SATCOM transceiver and its key specifications
The SATCOM transceiver is a device that is utilized in satellite-based applications for performing both the operations: receiving (downlink) operations and transmitting (uplink) operations.
The transceiver renders a dual-directional communication link between the satellite and the ground terminal. The SATCOM transceiver consists of the following sets:
- Block up converter (BUC)
- Low noise block (LNB)
- DC power supply
The key specifications of the SATCOM transceiver include?
Some of the key specifications of the SATCOM transceiver include:
- Operating frequency: It is the Rx and Tx range of frequency that the transceiver supports
- Output power: This is the output power that can be transmitted and represented in Watts or dBm
- Gain: It is the gain rendered by the transceiver in the Rx and Tx chain.
- Noise Figure: It is the value of noise in the Rx chain, which is the minimum noise figure desired to avoid data loss.
The range of frequencies in the SATCOM, and usable spectrum range
The satellite communication is based on a particular range of frequencies wherein the useful spectrum range is from 1 GHz to 300 GHz. The various frequencies provided different qualities for a myriad of services:
L Band- Mobile satellite services which are based upon the wide beam and the equipment required are lower in cost and smaller in size.
C Band- It is also called VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal, and requires more power and expensive antennas.
X-Band- Very Small Aperture Terminal is reserved for naval and government use only. Other than this, the X band offers similar potential as the Ku band and C band.
Ku Band- This is one of the most common maritime bands in usage. The coverage of this satellite has grown parallel with commercial routes of trading.
Ka Band- It has an extremely large frequency range making it the least costly among all. Since it has a very high frequency, it requires a high pointing accuracy.
The applications of Satellite Communication
The satellite communication plays a pivotal role in daily life having following applications:
- Voice communication and Radio broadcasting
- Internet applications such as giving internet connections for GPS applications, data transfer, etc.
- Providing Direct to Home services
- Military navigations and applications
- Monitoring weather conditions
The speed of SATCOM
The radio waves are utilized to carry the satellite signals. These waves travel at 300,000 km/second which means at the speed of the light. The signal is sent to a satellite which is 38,000 km away and takes approximately 0.13 seconds to reach the satellite and 0.13 seconds for the return signal to be received back on Earth.
Difference between satellite communication and optical communication
| Satellite communication | Optical communication | |
| Range | These can cover long distances, including oceans and continents | It is a limited length of the fiber optic cable |
| Medium | Electromagnetic waves transmitted through free space | Light waves transmitted through fiber optic cable |
| Latency | Can experience high latency due to long distance involved | Low latency due to the speed of the light and the short distance involved |
| Cost | High initial costs for satellite and ground stations | Fiber optic cables are of the exorbitant price |
| Interference | Susceptible to the interference from weather conditions | Less susceptible to interference from external factors |
The type of antenna used for SATCOM and why does it use higher frequency?
Parabolic Reflector Antenna is widely utilized in satellite communications systems to enhance the gain of antennas.
The reason for the usage of higher frequency is that low-frequency signals are reflected by the atmosphere. Other than this, the high-frequency signals are not reflected.
The modulation in SATCOM
The SATCOM relies on modulation to transmit and receive signals over noisy channels and long distances. The modulation is the process of changing the characteristics of the carrier wave such as frequency, amplitude, or phase.
The revenue of the global satellite transceivers market and growth drivers
The SATCOM transceivers market size is anticipated to reach USD 65 billion by the end of the year 2035 by growing at a CAGR of 9% over the forecast period.
The growth drivers for the satellite transceivers market are as follows: –
- Growing number of satellite launches across the globe
- Rising integration of the Internet of Things
- Rising adoption of automation processes across the world
- Rising investment in the research and development sector
- Exponential rise in the usage of the Artificial intelligence
Source: Research Nester
