/r/SATCOM

Photograph via snooOG

Satellite Communication (SATCOM) is the use of artificial satellites in orbit to send data between points on Earth. Satellite communications play a vital role in global telecommunications: International phone calls, satellite TV, the internet, global banking, military intelligence and more.


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  • If you have any ideas for the sub, or think you can help, get in touch.

About

Satellite Communication. SATCOM is the use of artificial satellites in orbit to send data between points on Earth. Satellite communications play a vital role in global telecommunications (international phone calls, satellite TV, the internet, global banking, military intelligence and more).


Submission Rules

  1. Posts must be relevant to SATCOM.
    We like questions, news, discussion articles, published research, course content, educational resources or videos about space-based communication.

Comment Rules

The rules are pretty damn simple:

  1. Be respectful to other users.
    All users are expected to behave with courtesy. Demeaning language, sarcasm, rudeness or hostility towards another user will get your comment removed. Repeat violations will lead to a ban.

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See our companion subreddit

/r/SATCOM

1,510 Subscribers

2

Satcom and GoGo

What is everyone thinking about the Satcom Direct and GoGo merger/acquisition?

1 Comment
2024/10/14
04:19 UTC

2

Is it Possible to Use a Marine Satcom Solution on a Small Aircraft at Low Altitudes?

I'm working on a project involving small aircraft that fly at low altitudes (around 5,000-10,000 feet) and relatively low speeds (around 100 knots). I'm wondering if it's theoretically possible to adapt a marine satcom solution for use on these aircraft. Specifically, I'm curious about whether the equipment could handle the different environmental conditions and maintain a reliable connection at these altitudes and speeds.

Has anyone here explored something similar or have insights on the feasibility of this idea? What challenges might arise in terms of connectivity, antenna design, or regulatory compliance?

4 Comments
2024/09/02
13:30 UTC

6

Marine preparing to transition

I am a satcom operator in the USMC signed a 5 year getting out in 3 years looking to take a career in satcom when I get out. Any advice on what to do before I get out to greater my chances of success?

8 Comments
2024/08/29
03:36 UTC

5

User Manual for CPI/General Dynamics 980a ACS

Hey all,

Not sure if this is the right place, but was wondering if anyone had a copy of a CPI 980a Antenna Control System manual. Any spec will work, we are just looking for general information.

1 Comment
2024/08/01
22:22 UTC

12

5G from Space: Enhancing global coverage with satellites

Hello SATCOM community,

I'm Claus Beck, and I work with Gatehouse Satcom, a Denmark-based company specializing in satellite communications. At Gatehouse Satcom, we are on a mission to help enable 5G connectivity from satellites, based on open standards set by the 3GPP. I thought it would be interesting to share some insights into this fascinating area.

What is 5G NTN?

5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) involve extending 5G coverage beyond traditional ground-based systems by leveraging satellites. This technology could revolutionize connectivity, particularly in remote or underserved areas, by providing high-speed internet directly from space.

Why is 5G from Space Important?

  • Global Reach: Satellites have the potential to provide comprehensive coverage across the globe, making it possible to connect rural and isolated regions where terrestrial networks struggle.
  • Enhanced Resilience: By complementing ground-based networks, satellite networks can offer additional reliability and redundancy. This is especially important in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, where ground infrastructure may be compromised.
  • Innovative Applications: 5G from space opens up a range of new applications, from improved IoT solutions in agriculture and environmental monitoring to enhanced capabilities for emergency response and disaster management. (If you're interested in exploring the future of 5G Narrowband IoT from space, check out the company Sateliot based in Spain.)

Challenges and Opportunities

While the potential of 5G from space is vast, there are significant technical and regulatory challenges to address. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and collaboration across the industry.

For those interested in a deeper dive into the topic, we've published some detailed articles that explain the fundamentals and challenges:

  1. Understanding the Basics of 5G for Satellites: What is 5G NTN?
  2. What Does It Take to Launch 5G into Space?

If your mobile provider offered you a subscription today that would cost a few dollars extra but give you extended coverage via satellites, is that something you would consider?

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the future of 5G from space.

Best regards,
Claus Beck

3 Comments
2024/07/30
08:49 UTC

1

Diploma thesis on satcom competition

Hey, I started writing a satcom competition policy diploma thesis. Essentially it is a work which will describe the current state of the sector competition and will attempt to create a reccomedation for the policy framework.

Now I know that it was essentially very stupid, to get into this as the sources are scarce to say the least, but I want to continue with this regardless, because I just fucking love it.

Anyway, I recently came upon a great source for manufacturing in space (www.factoriesinspace.com) and I was wondering if there is anything like this for satcom?

And if not, do you know any reliable sources for things like constellation projections or costs of satellite constellations? (I only got the Quilty Space analysis on Starlink and the data from what Viasat wrote about their ViaSat-3 constellation)

Any help or comments are appreciated!

2 Comments
2024/07/23
20:05 UTC

4

Iridium 9602 SBD modem: EOL ?

I'm having limited success sourcing these modules from reputable sources at reasonable prices. Is it still in production?

2 Comments
2024/04/23
08:28 UTC

0

Satellite as a Service Customers

Hello!
I'm an entrepreneur at an early stage start up. I'm in at the stage where I'm testing out my hypothesis. I would like to talk to other entrepreneurs / product managers who use satellite buses for their own businesses.

Is anyone available to fill out a quick 5 min survey?

Thanks in advance!

2 Comments
2024/04/17
19:33 UTC

2

BACH

Can someone please explain to me what Basic Alerting Channel is used for? Is it the one that's used for alerting people of disasters and etc.?

2 Comments
2024/04/11
08:27 UTC

1

Viasat Linkway S2

Hey guys,

Looking for some help with a Linkway issue and hoping someone might have some insight. Operating on STT 185s and our equipment all functions correctly until we try to send a CW through this modem. When given the command, the modem responds with “no response” and when given a command to soft reset it prompts “soft reset command rejected”. The issue is not resolved when consoling directly into the modem GUI as the command submits but does not initiate any CW. This problem occurs over 2 STTs, three laptops, and several modems, all swapped around with known functioning equipment and all having the same issue sending a CW for peak and poll. Linkways are all updated to the latest software versions and manager laptops are on a windows 7 maxview aperia of unknown version. TIA!

1 Comment
2024/04/08
04:35 UTC

1

Introducing Defel IFL: Next-Gen Combined L-Band Up/Downconverter!

🌟 Introducing the Defel IFL - your next-gen solution for combined L-Band Up and Downconversion needs! 🚀

Features:

IF Interface at 70±18 MHz, 140±36 MHz

Wide RF Range: 950 - 2000 MHz

Convenient 1U Chassis, Rack Mountable

Input Power: 110V-230V AC/50 Hz

Upconverter Output Power Range: 0 to -40 dBm

Downconverter Input Power Range: 0 to -70 dBm

Low Spurious: 40 dBc

Operating Conditions: Humidity: 95%, Temperature: -20 to +65ºC

Monitoring & Control: SNMP, RS232/422

To learn more about IFL 2010 and how it can benefit your SATCOM operations, visit our website https://defel.in/if-to-l-band-converter/ or contact our team today!

#Tech #IFL #Converter #Innovation

0 Comments
2024/04/05
10:48 UTC

3

Iridium, sbd message, adn message, unmanned aerial vehicle

Hello, I’m sorting out the ins and outs of Iridium, right now I’m sorting out the composition of the system message. I am interested in messages like access desition notification and its components, when these messages arrive and in general, what does this mean in general, please, or share the articles

0 Comments
2024/03/22
09:44 UTC

8

How Starlink direct-to-cell is possible

Starlink has deployed six direct to cell satellites which are intended to work with normal phones directly also Elon musk says he could use it with a normal unmodified phone without any special equipment in between

How it is technically possible for a normal LTE phone to be able to send data to a satellite (~500km distance) in normal LTE frequencies?

how it is possible to deal with power, time slot interference, ... problems with direct to cell?

1 Comment
2024/02/27
00:21 UTC

1

Study OFDM for satellite system

Hello everyone!

I am studying the MIMO OFDM system for the link " Satellite- User on the ground". I am looking for simulation parameters for my system.

I compare BER vs SNR for different channel estimation techniques. What are typical SNR values for satellite communication? Can it be from 9 to 20 dB? is QPSK modulation used in satcom?

0 Comments
2024/01/30
11:24 UTC

6

Satellite Gain calculation using the HPBW(half-power beamwidth)

In calculating the antenna gain for the ground station we use the formula G_max = 10*log10(efficiency*(pi*D*f/c)^2), using the efficiency, the diameter, and the frequency.

In calculating the antenna gain for the satellite, I have seen that the following formula is used G_max = 10*log10(efficiency*(pi*70/sat3dB)^2), where sat3dB is the satellite half power beam width (in degrees).

So the question is: Can I use the first formula for the antenna gain of the satellite? And is the half power beam width used for design purposes, having in mind the desired illumination area footprint? Is there any other reason to use the satellite half-power beam width value?

3 Comments
2023/11/29
16:11 UTC

1

RF-link simulation software

Dear all,
I have been looking for some good RF-link simulation software. More specifically, I would like to simulate a satellite constellation over time and calculate the signal strength etc.

I already tried Matlab satellite toolbox which includes a Link budget tool but it doesn't give the ability to simulate a constellation over time. Do you know of any software which could do this?

Thanks!

5 Comments
2023/11/21
14:14 UTC

9

Not what we are looking for on a 12 hour hold

9 Comments
2023/09/30
17:07 UTC

2

It's IBC2023 - RAI Amsterdam time! Please visit us at Stand 1.C64 where Dave Provencher, Chick Reutter and Richard Rader look forward to seeing everyone.

0 Comments
2023/09/14
17:56 UTC

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