The step from conducted measurements to OTA testing changes the measurement requirements to a certain degree, so users must have a basic understanding of antennas and antenna measurements.
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.
To ensure proper performance in satellite transponders in the payload, on-orbit measurements must be made as part of maintenance. This app 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.
L3 Narda-MITEQ’s SBL series of fiber optic link components are designed to supply high performance, “plug & play” fiber optic link components for linear and some digital applications. The SBT-4000 fiber optic transmitter and the SBR-4000 fiber optic receiver can transport RF signals within the frequency range of 10 MHz to 4 GHz, over tens of kilometers of standard single mode optical fiber.
AtlanTecRF offers a new compact, lightweight and high efficiency drone payload satellite simulators with operation in either the Ka-band (30 GHz uplink and 20 GHz downlink) or Ku-band (14 GHz uplink and 11 GHz downlink) with options for both circular and linear polarization. This Drone Satellite Series (DSS) offers battery powered, cable-less RF test solutions for military and other Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV) applications.
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.
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.
The SENER engineering and technology group is participating for another year in the Satellite fair, an annual conference on commercial satellites and space technologies that represents the biggest event in the sector, with representatives from more than 100 countries. The 2018 edition will take place in Washington D.C., between 12 and 15 March.
High Throughput Satellites (HTS) are capable of transmitting data over a hundred times faster than conventional Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) satellites and this higher throughput needs more dynamic range within the ground segment. Addressing this need, ViaLite has launched the new L-Band HTS – HWDR RF over fiber link.
A bread loaf-sized satellite has produced the world’s first map of the global distribution of atmospheric ice in the 883-Gigahertz band, an important frequency in the submillimeter wavelength for studying cloud ice and its effect on Earth’s climate.
In a series of experiments conducted last month, Cambridge researchers experienced weightlessness testing graphene’s application in space.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to launch its Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission to study Earth's near-space environment and better understand what disrupts radio signals and satellites used for communications and the Global Positioning System (GPS) for radio navigation.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by the United States Air Force have shown the capability to switch between multiple spot beams on the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite network.
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, today announced that it has signed a contract for $190M with OneWeb for the production of a ground network system, supporting OneWeb's constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in its mission to bring affordable broadband service to millions of households, schools and other end users around the world.
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.
