Satellite Network Design
Credit points
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Prerequisites
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
In this unit students will acquire advanced theoretical knowledge, practical and critical analytical skills which can be applied to investigation and resolution of complex problem solving scenarios inherent in microwave and satellite communication systems. The unit material has been developed to enhance students’ communication skills, individual and group project participation and other professional capabilities important to practice as an Engineer. This unit has been developed to cover principles of modern microwave systems planning and design. Students will study microwave propagation, Beam bending, K-factor and Fresnel zone clearance and are expected to critique and implement Free space loss calculation methodologies. In addition this unit is comprised of: Component characterisation, Microwave antennas, oscillators, amplifiers, mixers, filters and isolators. Modulation schemes for analogue and digital radio systems will be covered together with Multiplexing techniques, access techniques and system loading effects. This will lead into Microwave link planning and design techniques taking into account Noise budget calculations and Reliability calculations for uplink and downlink. In general, Satellite orbits, Elevation angles, Polarisation and frequency re-use techniques will be studied including System EIRP and figure of merit Effects of system non-linearity. Mastering these topics will enhance a student's employability with a service provider company or a private company that owns or deploys microwave and satellite communication systems.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Determine and critically evaluate the technical fundamentals to design microwave/satellite links;
- Implement high level technical solutions in developing link budgets for a given microwave/satellite link;
- Generate appropriate solutions to the design requirements for a low earth orbit satellite and a geostationary satellite;
- Create techniques to guard against problems in satellite communications; and
- Critically appraise the limits of the link performance for both microwave and satellite links.
Assessment
For Melbourne campuses
A pass must be achieved in each assessment item to complete the unit.
Assessment type: Test | Grade: 20%
Test (Written)
Assessment type: Assignment | Grade: 40%
MatLab Simulink based reports (2) (20% each)
Assessment type: Exercise | Grade: 40%
Written problem solving exercises (2) (20% each)
Required reading
Any text book that covers satellite communication systems engineering is highly recommended. Pritchard, W, 1993 Satellite communication system Engineering Prentice Hall Elbert, B. 2008, Introduction to Satellite Communication, Artech House. Latest edition by Pritchard et al is highly recommended Recommended TEXTS: Evans, BG 1999, Satellite Communication Systems, 3rd ed. edn, Telecommunications, IET. Kolawole, MO 2014, Satellite communication engineering, 2nd edition. edn, CRC Press. Attaway, S 2019, MATLAB?: a practical introduction to programming and problem solving, Fifth edition., MATLAB examples, Butterworth-Heinemann.
As part of a course
This unit is not compulsory for any specific course. Depending on the course you study, this unit may be taken as an elective.