility link (fiber/coax)
User Terminals for Fixed and Mobile
Applications
·
General
configuration of user terminal (UT)
RF head section (outdoor equipment)
Baseband section (indoor equipment)
User interface (common devices and custom features)
·
Antennas
for UTs
Fixed directional antennas (dish and array)
Tracking antenna designs (mechanical and electronic steered)
Omni-directional antennas for handheld mobile applications
·
Baseband
functions
Digital radio design principles
Software Designed Radio applications
·
Fixed
terminals
Receive only digital set-top-box (DVB)
Two-way VSAT
Next-generation low-cost VSAT
·
Special
considerations for portable and handheld UTs
Analysis of the typical digital mobile phone
Design of the satellite mobile UT
Configuration for government services
Extensions for aeronautical, maritime, and data applications
