Auto-Tracking RF Ground Unit for S-Band Critical De Sign Re Vie W

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Auto-Tracking RF Ground Unit for S-Band Critical De Sign Re Vie W 1 ASEN 40 18 Se nior Proje cts Fa ll 2 0 18 Critica l De sig n Re vie w Auto-Tracking RF Ground Unit for S-Band Team: Trevor Barth, Anahid Blaisdell, Adam Dodge, Geraldine Fuentes, Thomas Fulton, Adam Hess, Janell Lopez, Diana Mata, Tyler Murphy, Stuart Penkowsky, Michael Tzimourakas Advisor: Professor Dennis Akos Customer: 2 Purpose and Objective 3 Project Motivation ● Ground stations consist of a motorized antenna system used to communicate with satellites ● Current ground stations are expensive and stationary ● Mobile ground stations could be used to provide instantaneous communication with small satellites in remote locations ● Communication is real-time a nd dire ct to the user Current stationary S-Band ground station: $50,000 ≈ 4 Project Objective Mission Statement: The ARGUS ground station is designed to be able to track a LEO sa te llite a nd re ce ive a te le me try downlink using a pla tform tha t is both portable and more affordable than current S-Band ground stations. ● Commercial-off-the-she lf (COTS) whe re possible ● Interface with user laptop (monitor) ● Portable: 46.3 kg (102 lbs), able to be carried a distance of 100 meters by two people 5 CONOPS 6 Under 100 m 7 Under 100 m Within 60 min 8 Under 100 m Within 60 min 9 Under 100 m Within 60 min 10 Under 100 m Within 60 min 11 Under 100 m Within 60 min 12 Functional Requirements FR 1. 0 The ground station shall be capable of receiving signals from a Low Earth Orbit satellite between 2.2 - 2.3 GHz, in Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation with a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 10-5, a bit rate of 2 Mbit/s, and a G/T of 3 dB/K. 2.0 The ground station shall mechanically steer a dish/antenna system to follow a LEO satellite between 200 km to 600 km between 10 ° and 170° local elevation. 3.0 The ground station shall be reconfigurable to be used for different RF bands. 4.0 ARGUS shall weigh less than 46.3 kg (102 lbs) and be capable of being carried a distance of 100 meters by two people. 5.0 The ground station onboard computer shall interface with a laptop using a Cat-5 ethernet ca b le . 13 Design Solution 14 He lica l Ante nna Feed 1.5m Parabolic Reflector Azimuth/Ele va tion Motors Transportable Case Tripod 15 Functional Block Diagram 16 Software Flow Chart 17 Antenna Unit Subsystem 18 ● Antenna Feed ○ Purpose: Colle ct incoming signa l ○ Model: RFHa m De s ig n H-13 XL ○ Specs: LCHP a t 2 . 1 - 2.6 GHz, 110 ° beamwidth ● Antenna Dish ○ Purpose: Magnify and focus incoming signal ○ Model: RFHa m De s ig n 1. 5 m ○ Specs: Metal mesh, aluminum struts, 6 kg ● Antenna Base ○ Purpose: Support antenna system and motors 1.5 m ○ Model: RFHa m De s ig n ○ Specs: 670mm – 830mm he ight, 30 kg max load 19 Motor System SPX-01: az/el motors + position sensors + controller ● $655.78 ● 0 .5 deg resolution ● Interfaces with onboard computer ● Manual/auto control ● Designed for continuous tra cking Az/El motors + position sensors Motor controller Signal Conditioning and Processing 20 21 ● Low Noise Amplifie r (LNA) ○ Purpose: Incre a se signa l ga in ○ Model: Minicircuits ZX60-P33ULN+ ○ Specs: 14 . 8 dB Ga in, 0 .38 dB Noise ● Software Defined Radio (SDR) ○ Purpose: Process incoming RF data ○ Model: Ada lm Pluto ○ Specs: 325 MHz to 3.8 GHz Fre que ncy Range , 12 bit ADC, 20 MHz max RX data rate ● Onboard Computer ○ Purpose: Process incoming RF data and control tracking ○ Model: Inte l NUC Kit NUC7I7DNKE ○ Specs: i7 Processor, 16 gb RAM, 5 12 gb SSD 22 Critical Project Elements 23 24 Design Requirements and Sa tisfa ction 25 Antenna Subsystem F R 1. 0 The ground station shall be capable of receiving signals from a Low Earth Orbit satellite between 2.2 - 2.3 GHz, in Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation with a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 10-5, a bit rate of 2 Mbit/s, and a G/T of 3 dB/K. FR 4.0 ARGUS shall weigh less than 46.3 kg (102 lbs) and be capable of being carried a distance of 100 meters by two people. 26 RF Ham Design Reflector Mesh Feed Hub Ribs Feed Support Hardware 1. 5 m ● Meets specified 27 dB at 2.3 GHz requirement; however, fails to meet mobility requirement 27 Modification of Reflector Current RFHam dish: ● Asse mb ly time 6 + hours ● Single continuous mesh ● Multiple tools Mod ifica tions: ● Assembly time less than 1 hour ● Split into 12 conne cta b le pieces ● Fewer than 4 tools Mod ula rity: ● 22 gauge aluminum sheet attaches to ribs ● Petals attach to central hub 28 Modification of Reflector ✔️Meets mobility requirements (FR.4) 29 Antenna Gain Calculation Pasternack SMA Male to N Male Adapter ZX60-P33ULN+ MiniCircuits LNA Pasternack SMA to SMA Cable Adalm-Pluto SDR 30 Estimated Efficiency Optima l ARGUS a nte nna is 53.7 % efficient Gain at 53.7% e fficie ncy 28.08 dBi Gain at 35% e fficie ncy 26.22 dBi Required gain 26.2 dBi ✔️Meets bandwidth and gain requirements (FR.1) 31 Tracking Hardware Subsystem FR 2 .0 The ground station shall mechanically steer a dish/antenna system to follow a LEO satellite between 200 km to 600 km between 10° e le va tio n a nd 170 ° e le va tio n. 32 STK: Tracking Rate Verification DR 2.3 The antenna motor shall be able to move the antenna at a slew rate of 5.0 °/s ● Worst case pass ○ Elliptica l orbit Max of 4.41 °/s ○ Pass directly overhead ○ Retrograde ● Max Rate: 4.41 °/s Angular Rate (deg/sec) Azimuth Rate (deg/sec) Elevation Rate (deg/sec) 33 Worst Case Pointing Error Pointing Error HP= 6.5° Pointing Error = TLE, Error + Motor, Error + Tracking, Error < 3.25° Motor, Error <3.25° - 1. 10° - 1. 4 3 ° TLE, Error, Max = 1. 4 3 ° Motor, Error < 0 .72° Tracking, Error, Max = 1. 10 ° 34 Antenna Motor System ● Specs: ○ Azimuth ■ Ra ng e : 0 ° to 360° ■ Speed: 7.2°/sec ○ Ele va tion ■ Ra ng e : ± 90° ■ Speed: 7.2°/sec ○ Maximum Load: 30 kg ○ Position sensors with accuracy: 0.5° ✔ DR 2.3 The antenna motor shall be able to move the antenna at a slew rate of 5.0 °/s ️ ✔ DR 2.4 The antenna motor shall have a pointing accuracy greater than 0.72° ️ 35 Tracking Overview Az/El angular command SPX-01 Motor system External Controller: Az motor Sensor power: Rot2Prog 12V DC El motor Sensor 36 Software Interface Ena ble se ria l communica tion Input la t/long Ca libra te Se le ct ta rge t Enga ge 37 Tracking Software Subsystem FR 2.0 The ground station shall mechanically steer a dish/antenna system to follow a LEO satellite between 200 km to 600 km between 10° e le va tio n a nd 170 ° e le va tio n. 38 Tracking Software Demonstration FR 2 .0 The ground station shall mechanically steer a dish/antenna system to follow a LEO satellite between 200 km to 600 km between 10° e le va tion a n d 17 0 ° e le va tion. 39 Calibration & Manual Control Frames 40 Azimuth and Elevation Calibration DR 2.2 The pointing control accuracy must be within 3.25° to ma inta in d o wnlink ca p a b ilitie s throughout the entire pass. ● Manual Control Frame - Dither around Sun, find strongest signal strength ● Ca lib ra tio n Fra me - Set current pointing angles to predicted Sun location Ground Station Sun Azimuth and Point in Predicted Latitude/Longitude ARGUS GUI Elevation Location and Dither (GPS) 41 Upcoming Pass Frame 42 STK: Upcoming Pass Verification DR 2.2 The pointing control accuracy must be within 3.25° to ma inta in downlink capabilities throughout the entire pass. ARGUS (Mountain Time) STK (UTC Time) ✔️Ve rifie d 43 Az/El Plot Frame 44 STK: Azimuth/Elevation Verification DR 2.2 The pointing control accuracy must be within 3.25° to ma inta in downlink capabilities throughout the entire pass. ARGUS STK 45 Signal Conditioning & Processing F R 1. 0 The ground station shall be capable of receiving signals from a Low Earth Orbit satellite between 2.2 - 2.3 GHz, in Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation with a Bit Error Rate (BER) of 10 -5, a bit rate of 2 Mbit/s, and a G/T of 3 dB/K. 46 GNURadio Software Diagram Adalm Pluto SDR Digita l Filte ring Demodulation GUI ● Frequency: ● Lo w P a s s ● QPSK ● FFT Plot 2.2-2.3 GHz ● Bit Plot ● Bit Rate: 2 MHz ● Mixing ● Amplify F R 1. 0 The ground station shall be capable of receiving signals from a ● ADC Low Earth Orbit satellite between 2.2 - 2.3 GHz, in Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation with a Bit Error Rate (BER) o f 10 -5, a bit rate of 2 Mbit/s , and a G/T of 3 dB/K. 47 GNURadio Software Demonstration DR 1.4 The ground station shall be capable of demodulating a signal using the QPSK modulation scheme. D R 1. 10 The ground station shall be able to receive a data rate of at least 2 million bits per second.
Recommended publications
  • MEOSAR & GPS 9Th Meeting of the ICG Prague, Czech Republic, November 2014
    MEOSAR & GPS 9th Meeting of the ICG Prague, Czech Republic, November 2014 Dr. Lisa Mazzuca, Mission Manager Search and Rescue Office Goddard Space Flight Center Overview • Cospas-Sarsat System – Current operational infrastructure – Near-future: GNSS-enabled SAR (MEOSAR) • MEOSAR implementation timeline • SAR using – GPS – Galileo – GLONASS • MEOSAR and Return Link Service (RLS) 2 Cospas-Sarsat System Overview • Cospas-Sarsat (C-S) Program uses dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) payloads onboard satellites to relay beacons signals to ground stations • C-S system consists of three segments: – User Segment – the emergency beacon transmitters • Marine: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) • Aviation: ELT (Emergency Locating Transmitter) • Land: PLB (Personal Locating Beacon) – Space Segment • LEOSAR: Low-Earth Orbit - Provides for beacon location using Doppler processing; uses Store & Forward instrument to provide global coverage • GEOSAR: Geosynchronous Orbit Performs instantaneous alerting function; no locating capability unless beacon is equipped with GNSS receiver. • MEOSAR*: Mid-Earth Orbit (GNSS) – Ground Segment – Local User Terminals (LUTs) 3 * MEO is not yet operational – early operational capability Dec 2015 MEOSAR Concept of Operations 4 MEOSAR Next generation of satellite-aided SAR • Based on the use of SAR Repeaters carried on board Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites • GNSS constellations consist of 24 (or more) satellites Mid Earth Orbit (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS) • Provides – Multiple satellites
    [Show full text]
  • Handbookhandbook Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) Handbook
    n International Telecommunication Union Mobile-satellite service (MSS) HandbookHandbook Mobile-satellite service (MSS) Handbook *00000* Edition 2002 Printed in Switzerland Geneva, 2002 ISBN 92-61-09951-3 Radiocommunication Bureau Edition 2002 THE RADIOCOMMUNICATION SECTOR OF ITU The role of the Radiocommunication Sector is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including satellite services, and carry out studies without limit of frequency range on the basis of which Recommendations are adopted. The regulatory and policy functions of the Radiocommunication Sector are performed by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Assemblies supported by Study Groups. Inquiries about radiocommunication matters Please contact: ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 5800 Fax: +41 22 730 5785 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.itu.int/itu-r Placing orders for ITU publications Please note that orders cannot be taken over the telephone. They should be sent by fax or e-mail. ITU Sales and Marketing Division Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 6141 English Telephone: +41 22 730 6142 French Telephone: +41 22 730 6143 Spanish Fax: +41 22 730 5194 Telex: 421 000 uit ch Telegram: ITU GENEVE E-mail: [email protected] The Electronic Bookshop of ITU: www.itu.int/publications ITU 2002 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. International Telecommunication Union HandbookHandbook Mobile-satellite service (MSS) Radiocommunication Bureau Edition 2002 - iii - FOREWORD In today’s world, people have become increasingly mobile in both their work and play.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards Federated Satellite Systems and Internet of Satellites: the Federation Deployment Control Protocol
    remote sensing Article Towards Federated Satellite Systems and Internet of Satellites: The Federation Deployment Control Protocol Joan A. Ruiz-de-Azua 1,2,3,* , Nicola Garzaniti 4 , Alessandro Golkar 4 , Anna Calveras 1 and Adriano Camps 2,3 1 Department of Network Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; [email protected] 2 Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—UPC BarcelonaTech, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; [email protected] 3 Research Group in Space Science and Technologies (CTE-UPC), Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain 4 Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), 143026 Skolkovo, Russia; [email protected] (N.G.); [email protected] (A.G.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Presently, the Earth Observation community is demanding applications that provide low latency and high downlink capabilities. An increase in downlink contacts becomes essential to meet these new requirements. The Federated Satellite Systems concept addresses this demand by promoting satellite collaborations to share unused downlink opportunities. These collaborations are established opportunistically and temporarily, posing multiple technology challenges to be implemented in-orbit. This work contributes to the definition of the Federation Deployment Control Protocol which formalizes a mechanism to fairly establish and manage these collaborations by Citation: Ruiz-de-Azua, J.A.; employing a negotiation process between the satellites. Moreover, this manuscript presents the Garzaniti, N.; Golkar, A.; Calveras, A.; results of a validation campaign of this protocol with three stratospheric balloons. In summary, more Camps, A. Towards Federated than 27 federations with 63.0% of throughput were established during the field campaign.
    [Show full text]
  • FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C
    Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 ____________________________________ ) Application of ) ) DIRECTV ENTERPRISES, LLC ) Call Sign: ) For Authorization to Launch and ) File No. SAT-LOA-_____________ Operate DIRECTV KU-76W, a ) Ku-Band Space Station, at 76.0 WL ) ____________________________________) APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO LAUNCH AND OPERATE DIRECTV KU-76W William M. Wiltshire Michael D. Nilsson WILTSHIRE & GRANNIS LLP 1200 Eighteenth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 202-730-1300 tel 202-730-1301 fax TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. GRANT OF THIS APPLICATION WOULD SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST ............... 2 II. INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER SEC. 25.114 OF THE COMMISSION’S RULES ... 3 1. Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Applicant ............................... 3 2. Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Counsel .................................. 3 3. Type of Authorization Requested ............................................................... 3 4. General Description of Overall System Facilities, Operations and Services ..................................................................................................................... 3 5. Operational Characteristics ......................................................................... 4 5.1 Frequency and Polarization Plan .................................................... 4 5.2 Communications Payload ............................................................... 5 5.2.1 Uplink Transmissions 5 5.2.2 Downlink Transmissions .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Resolving Interference Issues at Satellite Ground Stations
    Application Note Resolving Interference Issues at Satellite Ground Stations Introduction RF interference represents the single largest impact to robust satellite operation performance. Interference issues result in significant costs for the satellite operator due to loss of income when the signal is interrupted. Additional costs are also encountered to debug and fix communications problems. These issues also exert a price in terms of reputation for the satellite operator. According to an earlier survey by the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (SIRG), 93% of satellite operator respondents suffer from satellite interference at least once a year. More than half experience interference at least once per month, while 17% see interference continuously in their day-to-day operations. Over 500 satellite operators responded to this survey. Satellite Communications Overview Satellite earth stations form the ground segment of satellite communications. They contain one or more satellite antennas tuned to various frequency bands. Satellites are used for telephony, data, backhaul, broadcast, community antenna television (CATV), internet, and other services. Depending on the application, each satellite system may be receive only or constructed for both transmit and receive operations. A typical earth station is shown in figure 1. Figure 1. Satellite Earth Station Each satellite antenna system is composed of the antenna itself (parabola dish) along with various RF components for signal processing. The RF components comprise the satellite feed system. The feed system receives/transmits the signal from the dish to a horn antenna located on the feed network. The location of the receiver feed system can be seen in figure 2. The satellite signal is reflected from the parabolic surface and concentrated at the focus position.
    [Show full text]
  • Expert Consultation on Data Formats and Procedures for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance
    FI:DFP/2004/2 October 2004 E EXPERT CONSULTATION ON DATA FORMATS AND PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING, CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE BERGEN, NORWAY 25 to 27 OCTOBER 2004 VMS REPORTING PROCEDURES 1. At the current state of the art, a fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) is a “cooperative” system where only participating vessels are monitored. It is “cooperative” because each participating vessel must carry an operating VMS unit (transmitter or transceiver) that is capable of fixing a position (in most cases, calculating its own position and, thus, the position of the boat carrying it). An automated reporting system then controls the transmission of the position data and possibly other data via a communication system to a monitoring station. 2. The transmitter or transceiver must have an integrated means of fixing a position and, hence, calculating speed and course. The Global Positioning System (GPS) used so successfully by the fishing industry is the generally preferred method because of its high level of accuracy, availability and relatively low equipment cost. The automated reporting system achieves its purpose through a combination of computerized instructions in the transmitter and functions available in the communication system. The automated reporting system is capable of being programmed to send position reports at specified times or time intervals. 3. The communication system moves data between the shipboard equipment and the monitoring authority. This may involve the use of a satellite, but not necessarily. Many tracking applications for land based vehicles use cellular phone or HF radio. China is trialing a VMS which uses Single Side Band radio as part of the communication system, and a similar system was successfully tested in Hawaii (USA) in the early 1990s.
    [Show full text]
  • NSR White Paper Satellite Ground Network Virtualization
    NSR White Paper Satellite Ground Network Virtualization March 2020 NSR- Satellite Ground Network Virtualization ABSTRACT Satellite Ground Network Infrastructure is on the cusp of a fundamental change. Largely driven by massive, recent investments in space hardware, satellite communications (SATCOM) and Sat-to- Ground (EO, TT&C) sectors have witnessed a number of technological disruptions that have the potential to drastically alter the dynamics of a matured, five-decade old industry. Small “cubesats”, software-defined payloads1, new multi-orbit and multi-band satellite architectures, advancements in electronically steered antenna technology, and other developments such as cloud-based analytics are making space an exciting, but increasingly complex and dynamic marketplace. The interworking of satcom with Earth Observation (EO) technology and telecoms, as well as use of commercial platforms for government and defense programs are also being modulated by such transformational forces. The ground infrastructure is -naturally- a key element to In general in technology, support the full potential of these investments and if you own a platform innovations in space. However, despite a constant that's valuable, you can evolutionary track record at component levels, satellite monetize it. 2 ground networks -both at the core and at the edge- lack the scale and agility necessary to avoid the palpable risk of becoming bottlenecks. Increasingly, it is not about throughput or efficiency, but about the need of a more active, collaborative, and coordinated approach by ground network stakeholders. Players must promptly embrace speed and change. Adopt open standards and best practices. Embrace technologies from the larger telecom marketplace. Combined, these are the new Eric Schmidt requirements to unleash the full potential of space-based Chairman of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of Satellite Communications
    Overview of Satellite Communications Dick McClure Agenda Background History Introduction to Satcom Technology Ground System Antennas Satellite technology Geosynchronous orbit Antenna coverage patterns 2 COMMUNICATION SATELLITES Uses Example satellite systems 3 Why Satellite Communications? Satellite coverage spans great distances A satellite can directly connect points separated by 1000’s of miles A satellite can broadcast to 1000’s of homes/businesses/military installations simultaneously A satellite can be reached from ground facilities that move Satellites can connect to locations with no infrastructure Satellites adapt easily to changing requirements Some Common SATCOM Systems The INTELSAT system provides globe-spanning TV coverage The Thuraya satellite-based phone system covers all of Saudi Arabia and Egypt DoD Military Communications Satellite System Links field sites with Pentagon and US command centers DirecTV, Echostar Direct-to-home TV XM Radio, Sirius Satellite radio-to-car/home Hughes VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) systems Links GM car dealers, Walmart, Costco, J C Penney, etc. to their accounting centers Common Satellite Orbits LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Close to Earth Photo satellites – 250 miles Iridium – 490 miles Polar Orbit Provides coverage to polar regions (used by Russian satellites) GEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbit) Angular velocity of the satellite = angular velocity of earth satellite appears to be fixed in space Most widely used since ground antennas need not move Circular orbit Altitude: 22,236 miles Can’t “see” the poles 6 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND People Early satellites Evolution 7 Historical Background: People Arthur C. Clarke Highly successful science fiction author First to define geosynchronous communications satellite concept Published paper in Wireless World , October 1945 Suggested terrestrial point-to-point relays would be made obsolete by satellites Unsure about how satellites would be powered John R.
    [Show full text]
  • Eur Frequency Management Manual
    EUR Doc 011 INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION EUROPEAN AND NORTH ATLANTIC OFFICE EUR FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT MANUAL for Aeronautical Mobile and Aeronautical Radio Navigation Services Edition 2020 EUR Frequency Management Manual – ICAO EUR Doc 011 (2020) ii AMENDMENTS Procedure for the Amendment of the EUR Frequency Management Manual Principles and procedures for the amendment of EUR Documents, as approved by EASPG, are contained in the EASPG Handbook, EUR Doc 001. Accordingly, amendments to the EUR Frequency Management Manual which have been approved by the FMG are formally endorsed by EASPG and/or PCG. Amendments to the EUR Frequency Management Manual shall be effected on the basis of an adequately documented proposal submitted to the FMG of the EASPG. Such proposals should include draft new text clearly identifying additions, modifications and deletions of existing text. The latest edition of this Manual, including endorsed amendments, will be promulgated to FMG members by the ICAO Regional Office and access will be provided at the ICAO Website. INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION European and North Atlantic Office Web http://www.icao.int/EURNAT/ E-mail [email protected] Tel +33 1 46 41 85 85 Fax +33 1 46 41 85 00 Mail 3 bis Villa Emile Bergerat F-92522 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex France Edition Subject(s) Approved 2002 Introduction of EUR Frequency Management Manual FMG/6 2003 Amendment of criteria for 3rd adjacent 8.33 kHz COM channel; FMG/7 Addition of note on COM offset-carrier systems; Addition of note on extension of ILS Glide Path up to 15 NM; Amendment of DME planning criteria for different pulse code; and Amendment of planning criteria for identifications of radio navigation aids.
    [Show full text]
  • A GROUND STATION for USE with SMALL SATELLITES by I Ronald M
    I I I I A GROUND STATION FOR USE WITH SMALL SATELLITES by I Ronald M. Muller and I Charles H. Vermillion NASA has plans to initiate a new series of inexpensive, Scout-sized Explorer satellites to be placed in service starting in the early 1990's. Today's computer technology I makes it feasible and economical to build such a satellite so that it can be operated from a single, small ground station. This station would be located at the satellite I user's facility and it would operate autonomously. Except for launch and support during operational emergencies, no NASA facilities would be required. We show this way of I opera ting will result in a lower cost mission with no performance penalty. I INTRODUCTION Small Scout-class satellites usually carry only one scientific instrument (or I perhaps a small set of related instruments) controlled by one person called the Principal Investigator, or PI. The usual operating relationship between the PI and NASA has been that the PI requests that NASA take certain data. Then NASA, operates the satellite, acquires the data and transmits it to him. He I then processes the data and pu blishes the results. This paper proposes a major change in this operation: give the PI direct and I complete control of the spacecraft and the instrument. Our initial evaluation shows that this mode of operation will be less expensive and more responsive than our past practice. This paper describes a portable ground station that I would make this possible. There should be no performance penalty since we can revert to the NASA system in an emergency.
    [Show full text]
  • Satellite Earth Stations Validation, Maintenance & Repair
    Keysight Technologies Precision Validation, Maintenance and Repair of Satellite Earth Stations FieldFox Handheld Analyzers Application Note To assure maximum system uptime, routine maintenance and occasional troubleshooting and repair must be done quickly, accurately and in a variety of weather conditions. This application note describes breakthrough technologies that have transformed the way systems can be tested in the field while providing higher performance, improved accuracy, capability and frequency coverage to 50 GHz. A single FieldFox handheld analyzer will be shown to be an ideal test solution due to its high performance, broad capabilities, and lightweight portability, replacing traditional methods of having to transport multiple benchtop instruments to the earth station sites. 02 | Keysight | Precision Validation, Maintenance and Repair of Satellite Earth Stations Using FieldFox handheld analyzers - Application Note A satellite communications system is comprised of two segments, one operating in space and one op- erating on earth. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the space and ground segments found in a typical satellite communications system. The space segment includes a diverse set of spacecraft technologies varying in operating frequency, coverage area and function. The satellite orbit is typically related to the application. For example, about half of the orbiting satellites operate in a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) that maintains a fixed position above the earth’s equator. These GEO satellites provide Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) including broadcast television and radio. The location of GEO satellites result in limited coverage to the polar regions. For navigation systems requiring complete global coverage, constellations of satellites operate in a lower altitude, namely in the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), that move around the earth in 2-24 hour orbits.
    [Show full text]
  • ESOG 120 Issue 8 – Rev
    TYPE APPROVAL AND CHARACTERIZATION PROCEDURES ESOG 120 Issue 8 – Rev. 1, May 2021 Antennas and Transmissions Team Antenna and VSAT Type Approval/Characterization ESOG 120 – Issue 8 - Rev. 1 May 2021 Antennas and VSATs Type Approval / Characterization Table of Contents Forward .................................................................................................................................. v 1 Overview of the ESOG modules ...................................................................................... 6 1.1 Volume I: Eutelsat S.A. system management and policies ........................................................ 6 1.2 Volume II: Eutelsat S.A. system operations and procedures ..................................................... 6 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 About this document .................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Eutelsat certification .................................................................................................................. 7 2.3.1 Type Approval ........................................................................................................................ 8 2.3.2 Characterization ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]