This intensive four-day course is intended for satellite communications engineers, earth station design professionals, and operations and maintenance managers and technical staff. The course provides a proven approach to the design of modern earth stations, from the system level down to the critical elements that determine the performance and reliability of the facility. We address the essential technical properties in the baseband and RF, and delve deeply into the block diagram, budgets and specification of earth stations and hubs. Also addressed are practical approaches for the procurement and implementation of the facility, as well as proper practices for O&M and testing throughout the useful life. The overall methodology assures that the earth station meets its requirements in a cost effective and manageable manner. Each student will receive a copy of Bruce R. Elbert’s text The Satellite Communication Ground Segment and Earth Station Engineering Handbook, Artech House, 2001.
Instructor:
Bruce R. Elbert, MSc (EE), MBA, Adjunct Professor, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Mr. Elbert is a recognized satellite communications expert and has been involved in the satellite and telecommunications industries for over 40 years. He founded ATSI to assist major private and public sector organizations that develop and operate cutting-edge networks using satellite technologies and services. During 25 years with Hughes Electronics, he directed the design of several major satellite projects, including Palapa A, Indonesia’s original satellite system; the Galaxy follow-on system (the largest and most successful satellite TV system in the world); and the development of the first GEO mobile satellite system capable of serving handheld user terminals. Mr. Elbert was also ground segment manager for the Hughes system, which included eight teleports and 3 VSAT hubs. He served in the US Army Signal Corps as a radio communications officer and instructor.
By considering the technical, business, and operational aspects of satellite systems, Mr. Elbert has contributed to the operational and economic success of leading organizations in the field. He has written nine books on telecommunications and IT, including Introduction to Satellite Communication, Third Edition (Artech House, 2008).The Satellite Communication Applications Handbook, Second Edition (Artech House, 2004); The Satellite Communication Ground Segment and Earth Station Handbook (Artech House, 2001), the course text.
Ground Segment and Earth Station Technical Aspects
Evolution of satellite communication earth stations—teleports and hubs
Earth station design philosophy for performance and operational effectiveness
Engineering principles
Propagation considerations: the isotropic source, line of sight, antenna principles
Atmospheric effects: troposphere (clear air and rain) and ionosphere (Faraday and scintillation)
Rain effects and rainfall regions; use of the DAH and Crane rain models
Modulation systems (QPSK, OQPSK, MSK, GMSK, 8PSK, 16 QAM, and 32 APSK)
Forward error correction techniques (Viterbi, Reed-Solomon, Turbo, and LDPC codes)
Transmission equation and its relationship to the link budget
Radio frequency clearance and interference consideration
RFI prediction techniques
Antenna sidelobes (ITU-R Rec 732)
Interference criteria and coordination
Site selection
RFI problem identification and resolution
Major Earth Station Engineering
RF terminal design and optimization
Antennas for major earth stations (fixed and tracking, LP and CP)
Upconverter and HPA chain (SSPA, TWTA, and KPA)
LNA/LNB and downconverter chain
Optimization of RF terminal configuration and performance (redundancy, power combining, and safety)
Baseband equipment configuration and integration
Designing and verifying the terrestrial interface
Station monitor and control
Facility design and implementation
Prime power and UPS systems
Developing environmental requirements (HVAC)
Building design and construction
Grounding and lightening control
Hub Requirements and Supply
Earth station uplink and downlink gain budgets
EIRP budget
Uplink gain budget and equipment requirements
G/T budget
Downlink gain budget
Ground segment supply process
Equipment and system specifications
Format of a Request for Information
Format of a Request for Proposal
Proposal evaluations
Technical comparison criteria
Operational requirements
Cost-benefit and total cost of ownership
User Terminals for Fixed and Mobile Applications
General configuration of user terminal (UT)
RF head section (outdoor equipment)
Baseband section (indoor equipment)
User interface (common devices and custom features)
Antennas for UTs
Fixed directional antennas (dish and array)
Tracking antenna designs (mechanical and electronic steered)
Omni-directional antennas for handheld mobile applications
Baseband functions
Digital radio design principles
Software Designed Radio applications
Fixed terminals
Receive only digital set-top-box (DVB)
Two-way VSAT
Special considerations for portable, vehicular mobile and handheld UTs
Analysis of the typical digital mobile phone
Design of the satellite mobile UT
Configuration for government services
Extensions for aeronautical, maritime, and data applications
Tuition:
Tuition for this four-day course is $2,045 per person at one of our scheduled public courses. Onsite pricing is available. Please call us at 410-956-8805 or send an email to ati@aticourses.com.
Bruce R. Elbert, MSc (EE), MBA, Adjunct Professor, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Mr. Elbert is a recognized satellite communications expert and has been involved in the satellite and telecommunications industries for over 40 years. He founded ATSI to assist major private and public sector organizations that develop and operate cutting-edge networks using satellite technologies and services. During 25 years with Hughes Electronics, he directed the design of several major satellite projects, including Palapa A, Indonesia’s original satellite system; the Galaxy follow-on system (the largest and most successful satellite TV system in the world); and the development of the first GEO mobile satellite system capable of serving handheld user terminals. Mr. Elbert was also ground segment manager for the Hughes system, which included eight teleports and 3 VSAT hubs. He served in the US Army Signal Corps as a radio communications officer and instructor.
