The cornerstone of satellite communications design and evaluation lies in link budgets, a critical tool that factors in radio-wave propagation, satellite performance, terminal equipment, radio frequency interference (RFI), and other physical layer elements pivotal to fixed and mobile satellite systems. Mastery of the format and content of link budgets is essential for engineers and managers entrusted with design and operational roles. Arrowe Technical Services of the UK offers SatMaster, a renowned and cost-effective PC-based software tool accessible online. This specialized course unravels the intricacies of link budget principles and practical applications, complemented by hands-on training in SatMaster 9—the latest iteration. Participants will delve into one- and two-way transmission of digital television, interactive services through very small aperture terminals (VSATs), point-to-point transmissions across varied data rates, and interactive communications with mobile terminals. The curriculum encompasses services spanning UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, and Ka bands directed at fixed and mobile terminals.

Course Objectives:

Delving into Detailed Link Design in Action: Computer Workshop.
Understanding Satellite Links Fundamentals and SatMaster's Utility.
Exploring Interference Considerations and Digital Link Budget Workshops.

Course Outline:

Day 1 - 2
Satellite Links Fundamentals and SatMaster Application

• Establishing foundational principles for satellite link budgets.
• Selection of frequency bands: UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, and Ka.
• Analysis of satellite footprints (EIRP, G/T, SFD) and transponder strategies; utilization of onboard processors.
• In-depth look at propagation considerations: isotropic source, line of sight, antenna fundamentals.
• Exploring atmospheric effects: troposphere (clear air, rain) and ionosphere (Faraday, scintillation).
• Study of rain effects, rainfall regions; leveraging built-in DAH and Crane rain models.
• Overview of modulation systems (QPSK, OQPSK, MSK, GMSK, 8PSK, 16 QAM, 32 APSK).
• Introduction to forward error correction techniques (Viterbi, Reed-Solomon, BCH, Turbo, LDPC codes).
• Link budget transmission equation and its correlation to the overall budget.
• Navigating the SatMaster user interface.
• Distinguishing features between SatMaster 9 and previous versions.
• File formats: antenna pointing, database, digital link budget, digital processing/regenerative repeater link budget.
• Accessing built-in reference data and calculators.
• Illustrative example of a digital one-way link budget (DVB-S2) using equations and SatMaster.

Day 3 - 4
Detailed Link Design Application: Computer Workshop

• Deconstructing the earth station block diagram and its characteristics.
• Exploring antenna attributes (main beam, sidelobe, X-pol considerations, mobile antennas).
• Understanding HPA characteristics, intermodulation, sizing, uplink power control.
• Hands-on link budget workshop using SatMaster: Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC).
• Optimizing transponder loading and multi-carrier backoff; power equivalent bandwidth.
• Reviewing link budget optimization techniques leveraging the program’s features.
• Strategies for transponder loading and optimization to minimize cost and resources, maximize throughput and availability.
• Calculating minimum transmit power; uplink power control (UPC).
• Unpacking interference sources (X-pol, adjacent satellite interference, adjacent channel interference).
• Comprehending earth station power flux density limits and employing spread spectrum for disadvantaged antennas.

Day 5
Addressing Interference Considerations and Digital Link Budget Workshops

• Estimating C/I and conducting trade studies.
• Performance assessment for carrier-in-carrier (Paired Carrier Multiple Access) transmission.
• Discussion on VSAT parameters and technology options in relation to the link budget.
• Illustrative example: digital VSAT, multi-carrier operation.
• Utilizing batch location files to prepare link budgets for an extensive array of locations.
• Classroom case study integrating the above components and SatMaster tools.