Satellite Link Budget Training Using
SatMaster Software
Presented by Bruce
Elbert, President, Application Technology Strategy, Inc.
October 28
& 29, 2010, at UCLA Extension,
Link budgets
are the standard tool for designing and assessing the radio frequency (RF) and
other physical layer aspects of fixed and mobile satellite systems, and must be
understood by many engineers and managers with design and operation
responsibilities. In the past, link budgets were very personalized as to style
and content; however, they remain the primary format for presenting results of
such analyses. More recently, commercial software tools have appeared on the
market to structure and automate the process of creating link budgets, although
some are extremely costly and are only practical for corporate users. Other
similar tools are provided for free, but must be employed to design links for a
particular satellite system as directed by the operator.
SatMaster
is a highly-recognized yet low-cost PC-based software tool offered through the
web by Arrowe
Technical Services of the
The course
begins with a brief review of the underlying theory of link budgets and moves
quickly to the user interface, estimating features, and file formats of SatMaster. The course then concentrates on examples that
demonstrate both the principles and use of the software. SatMaster+,
the latest version of the program, also is reviewed as it contains new
features, such as batch analyses of multiple sites, ionospheric
scintillation, and the use of interference densities as opposed to C/I
estimates.
The course
concludes with several computer workshop examples to enhance participants’
confidence in using SatMaster, and to improve their
understanding of the link budgeting process. Participants should gain
confidence in their ability to prepare link budgets and their facility with SatMaster. Examples from the class are employed as time
allows.
UCLA Extension has
presented this highly successful short course since 2002.
Course Materials
A demonstration
copy of the latest version of SatMaster is
distributed and used during this computer lab course. Lecture notes also 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 communications 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
and other wireless technologies and services. During 25 years with Hughes Space
and Communications (now Boeing Satellite Systems), he directed communications
engineering of several major satellite projects, including Palapa
A, Indonesia’s original satellite system; the Galaxy follow-on system (the
largest and most successful satellite TV system in the world); and the
development of the first GEO mobile satellite system capable of serving
handheld user terminals. Mr. Elbert also worked as a communications engineer
for the INTELSAT system, and developed link analysis tools while a radio
officer in the U.S. Army. He has written seven books on telecommunications and
IT, including The Satellite Communication
Applications Handbook, Second Edition (Artech
House, 2004); The Satellite Communication
Ground Segment and Earth Station Handbook (Artech
House, 2001); and Introduction to
Satellite Communication, Second Edition (Artech
House, 1999).
UCLA Faculty Representative
Kung Yao, PhD,
Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Henry Samueli
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Daily Schedule
Monday
Principles of Satellite Links and Applicability of SatMaster
·
Standard
ground rules for satellite link budgets
— Frequency band selection: L, S, C, X, Ku, and Ka
— Satellite footprints (EIRP, G/T, and SFD) and transponder plans
— Propagation considerations: the isotropic source, line of sight, antenna
principles
— Atmospheric effects: troposphere (clear air and rain) and ionosphere (Faraday
and scintillation)
— Rain effects and rainfall regions; use of the DAH rain model
— Modulation systems (QPSK, OQPSK, MSK, GMSK, 8PSK, 16 QAM, and 32 APSK)
— Forward error correction techniques (Viterbi,
Reed-Solomon, Turbo, and LDPC codes)
— Transmission equation and its relationship to the link budget
·
Introduction
to the user interface of SatMaster
— File formats: antenna pointing, database, digital link budget, and
regenerative repeater link budget
— Built-in reference data and calculators
— Example of a digital one-way link budget (DVB-S) using equations and SatMaster
·
Interference
and noise considerations
— Interference sources (X-pol, adjacent satellite
interference analysis, adjacent channel interference); C/I estimation
— Noise considerations of the receiver, antenna, and transmission line: G/T
— Intermodulation products and satellite amplifier backoff
·
Earth
station characteristics
— Antenna characteristics (main beam, sidelobe, X-pol considerations)
— HPA characteristics, intermodulation and sizing
·
Link
budget workshop example using SatMaster: multiple
channel per carrier
Tuesday
Detailed Link Design in Practice:
Computer Workshop
·
Transponder
loading and optimum multi-carrier backoff
·
Review
of link budget optimization techniques using the program’s built-in features
— Minimize required transponder capacity
— Maximize throughput
— Minimize receive dish size
— Minimize transmit power
·
Discussion
of VSAT parameters and technology options as they relate to the link budget
·
Example:
digital VSAT, multi-carrier operation
·
Example:
two-way FDMA data link
·
Comparison
of SatMaster Pro (legacy version) and SatMaster+ (feature-rich version)
·
Use
of batch location files to prepare link budgets for a large table of locations
·
Case
study from the class using the above elements and SatMaster
For more
information call the Short Course Program Office at (310) 825-3344; fax (310)
206-2815.
Dates October 28 & 29, 2010
Time 8
am-4 pm (subject to adjustment after the first class meeting)
Location Room 213,
