Design and Implementation of a Radiometer and Rain Data Collection System for a Ka-band LEO Ground Station

Download or read book Design and Implementation of a Radiometer and Rain Data Collection System for a Ka-band LEO Ground Station written by Walber Feliciano and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 131 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The design and performance of broadband Ka-band satellite communication systems depends mostly on the radio propagation characteristics of the earth-to-space path. The goal of this project was to develop and deploy a low earth orbit (LEO) ground station terminal capable of collecting radiometric and beacon data at Ka-band frequencies; which ranges approximately from 20 to 30 GHz. LEO satellites will employ high data rates to transfer very large amounts of data. High data rates require large channel bandwidth; a motivation to utilized Ka-band frequencies. Many radio frequency (RF) propagation effects are more severe at Ka-band frequencies than at lower frequencies. Collected data can be statistically analyzed and used to study the Earth's atmosphere RF propagation effects at Ka-band, applicable to LEO links; thus improving the system availability models currently used. Collection of propagation data and its analysis is important for the development of satellite link analysis and communication component design, capability and requirements. Currently no LEO attenuation prediction models are available at Ka-band. This project provides a starting point to understand the dynamic effects of the Earth's atmosphere on rapidly changing Ka-band transmission from a LEO spacecraft. A LEO propagation model will enable communication system designers to improve their systems availability."--Abstract.