Integration of Satellite System and Stratospheric Communication Platforms (SCP) for Weather Observation by Sihle S. Sibiya A thesis submitted to the Information Technology (IT) Department in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) 2016 Copyright © 2016 by Sihle S. Sibiya Integration of Satellite System and Stratospheric Communication Platforms (SCP) for Weather Observation by Sihle S. Sibiya A thesis submitted to the Information Technology (IT) Department in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dimov Stojče Ilčev Research Group in Space Science Co-supervisor: Waldo Kleynhans Principal Researcher Durban, 2016 Declaration I, Sihle Sicelo Sibiya, declare that this dissertation is a representation of my own work both in conception and execution. This work has not been submitted in any form for another degree at any university or institution of higher learning. All information cited from published or unpublished works have been acknowledged. Sihle Sicelo Sibiya 30/06/2016 ____________________ _______________________ Student Name Date Approved for final submission Prof. Dimov Stojče Ilčev 30/06/2016 ______________________ _______________________ Supervisor Date i Abstract This doctoral research introduces an integration of satellite systems and new stratospheric platforms for weather observation, imaging and transfer of meteorological data to the ground infrastructures. Terrestrial configuration and satellite communication subsystems represent well-established technologies that have been involved in global satellite sensing and weather observation area for years. However, in recent times, a new alternative has emerged based on quasi-stationary aerial platforms located in the Stratosphere called High Altitude Platform (HAP) or Stratospheric Communication Platforms (SCP). The SCP systems seem to represent a dream come true for communication engineers since they preserve most of the advantages of both terrestrial and satellite communication systems. Today, SCP systems are able to help, in a more cost effective way, developments of space Earth sensing and weather observation and weather sensing and observation. This new system can provide a number of forms ranging from a low altitude tethered balloon to a high altitude (18 – 25 km) fuel-powered piloted aircraft, solar-powered unmanned airplanes and solar-powered airship. ii Acknowledgements I thank the Lord for all His blessings bestowed on me in seeing this research work through; without which this research could not have become a reality. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my supervisor Prof. Dimov Stojče Ilčev, for his advice, guidance and fatherly talks. He gave me courage to face the challenges in research and assisted me through. Thanks to him also for providing me with the amazing opportunity of being part of the Research Group in Space Science and the IT Department for accepting and supporting this research work. I extend my special thanks to my co-supervisor, Dr. Waldo Kleynhans, who willingly assisted through this research. I am indebted to my family, friends and all who have afforded me time and helped me in making this research work a great success in all aspects. iii Preface This research is providing essential practical and theoretical solutions for meteorological and weather observation via satellite and SCP systems. This study was conducted in order to form an integration of current satellite constellations and new SCP infrastructures as needs in the field of modern Earth monitoring and sensing for more cost effective meteorological and weather observation and collection of data. This study includes meteorological and weather observations via existing Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Polar Earth Orbit (PEO) satellites and simultaneously sending data and images by satellite communication channels to the ground infrastructures. In the similar way, SCP aircraft or airships are able to provide metrological and weather observation and send data and images to the ground. At this point, SCP stations are able to provide integration with GEO or PEO satellites as bridges to receive and forward all observation data and images to the ground centres. This thesis consists of 9 chapters on the following particular subjects: Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION This chapter gives a short background to the development of Radio and Space systems, overview, concepts and applications of satellite communications in the functioning of transfer meteorological observation data and images. Chapter 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This chapter introduce the main scope and overview of this thesis for current and new space meteorological observation systems, together with the principal collections of data and images by space stations and their distribution to the ground processing fixed and mobile infrastructures. Chapter 3: SPACE SEGMENT This chapter discusses the fundamental principles of the space platforms and orbital parameters, lows of satellite motions, new types of launching systems, satellite orbits and geometric relations, spacecraft configuration, payload structure, types of onboard antenna systems, satellite orbits and components of the satellite bus. Chapter 4: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK This chapter introduces an essential basic knowledge of baseband signals and processing, analog and digital transmissions, modulation, demodulation, coding, error corrections, multiple access techniques, fixed and mobile DVB- RCS standards, MPEG multimedia standards, audio and video broadcasting, direct-to-home digital broadcast system, transmission standards and DVB-S2 Architecture. Chapter 5: ANTENNA SYSTEMS AND PROPAGATION This chapter provide research and introduce current and new proposed prototypes of antenna solutions for satellite and other radio meteorological communications systems, such as low-gain omnidirectional antennas, directional medium-gain antennas and high-gain directional aperture antennas. In addition, this chapter comprises all the particulars about propagation effects important for meteorological communication requirements such as: propagation fundamentals, refraction, absorption and non-LOS radio propagation, sky wave propagation, atmospheric effects on propagation, sky noise temperature contributions, path depolarization causes, propagation effects important for space communications and broadcasting, and so on. Chapter 6: METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE SYSTEMS This chapter introduces the history of the first types of meteorological satellites, current and new proposed meteorological satellites, such as Polar Earth Orbit (PEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and High Elliptical Orbit (HEO) developed by USA, Europe, Russia, China, India and Japan. In addition, this chapter presents the main types of meteorological imaging systems and meteorological satellite image interpretation. iv Chapter 7: REGIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE VIA STRATOSPHERIC COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS (SCP) This chapter introduces all current and new developed SCP for multipurpose functions and meteorological observations and sending data to the ground. This chapter also gives details the proposed integrated architecture for weather observation and communication. Chapter 8: GROUND SEGMENT This chapter describes the collection of daily environmental data from meteorological satellites or SCP by the Direct Readout Service (DRS) terminals, as one of the major functions of this subsystem. The weather satellite direct broadcasting system, or more commonly called DRS, was developed to overcome any problems caused by the previous distribution program. The description will also include Automatic Picture Transmission (APT), High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) and Direct Sounder Broadcasts (DSB) from the PEO satellites, and Low-Rate Information Transmission (LRIT) and GOES Variable Format (GVAR) data from the GEO satellites. In addition, this chapter introduces Ground Earth Station (GES) mobile and user Earth stations infrastructures and antenna systems, including transmissions of meteorological data from Data Collection Platform (DCP) via satellites or SCP stations to the DRS ground terminals. Finally, this chapter explains Weather Ground Processing of Satellite Meteorological Data and its distribution to the different users and customers. Chapter 9: SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND CONLUSION This chapter presents the system analyses, conclusion remarks, research limitations and future work. v Contents Declaration............................................................................................................................. i Abstract ................................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. iii Preface ................................................................................................................................. iv List of Figures ...................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................