Analysis of solar degradation to TDRS S-band phased array antenna

A study of the distribution of gain-to-noise-temperature (G/T) values for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) satellite is described. The statistics of the G/T values are determined by a Monte Carlo simulation of the orbital geometry of the Sun and Moon, and the gain and noise temperature calculations is included. The results and their underlying assumptions are described     

Probability of error for BPSK modulation from electrostaticinterference [in orbital situation]

In an orbital situation any spacecraft is bombarded by charged particles that span a broad range of energies. Some of the particles may be trapped within the materials of the spacecraft. Recent data indicates that an S-band phased-array antenna on a spacecraft may experience electrostatic discharges from such ion deposition at the elements of the array. These discharges may induce RF interference of sufficient magnitude to degrade transponder performance. This issue is addressed by considering the degradation to a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signal. A simple model for the electrostatic phenomenon is described, and error probabilities are evaluated. The discharges and induced pulse rates are shown to be well below the interference level     

Overview of multiple satellite communication networks

Recently interest in packet communications has stimulated an interest in constellations of low altitude satellites. Such a configuration would have less propagation delay and be cheaper to launch than satellites at higher or geosynchronous altitude. However, many more satellites are necessary at low altitude to achieve reasonable coverage of the earth and insure availability of the resource. Further, the geometry of such a constellation would be dynamic with communication links of short duration as the satellites speed past each other or a ground site. The most difficult design issue in these systems is a stable method of routing messages that will sustain a reasonable level of traffic. This paper explores the problems of routing and switching messages through a constellation of low altitude satellites and examines some of the related demands on technology. The dynamic nature of crosslinks, uplinks, and downlinks requires a very agile antenna system, and the volume of information for routing of traffic is overwhelming. Use of some type of facetted phased array antenna is advocated to solve the former problem, but the latter problem is more subtle. Since the volume of ephemeris and constellation data as well as the rate of update is unmanageable, schemes relying on some form of broadcast or random access may be considered. It is concluded that none of the known or examined approaches to routing and switching is completely satisfactory