The main issue in the quality of service for satellite transmissions, especially in occasional use transmissions and temporary feeder links, is RF interference from sources like “rogue pirate carriers,” and failed or improperly configured equipment.
At the beginning of 2015, around 1200 satellites were fully operational in orbit around the planet, half of which were communication satellites. This number of satellites is expected to expand at a progressive rate within the next years. In order ensure proper performance in the satellite transponders in the payload, on-orbit measurements must be made as a part of maintenance. This application note focuses on satellite post-launch or on-orbit measurements, and monitoring strategies used for satellite functionality checks when running maintenance routines.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based solutions are highly accurate in most cases, but there are circumstances where they are not as effective, such as in dense urban environments with reduced satellite visibility or indoor areas with low signal levels. LTE Location Based Services (LBS) are designed to determine where a device is located to assist in its effectiveness. This Rohde & Schwarz white paper describes limitations of GNSS systems, as well as LTE cellular based alternatives within 3GPP Release 9.
Measuring and monitoring the signals in satellite communications systems is as complex as the tasks of those involved in operating such systems. Satellite operators are normally interested in ensuring that transponder use corresponds to the criteria agreed with users in terms of quality and scope, which also includes the detection of any interference signals. Teleport operators are concerned with making the best possible use of the resources with the communications systems, particularly the space segment. This Application Note describes example measurement principles that cover the above-mentioned applications and for which the NRA range of spectrum analyzers from Narda is particularly suitable.
The introduction of Gallium Nitride High Electron Mobility Transistors (GaN HEMT) in early 2000 has left an undeniable mark on the entire satellite communication landscape. It is now possible for the first time since the introduction of the Solid State Microwave Technology to design and manufacture Power Amplifiers that exceed by several orders of magnitude the reliability, linearity, power density and energy efficiency of all existing technologies, being GaAs, LDMOS, or TWT. By C. Damian, VP Product Line Management and Business Development, and D. Gelerman, President and CEO, Advantech Wireless Inc.
The JFW Model 50MS-367 is a 4 X 4 blocking matrix switch designed to operate in the DC-40 GHz frequency range, and is ideally suited for SATCOM and wireless 5G signal routing applications. Features include RF 2.9 mm female type connectors at 50 Ohm impedance, remote control through Ethernet or RS-232, and utilization of the JFW 3XX firmware command set.
Horizon Technologies offers the new FlyingFish™ Airborne Satellite Monitoring System (ASMS) designed to enable international government bodies to passively monitor satellite communications from airborne monitoring platforms. This lightweight, cost-effective system can monitor Thuraya, and Isat-Pro networks, and can detect and intercept terminal and call activity such as voice, fax, data, and SMS within radio line-of-site.
The LSS series of Ka-band satellite simulators are designed to enable completely portable RF mobile satellite communications systems testing without the need for cabling. They are equipped with dual polarized horn antennas in both the uplink and downlink bands. For each frequency conversion, a separate attenuator provides adjustments of signal levels in order to accommodate receiver sensitivity and range distance.
The new quad-band satellite simulator from Tampa Microwave is designed as a compact, easy to use training and evaluation tool for satellite earth terminal applications. This device simulates C, X, and Ka-bands simultaneously at over 300 ft. of operation.
Design engineers are constantly trying to minimize space in creating smaller more efficient products. Corry Micronics’ new Micro Spanner EMI Filter matches the smallest size chassis-mounted feedthrough the industry has ever seen. The FT40 spanner bushing filter offers a miniature diameter of 0.071”and is the optimal form factor for designs that demand efficiency in a compact footprint. Corry’s Micro Spanner is offered in a “C” filter configuration and provides capacitance from 10 pF to 5000 pF.
The NRA-2500 covers the 5 MHz to 2.5 GHz frequency range and is ideal for use as a starter model for satellite monitoring and control systems. It’s optimized for use in D-SNG vehicles, teleports, and in maritime applications.
CPI’s line of integrated microwave assemblies includes attenuators, integrated front ends, receivers, solid state coaxial limiters, solid state switches, waveguide limiters, transmit receiver switches, upconverters, and downconverters. They’re used in both military and commercial markets in radar, satellite, and communications applications. This brochure below provides an overview of their IMA offerings.
These OCXOs (oven controlled crystal oscillators) cover the 10 to 50 MHz frequency range and are well suited for applications with high temperature operating environments.
Tokyo-based startup Infostellar plans to share idle antenna access among the global small satellite community, similar to how Airbnb lets people rent out unused living spaces to travelers.
Inmarsat, the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has confirmed the successful launch of its S-band satellite (Inmarsat S EAN) for the European Aviation Network (EAN).
Apple has reportedly hired two former executives of Google's defunct satellite internet unit, which suggests that Apple may be planning to get a similar project off the ground and up into orbit.
Kymeta Corporation, a metamaterials-based antenna technology startup based in Redmond, Wash., has raised $73.5 million in financing to develop and commercialize its software-steered antennas for the global mobile communications market.
Finding derelict spacecraft and space debris in Earth's orbit can be a technological challenge. Detecting these objects in orbit around Earth's moon is even more difficult.
Satellite services provider Intelsat SA is merging with OneWeb Ltd. in a share-for-share transaction to build the world’s first truly global broadband network, combining OneWeb’s constellation of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites with Intelsat’s fleet of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites.
Satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat and Internet of Things (IoT) network solutions provider Actility are launching a global network of land-based, low-power IoT devices connected to a satellite communications network.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better known as SpaceX, expects future revenue from its planned satellite broadband internet business will be significantly larger than its rocket launch business by 2020.
Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX is planning to launch by the end of the decade a 4,425-strong 'constellation' of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide gigabit-speed broadband and communication services globally.
Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have developed a new folding, umbrella-like antenna design that can be deployed from a canister on a CubeSat – a low-cost mini-satellite slightly larger than a cereal box.
China has unveiled the first satellite smartphone that works with the country's pioneering satellite for mobile communications, Tiantong-1 (TT-1).
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency managing radio astronomy facilities, unveiled recently a satellite antenna that will support interplanetary missions – including upcoming missions to Mars spearheaded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
HawkEye 360 has announced that it is collaborating with Lockheed Martin and Deep Space Industries to build and deploy low-Earth orbit satellites for its pioneering space-based radio frequency (RF) detection and mapping service to commercial clients.
