CN -M5L10 -Satellite Networks.pdf

Module 5 Broadcast Communication Networks Version 2 CSE IIT, Kharagpur Lesson 10 Satellite Networks Version 2 CSE IIT, Kharagpur Specific Instructional Objectives At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to: ? Explain different type of satellite orbits ? Explain the concept of footprint of a satellite ? Specify various categories of satellites ? Specify frequency bands used in satellites ? Explain the uses of different categories of satellites ? Specify the MAC techniques used in satellites communications 5.10.1 Introduction Microwave frequencies, which travel in straight lines, are commonly used for wideband communication. The curvature of the earth results in obstruction of the signal between two earth stations and the signal also gets attenuated with the distance it traverses. To overcome both the problems, it is necessary to use a repeater, which can receive a signal from one earth station, amplify it, and retransmit it to another earth station. Larger the height of a repeater from the surface of the earth, longer is the distance of line-of-sight communication. Satellite networks were originally developed to provide long-distance telephone service. So, for communication over long distances, satellites are a natural choice for use as repeaters in the sky. In this lesson, we shall discuss different aspects of satellite networks. Various types of orbits taken by different satellites are briefly discussed in Sec. 5.10.2. The concept of footprint, the area of earth covered by a satellite, is introduced in Sec. 5.10.3. Different categories of satellites, based on the altitudes from the surface of earth are explained in Sec. 5.10.4. Frequency bands used in satellite networks is covered in Sec. 5.10.5. Low Earth Orbit Satellite systems including Iridium and Teledesic systems are briefly discussed in Sec. 5.10.6. The Global Positioning System, one of the Medium Earth Orbit S