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LECTURE ONE
Coverage: Introduction, frequency allocation, INTELSAT.
INTRODUCTION
What is a Satellite?
Satellite is an object that moves around a larger object, it can be a planet e.g. Earth, Moon
or any other “man-made” object.
There are natural and artificial satellites.
However, usually when we say “satellite”, we mean a man-made i.e. fabricated object or
machine, which are launched into space, and orbits the Earth for various applications and
uses, basically a radio repeater in the sky.
Satellite Application
The horizon of application of satellite technology has extended far beyond providing
intercontinental communication services such as radio, telephone to navigation aids, broadcasting
and newer communication services etc. while small roof top antennas rather than giant sized
antennas.
Application Areas
Satellite applications can be broadly classified in:
1. Satellite communication applications
In this field Satellite TV, Telephone and Data Communication are the major application areas.
2. Remote sensing and Earth observation applications
In this category of Remote sensing and earth observation application the typical ones are the
discovery of hidden mineral resources, terrain-mapping etc.
3. Meteorological applications
The metrological applications include weather forecasting, flood forecast, melting of glaciers
etc.
4. Military applications
This includes providing strategic communication links between border forces and
headquarters, spying providing navigational aids to ships, aircraft etc.
5. Scientific and Technological applications
The application include use of satellites for astronautical research, monitoring of different
layers of atmosphere etc.
Type of Satellites
There are two types of satellites i.e. Active and Passive Satellite.
a. Active Satellite is the one that electronically repeats a signal back to earth. It has its own
transmitting and receiving antenna. It receives a signal, amplifies the signal and retransmits.
It generates power of its own.
b. Passive Satellite is the simplest type of satellites that reflects the received signal from
earth station and scatters the signal in all directions. It does not modify or amplify the
signal.
FREQUENCY ALLOCATION
There are six frequency bands that have been allocated for the use with satellite communications
INTELSAT
Intel Sat is satellite communication service provider known as International Telecommunication
Satellite Organization (ITSO). INTELSAT was formed from 1964 to 2001.
An intergovernmental consortium owing and managing a constellation of communication satellites
providing international broadcast services.
Constellations: Is a group of artificial satellites working in concert that means satellite with
coordinated ground coverage operating together under shared control, synchronized so that they
overlap well in coverage, the period in which a satellite or other spacecraft is visible above the local
horizon.
At current state INTEL SAT operates fleet of 52 communications satellites for international
broadcast services.