1

Satellite Link Design

Joe Montana
IT 488 - Fall 2003
2
Agenda
Basic Transmission Theory
Review of Decibel
Link Budget
System Noise Power (Part 1)


3
Basic Transmission Theory
4
Link Budget parameters
Transmitter power at the antenna
Antenna gain compared to isotropic radiator
EIRP
Flux density at receiver
Free space path loss
System noise temperature
Figure of merit for receiving system
Carrier to thermal noise ratio
Carrier to noise density ratio
Carrier to noise ratio
5
Isotropic Radiator
Consider an Isotropic Source (punctual radiator)
radiating Pt Watts uniformly into free space.
At distance R, the area of the spherical shell
with center at the source is 4tR
2

Flux density at distance R is given by Eq. 4.1

2
4 R
P
F
t
t
= W/m
2
6
Isotropic Radiator 2
2
4 R
P
F
t
t
=
W/m
2
Pt Watts
Distance R
Isotropic Source
Power Flux Density:
Surface Area of
sphere = 4tR
2
encloses Pt.

7
Antenna Gain
We need directive antennas to get power to go in
wanted direction.
Define Gain of antenna as increase in power in a given
direction compared to isotropic antenna.
t
u
u
4 /
) (
) (
0
P
P
G =
(Eqn 4.2)

P(u) is variation of power with angle.
G(u) is gain at the direction u.
P
0
is total power transmitted.
sphere = 4t solid radians
8
Antenna Gain 2
Antenna has gain in every direction! Term
gain may be confusing sometimes.
Usually Gain denotes the maximum gain
of the antenna.
The direction of maximum gain is called
boresight.
9
Antenna Gain 3
Gain is a ratio:
It is usually expressed in Decibels (dB)
G [dB] = 10 log
10
(G ratio)
The worlds most misused unit ??
(we will see more on dBs later)
10
EIRP - 1
An isotropic radiator is an antenna which radiates in
all directions equally
Antenna gain is relative to this standard
Antennas are fundamentally passive
No additional power is generated
Gain is realized by focusing power
Similar to the difference between a lantern and a flashlight
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is the
amount of power the transmitter would have to
produce if it was radiating to all directions equally
Note that EIRP may vary as a function of direction
because of changes in the antenna gain vs. angle
11
The output power of a transmitter HPA is:
P
out
watts
Some power is lost before the antenna:
P
t
=P
out

/L
t
watts reaches the antenna
P
t
= Power into antenna
The antenna has a gain of:
G
t
relative to an isotropic radiator
This gives an effective isotropic radiated
power of:
EIRP = P
t
G
t
watts relative to a 1 watt
isotropic radiator
EIRP - 2
HPA
P
out
L
t
P
t
EIRP

12
Power Flux Density - 1
We now want to find the power density at the
receiver
We know that power is conserved in a
lossless medium
The power radiated from a transmitter must
pass through a spherical shell on the surface
of which is the receiver
The area of this spherical shell is 4tR
2

Therefore spherical spreading loss is 1/4tR
2

13
Power Flux Density - 2
Power flux density (p.f.d.) is a measure of the
power per unit area
This is a regulated parameter of the system
CCIR regulations limit the p.f.d. of any satellite
system
CCIR regulations are enforced by signatory
nations
Allowable p.f.d. varies w.r.t. elevation angle
Allows control of interference
Increasing importance with proliferation of LEO
systems
14
Received Power
The power available to a receive antenna of
area A
r
m
2
we get:

(Eqs. 4.4, 4.6)

2
4
x
R
A G P
A F P
r t t
r r
t
= =
2
2 2
W/m
4 4 R
G P
R
EIRP
F
t t
t t
= =
(Eqn. 4.3)
We can rewrite the power flux density now considering the
transmit antenna gain:
15
Effective Aperture
Real antennas have effective flux collecting areas
which are LESS than the physical aperture area.

Define Effective Aperture Area Ae:
q x
e phy
A A =
(Eqn. 4.5)
Where A
phy
is actual (physical) aperture area.
q = aperture efficiency
Very good: 75%
Typical: 55%
16
Effective Aperture - 2
2
4

t
e
A
Gain =
Antennas have (maximum) gain G related to the
effective aperture area as follows:
Where:
A
e
is effective aperture area.
17
Aperture Antennas
Typical values of q:
-Reflectors: 50-60%
-Horns: 65-80 % q

t

|
.
|

\
|
=
2
D
Gain
4
2
2
D
r A
phy
t t = =
q

t
= =
2 2
4
4
phy
e
A
A
Gain
Aperture antennas (horns and reflectors) have a
physical collecting area that can be easily calculated
from their dimensions:
Therefore, using Eqn. 4.7 and Eqn. 4.5 we can obtain
the formula for aperture antenna gain as:
18
Aperture Antenna Types
HORN
Efficient, Low Gain, Wide Beam
REFLECTOR
High Gain, Narrow Beam, May have to be
deployed in space
Lets concentrate on the
REFLECTORS in the next
slides
19
Reflector Types
Symmetrical, Front-Fed Offset, Front-Fed
Offset-Fed, Cassegranian Offset-Fed, Gregorian
20
Reflector Antenna -1
D
dB

u
75
3
~
degrees
(Eqn. 3.2)
The approximation above, together with the definition of gain (previous
page) allow a gain approximation (for reflectors only):
A rule of thumb to calculate a reflector antenna beamwidth in a given
plane as a function of the antenna dimension in that plane is given by:
( )
E
dB
H
dB dB
Gain
3 3
2
2
3
75 75
u u
t
q
u
t
q =
|
|
.
|

\
|
~
( )
E
dB
H
dB
dB
Gain
3 3
2
3
000 , 30 000 , 30
u u
u
= ~
Assuming for instance a typical aperture efficiency of 0.55 gives:
21
Antenna Beamwidth
Peak (i.e. maximum) GAIN
Angle between the 3 dB down
points is the beamwidth of the
antenna
22
Back to Received Power
The power available to a receive antenna of
effective area A
r
= A
e
m
2
is:
(Eqn. 4.6)
2
4
x
R
A G P
A F P
e t t
r r
t
= =
Where A
r
= receive antenna effective aperture area = A
e

2
4

t
e
r
A
G =
Inverting the equation given for gain (Eq. 4.7) gives:
Inverting
t

4
2
r
e
G
A =
23
Back to Received Power
Substituting in Eqn. 4.6 gives:
2
4
|
.
|

\
|
=
R
G G P P
r t t r
t

(Eqn. 4.8)
Friis Transmission Formula
The inverse of the term at the right referred to as Path
Loss, also known as Free Space Loss (Lp):
2
4
|
.
|

\
|
=

tR
L
p
Therefore
p
r t t
r
L
G G P
P =
24
More complete formulation
r other pol ra ta a p
r t t
r
L L L L L L L
G G P
P =
Demonstrated formula assumes idealized case.
Free Space Loss (Lp) represents spherical spreading
only.
Other effects need to be accounted for in the
transmission equation:
L
a
= Losses due to attenuation in atmosphere
L
ta
= Losses associated with transmitting antenna
L
ra
= Losses associates with receiving antenna
L
pol
= Losses due to polarization mismatch
L
other
= (any other known loss - as much detail as available)
Lr = additional Losses at receiver (after receiving antenna)
25
Transmission Formula
r other pol ra ta a p t
r t out
r other pol ra ta a p
r
r other pol ra ta a p
r t t
r
L L L L L L L L
G G P
L L L L L L L
G EIRP
L L L L L L L
G G P
P
=
=
=

x

Some intermediate variables were also defined
before:
P
t
=P
out

/L
t
EIRP = P
t
G
t
Where:
P
t
= Power into antenna
L
t
= Loss between power source and antenna
EIRP = effective isotropic radiated power
Therefore, there are
many ways the formula
could be rewritten. The
user has to pick the one
most suitable to each
need.
26
Link Power Budget
Transmission:
HPA Power
Transmission Losses
(cables & connectors)
Antenna Gain
EIRP
Tx
Antenna Pointing Loss
Free Space Loss
Atmospheric Loss
(gaseous, clouds, rain)
Rx Antenna Pointing Loss
Rx
Reception:
Antenna gain
Reception Losses
(cables & connectors)
Noise Temperature
Contribution
P
r
27
Review of Decibel
28
Why dB?
There is a large dynamic range of parameters
in satellite communications
A typical satellite antenna has a gain of >500
Received power flux is about one part in
100,000,000,000,000,000,000
of the transmitted power
Wouldnt it be nice to have a better way to
write these large numbers?
dB also lets many calculations be addition or
subtraction!
Thats a lot of zeros!
29
What is a dB?
Decibel (dB) is the unit for 10 times the
base 10 logarithmic ratio of two powers
For instance: gain is defined as P
out
/P
in

(where P
out
is usually greater than P
in
)
in dB:
Similarly loss is:
dB log 10
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
in
out
P
P
G
dB log 10
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
out
in
P
P
L
30
A Dangerous Calculation in dB!
dB ratios must NEVER be calculated as 20 times the
base 10 logarithmic ratio of voltages
Unless of course its more convenient, in which case you must
be very, very careful. Heres why:
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
= =
out
in
in
out
out
in
in
out
in
in
out
out
in
out
out
out
out
in
in
in
R
R
V
V
R
R
V
V
G
R
V
R
V
P
P
G
R
V
P
R
V
P
log 10 log 20 log 10 log 10
log 10 log 10

2
2
2
2
2 2
This term is usually
forgotten (with tragic
results!)
If these calculations are performed for say a (passive)
transformer with winding ratios of 4 output turns per
input turn, V
out
= 4 when V
in
= 1. If the last term is
neglected, the gain appears to be G = 20log(4) = 12 dB.
This is a curious result for a passive device!
If the last term is used, R
out
= 16 for R
in
= 1, so the
last term is -12 dB. This restores the balance at G = 0
as expected for an ideal passive device.
31
Using Decibels - 1
Rules:
Multiply A x B:
(Add dB values)
Divide A / B:
(Subtract dB values)
dB ) (
dB dB
) ( log 10 ) ( log 10
) / ( log 10
10 10
10
B A
B A
B A
B A
=
=
=
dB ) (
dB dB
) ( log 10 ) ( log 10
) x ( log 10
10 10
10
B A
B A
B A
B A
+ =
+ =
+ =
32
Using Decibels - 2
Rules:
Squares:
(Multiply by 2)
) dB in ( x 2
) ( log 20
) ( log 10 x 2
) ( log 10
10
10
2
10
A
A
A
A
=
=
=
Square roots:
(Divide by 2)
) dB in ( x
2
1

) ( log
2
10

) ( log 10
10
10
A
A
A
=
=
33
Thinking in dB
Its useful to be able to think in dB
Linear Ratio dB Linear Ratio dB
0.001 -30.0 2.000 3.0
0.010 -20.0 3.000 4.8
0.100 -10.0 4.000 6.0
0.200 -7.0 5.000 7.0
0.300 -5.2 6.000 7.8
0.400 -4.0 7.000 8.5
0.500 -3.0 8.000 9.0
0.600 -2.2 9.000 9.5
0.700 -1.5 10.000 10.0
0.800 -1.0 100.000 20.0
0.900 -0.5 1000.000 30.0
1.000 0.0 18.000 12.6
Note that 18 is 2*3*3.
Since: 2 = 3 dB
and: 3 = 4.8 dB
you can find 18 in dB
in your head by adding
3 + 4.8 + 4.8 = 12.6
You dont even need a
calculator!
This is really handy for
checking link budgets
quickly.
34
References in dB
dB values can be referenced to a
standard
The standard is simply appended to dB
Typical examples are:
Units Reference
dBi isotropic gain antenna
dBW 1 watt
dBm 1 milliwatt
dBHz 1 Hertz
dBK 1 Kelvin
dBi/K isotropic gain antenna/1 Kelvin
dBW/m
2
1 watt/m
2

dB$ 1 dollar

35
Link Budget
36
Translating to dBs
The transmission formula can be written in dB as:



This form of the equation is easily handled as a
spreadsheet (additions and subtractions!!)

The calculation of received signal based on transmitted
power and all losses and gains involved until the receiver is
called Link Power Budget, or Link Budget.

The received power Pr is commonly referred to as Carrier
Power, C.

r r other ra pol a p ta r
L G L L L L L L EIRP P + =
37
Link Power Budget
Transmission:
+ HPA Power
- Transmission Losses
(cables & connectors)
+ Antenna Gain
EIRP
Tx
- Antenna Pointing Loss
- Free Space Loss
- Atmospheric Loss
(gaseous, clouds, rain)
- Rx Antenna Pointing Loss
Rx
Reception:
+ Antenna gain
- Reception Losses
(cables & connectors)
+ Noise Temperature
Contribution
P
r
Now all factors are accounted for
as additions and subtractions
38
4 Easy Steps to a Good
Link Power Budget
First, draw a sketch of the link path
Doesnt have to be artistic quality
Helps you find the stuff you might forget
Next, think carefully about the system of interest
Include all significant effects in the link power budget
Note and justify which common effects are insignificant here
Roll-up large sections of the link power budget
Ie.: TXd power, TX ant. gain, Path loss, RX ant. gain, RX
losses
Show all components for these calculations in the detailed
budget
Use the rolled-up results in build a link overview
Comment the link budget
Always, always, always use units on parameters (dBi, W,
Hz ...)
Describe any unusual elements (eg. loss caused by H
2
0 on
radome)
39
Simple Link Power Budget
Parameter Value Totals Units Parameter Value Totals Units
Frequency 11.75 GHz

Transmitter Receive Antenna
Transmitter Power 40.00 dBm Radome Loss 0.50 dB
Modulation Loss 3.00 dB Diameter 1.5 m
Transmission Line Loss 0.75 dB Aperture Efficiency 0.6 none
Transmitted Power 36.25 dBm Gain 43.10 dBi
Polarization Loss 0.20 dB
Transmit Antenna Effective RX Ant. Gain 42.40 dB
Diameter 0.5 m
Aperture Efficiency 0.55 none Received Power -98.54 dBm
Transmit Antenna Gain 33.18 dBi

Slant Path Summary
Satellite Altitude 35,786 km Transmitted Power 36.25 dBm
Elevation Angle 14.5 degrees Transmit Anntenna Gain 33.18 dBi
Slant Range 41,602 km EIRP 69.43 dBmi
Free-space Path Loss 206.22 dB Path Loss 210.37 dB
Gaseous Loss 0.65 dB Effective RX Antenna Gain 42.4 dBi
Rain Loss (allocated) 3.50 dB Received Power -98.54 dBm
Path Loss 210.37 dB

40
Why calculate Link Budgets?
System performance tied to operation
thresholds.
Operation thresholds C
min
tell the minimum
power that should be received at the
demodulator in order for communications to
work properly.
Operation thresholds depend on:
Modulation scheme being used.
Desired communication quality.
Coding gain.
Additional overheads.
Channel Bandwidth.
Thermal Noise power.
We will see more on
these items in the
next classes.
41
Closing the Link
We need to calculate the Link Budget in order to
verify if we are closing the link.
P
r
>= C
min
Link Closed
P
r
< C
min
Link not closed

Usually, we obtain the Link Margin, which tells how
tight we are in closing the link:
Margin = P
r
C
min

Equivalently:
Margin > 0 Link Closed
Margin < 0 Link not closed
42
Carrier to Noise Ratios
C/N: carrier/noise power in RX BW (dB)
Allows simple calculation of margin if:
Receiver bandwidth is known
Required C/N is known for desired signal type
C/N
o
: carrier/noise p.s.d. (dbHz)
Allows simple calculation of allowable RX
bandwidth if required C/N is known for desired
signal type
Critical for calculations involving carrier recovery
loop performance calculations
43
System Figure of Merit
G/T
s
: RX antenna gain/system
temperature
Also called the System Figure of Merit, G/T
s
Easily describes the sensitivity of a receive system
Must be used with caution:
Some (most) vendors measure G/T
s
under ideal
conditions only
G/T
s
degrades for most systems when rain loss increases
This is caused by the increase in the sky noise component
This is in addition to the loss of received power flux
density
44
System Noise Power
45
System Noise Power - 1
Performance of system is determined by C/N
ratio.
Most systems require C/N > 10 dB.
(Remember, in dBs: C - N > 10 dB)
Hence usually: C > N + 10 dB
We need to know the noise temperature of
our receiver so that we can calculate N, the
noise power (N = P
n
).
T
n
(noise temperature) is in Kelvins (symbol
K):
| | | | ( ) 273
9
5
32
0
+ = F T K T | | | | 273
0
+ = C T K T
46
System Noise Power - 2
System noise is caused by thermal noise
sources
External to RX system
Transmitted noise on link
Scene noise observed by antenna
Internal to RX system
The power available from thermal noise is:



where k = Boltzmanns constant
= 1.38x10
-23
J/K(-228.6 dBW/HzK),
T
s
is the effective system noise temperature, and
B is the effective system bandwidth
(dBW) B kT N
s
=
We will see more on calculating Ts next class.