What is Satellite Communication ?
Satellite communication, in telecommunications, the use of artificial satellites to provide communication links between various points on Earth. In this communication, electromagnetic waves are used as carrier signals.
Satellite communications play a vital role in the global telecommunications system. Approximately 2,000 artificial satellites orbiting Earth relay analog and digital signals carrying voice, video, and data to and from one or many locations worldwide.
How Satellites Works?
A satellite is basically a self-contained communications system with the ability to receive signals from Earth and to retransmit those signals back with the use of a transponder—an integrated receiver and transmitter f radio signals.
The main components of a satellite consist of the communications system, which includes the antennas and transponders that receive and retransmit signals, the power system, which includes the solar panels that provide power, and the propulsion system, which includes the rockets that propel the satellite.
The frequency with which, the signal is sent into the space is called as Uplink frequency. Similarly, the frequency with which, the signal is sent by the transponder is called as Downlink frequency. The following figure illustrates this concept clearly.
- Following are the advantages of using satellite communication:
- Area of coverage is more than that of terrestrial systems
- Each and every corner of the earth can be covered
- Transmission cost is independent of coverage area
- More bandwidth and broadcasting possibilities
Need of Satellite Communication:
- Ground wave propagation − Ground wave propagation is suitable for frequencies up to 30MHz. This method of communication makes use of the troposphere conditions of the earth.
- Sky wave propagation − The suitable bandwidth for this type of communication is broadly between 30–40 MHz and it makes use of the ionosphere properties of the earth.
You must log in to post a comment.