Satellite Technology: Principles and Applications, 3rd Edition

7Satellite Link Design Fundamentals

In this chapter, as the title of the chapter itself suggests, a comprehensive look will be taken at the important parameters that govern the design of a satellite communication link. The significance of each one of these parameters will be discussed vis-à-vis the overall link performance in terms of both quantity and quality of services provided by the link, without of course losing sight of the system complexity of both the Earth station and the space segment and the associated costs involved therein. What is implied by the previous sentence is that for a given link performance, a better system performance could perhaps be provided by making the Earth station and spacecraft instrumentation more complex, thereby increasing overall costs, sometimes to the extent of making it an unviable proposition.

The designer must therefore attempt to optimize the overall link, giving due attention to each element of the link and the factors associated with its performance. The chapter begins with a brief introduction to various parameters that characterize a satellite link or influence its design. Each one of these parameters is then dealt with in greater detail. This is followed by the basics of link design and the associated mathematical treatment, which is suitably illustrated with a large number of illustrations and design examples.

7.1 Transmission Equation

The transmission equation relates the received power level at the destination, which could ...