Satellite Communications Assign #1

8/6/2019 Satellite Communications Assign #1

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Satellite Communications

Assignment #1

Semester #8

Submission Date: 10th

Feb. 2011

Topic: Fundamentals on orbit types and applications

1. Briefly define each of the following orbits: LEO, MEO, GEO.

2. Consider the three principal orbit ranges, LEO, MEO, and GEO. Using at least six different

parameters (e.g. delay), compare the relative advantages and disadvantagesof each of the abovethree orbits for a global satellite telecommunications networkthat carries voice, video, FAX, and

data.

3. List some of the typical services found in each of the orbits mentioned in question 2.

4. Considering the distribution of TV channels to the end user, explain the relative advantagesand disadvantages of a satellite system (e.g. Direct TV, DishNet, etc.) when compared to a

terrestrial system (e.g. cable TV):

i. From the users point of view

ii. From the operators point of view

5. Obtain the upper and lower limits (in MHz or GHz) of the following frequency bands: C, Ku,Ka, and V. Explain how does data capacity varies with the frequency band?

Survey & Student Contact List

Please send a message to: [email protected] containing the following:

Include the following information in the body of the message:

Full Name E-mail

Phone Number Current graduate program (MSEE, PhDEE, etc?)

Previous Education


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Satellite Communications

Research PaperDue: Monday, Last Week of the semester

1. Research Paper Subject:For your research paper, you are to choose a topic in the broad area of satellite communications,

in subjects related to those covered by the course, constrained by the directions given in thisdocument. You should investigate a current issue in satellite communications, review existing

literature on the subject and present a point of view on how the issue will evolve in the next fewyears. You may work on one of the following topics:

(a)Phased array antennas for mobile earth stations.Questions you want to discuss on this topic are: How the technology works? How muchimprovement should it provide to the network when compared to omniantennas? Main types of

applications.

(b)The future of Satellite Direct-to-Home TV services.Some of the topics you may want to discuss include: Services offering evolution, such as

Personal TV Services (TiVo, ReplayTV, etc.), Enhanced TV Services (Wink, Liberate, etc.), On-Line TV Services (AOLTV, UltimateTV, etc.). Market share and evolution compared to

competing terrestrial systems. Technology evolution.

(c) The Iridium system business case. Why has it failed?Some topics to discuss: Overview of the system design. Description of the target market.

Competitive analysis. Technical limitations. Economical limitations.

(d) The future of mobile satellite communications.This option (as opposed to last item) should have a focus more concentrated on the future, and

the challenges that should be overcome for mobile systems to succeed. The author shouldexplore architecture and technological solutions that would make the business case more viable.

Will this type of system succeed?

(e) The use of V-band for satellite communications.Some of the questions you want to discuss: What are the main technical challenges of going to

this high frequency range? Is it economically viable? How soon systems will be commerciallyoperational?

(f) The future of direct-to-home Broadband Internet Access Services.

Some of the questions you may want to address are: How soon is it coming? Will it provide two-way access? How will it compete with other terrestrial access methods such as DSL, cable

modem and MMDS wireless systems. Will it succeed? How?


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(g) Launching technologies evolution.

What are the most recent technological innovations on launching vehicles. How launchingshould evolve in the next years? Disposable vs. reusable lauching vehicles. Possibility of usingspace stations as a staging area for final assembly and test in space conditions.

(h) Tracking, Telemetry and Control evolution.Discuss tracking and ranging technology available both for GEO and NGSO systems. Present

evolutions expected in this field.

(i) Environmental impact of satellite communications.In this topic, you should discuss the impact of satellite communication evolution in polluting the

space and earth surface. Focus should be given on which policies and regulatory measuresshould be in place in order to control and limit space pollution, and technological innovations

being developed to recover spatial and terrestrial waste.

If you are interested in working on a topic that greatly differs from the ones listed above, you arerequired to submit, no later than November 3rd, a to 1 page proposal describing your proposed

work.Review of the literature is mandatory; I expect you to read and comment on at least 3 papers

published in journals or conference proceedings as background work for the project. However,the project is not simply a literature review. A point-of-view is also mandatory; I expect you to

clearly express your point of view on the subject studied, supported by your research. However,the project is not simply an editorial essay. In other words, you must express your opinion on

how the issue will evolve in the near future, supported by results/advances published by reliablesources.

2. General Guidelines

The following guidelines should be followed in working in this project:

y These are individual projects, and each student must independently develop a response.However, it is encouraged that students seek and provide comments for each othersapproach.

y The project must contain solely original text not previously published, not previouslysubmitted to journals and/or conferences, not submitted as projects for other classes, andnot done for your job. It is expected that you cite previous works properly when

referenced, including websites.


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3. Deliverables

The papers will be due at Last week of the semesterPapers should be submitted in hard copy and in PDF format to my e-mail address([email protected]) for publication on the course web page and eventually on the

ECE department page. Only one paper can be submitted per student. All papers must be typedand neatly formatted. Papers must be organized as follows.

y Cover page. The cover page must include project title, course, student name(s), emailaddress(es), student ID number(s), date, and honor code pledge.

y Abstract: Should consist of a short (up to 500 words) summary of the report, containing abrief review of the major motivation for the study, objectives, procedures and results.

y Body of paper. Papers must be no longer than 5 pages, including abstract, figures andreferences, but not including the cover page, and appendices. Additional pages will not be

graded!y References. Any texts, papers, manuals, reports, or other sources used in the project must

be acknowledged.

y Appendices (optional). Note that the body of the report must stand on its own.Appendices should be used to provide additional detail, e.g. source code, orsubstantiation, e.g. numerical results that are summarized in the body of the text.

4. Grading

The grading will be based on content (motivation for work, description of results,literature review, etc.) as well as form (adherence to the instructions above, correct grammar,

spelling, clarity in conveying information, etc.).

Documents

Satellite Communications Assign #1