VALLIAMMAI ENGINEERING COLLEGE

SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603203.
 

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

 

QUESTION BANK 
 

SEM / YEAR: IV / VIII

EC2045 SATALLITE COMMUNICATION

UNIT I SATELLITE ORBITS
Kepler’s Laws, Newton’s law, orbital parameters, orbital perturbations, station keeping, geo stationary
and non-Geo-stationary orbits – Look Angle Determination- Limits of visibility –eclipse-Sub satellite
point –Sun transit outage-Launching Procedures -launch vehicles and propulsion.
PART A
Q. No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Define geostationary orbit. BTL 1 Remember
2. State Kepler’s three laws. BTL 2 Understand
3. Memorize Look angle. BTL 1 Remember
4. Outline the concepts of apogee and perigee. BTL 2 Understand
5. What is line of apsides? BTL 1 Remember
6. Differentiate between ascending node and descending node. BTL 4 Analyze
7. Tell about Inclination BTL 1 Remember
8. Identify the significance of sub satellite point. BTL 3 Apply
9. Compare mean anomaly and true anomaly. BTL 4 Analyze
10. A satellite is orbiting in the equatorial plane with a period
from perigee to perigee of 12 hours. Given that the
BTL 5 Evaluate
eccentricity is 0.002, calculate the semi-major axis. Assume
earth radius aE = 6378 km.
11. How would you classify azimuth angle and look angles? BTL 4 Analyze
12. Describe the term “Station Keeping’? BTL 2 Understand
13. Can you develop the concepts of apogee and perigee height? BTL 6 Create
14. Illustrate the significance of sub-satellite point? BTL 2 Understand

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 1 

 
   

15. Discuss about the orbital parameters. BTL 6 Create

16. Write about orbital perturbations BTL 1 Remember
17. Remember the meaning of Limits of visibility. BTL 1 Remember
18. Determine the angle of tilt required for a polar mount used
with an earth station at latitude 49o north. Assume a spherical BTL 5 Evaluate
earth mean radius 6371 km and ignore earth station altitude.
19. Find the viewing angle of geostationary satellite orbiting at
42200 km from an earth station making an elevation angle of BTL 3 Apply
25 °.
20. Demonstrate sun transit outage BTL 3 Apply
PART – B
1. (i) State briefly about orbital elements. BTL 1 Remember
(ii) Can you formulate a theory on the orbital perturbation? BTL 3 Apply
2. List and Define look angles. Explain how they are BTL 1 Remember
determined?
3. BTL 1 Remember
What is meant by polar orbiting? Explain in detail.
4. Apply Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion to illustrate in BTL 3 Apply
each case their relevance to artificial satellites orbiting the
earth.
5. (i) Analyze the steps involved in launching a satellite. BTL 4 Analyze
(ii) Find the limits of visibility for an earth station situated at
mean sea level, at latitude 48.42o north and longitude 89.26o BTL 5 Evaluate
west. Assume a minimum angle of elevation of 5o.
6. (i) Explain the significance of station keeping. BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Write the types of orbits and discuss about merits and
demerits. BTL 1 Remember
7. How do you estimate the satellite position using Sub-satellite BTL 4 Analyze
points?
8. (i) Summarize on frequency allocations for satellite services. BTL 2 Understand
(ii) A satellite is orbiting in the equatorial plane with a period
from perigee to perigee of 12 h. Given that, the eccentricity is
0.002. Calculate the semi major axis. The earth equatorial BTL 5 Evaluate
radius is 6378.1414 km.
9. Explain in detail the geocentric-equatorial coordinate system BTL 2 Understand
which is based on the earth’s equatorial plane.
10. Discuss briefly the development of INTELSAT starting from BTL 6 Create
the 1960s through the present.

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 2 

 
    

UNIT II SPACE SEGMENT AND SATELLITE LINK DESIGN

Spacecraft Technology- Structure, Primary power, Attitude and Orbit control, Thermal control and
Propulsion, communication Payload and supporting subsystems, Telemetry, Tracking and command.
Satellite uplink and downlink Analysis and Design, link budget, E/N calculation- performance
impairments-system noise, inter modulation and interference, Propagation Characteristics and
Frequency considerations- System reliability and design lifetime.
PART A
Q.No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Give the two segments of basic satellite communication. BTL 2 Understand
2. Write short notes on attitude control system. BTL 2 Understand
3. What is declination? BTL 1 Remember
4. How do you improve the system reliability? BTL 6 Create
5. Can you formulate the concepts of thermal control in satellite
BTL 6 Create
communication?
6. Transmitter feeds power of 10 watts into an antenna, which
BTL 5 Evaluate
has a gain of 46 dB. Calculate EIRP.
7. Differentiate between momentum wheel stabilization and
BTL 4 Analyze
split body stabilization?
8. State Pitch angle. BTL 1 Remember
9. Recall the term propellant. BTL 1 Remember
10. Describe the spin stabilized satellites. BTL 2 Understand
11. Outline the concepts of frequency reuse. BTL 4 Analyze
12. Identify the uses of spot beam antenna. BTL 1 Remember
13. How do you achieve stabilization by momentum wheel? BTL 3 Apply
14. Tell shortly about polarization interleaving. BTL 2 Understand
15. Apply the concepts of noise temperature in communication
BTL 3 Apply
receivers?
16. What is noise weighting? BTL 1 Remember
17. An antenna has a noise temperature of 35 K and it is matched
into a receiver which has a noise temperature of
BTL 5 Evaluate
100K.Calculate the noise power density and noise power for
a BW of 36 MHz?
18. Deduce the noise types in satellite communication BTL 4 Analyze
19. How do you control the altitude of satellite through active
BTL 3 Apply
control?
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20. Define sky noise. BTL 1 Remember

PART – B
1. Demonstrate satellite attitude and briefly describe two forms
BTL 2 Understand
of attitude Control.
2. Analyze the concepts of TT&C in satellite system and explain BTL 4 Analyze
in detail.
3. Identify the most common type of high-power amplifying
BTL 1 Remember
device used in a communication satellite and explain in detail.
4. Explain about uplink and down link satellite models. BTL 2 Understand
5. i)What are the sources of noise in satellite communication? (8)
BTL 1
Remember
ii)List the importance of noise temperature in link design? (8)

6. Evaluate the reliability and lifetime of satellite communication

BTL 5 Evaluate
system. (8)
Give detail note of subsystems of space segment. (8)
7. i)How do you achieve altitude and orbit control from an earth
station? (8)
BTL 3 Apply
ii)List and explain the factors governing the design of satellite
links. (8)
8. i)How the performance of satellite is impaired due to external
factors and explain the methods to overcome the same. (8) BTL 4 Analyze
ii)How to measure the factors that contribute to noise factor in
an earth station receiving channel. (8) BTL 3 Apply

9.
i)Design Link budget and C/N (E/N) calculation. (8)
BTL 6 Create
ii) Derive link -power- budget equation for uplink design. (8)
10. What is the frequency assignment for satellite services? (8)
Explain the propagation characteristics and frequency BTL 1 Remember
considerations in satellite system. (8)

UNIT III SATELLITE ACCESS

Modulation and Multiplexing: Voice, Data, Video, Analog – digital transmission system, Digital video
Brocast, multiple access: FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, Assignment Methods, Spread Spectrum
communication, compression – encryption.
PART A
Q.No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Describe the single mode of operation. BTL 2 Understand
2. Name the methods of multiple access techniques for satellites. BTL 1 Remember
3. Differentiate the CDMA & TDMA. BTL 3 Apply

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 4 

 
   

4. Where the thin route service will occur? BTL 1 Remember

5. Summarize the important feature of Intelsat SCPC system. BTL 2 Understand
6. Define guard time and multiplexing. BTL 1 Remember
7. Distinguish the direct closed loop feedback & feedback
BTL 3 Apply
closed loop control.
8. Estimate the frame efficiency. BTL 2 Understand
9. Analyze the digital speech interpolation. BTL 4 Analyze
10. Explain the telephone load activity factor. BTL 4 Analyze
11. List the types of digital speech interpolation. BTL 1 Remember
12. Extend the advantages of SPEC method over DSI method. BTL 2 Understand
13. What happens if there is no reference burst in TDMA? BTL 6 Create
14. Measure the processing gain of a satellite access. BTL 5 Evaluate
15. Develop the burst position acquisition in satellite access. BTL 6 Create
16. Classify the multiple access technique. BTL 3 Apply
17. Summarize error detecting code & burst code word. BTL 5 Evaluate
18. Examine the limitations of FDMA-satellite access. BTL 1
Remember
19. Point out the pre-assigned TDMA satellite access. BTL 4 Analyze
20. Identify the two basic problems in satellite digital
BTL 1 Remember
transmission.
PART - B
1. Tabulate the salient futures of FDMA, TDMA & CDMA. (16) BTL 1 Remember
2. Demonstrate briefly about analog voice transmission. BTL 3 Apply
Summarize the operation of the spade system of demand
3. BTL 2 Understand
assignmet. (16)
Describe the general operating principles of a TDMA
4. network. Show how the transmission bit rate is related to the BTL 1 Remember
input bit rate. (16)
Discuss the need for reference burst and preamble and post-
5. BTL 2 Understand
amble in a TDMA System. (16)
Evaluate the operation of network synchronization with neat
sketch. (10)
6. BTL 5 Evaluate
Justify the type of multiple access which is best suited for
Digital Video Broadcast. (6)

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 5 

 
    

i)Describe the ways in which demand assigned may be carried

out in FDMA. (10)
7. BTL 1 Remember
ii)What is meant by back-off and why it is necessary for
multiple access systems? (6)
i)Briefly explain about FDMA & distinguish FDMA from
BTL 4 Analyze
FDM. (10)
8.
(ii) Summarize the methods of On-board signal processing for BTL 3 Apply
TDMA operation. (6)
Explain the principle behind spectrum spreading and
9. despreading and how this is used to minimize interference in a
BTL 4 Analyze
CDMA system. Also determine the throughput efficiency of
the system.
10. i)How signal acquisition and tracking are achieved in a DS/SS
system. (10) BTL 6 Create
ii)Write the properties of maximal sequence. (6)

UNIT IV EARTH SEGMENT

Earth Station Technology-- Terrestrial Interface, Transmitter and Receiver, Antenna Systems
TVRO, MATV, CATV, Test Equipment Measurements on G/T, C/No, EIRP, Antenna Gain.
PART A
Q. No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Define earth segment. BTL 1 Remember
2. Give the difference between KU-band and the C-band receive
BTL 2 Understand
only systems.
3. What is meant by terrestrial interface? BTL 1 Remember
4. Show the difference between DBS TV and conventional TV. BTL 3 Apply
5. Demonstrate about CATV system. BTL 3 Apply
6. Define antenna gain. BTL 1 Remember
7. Differentiate CATV and MATV. BTL 6 Create
8. Explain about EIRP. BTL 4 Analyze
9. List out the earth station parameters that affects C/N ratio BTL 1 Remember
10. Generalize the reason for deploying a demodulator unit in our
home television set when we want to function in a satellite BTL 6 Create
TV system?
11. Write the features of CATV. BTL 4 Analyze
12. A satellite downlink at 12 GHz operates with a transmit
power of 6 W and an antenna gain of 48.2 dB. Evaluate the BTL 5 Evaluate
EIRP in dBW.
13. Draw the block diagram of TVRO system. BTL 4 Analyze
14. The range between a ground station and a satellite is 42000 BTL 3 Apply

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 6 

 
    

km. Calculate the free space loss for a frequency of 6 GHz.

15. Compare TVRO and DTH systems. BTL 5 Evaluate
16. Why the test equipment’s measurements are required? BTL 2 Understand
17. State the importance of G/T ratio in test measurement. BTL 2 Understand
18. Why the cassegrain antennas are popular for large earth
BTL 1 Remember
stations?
19. List the major equipment’s required in an earth segment. BTL 2 Understand
20. Give the types of antenna systems used for satellite. BTL 1 Remember
PART - B
With the aid of a block schematic, briefly describe the
1. BTL 1 Remember
functioning of receive only home TV and Antenna systems.
2. Demonstrate and relate the MATV and CATV systems. BTL 3 Apply
(i) What is meant by redundant earth station? Explain with
3. block diagram. (10) BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Draw and explain the indoor unit of analog (FM) TV. (6)
4. Briefly explain about the test equipment’s for earth stations. BTL 2 Understand
(i) Explain test equipment measurement on G/T ratio. (8)
5. BTL 5 Evaluate
(ii) Discuss about the antenna systems used in satellite. (8)
Analyze the functioning of Transmit-Receive earth stations
6. BTL 4 Analyze
with block diagrams. Explain the need for inter-satellite links.
Examine how MATV is used to provide reception of DDS to a
7. small group of users. When this group is large what type of BTL 1 Remember
antenna should be used?
(i) Explain earth station transmitter and receiver with
8. necessary block diagram. (8) BTL 6 Create
(ii) Describe CATV in detail with a neat diagram. (8)
BTL 3 Apply
(i) Illustrate any one test equipment for the measurement on
9. C/No. (8)
(ii) Draw the basic block of earth segment and analyze. (8) BTL 4 Analyze
(i) Draw the block diagram and examine TVRO system. (8)
10. BTL 1 Remember
(ii) Describe how the gain of large antennas can be optimized? (8)

UNIT V SATELLITE APPLICATIONS

INTELSAT Series, INSAT, VSAT, Mobile satellite services: GSM, GPS, INMARSAT, LEO, MEO,
Satellite Navigational System. Direct Broadcast satellites (DBS)- Direct to home Broadcast (DTH),
Digital audio broadcast (DAB)- World space services, Business TV(BTV), GRAMSAT, Specialized
services – E –mail, Video conferencing, Internet.
PART A
Q. No Questions BT Level Competence
1. Give the 3 different types of applications with respect to BTL 2 Understand

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 7 

 
   

satellite systems.
2. Name the 3 regions to allocate the frequency for satellite
BTL 1 Remember
services.
3. Identify the meanings of DOMSAT, INTELSAT, SARSAT. BTL 1 Remember
4. Summarize the types of satellite services. BTL 2 Understand
5. List out the need of ECEF. BTL 5 Evaluate
6. Define dilution of precision. BTL 1 Remember
7. Classify LEO and MEO satellites. BTL 4 Analyze
8. Show the frequency range of US DBS systems with high
BTL 3 Apply
power satellites.
9. Define DAB and DVB. BTL 1 Remember
10. Explain shortly about DBS. BTL 4 Analyze
11. What are the features of LEO? BTL 6 Create
12. Point out the satellite mobile services. BTL 5 Evaluate
13. Compare GCC and GEC. BTL 4 Analyze
14. Illustrate the applications of INTELSAT and INMARSAT BTL 3 Apply
15. Describe congestion and slow start with reference to internet
BTL 2 Understand
traffic
16. Write the features of DTH and BTV. BTL 6 Create
17. Name the services provided by GSM. BTL 1 Remember
18. Classify the 4 kinds of communication that the network
BTL 3 Apply
structure of MSAT can accommodate.
19. Write the 2 areas of satellite communications which are
gaining major thrust from industries and organizations in BTL 2 Understand
recent years.
20. What is GRAMSAT? BTL 1 Remember
PART - B
List and identify the types of INTELSAT satellites with
1. BTL 1 Remember
respect to basic space craft characteristics and vehicle type.
(i) Explain how DTH operation is carried out with a neat
2. diagram. (8) BTL 1 Remember
(ii) Write a brief note on video conferencing. (8)
(i) Analyze the outdoor unit of DBS home receiver. (8)
3. BTL 4 Analyze
(ii) With a block schematic explain about DTH system. (8)
(i) Describe the operation of VSAT system in detail. (8)
4. (ii) Demonstrate the functioning of GPS with neat block BTL 2 Understand
diagram. (8)
Write notes on
i) INTELSAT (4)
5. BTL 5 Evaluate
ii) E-mail (4)
iii) BTV and (4)

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 8 

 
   

iv) DTH (4)

Why a minimum of 4 satellites are required at an earth
location utilizing the GPS system for position determination?
6. BTL 3 Apply
(10)
List out the uses of GRAMSAT. (6)
(i) Explain direct broadcast satellite in detail. (8)
7. BTL 1 Remember
(ii) Describe GPS in detail with neat diagrams. (8)
(i) Enumerate how GSM and GPS deploying satellites have
8. improved the mobility of the customers. (10) BTL 6 Create
(ii) Demonstrate the features and uses of INSAT. (6)
BTL 4 Analyze
(i) Point out the specialized services offered by satellites for
9. video conferencing. (8)
(ii) Illustrate the operation of DAB system with diagrams. (8) BTL 3 Apply
(i) Compare LEO and MEO satellites. (10)
10. BTL 2 Understand
(ii) Briefly explain about Orbcomm. (6)

Prepared By: C. Amali, S. Marirajan and T. Nadana Ravishankar 9