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Satchandi Verma, SMIEEE, Senior Staff, Eric Wiswell, MIEEE, Technical Fellow
TRW Inc.
One Space Park
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
310-812-1742
satchandi.verma@trw.com
ABSTRACT
For next generation satellite systems to provide cost
effective network service it is essential to use efficient and
advanced technologies for adding new satellites or
upgrading legacy systems. This paper discusses the various
technologies that are being developed and utilized for
increasing the network capacity, improving service
performance and reducing the cost of satellite systems. An
overview of enabling technologies is presented describing
the key architecture, capability and performance of the
broadband satellite payload processor, digital transponder
and satellite antenna developed by TRW. The various
benefits of using these advanced features in satellites over
the conventional Bent Pipe satellite systems are
summarized.
INTRODUCTION
Over the last two decades the communication satellites
have extensively used Bent Pipe transponders at C and
Ku-Band frequencies to provide the audio, data, video and
VSAT services using narrow and wideband transmission
channels. These satellite systems are characterized by broad
regional coverage, rigid network configurations, relatively
low satellite antenna gain, EIRP and G/T with modest
channel data capacity rates. The network throughput
capacity is mostly limited by the availability of small
numbers of transponders in the satellite.
In recent years cost effective solutions for Multimedia
Broadband Global Communication systems are being
developed using next generation of communication satellite
designs. These systems require high quality of service,
affordable prices and good matching of customer demand
with the satellite system capacity for successful and
profitable business operation. The growth of satellite data
services in the next decade is estimated to be substantial
during this decade [1].
To meet the needs of these cost effective next
generation systems requirements the satellite may employ
following advanced techniques in antenna designs, onboard
payload processing and frequency reuse:
Deployable large mesh reflector (Shaped and spot
beams) satellite antenna
AIAA_1111
1
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
02S00729.154
2
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
02S00729.154
SATSAT- 1
SATSAT2
SATSAT- 3
SATSAT- 3 Pan
European
Beam
SATSAT- 1
Regional
Beams
SATSAT- 2
Regional
Beams
9.00
Scandinavia
8.00
7.00
UK
London
-
-2
43.64
Paris
Spain
6.00 -1.70
Madrid
43.64
-3
5.00
43.30
43.30
-1.70
Stockholm
-1.70
-3
CTU
-3
20
-3 -3
HAN
-3
-3
-3
Germany
-2
-2
-3
-3.00
-3
CAN
Berlin-2
Munich
France
43.30
0.00
TPE
-3
20
-3
MNL
BKK-3
SGN
-3 -3
-3
KUL
-3
-3
-3 -3
POM
-2 -1.70
-2
-3
Rome
Italy
-2.00
-1.00
-3
HLP
-3
-3
-5.00
5.00
-4.00
HRB
-3
NAYSHE
SEL
-3
-3
ITM
SHA
-3
0.00
PER
-3
-3
-3
BNE
CBR
1.00
20
3
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
02S00729.154
y
y
y
LNA Downconverter
Analog IF Conditioning
Frequency Source Unit
LNA
Dual
band
feed
BP
F
VG
A
Freuency
Source
Unit
Processor Subsystem
y
y
y
y
y
I
mp
BPF
EPC
bpf
IF to RF Upconverter
EPC/LCAMP/TWTA
bpf
LCAMP
HPA
bpf
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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
02S00729.154
Reconfigurable
Network Connectivity with Backward
Demodulator
Switch
Module
Module
Compatibility.
Fabric
Digital
The transponders can easily be reconfigured at the
IF
Outputs
Inputs
sub-transponder level to respond the system
connectivity requirements for changing markets and
traffic patterns. The backward compatibility to
Demodulator Router
Multicast Module
analog transponders in legacy systems is obtained
by the programmable bandwidth feature of (27, 36,
54, 72 MHz) in the design.
processing requires efficient channel routing, power control
On Board Channel Aggregation.
and dynamic bandwidth reallocation. The ATM cell
This feature provides the on board capability of
switching provides flexibility and compatibility with
combining the Signals from multiple uplinks
existing protocols and interfaces. The scaleable feature of
located in different coverage regions into a single
switch meets the needs of both the users requiring very little
downlink channel. The system efficiency is
bandwidth as well as those with high bandwidth demands
improved by simpler frequency translation and
(large business users over a single network infrastructure).
time slot (TDM) switching.
For Gen*star payload TRW has built the broadband
PBI
Antenna
Subsystem
Recieve RF Subsystems
Dual
band
feed
y
y
y
LNA Downconverter
Analog IF Conditioning
Frequency Source Unit
Transmit RF Subsystems
Processor Subsystem
y
y
y
y
y
y
Digital Channelizer
Circuit Channel Switch
Analog Reconstructor
I
Offst Fed
Mesh
Reflector
Spot Beam
Antenna
LNA
BP
F
VG
A
Freuency
Source
Unit
ADC
DFT
iDFT
DAC
IF to RF Upconverter
EPC/LCAMP/TWTA
Analog IF Conditioning
BPF
VGA
EPC
LCAMP
BPF
HPA
Dual
band
feed
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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
02S00729.154
Circuit
CircuitSwitch
Switch
** Remaping
of Subchannels
Remaps subchhanels
** Subchannel
routing
port
Routes subchannels totoports
Digital Channelizer
* Divides inputsignal into
sub-channels
* ALC function levels the power
Recombiner
* Subchannels reconstructed
* Recombines user channels
into a one signal
F r e q u e n c y R e sp o n se
0
-5
- 10
- 15
IL(dB)
-2 0
-3 0
-3 5
-4 0
-4 5
-5 0
-5 5
-6 0
0
20
40
60
80
10 0
12 0
14 0
F r e q u e n c y (M H z )
Anolog
Reconstruction
Converts digital
samples into
analog signals
-2 5
CONCLUSIONS
For next generation satellite systems to provide cost
effective and profitable network service it is necessary to
apply new technologies in satellite antenna and
communication payload designs. The satellite network
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0.730
0.670
-40
0.650
0.630
0.610
-50
IL(dB)
0.590
-55
GD(usec)
0.570
0.550
-60
505 509513 517521 525529 533537 541545 549
Frequency(MHz)
-5
16.030
-10
IL(dB)
-35
IL(dB)
0.690
Group Delay(usec)
0.710
-30
-45
16.050
-15
16.010
-20
-25
15.990
-30
-35
15.970
-40
IL(dB)
-45
90
GD(usec)
100
110
Group Delay(usec)
-25
-20
REFERENCES
15.950
120
130
Frequency(MHz)
7
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
02S00729.154