Learn How To

• Develop a system design based on communications requirements and limitations.
• Select system components, based on their specifications, to satisfy system requirements.
• Perform detailed EIRP and G/T analysis.
• Establish proper signal levels for optimum performance.
• Select the proper access technique based on system requirements and network topology.
• Perform availability analysis based on required fade margin, equipment reliability, and sparing strategy.
• Perform detailed end-to-end link budget analysis based on system limitations and equipment parameters.

• Participants with some background in telecommunications whose work requires a comprehensive workshop on satellite communications.

This interactive Training will be highly interactive, with opportunities to advance your opinions and ideas and will include;

• Lectures
• Workshop & Work Presentation
• Case Studies and Practical Exercise
• Videos and General Discussions

Module I—Digital Communications for Geosynchronous Satellites

• Digital vs. Analog
• Network Components and Topologies
• Switching Terminology
• Digital/Analog Comparison
• Line Codes:  Bit Rate, Baud Rate and Bandwidth
• Harry Nyquist and Claude Shannon
• Bandwidth and Bit rate at Baseband
• Line Code Variations
• Voice Encoding Techniques:  Bandwidth vs. Latency
• Waveform Encoding
• Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
• Adaptive Differential PCM
• Continuously Variable Slope Delta Modulation
• Source Coding
• Linear Predictive Coding
• Code-book Excited Linear Prediction (CELP)
• Voice Coding Issues over Satellites
• Digital Communications Protocols
• Overview of Protocol Layers
• Physical Layer Aggregation and Switching Protocols
• Standards-based TDM:  T-carriers and E-carriers
• Proprietary TDM:  Aggregate Rate Multiplexing
• Digital Cross-Connect Switching (DCS)
• Digital Circuit Multiplication Equipment (DCME)
• Data Link Layer Protocols and Equipment
• Frame Relay FRADs and Switches
• ATM and Negative Latency
• Network Layer Devices and Functions
• Network Timing and Synchronization
• Timing Terminology and Concepts
• Stratum Levels and Timing Architectures

Module II—Geosynchronous Satellites 

• Satellite Communications Overview
• A Brief History of Satellite Communications
• Overview of Earth Station Sub-systems
• Geosynchronous Satellites:  Strengths and Weaknesses
• Common Satellite Deployments
• Problems Caused by Long Path Delays
• Need for Echo Cancellation
• Perceptible Delay in Conversation
• Talk Collisions over Double-hops
• Reduction in Throughput When Using Protocols That Require Acknowledgement and Re-transmission
• Problems Caused by Relative Satellite Motion
• Doppler Shift of High-speed Data Streams
• Tracking Requirements due to Satellite Inclination
• Overview of Satellite Access Techniques
• FDMA for Digital and Analog Access
• TDMA and F/TDMA for Digital Access

Module III—Earth Station Equipment

• A Quick Review of Decibels
• Logarithms and Their Functions
• Using Decibels for Small and Large Ratios and Values
• When NOT to use Decibels
• The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Frequency vs. Wavelength
• Band Designations
• Radar Bands Common to Satellite Communications
• Radio Building Blocks
• Basics of Radio Amplifiers
• Filter Types and Functions
• Type of Oscillators (Sources)
• Mixers and Multipliers
• Earth Station Uplink Equipment
• Upconverter Types and Characteristics
• Typical Upconverter Specifications
• Amplifier Types and Characteristics
• Amplifier Impairments Due to Non-linearity
• Intermodulation Distortion
• Spectral Regrowth
• Typical Amplifier Specifications
• Post-Amplifier Combining Techniques
• Wide-band Signal Combining
• Frequency-specific Signal Combining
• Transmission Line Characteristics
• Antennas and Tracking Systems
• Antenna Types
• Antenna Patterns and Gain Calculations
• Antenna Polarization Techniques
• Linear Polarization Concept
• Circular Polarization Concept
• Comparison of Linear and Circular Polarization
• Typical Antenna specifications
• Antenna Tracking Systems
• Step-tracking Systems
• Mono-pulse Tracking Systems
• Earth Station Downlink Equipment
• The Low Noise Amplifier:  The Heart of the Receive System
• LNA Types
• LNA Characteristics
• Typical LNA Specifications
• Downconverter Characteristics
• Modems and Error Correction
• Modulation:  Digital and Analog
• Basics of Digital Modulation
• Modulation Scheme Constellations
• Noise and Errors and Free Distance
• C/N and Eb/N0 Calculations
• Error Correction Techniques
• Block Coding
• Convolutional Coding
• Modem Variations
• Coherent vs. Differential Demodulation
• Offset QPSK for PAPR Improvement
• Timing Considerations for Satellite Links
• Loop Timing Systems
• Master/Slave Timing Systems
• Doppler Buffers for High Data Rates
• Important Modem Characteristics and Specifications
• Thermal Noise and C/N
• Quantifying Noise
• Determining the C/N
• Adding the Uplink C/N and the Downlink C/N
• Power and M&C Systems
• System Components and Alarm Types
• Critical and Technical Power Systems

Module IV—Earth Station Design

•  A Comparison of Access Techniques
• Dedicated Carrier Access
• Demand Assigned Multiple Access
• FDMA
• TDMA
• F/TDMA
• Access Technique Selection Criteria
• Cost Analysis: FDMA vs. TDMA
• Hub-spoke vs. Mesh Networks
• Uplink Design Considerations
• Antenna gain and efficiency
• Earth Station EIRP
• Earth Station Gains and Losses
• Setting Uplink levels
• Downlink Design Considerations
• Downlink Levels
• Internal and External Noise Contributions
• Noise Figure and Noise temperature
• Performing a Cascade Analysis
• G/T Contributing Factors
• Performing a Detailed G/T Analysis
• Determining System Availability
• Equipment Configuration
• Sparing strategy
• Equipment reliability
• Link Availability and rain fade

Module V—Link Analysis Techniques

•  Overview of Link Analysis
• Limiting Factors
• Satellite Transponder Parameters
• Earth Terminal Parameters
• Operational Parameters
• Spreading Loss and Path Loss
• Determining Distance to Satellite
• Determining Power Flux Density at Satellite
• Free Space Loss
• Other Loss Contributions
• Pointing Loss
• Polarization Offset Loss
• Satellite Transponder Parameters
• Saturation Flux Density
• G/T
• Saturation EIRP
• Transponder Padding
• Transponder Bandwidth
• Transponder Footprint
• Satellite Inclination
• Performing Link Budgets for Bent-pipe Satellites
• Determining Total C/N on a Link
• Determining EIRP for Bandwidth-limited Operation
• Performing Detailed Uplink/Downlink Power Budgets
• Putting It All Together:  Link Budget Exercises
• Ka-band and Processing Satellites
• Processing Satellites:  Pros and Cons
• Link Budgets for Processing Satellite
• Ka-band and the Future of Geosynchronous Satellites
• Wrap-up: Course Recap, Q/A, and Evaluations

CDGA attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing minimum of 80% of the total course duration.