Satellite Networking: Principles and Protocols, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2Satellite Orbits and Networking Concepts

This chapter aims to provide an introduction to the physical layer of satellite networking concepts including principles of satellite orbits, satellite link characteristics, transmission techniques, multiple access, bandwidth allocation, and satellite availability and diversity. The physical layer is the lowest layer of network protocol stacks, providing real signal transmission. In the context of the protocol reference model, it provides service to the link layer above; however, there are no layers below it. It is the layer directly related to transmission media technologies and performs many of the functions of radio communication systems. In this chapter we will focus on satellite networking related issues. When you have completed this chapter, you should be able to:

• Review the laws of physics including Kepler's laws and Newton's laws.
• Make use of the laws to explain the characteristics of satellite orbits and calculate satellite orbit parameters.
• Make use of the laws to design orbits for a single satellite or a constellation of satellites for different requirements of satellite networking coverage.
• Appreciate the characteristics of satellite links and calculate the values of the link parameters.
• Understand different types of modulation techniques and why the phase shift modulation technique is more suitable for satellite transmission.
• Know the important error correcting coding schemes.
• Know different bandwidth resource allocation ...