Technical support

Satellite Tutorial

Release number v1.0

Technical support
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. SATELLITE DATABASE ........................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1. Satellite database definition ............................................................................................................ 4
2.2. Creating satellites in the satellite database ...................................................................................... 4
2.3. Calculations from the Satellite database .......................................................................................... 8
3. EARTH STATIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 13
4. CALCULATIONS FROM THE SATELLITE MENU ........................................................................................ 15
4.1. Satellite to stations (P2P)…............................................................................................................. 15
4.2. Station to satellite (P2P)… .............................................................................................................. 16
4.3. Station to satellite constellation… .................................................................................................. 17
4.4. Satellite constellation to station… .................................................................................................. 17
4.5. Satellite/Satellite C/I map .............................................................................................................. 17
4.6. Satellite/Satellite PFD map ............................................................................................................. 18
4.7. Direct mode GSO menu .................................................................................................................. 19
5. CALCULATIONS FROM THE STATISTICS/MONTE-CARLO/INTERFERENCE MENU ..................... 23
6. CALCULATIONS FROM THE EARTH STATION POPUP MENU/POINT TO POINT .......................... 24
6.1. I/TIL ................................................................................................................................................ 24
6.2. I/N (Earth station Tx) ...................................................................................................................... 25
6.3. I/N (Earth station Rx) ..................................................................................................................... 26
6.4. Terrestrial station coordination ...................................................................................................... 27
6.5. Rx interference: 0-90° / 0-360° ....................................................................................................... 29
6.6. Rx antenna sweep (PFD) ................................................................................................................. 31
6.7. Satellite C/I .................................................................................................................................... 31
6.8. EPM/OEPM….................................................................................................................................. 34
6.9. Satellite budget … .......................................................................................................................... 36
6.10. Power received and OAA from GSO satellite(s) .............................................................................. 37
APPENDIX .......................................................................................................................................................................... 38
A. Interaction with other ground-based services ................................................................................ 38
B. Earth Station frequency automatic assignment .............................................................................. 38

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 2/38

1. Introduction

This document is a guide about Satellite functions in ATDI tools:

• How to define Satellites and their parameters;
• How to calculate coverage footprint and C/I maps;
• How to generate reports with coverage and interference information for Satellites and Earth
Stations.

These functions have been developed and applied for the need of different significant real-case studies.
Commercial projects that we have completed include:
• Analysis of the compatibility between Microsoft’s Teledesic and Skybridge satellite network with
European WLL systems in the 28GHz band;
• The planning of a S-DSB (Satellite-Digital Sound Broadcasting) terrestrial repeaters network for
Alcatel Space and WorldSpace.

Within this document, you will learn how to:

1. Set up the Satellite database and define Satellite parameters.
2. Define Earth Station parameters.
3. Perform P2P calculations between Satellites and Earth Stations.
4. Perform “direct” calculations like Intervisibility, I/N ratio or Satellite resources.
5. Perform C/I and FPD calculations.
6. Perform dedicated calculations for individual Earth stations.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 3/38

2. Satellite Database

2.1. Satellite database definition

When a project is loaded, first create or specify an existing location for the Satellite database with the menu
Satellite/Database location:

Then, go to Satellite/Satellite database from where it is possible to handle several satellites simultaneously,
thanks to a dedicated database structure. A specific window allows the user to add and delete records, to
browse through the database, to check a satellite position on a World map, to perform simulations, …

Each satellite is stored in a specific file (.SAT format) located in the folder previously defined. For each new
satellite created, a new file is also created on the disk and automatically numbered. Only one satellite
database can be used at a time. Up to 32,000 satellites can be stored in it.

2.2. Creating satellites in the satellite database

2.2.1. Import satellites

It is possible to automatically import a set of satellites from an ASCII file, with the menu
Satellite/Import satellites… (please refer to the document Import generic ASCII File.pdf,
http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/Import generic ASCII File.pdf).

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 4/38

 2.2.2. Manual creation in the database

From the satellite database window, to add a new satellite, click on and specify its
parameters (Position, Notice ID, Boresight coordinates, Tx/Rx parameters, Antenna pattern and
polarization, etc…).

It is important to fill Notice ID, Callsign, Type and Description in the parameter box.

− The position of the satellite and the orientation of its antenna (boresight coordinates) can be
defined in two different ways:
1) Using latitude, longitude of the point of the Earth surface targeted by the satellite plus the
orientation of the beam around the axis satellite-target;
2) Using standard Euler angle (ϕ,θ,ψ) = (phi,theta,psi) in the dialog box.

− Standard parameters of radiation (Tx/Rx parameters). The primary figure of merit for Satellite
receivers is the ratio of the antenna power gain-to-system noise temperature (G/T) in dB/K.

− Selection of antenna patterns:

1) Circular or elliptical patterns according to recommendation ITU-R S.672-4.
2) Circular pattern according to recommendation ITU-R IS.847-1.

For further information, please refer to the document Satellite parameters.pdf,

http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/382.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 5/38

 2.2.3. Import of SRS database (ITU)

NOTE: SRS database must be imported first in ICS manager, to be able to export it to other ATDI tools.

Open any workspace in ICS manager and go to the menu Configuration/Workspace/SNS Database
Selection…

Then, select the SNS database location in the next box, through the button :

Close this box, and SRS information will be available in ICS manager.

Open the query “Notice”, within ITU-R/SRS folder:

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 6/38

From the Notice query:
1. filter the results at your convenience,
2. then select the records of interest,
3. and right click to Convert Satellite(s) to ICS telecom or HTZ warfare.
4. Select the same folder for the Satellite database as defined in 2.1 Satellite database definition:

5. and click on “OK”. A message will appear with information about the number of satellites exported
to the satellite database:

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 7/38

 2.3. Calculations from the Satellite database

1. Satellite list
The first column in the Satellite database window, Rec S/D, displays the record number and the
status (S for selected, D for Deselected). Use the buttons , , and
to select/deselect satellites.

NOTE: Only selected satellites will be taken into account for the calculations.

The rest of the columns displays the main information contained in the Satellite parameters box.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 8/38

 The last column, Cover, indicates if a coverage has been calculated for the satellite (Yes), or not (No).

Left-clicking on any satellite in the list will highlight the satellite.

Right-clicking on any satellite in the list will open a popup menu offering different options:

• Parameters: Opens the satellite parameters box for checking or modification of the selected
satellite parameters.
• Convert to station: Creates a Tx/Rx object type on the map with the satellite parameters and
coverage (if any). This allows the tool to use the same features as for any other object on the
map, without using the satellite database anymore.
• Resources: This option allows to calculate the number of connected subscribers, the
occupied frequency band, losses and gains of the selected satellite and to update the loss
value in dB of the satellite (used for option Traffic loss applied). The information is displayed
in a Report box.

2. Display area
The satellites selected in the database are represented with the colour defined in the satellite
parameters box:
- orbital location of the selected satellites:

- projection on the World map:

Right click on any point of the World map to select surrounding satellites within the specified range:

Associated coverages will also be displayed with the selected colour. The coverages for the selected

satellites are displayed only after clicking on .

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 9/38

 3. Controls and information area

According to the location of the mouse on the World map, following information is given in real time:
• EW: Longitude coordinates of the current point on the World map;
• NS: Latitude coordinates of the current point on the World map.

Click on to add new satellites.

Use the buttons , , and to select/deselect

satellites.
NOTE: Only selected satellites will be taken into account for the calculations.

Click on to delete selected satellites.

Use button to automatically assign a callsign to each satellite using the first character
or the first two characters.

: calculates and displays the coverage footprint of the selected satellites on the
World map.

• in satellite parameters window.

The "S4" parameter is used in the calculations of the fluctuation due to ionospheric scintillation
and only if the ITU-R P.618 model is selected. Its validity is in the range of [0.1 ; 1].

• in satellite database window.

: calculates and displays the coverage of the selected satellites on the terrain – this
control will close the satellites database. The coverage is computed using the selected propagation
model (ITU-R P.618 or user defined) and for the specified receiver threshold.

: After satellite coverage has been computed with button, this

option displays the coverage map of the selected satellites on the terrain - this control will close the
satellite database.

As soon as several satellites are in the database, it is possible to perform the following area-wide
analyses and plot them on a map:
Technical support Satellite tutorial - 10/38
 • Composite coverage (displays the highest field strength received value found on each point
of the terrain, using a colour palette that can be customized);
• Best Server display (shows which satellite provides the maximum field strength received
value on each point of the terrain, each satellite being identified by the colour of its own);
• Simultaneous coverage (shows the overlapping areas);
• Power flux density map, for the selected bandwidth.

For the coverage calculation, the following parameters have to be defined:

• Threshold in dBμV/m
: Opens the dBμV/m converter box for the conversion of values.
• Time from 0.001 to 1 %;
• Grid: calculation resolution;
• Traffic loss applied: allows to calculate the satellite coverage taking into account losses due
to traffic (bandwidth occupied by connected stations/subscribers);
• Diffraction loss applied (P2P calculation): allows to calculate the satellite coverage taking into
account losses due to diffraction with clutter obstacles crossed on the map. Used in all point-
to-point functions.

: This feature is displaying the gain map of the satellite, with:

Gain = Transmitting gain of the satellite - Antenna pattern attenuation.

: The tool can analyse the interference caused by a satellite on Earth stations, for the
following types of channel separations:
• Co-channel;
• Adjacent channels;
• N+2, N+3 … up to N+15 channels (please refer to the document Interference Rejection
Factors.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/134.pdf).

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 11/38

 Earth stations VS Satellite

Calculation of the interference caused by a satellite on 5 earth stations

The result is a report similar to the one shown below, which summarizes the threshold
degradation caused by the interfering signal(s). It can be saved in a CSV report:

: Similarly, it is possible to calculate the interference due to a set of Earth stations on

a satellite, which yields a report similar to the previous one. Simulation can be done using active
Earth stations on map or selected subscribers from database.

These calculations are based on the ITU-R M1142-2 (Table 1) recommendation for geostationary
satellites and ITU-R M1141-2 (Table 1) recommendation for non- geostationary satellites.

Use button to get a report with the satellites of the database and the main parameters.

Click on to print the satellite database window.

Click on to close the satellite database window.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 12/38

3. Earth stations

Just as for satellites, the tool can handle Earth stations.

Such stations are characterized by their technical parameters (power, gains, losses, frequency, bandwidths,
antenna patterns and orientation, noise figure, receive threshold…) and by the name of the satellite they are
pointing at.

The Earth stations can be:

• manually created on the terrain, by right click on the map → Add station → Tx/Rx…, or
• automatically imported from ASCII file (please refer to the document Import generic ASCII File.pdf,
http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/Import generic ASCII File.pdf).

The type of station must be “Satellite”:

Once a station is created, a satellite must be chosen from the database in order to orient the station antenna
towards the satellite. For this, click on the button highlighted below, in the “Advanced” tab (or the
"Patterns" tab) of the Tx/Rx parameters box.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 13/38

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 14/38
4. Calculations from the satellite menu

4.1. Satellite to stations (P2P)…

This feature calculates for each activated station, the field strength received by the stations on the map from
each satellite included in the database.

Set up the Distance to the 1st clutter obstacle in meters. In case the receiver is located inside a given clutter
code, the nearest obstacle will be considered n meters away from the receiver location.

Add diffraction option: if checked, diffraction losses will be considered.

A report with the maximum field strength received and maximum power received by each activated Earth
station from each satellite included in the database is displayed at the end of the calculations:

For further information, please refer to the document Satellite P2P options box.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/383.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 15/38

 4.2. Station to satellite (P2P)…

This function computes the field strength (FS) and power received (PR) by the satellites (GSO and NGSO) from
the stations on the map.

FS and PR values are given with the corresponding IRF value taken into account.

The calculations will be made and added to the report of these features only for locations of the NGSO
satellite that have moved from the previous location with an angle greater than 0,5°.

This function also checks whether the transmitting and receiving frequencies of the satellites are non-zero (>
0.0001GHz):
• If the satellite transmitting frequency is > 0.0001GHz, the satellite will be considered as a transmitter.
Otherwise it will be ignored.
• If the satellite receiving frequency is> 0.0001GHz, the satellite will be considered as a receiver.
Otherwise it will be ignored.

A report with the maximum field strength received and maximum power received by each selected satellite
from each activated station is displayed at the end of the calculations:

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 16/38

 4.3. Station to satellite constellation…

This function is dedicated to Earth station coordination. It calculates the interference level from the activated
stations on the map on a constellation of satellites.

The result is shown as a statistical analysis.

For further information, please refer to the document Constellation box.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/360.pdf.

4.4. Satellite constellation to station…

This function will calculate the interference level from a constellation of satellites on activated stations on
the map.

The result is shown as a statistical analysis.

For further information, please refer to the document Constellation box.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/360.pdf.

4.5. Satellite/Satellite C/I map

This feature generates a C/I map for a satellite.

Receivers must be connected to a given satellite of the database.

The results are listed in a report with:

- Wanted SAT emission #= Satellite number with same notice ID as the satellite linked to the receiver.
- Min C/I dB: Minimum C/I value found due to other satellites on the different test points.
- Max power received dBm= Maximum interference level found due to unwanted satellites on the
different test points.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 17/38

For further information, please refer to the document Satellite interference (C/I).pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/418.pdf.

4.6. Satellite/Satellite PFD map

This feature computes PFD (Power Flux Density) map from all selected satellites.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 18/38

This function requires a .COD file that can be defined with the "Countries" button.

Receivers must be connected to a given satellite of the database.

The result of the calculation is a report with the max PFD by emission.

For further information, please refer to the document Satellite interference (C/I).pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/624.pdf.

4.7. Direct mode GSO menu

4.7.1. Intervisibility…

This feature calculates for each point of the terrain, the visibility map of a geostationary satellite.

The azimuth and the elevation are recalculated for each point using the ITU-R F.1249 and F.1333
recommendations with the atmospheric refraction taken into account.

Input parameters:
Satellite longitude (from -180° to +180°);
Earth station Rx antenna height (m): Receiver antenna height in meters.

The setting allows the calculation of the azimuth and tilt of the terrestrial station.

The calculation model is made of 2 parts:

• the first part performs the calculation in free space with the antenna station oriented towards the
satellite, as given in the ITU-R F.1249 recommendation (this takes into account the flattening of the Earth);
• the second part performs an elevation correction due to the refraction according to the UIT-R F.1333
recommendation.

The calculation gives 3 singular points that require a specific treatment. The 2 poles and the sub-satellite
point:
- For the sub-satellite point, the elevation is 90° and the azimuth has been fixed to 0°.
- For North pole, the azimuth is 180-(longS-longT).
- For South pole, the azimuth is 360+longS-longT if longS-longT<0, otherwise longS-longT.
Technical support Satellite tutorial - 19/38
The intervisibility coverage is calculated for each point, and progressively overlaid on the terrain:

Pink: Points seen by the satellite

4.7.2. FDMA resource…

This feature calculates the impact of the terrestrial stations on a GSO satellite by comparison of the stations
bandwidths and the satellite one.

Each activated terrestrial station or selected subscriber is considered.

The results are given in a report window, and indicate for each station/subscriber:

- the bandwidth of the station/subscriber;

- the occupancy rate. Percentage of the satellite bandwidth occupied by the station or subscriber;
- the cumulative rate. Percentage of the satellite bandwidth occupied by the cumulative bandwidth
of the stations or subscribers;
- the satellite power loss. The Loss value corresponds to the power loss of the satellite with no power
compensation (the power is dispatched in the band according to the band occupancy).

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 20/38

For further information, please refer to the document http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/283.pdf.

4.7.3. Noise: stations to GSO…

This feature calculates the impact of the terrestrial stations (activated Earth stations on the map) on a GSO
satellite by comparison of the station bandwidths and the satellite one.

Each activated terrestrial station or selected subscriber is considered.

The results are given in a report window, and indicate for each station or subscriber:
- the tilt. Elevation angle between the station and the satellite;
- the interfering power;
- the I/N value, with N=Noise of the satellite (computed from G/T);
- the cumulative I/N, with I=Power sum of all interfering power.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 21/38

For further information, please refer to the document http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/283.pdf.

4.7.4. Noise: subscribers to GSO…

This feature calculates the impact of the selected subscribers of the database on a GSO satellite by
comparison of the stations bandwidths and the satellite one.

The results are equivalent to the previous function, but considering the selected subscribers of the database,
instead of the activated Earth stations on the map.

The subscribers considered are only those that have been parented and the parent stations must be activated
on the map.

For further information, please refer to the document http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/283.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 22/38

5. Calculations from the Statistics/Monte-Carlo/Interference menu

There are two functions related to satellites in the Statistics menu:

• Random transmitters to satellite (I/N)...: This function computes the interference found between
the random transmitters and the selected satellites of the database.
• Satellite to random receivers (I/N)...: This function computes the interference found between the
selected satellites of the database and the random receivers.

Note: Satellite can be GSO or NGSO. For NGSO, only 1 attitude will be used (defined in the satellite parameter
box). This option uses the I/N rule with I/N min = -10 dB.

For further information, please refer to the document Monte-Carlo simulator.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/399.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 23/38

6. Calculations from the Earth station popup menu/Point to point

6.1. I/TIL

This function will calculate the I/TIL ratio from all other elements present on the terrain on the selected Earth
station linked to a satellite.

The results give the I/TIL ratio in dB experienced by the Earth station, the list of interfering stations and other
information as shown in the figure below:

For further information, please refer to the document P2P interference settings box.pdf,
http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/583.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 24/38

 6.2. I/N (Earth station Tx)

This function calculates the I/N interference ratio coming from the selected element and caused to the other
elements, with the possibility to modify the antenna azimuth and tilt of the selected station.

The azimuth and elevation are:

• either taken from the Earth station in the Attitude from station mode;
• or manually defined by the user in the User defined attitude mode;
• or automatically defined according to the constellation chosen in the Constellation/Geostationary
mode.

The I/N is calculated according to the ITU-R IS-847-1 recommendations, with:

• I = received power in dBW from all interfering elements;
• N = noise in dBW of the wanted station.

Sample result:

For further information, please refer to the document I/N calculation parameters box.pdf,
http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/405.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 25/38

 6.3. I/N (Earth station Rx)

This function computes the I/N interference ratio on the selected station and coming from all other elements,
with the possibility to modify the antenna azimuth and tilt of the selected station.

The azimuth and elevation are:

• either taken from the Earth station in the Attitude from station mode;
• or manually defined by the user in the User defined attitude mode;
• or automatically defined according to the constellation chosen in the Constellation/Geostationary
mode.

The I/N is calculated according to the ITU-R IS-847-1 recommendations, with:

• I = received power in dBW from all interfering elements;
• N = noise in dBW of the wanted station.

Sample result:

For further information, please refer to the document I/N calculation parameters box.pdf,
http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/405.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 26/38

 6.4. Terrestrial station coordination

This function calculates Threshold Degradation, considering the selected station as a victim (Rx mode) or as
a potential interferer (Tx mode).

The parameters of this station (tilt, azimuth, bandwidth, power, polarization and frequency) can vary in
different ranges. When the station is defined as an Earth station, the azimuths and tilts can be updated
according to the constellation of the satellites to which this station is connected.

It is used for interference analysis between Earth stations and microwave links for instance.

The Azimuth and Tilt are either taken from the Earth station (No change mode), manually defined by the
user (Defined mode), or automatically defined according to the selected constellation
(Constellation/Geostationary mode).

Select the Frequencies to be considered, the Nominal power, the Polarization and the Bandwidth from the
Earth station parameters box (No change), or user defined.

The results are displayed in a report showing the Threshold Degradation in dB, for each variable parameter
defined.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 27/38

Sample result:

For further information, please refer to the document P2P coordination box.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/286.pdf.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 28/38

 6.5. Rx interference: 0-90° / 0-360°

This function will perform point-to-point receiver interference calculations for tilt from 0 to 90° (according
to the tilt step) and for azimuth from 0 to 359° (according to the azimuth step).

There are different functions available:

• Station -> Station: interference calculation between stations, with 3 possible restriction rules:
o "No interference between stations if same location or site code": that option will ignore
interference between stations at the same location or with same site code.
o "No interference between linked stations": that option will ignore interference between
linked stations.
o "No interference between linked stations on same loc. or site code": that option will ignore
interference between linked stations at the same location or with same site code.
• Station -> Microwave: interference calculation on microwave links coming from stations.
• Microwave -> Station: interference calculation on stations coming from microwave links.
• Microwave -> Microwave: interference calculation between microwave links.
• Subscriber -> Station/Microwave: interference calculation from subscribers on stations and
microwave links.

With the Dual model option, it is possible to consider two different sets of simulation parameters, depending
on the status of the object: wanted or unwanted.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 29/38

“Include orphan subscribers”:
- If the subscriber is "orphan" and if this option is checked then the subscriber is taken into account
for interference calculations.
- If the subscriber is not "orphan" and is parented to a station that doesn't exist on map, then the
subscriber is not taken into account except if this option is checked.
- For not orphan subscribers parented to an existing station on the map:
o If the station is the parent station of the subscriber, then no interference calculation is
carried out.
o If the station is not the parent station of the subscriber, then calculations are carried out by
taking into account the dual frequency of the parent station (Transmitting frequency of the
subscriber ->Receiving frequency of the parent station or Receiving frequency of the
subscriber-> Transmitting frequency of the parent station).

The results are giving the I/N level found for each couple (Azimuth, Tilt) of the selected station, provided in
2 formats:

- A "Sky zone" (graphical):

- A csv report (table):

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Azimuth/Tilt 0 deg 5 deg
deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg deg
0 deg 40 35.29 32.09 27.55 22.91 21.34 19.57 19.14 22.68 23.71 22.07 19.84 19.22 20.8 19.79 20.33 22.73 24.07

36 deg 39.54 36.9 34.97 34.05 32.49 30.59 28.01 24.32 19.13 15.53 19.76 22.86 22.27 20.64 19.03 18.04 19.83 20.98

72 deg 39.57 38.39 35.67 33 30.42 27.89 26.64 26.14 25.72 24.61 22.98 21.21 20.14 20.26 20.57 20.5 20.35 20.2

108 deg 40.02 39.59 37.88 35.96 32.94 28.45 22.76 17.77 18.16 19.16 20.34 21.12 21.53 21.94 22.18 22.15 21.74 20.77

144 deg 38.85 37.93 30.13 16.56 19.86 22.18 22.85 22.03 18.41 10.82 8.16 12.31 15.58 14.95 11.43 7.89 9.81 11.8

180 deg 40 39.28 34.72 31.76 28.43 25.09 22.59 18.93 16.15 16.9 19.19 19.91 19.52 19.39 19.58 19.65 19 17.96

216 deg 39.54 39.26 35.99 32.15 29.19 25.86 23.28 22.45 22.05 21.04 19.93 19.08 18.55 18.99 19.11 18.61 17.98 17.67

252 deg 39.57 38.94 38.16 37.62 36.54 34.9 32.64 29.58 25.4 20.36 18.03 20.74 21.46 20.84 20.33 20.04 20.8 21.81

288 deg 40.02 36.72 32.23 26.2 21.29 22.73 22.55 20.95 21.34 23.01 22.29 21.49 21.16 21.57 20.27 18.47 19.49 21.1

324 deg 38.85 32.47 20.13 22.04 20.83 21.21 20 10.88 10.9 19.01 23.31 22.54 20.07 16.48 13.75 18.27 18.99 18.62

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 30/38

For further information, please refer to the document Global P2P interference parameters (Variable Rx
antenna) box.pdf, http://www.data.atdi-group.com/doc/175.pdf.

6.6. Rx antenna sweep (PFD)

This function calculates the highest power flux density (PFD) in dBm/m² received by the selected station
considering a rotation of its antenna every n degree.

The report is a graph showing for each azimuth angle the max PFD and the PFD sum in dBm/m²:

This graph can also be exported to a CSV report.

6.7. Satellite C/I

This feature computes C/I for Earth station linked to a satellite.

Interferer station must be defined with a "Satellite" type and must be linked to a satellite of the satellite
database:

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 31/38

In the Earth station pop up menu, select Point to point/Satellite C/I...

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 32/38

Set the protection ratios required to be used in the co-channel and in adjacent channels.
Click on DB satellite… and select/deselect satellites for the calculations.
You can select the Uplink/downlink mode with the Space to ground and Ground to space options.
The NGSO orbit calculation option will report the minimum C/I computed along the orbit of the NGSO
satellites.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 33/38

Optimal point for GSO satellite option simulates the movement of the GSO satellites in a specific range and
step in degree around their current location and computes the C/I values for all locations.

The result of this function is a report containing for each mode (Uplink and/or Downlink) the C/I computed
by the tool.:

For further information, please refer to the document Satellite interference (C/I).pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/622.pdf.

6.8. EPM/OEPM…

This features computes EPM (Equivalent Protection Margin) downlink and uplink before (without the
selected station and its associated satellite) and after (with the selected station and its associated satellite).

OEMP (Overall Equivalent Protection Margin) =EPM after - EPM before.

Interferer station must be defined with a "Satellite" type and must be linked to a satellite of the satellite
database.

In the Earth station pop up menu, select Point to point/EPM/OEPM...

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 34/38
Click on DB satellite… and select the satellites to be considered:

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 35/38

The result of the calculation is a report with the power received by the station, the interference level I in
cochannel and adjacent channels (N+-1 and N+-2), EPM before, EPM after and OEPM:

For further information, please refer to the document Satellite interference (C/I).pdf, http://www.data.atdi-
group.com/doc/622.pdf.

6.9. Satellite budget …

This function computes the link budget between the selected station and the satellite it is connected to (GSO
or NGSO). The calculations are made in two directions: from Earth station to Satellite and from Satellite to
Earth station.

The results are displayed in a report:

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 36/38

 6.10. Power received and OAA from GSO satellite(s)

This feature computes the power received by the selected station from the selected satellites of the
database. It looks for satellites pointed by the selected station with the same OAA angle.

Only GSO satellites are considered. The following results are given in the report:
- Status: P2P (Calculation) or Best satellite received.
- Station #: Selected station number.
- Station callsign: Selected station callsign.
- Station address: Selected station address.
- Satellite #: Record number in the satellite database.
- Satellite Longitude: Longitude of the satellite.
- Satellite callsign: Callsign of the satellite.
- Description: Comment associated to the satellite.
- Tx frequency GHz: Satellite transmitting frequency in GHz.
- Power received dBm: Power received by the selected station in dBm.
- Azimuth to sat deg: Azimuth of the link Station to Satellite in degree.
- Tilt to sat deg: Tilt of the link Station to Satellite in degree.
- Station azimuth deg: Azimuth of the selected station in degree.
- Station tilt deg: Tilt of the selected station in degree.
- OAA to sat deg: Off-Axis Angle (3D) of the link Station to Satellite in degree.
- OAA station deg: Off-Axis Angle (3D) of the Station in degree.
- Delta deg: Difference between Station OAA and OAA of the link Station to Satellite in degree.

Note: Best satellite = min "Delta deg" and max power received for equivalent "Delta deg".

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 37/38

 Appendix

A. Interaction with other ground-based services

Earth stations are just one particular type of ground-based transceivers. Therefore, all the calculations
described within this document can be performed with other types of equipment (such as point-to-
multipoint base stations for example), allowing for inter-service compatibility assessment.

An interesting case is when a large number of terminals belonging to a PMP system can interfere with a
satellite, the analysis is made possible via a specific function (see point 4.7.3. Noise: stations to GSO…).

B. Earth Station frequency automatic assignment

ATDI tools can automatically assign frequencies to an Earth station or to a group of Earth stations, by taking
into account the interferences caused to an Earth station by any other ground-based station (e.g. another
Earth station, a Microwave link working in the same band, …).

It relies on a process that tries to minimise point-to-point interference levels. Frequencies are selected either
from a frequency plan, a list or a band.

For further information, please refer to the documents about automatic frequency assignment, available in
the online library.

Technical support Satellite tutorial - 38/38