Satellite Communications Fundamentals

Quickly grasp the fundamentals of satellite communications and related disciplines with this unique book that explains the underpinnings, introduces key personalities, and probes emerging issues in this exciting field. Starting with the basics, the authors introduce you to key topics such as orbital mechanics, electromagnetic theory, and atmospheric effects on signals, earth stations, digital communication, and video compression.
Throughout the book practical examples relate fundamentals to real-world challenges, such as understanding the effect of rain on satellite reception, calculating the ratio of wanted to unwanted noise, and determining earth station parameters for satisfactory digital communication performance.
Although packed with over 500 equations, the included mathematics add a valuable perspective to the history of each fundamental and are fully explained as they are introduced. There's a brief review of calculus, an appendix explaining vector analysis, and a section devoted to explaining Maxwell's equations. A unique feature is the inclusion of a CD, which allows the user to understand and perform rapid calculations on various problems treated, as well as to view extensive notes on them.
Plus, you find enlightening historical insights on key figures such as Johannes Kepler, Karl Gauss, and James Clerk Maxwell, to round out your understanding of the development and direction of satellite communications.

Contents

• Preface
• What this book is all about
• An overview of satellite communicatioons
• Gravity and geostationary satellite
• The geometry of the geostationary satellite
• Electricity and magnetism
• Maxwell's equations
• The wave eqaution
• Transmission lines and radiation
• Parabolic antennas
• Noise
• Atmosphere and ionosphere
• Earth stations and introduction to modulation
• The satellite dowlink and its link budget
• The satellite uplink, the satellite, and the link budget
• The FM threshold
• Digital communications
• Video compression
• Using the CD program
• Conclusions
• Appendixes
• Index