EENG470 Satellite Communications
Course Description:
Introduction. Orbital aspects and spacecraft’s. Antenna systems for satellites.Performance and design parameters. Down and up links design. Modulation and Multiplexing techniques for satellite links. Multiple access, encoding and error correction. Influence of earth path on satcom. Earth station technology. Satellite TV network distribution. (direct broadcasting frequencies, receivers). Typical examples (INMARSAT, INTELSAT, ARABSAT, GPS).
Homework: Weekly assignments will be provided to enhance understanding and reinforce concepts. Homework is expected to be submitted at the beginning of the class period one week after it is assigned.
Exams and Projects: Throughout the semester, there will be a mid-term exam and a final exam, assessing your grasp of the course material. Additionally, substantial projects will be assigned to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Grading: Evaluation will encompass not only the technical proficiency demonstrated in exams and projects but also the quality of writing and presentation. Your grade breakdown is as follows:
- Homeworks ( 4 HWs) and Lab assignments (2 Labs): 15% – 10%
- Test 1: (Midterm Exam): 15% – 20%
- Test 2 : 15 %
- Term Project : 15%
- Final Exam: 40%
Textbook:
- Satellite Communications, By Timothy Pratt, Charles Bostian, and Jeremy Allnutt,
John Wiley, 2003
Reference:
- Satellite Communication, By Dennis Roddy, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill
Week(1): [M : 12 Feb ] Introduction to satellite communication systems, satellite communications services and applications, Background and history. (lect1_470)
Week(2): [ M: 19 Feb ] GEO and LEO orbits, launchers and launch vehicles. (lect2_470)
Week(3): [ M: 26 Feb ] {Chp. 2}: Orbits control 1 :Achieving stable orbit / Kepler laws (lect3_P1_470)
Week(4): [M: 4 Mar] Orbits control 2: Describing the orbit of satellite / Locating the satellite in the orbit (lect3-P2_470)
Week(5): [M: 11 Mar] Orbits control 3:Locating the satellite with respect to the earth + Orbital elements (lect3-P3_470)
Week(6): [M: 18 Mar ] Orbits control 4: Look angle determination (lect4_470-v2)
Week(7): [M: 25 Mar ] Orbits control 5: Launches and Launch Vehicle : Reading assignment (lect5_chp2-reading)
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Mid-semester break for students: Sunday 31 Mar. – Thursday 4 Apr.
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Week(8): [M: 8 Apr] Assignment (HW#2): (HW2_chp2-Sol)
Week(9): [M: 15 Apr ] : {Chp. 3} The space segment : Satellite subsystems + Attitude Control + TTC&M + Power systems (lect6_p1_v2-chp3)
Week(10): [M: 22 Apr ] Communications subsystems Transponders (lect6_p2_v2-chp3)
Test 1 (H 25 April) : Orbit control (Chapter 2)
Week(11): [M: 29 Apr ] Antenna Fundamentals + Satellite Antennas (lect7_chp3-antennas)
{W 1 May : Labor Day Holiday}
Week(12): [M: 6 May] Satellite Antennas
Week(13): [M: 13 May ] {Chp. 4} Satellite Link Design (1,2)
Test 2 : W 15 May @ 11:00 pm
Week(14): [M: 20 May ] Satellite Link Design (3,4)
Week(15): [ M: 27 May] Case studies: VSATs, LEOS, Global Positioning System.
T : 28 May : Last day of classes