Satellite Communications

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this topic you should be able to:
 describe satellite communications,

 give examples of typical applications of satellite

communications.

 explain the advantages and disadvantages of

satellite communications,
What is a Satellite?

Meteosat weather satellite

Weight: 2000kg
What is a Satellite?
What is a Satellite?
What is a Satellite?
 What is a Satellite?
• a satellite is any object that revolves around a planet

• there are many manmade (artificial) satellites,

– ~13,000 satellites are tracked in real time
• some are inactive, some are debris from space missions …

• the path a satellite follows is called an orbit,

• to access a satellite requires „line of sight‟ communication

– the receiver (satellite dish) must be in the satellite‟s „footprint‟

• most satellites are custom built to perform a function.

 What are satellites used for?
• television broadcasting
– satellite TV (e.g. Sky)
• telephone communications,
– satellite „phones (e.g. “Iridium”)
• weather forecasting,
– satellite images (visible, infra red, radar)
• Internet communications,
• scientific research,
– climate monitoring, global disaster monitoring, ….
• Global Positioning System
– GPS  satellite navigation („SatNav‟)
– satellite tracking, security
How does Satellite Communications work?
Generally:
• there is a transmitter on the ground
• the transmitter sends signals to a satellite
– using microwaves
• signal is received & amplified by the satellite
• signal is retransmitted back to Earth
• signal reaches its recipient
– or is 'bounced back' to another satellite
Satellite Footprint
Satellite Launch
Satellite Launch
Satellite Separation
Satellite Deployment
GCHQ Satellite Ground station
BSkyB Satellite Groundstation
 Where are these satellites?
There are 2 main types of satellite orbit:

• Geostationary orbit
– always positioned over the same spot on Earth
– orbit at 22,000 miles (36,000 km)

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

– orbit at 400-800km
Geostationary orbit
 Geostationary Satellite
• always positioned over the same spot on Earth

• orbits at the same rotational speed as the Earth

– approx 10,000 km/h

• orbits 22,000 miles (36,000 km) above the Earth,

– about a tenth of the distance to the Moon

• able to capture images of the whole Earth disc

• used by TV and weather satellites

– this is why a satellite TV dish is bolted in a fixed position.
Geostationary Satellite
Geostationary Satellite
 LEO Satellites
• much closer to Earth than a geostationary orbit,
– orbit at 400-800km (aircraft fly at 11km, ISS ~300km),
– orbit at ~27,000 km/h (17,000 mph)
– each orbit takes ~ 90mins,
• has a smaller footprint than a geostationary satellite
– can resolve finer detail (optical resolution ~40cm in 2010)
• usually employ a group of satellites,
– each in the same orbit,
– at least one satellite is visible at any time,
• possible to access satellites from any point on Earth,
– GPS & satellite navigation („Navstar‟)
– use satellite ‘phone in remote locations („Iridium‟ satellites),
– global Internet access.
LEO Satellites
 Advantages of Satellite Communication
• can reach remote places
– so people can be contacted wherever they are
• e.g. areas where there is no cellular/fixed line connection
• high bandwidth
– many simultaneous calls can take place
– video & audio can be transmitted in real time
• cost of communication is distance independent
– whether message is sent 10 km or 6000 km
 Disadvantages of using Satellites
• are expensive to set up and maintain
• needs line of sight
– can lose signal out of footprint or in built up areas
• affected by weather conditions/interference
– leading to signal degradation
• distance from Earth
– means messages takes time
– can cause unacceptable delay on communications
• general congestion in space
– limitation on number of satellites in geostationary orbit
 Uses for Satellite
• Weather satellites
• Communications satellites
• Scientific satellites
• Navigational satellites
• Earth observation satellites
• Military satellites
Weather Satellite
 Weather Satellite
• can see what's happening at the moment.
 Weather Satellite
• can see what's happening at the moment.
• help meteorologists predict the weather
 Weather Satellite
• can see what's happening at the moment.
• help meteorologists predict the weather
• typical weather satellites include the Meteosat,
GOES and NOAA satellites.
 Weather Satellite
• can see what's happening at the moment.
• help meteorologists predict the weather
• typical weather satellites include the Meteosat,
GOES and NOAA satellites.
• satellites generally contain cameras that can
return photos of Earth's weather,
 Weather Satellite
• can see what's happening at the moment.
• help meteorologists predict the weather
• typical weather satellites include the Meteosat,
GOES and NOAA satellites.
• satellites generally contain cameras that can
return photos of Earth's weather,
• use visible and infra red imaging
 Weather Satellite
• can see what's happening at the moment.
• help meteorologists predict the weather
• typical weather satellites include the Meteosat,
GOES and NOAA satellites.
• satellites generally contain cameras that can
return photos of Earth's weather,
• use visible and infra red imaging
• use either geostationary positions or polar
orbits.
Weather Satellites
Weather Satellite
Weather Satellite
Weather Satellite

Hurricane Katrina (August 2005)

Weather Satellite

Hurricane Katrina (August 2005)

 Scientific & EO Satellites
• climatic phenomena
– monitor, analyse and forecast future changes
– chart sea-surface temperatures
– global ocean colour
• phytoplankton are a major influence on the amount of carbon in
the atmosphere
• NASA monitors lake and reservoir height variations
for approximately 100 lakes
• track natural events in progress,
– fires, floods, volcanic eruptions
• deforestation
• astrophysical observations - Hubble Space Telescope
Scientific & EO Satellites

1975 1985 1992

Deforestation in Brazil
 Scientific & EO Satellites

1975

1992 2006

Deforestation in Brazil
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=35891
 Scientific & EO Satellites

Mineral Exploration
Image displays the mineral abundance layer. Red = Mica, Cyan/Green= Kaolinite,
Blue= Alunite, Beige = Carbonate, Brown = Silica, Mauve = Iron
Scientific & EO Satellites

Volcano Explosion on Montserrat (1997)

Scientific & EO Satellites

Dust Storms off the Sahara

Scientific & EO Satellites

UK cities in IR
 Military Satellites
• applications may include:
– relaying encrypted communications
– nuclear monitoring
– observing enemy movements
– early warning of missile launches
– eavesdropping on terrestrial radio links
– radar imaging
– photography
• using what are essentially large telescopes that take pictures of
militarily interesting areas
 Military Satellites

Washington Airport (1 pixel = 0.6m)

Military Satellites

Baghdad during 2nd Gulf War

 Communications Satellites
• usually in geosynchronous orbit
– serve a particular area of the Earth
– can use a cellular network of satellites
• serve the whole Earth
• allow telephone and data conversations to be relayed
through the satellite
– Internet, email, satellite „phone, TV
– can broadcast television signals from one point on Earth to
another
• normally contain thousands of transponders
– many simultaneous users