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Conversions & Calculations

Conversion Table Use
Find the units you have in the left column. Look across the table to find the units you wish to convert to. The value that is contained in that row and column
is the multiplier that converts from the units you have to the units you want.

Velocity Conversion Table

Velocity Unit Value feet per second meters per second knots kilometer per hour miles per hour (mph)
(ft/s) (m/s) (kph)
ft/s 1 0.304800 0.592484 1.097280 0.681818

m/s 3.28084 1 1.943844 3.60000 2.23694

knots 1.687810 0.514444 1 1.852000 1.150779

kph 0.911344 0.277778 0.539957 1 0.621371

mph 1.466667 0.447040 0.868976 1.609344 1

furlongs per fortnight 5.45635e-4 1.663095e-4 3.23280e-4 5.98714e-4 3.72024e-4

Length / Distance Conversion Table

Distance feet (ft) inches (in) yards miles centimeters meters (m) kilometers nautical
Unit (cm) miles
feet 1 12 0.333333 1.893939e-4 30.4800 0.304800 3.04800e-4 1.645788e-4

inches 0.0833333 1 0.0277778 1.578283e-5 2.54000 0.025400 2.54000e-5 1.371490e-5

yards 3 36 1 5.68182e-4 91.4400 0.914400 9.14400e-4 4.93737e-4

miles 5280 63360.0 1760.000 1 160934.4 1609.344 1.609344 0.868976

centimeters 0.0328084 0.393701 0.01093613 6.21371e-6 1 0.01 10e-6 5.39957e-6

meters 3.28084 39.3701 1.093613 6.21371e-4 100 1 0.001 5.39957e-4

kilometers 3280.84 39370.1 1093.613 0.621371 100000 1000 1 0.539957

nautical 6076.12 72913.4 2025.37 1.150779 185200.0 1852.000 1.852000 1

miles
rods 16.5 198 5.5 0.00312500 502.920 5.02920 0.00502920 0.00271555

furlongs 660 7920 220 0.1250000 20116.8 201.168 0.201168 0.1086220

fathoms 6 72 2 0.001136364 182.8800 1.828800 0.0018288 9.87473e-4

1 foot (ft.) = 12 inches (in.) 1 inch (in.) = 2.54 centimeters (cm) exactly
1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm) = 1000 millimeters (mm) 1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)

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 Pressure mm in. mercury millibars lb per sq lb per sq grams/ in. water in. water ft. water in. water cm. water cm. cm water atmosphere
Unit Value mercury (0C) (320 F) (mB) (hPa) in. (psi) ft (psf) sq cm (680 F) (600 F) (500 F) (40 C) (250 C) water (40 C)
(0C) (torr) (200 C) (100 C) (39.20 F) (770 F) (200 C) (39.20 F)
(680 F)
mm Hg 1 0.039370 1.3332 0.019337 2.7845 1.3595 0.53620 0.53577 0.044617 0.53525 1.3635 1.3620 1.3595 0.00131579
(0 C)
in. Hg (0 C) 25.400 1 33.864 0.49115 70.726 34.532 13.620 13.609 1.1333 13.595 34.634 34.594 34.532 0.033421
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millibars 0.75006 0.029530 1 0.014504 2.0885 1.0197 0.40218 0.40186 0.033465 0.40147 1.0227 1.0215 1.0197 0.00098692

lb per sq in. 51.715 2.0360 68.948 1 144 70.307 27.730 27.707 2.3073 27.681 70.515 70.433 70.309 0.068046

lb per sq ft 0.35913 0.014139 0.47880 0.0069444 1 0.48824 0.19257 0.19241 0.016023 0.19223 0.48969 0.48912 0.48826 0.00047254

grams / sq 0.73556 0.028959 0.98067 0.014223 2.0482 1 0.39441 0.39409 0.032818 0.39371 1.0030 1.0018 1.0000 0.00096784
Pressure Conversion Table

cm

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in water 1.8650 0.073424 2.4864 0.036063 5.1930 2.5354 1 0.99919 0.083209 0.99823 2.5430 2.5400 2.5355 0.0024539
(68 F)

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in water 1.8665 0.073483 2.4884 0.036092 5.1972 2.5375 1.0008 1 0.083276 0.99904 2.5450 2.5421 2.5376 0.0024559
(60 F)
ft water 22.413 0.88241 29.882 0.43340 62.409 30.471 12.018 12.008 1 11.997 30.561 30.526 30.472 0.029491
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(50 F)
in water 1.8683 0.073554 2.4908 0.036126 5.2022 2.5399 1.0018 1.0010 0.083356 1 2.5475 2.5445 2.5400 0.0024582
(4 C)

Sterling, VA 20166
cm water 0.73339 0.028874 0.97777 0.014181 2.0421 0.99705 0.39324 0.39293 0.032721 0.39255 1 0.99884 0.99707 0.00096498
(25 C)
cm water 0.73424 0.028907 0.97891 0.014198 2.0445 0.99821 0.39370 0.39338 0.032759 0.39301 1.0012 1 0.99823 0.00096611
(20 C)

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cm water 0.73554 0.028958 0.98064 0.014223 2.0481 0.99997 0.39440 0.39408 0.032817 0.39370 1.0029 1.0018 1 0.00096781
(4 C)
atmosphere 760 29.9213 1013.250 14.69595 2116.22 1033.227 407.51 407.18 33.909 406.79 1036.29 1035.08 1033.26 1

1 millibar = 1000 dynes per sq cm 1 bar = 1000 millibars Example: PSI to Feet
1 gram per sq meter = 0.0001 gram per sq cm 1 millibar = 100 pascals = 1 hectopascal (hPa) To convert 22 PSI into feet of water at 50°F, find the row that is labeled “lb per sq in.” Look across
1 kg per sq meter = 0.1 gram per sq cm 1 mm Hg = 1000 microns to the column labeled “ft water (50°F).” The number at that intersection is 2.3073. Multiply by

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1 centibar = 10 millibars = 1 kPa (kilopascal) 1 kg per sq cm = 1000 grams per sq cm 2.3073 to convert to ft of water.
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters 22 PSI * 2.3073 = 50.760 ft.
NOTE: All conversions related to the height of a column of liquid are specified at a specific Therefore 22 PSI is the same as 50.761 ft of water at (50°F)
temperature. This is because the density of the fluid changes with temperature.
NOTE: Conversions are based on the Standard Acceleration of Gravity or Standard normal
gravity which is 9.80665 m/s2 = 32.1740 ft/s2

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Flow Conversion Table

Liters per Liters per Liters per Cubic feet Cubic feet Gallons (US) Gallons (US) Million
second minute hour per second per minute per second per minute gallons (US)
per day
(l/s) (l/m) (l/hr) (CFS) (CFM) (GPS) (GPM) (MGD)
l/s 1 60.0000 3600.00 0.0353157 2.11894 0.264179 15.85077 0.0228251

l/m 0.01666667 1 60.0000 5.88594e-4 0.0353157 0.00440299 0.264179 3.80418e-4

l/hr 2.77778e-4 0.01666667 1 9.80990e-6 5.88594e-4 7.33832e-5 0.00440299 6.34031e-6

CFS 28.3161 1698.963 101937.8 1 60.0000 7.48052 448.831 0.646317

CFM 0.471934 28.3161 1698.963 0.01666667 1 0.1246753 7.48052 0.01077195

GPS 3.78531 227.118 13627.10 0.1336806 8.02083 1 60.0000 0.0864000

GPM 0.0630884 3.78531 227.118 0.00222801 0.1336806 0.01666667 1 0.001440000

MGD 43.8114 2628.68 157721.1 1.547229 92.8337 11.57407 694.444 1

Volume Conversion Table

Liter Cubic cm Cubic meters Gallons (US) Cubic in. (cu Cubic ft. (cu Acre ft Cu ft per sec
(cc) in). ft) day (CFSD)
Liter 1 1000.028 0.001000028 0.264179 61.0255 0.0353157 8.10736e-7 4.08746e-7

cc 9.99972e-4 1 1e-6 2.64172e-4 0.0610237 3.53147e-5 8.10713e-10 4.08735e-10

cu meters 999.972 1e6 1 264.172 61023.7 35.3147 8.10713e-4 4.08735e-4

Gal.(US) 3.78531 3785.41 0.00378541 1 2310.1336806 3.06888e-6 1.547229e-6

cu in. 0.01638661 16.38706 1.638706e-5 0.00432900 1 5.78704e-4 1.328521e-8 6.69796e-9

cu ft. 28.3161 28316.8 0.0283168 7.48052 1728 1 2.29568e-5 1.157407e-5

Acre ft 1.233447e6 1.233482e9 1233.482 325851 7.52717e7 43560.0 1 0.504167

CFSD 2.44651e6 2.44658e9 2446.58 646317 1.492992e8 86400 1.983471 1

Mass Conversion Table (“Weight”)

Kilogram (kg) Grams (g) Pounds (lb) Ounce (oz)
kilograms (kg) 1 1000 2.20462 35.2740

grams (g) 0.001 1 0.00220462 0.0352740

pounds (lb) 0.453592 453.592 1 16

ounces (oz) 0.0283495 28.3495 0.0625000 1

Example
To convert pounds into ounces, find the row that is labeled “lb.” Look across to the column labeled “ounce.” The number at that intersection is 16. Multiply
pounds by 16 to convert to ounces. 22 * 16 = 352 Therefore 22 pounds is the same as 352 ounces.

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Radiant Exposure Conversion Table

J m-2 Wh m-2 cal cm-2 kcal m-2 BTU ft-2 langley erg cm-2
J m-2 1 2.778e-4 2.388e-5 2.388e-4 8.810e-5 2.388e-5 1000

Wh m-2 3600 1 0.08598 0.8598 0.3172 0.08598 3.600e6

cal cm-2 4.187e4 11.630 1 10 3.688 1 4.187e7

kcal m-2 4187 1.1630 0.1 1 0.3688 0.1 4.187e6

BTU ft-2 1.1351e4 3.153 0.2711 2.711 1 0.2711 1.1351e7

langley 4.187e4 11.630 1 10 3.688 1 4.187e7

erg cm-2 0.001 2.778e-7 2.388e-8 2.388e-7 8.810e-8 2.388e-8 1

1 langley = 1 cal cm--2

Irradiance Conversion Table

W m-2 mW cm-2 kW m-2 cal cm-2 min-1 BTU ft-2 h-1 erg cm-2 s-1 µW cm-2
W m-2 1 0.1 0.001 0.0014331 0.3172 1000 100

mW cm-2 10 1 0.01 0.014331 3.172 1e4 1000

kW m-2 1000 100 1 1.4331 317.2 1e6 1e5

cal cm-2 min-1 697.8 69.78 0.6978 1 221.3 6.978e5 6.978e4

BTU ft-2 h-1 3.153 0.3153 0.003153 0.004519 1 3153 315.3

erg cm-2 s-1 0.001 1e-4 1e-6 1.4331e-6 3.172e-4 1 0.1

µW cm-2 0.01 0.001 1e-5 1.4331e-5 0.003172 10 1

1 cal cm-2 min-1 = 1 langley min-1 1 W m-2 = 1 J s-1 m-2

Temperature Conversion Table

°C = (°F - 32) / 1.8 °F = (°C * 1.8) + 32

°C = °K - 273.15 °F = °R - 459.67

K = °C + 273.15 °R = °F + 459.67

Conversion Table Use

Find the units you have in the left column. Look across the table to find the units you wish to convert to. The value that is contained in that row and column
is the multiplier that converts from the units you have to the units you want.
Example
To convert 60 degrees C to degrees F, multiply by 1.8 and add 32. (60°C * 1.8) + 32 = 140°F

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Uplink EIRP
One of the more important rules for communicating with satellites is to To calculate the EIRP of a system, use the following equation: (This is
use the proper power (Effective Isotropically Radiated Power or EIRP) considered the uplink EIRP and is not necessarily the power received
when transmitting to the satellite. Uplink EIRP is a combination of power by the satellite.)
transmitted by a transmitter and gain added to the transmitter by an
EIRP(dBm) = Transmit Power(dBm) + Antenna Gain(dB) - Cable
antenna minus any cable losses. Uplink EIRP is referenced after the
antenna contribution before any free space loss is encountered. First, a Loss(dB) - Connector Loss(dB)
quick review of a decibel is in order. EXAMPLE: A transmitter outputs 8.5 watts with an 11 dB gain
Decibel (as referenced to 50 ohm systems for satellite antenna, cable loss is 1.2 dB, and connector losses are 0.25 dB.
transmitters) Assume that the antenna is directly pointed at the satellite. The uplink
A decibel (as applied to system gain or loss) is defined by the equation: EIRP is : EIRP = 39.29 dBm + 11.0 dB - 1.2 dB - .25 dB = 48.84
dBm EIRP
dB = 10 * Log10 ( Pout )
Pin WARNING: NESDIS requires that under all service conditions,
with any platform directed to the GOES series satellite that the
(Pin and Pout represent the power into and out of a system.) uplink EIRP never exceed +50 dBm.
A dBm is a decibel relative to a milliWatt. It is defined by the decibel
equation with Pin set at 1*10-3 (1 milliwatt) or .....

Pout
dB = 10 * Log10 ( )
1 * 10-3 The Decibel as Applied to 600 Ohm Applications
The dBm equation is used to convert a power in watts to dBm as Telephone, private line or twisted pair applications, are standardized
shown in the following chart: on 600 Ohm impedance. Telephone companies supply line signal level
information typically in terms of dB and dBrnc and the customer may at
times have the need to measure the level of the signals in or out of his
Power Output in Watts Power Output in dBm modem with a voltmeter or oscilloscope. The following equation from
above is:
0.001 0.00
Power
0.01 10.00 dB = 10 * Log10 { 1 * 10-3 }
0.1 20.00 Using the following substitution:
1.00 30.00 Vrms2 (Vp * .707)2
Power = { R } = 600
2.00 33.01
Then: (Vp * .707)2
3.00 34.77
600 (Vp * .707)2
4.00 36.02 dBm = 10 * Log10{ 1 * 10-3 } = .6
5.00 36.99 And, finally, since
6.00 37.78 Vp/p
Vp =
2
7.00 38.45
then:
8.00 39.03
(Vp * .707)2
8.50 39.29 dB = 10 * Log101 { 2.4 }
9.00 39.54
10.00 40.00
12.00 40.79
15.00 41.76
18.00 42.55
20.00 43.01
25.00 43.98

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4. Calculate the path margin using the following equation:
Link Margin =
[Transmitter Power] + [Transmit Antenna Gain] +
Line of Sight (LOS) Radio Links [Receive Antenna Gain] - [Cable Loss at Transmitter] -
Extremely powerful transmitters may be rendered useless if the [Cable Loss at Receiver] - [Attenuation Loss] - [Fading Margin]
type of antenna chosen, height of antenna from ground, or path loss - [Receiver Sensitivity]
considerations are not taken into consideration. Due to the many variables Example: Using the following typical equipment specifications
within the early design of a system, the best approach is to perform a link coupled with the desired reliability of 99.9% over a 10 mile path:
analysis determining the overall margin of the link, and from this, decide Radio Transmit Power (174MHz) 4 Watts (+36 dBm)
where the cost effective tradeoffs may be made. Radio with Receiver Sensitivity -105 dBm
Atten (decibels) = 36.6 + 20 * log F(MHz) + 20 Log D(miles) Transmit Antenna Gain +7 dB
Receive Antenna Gain +3 dB
Tx Cable Loss (RG-8) .5 dB
Rx Cable Loss (RG-8) 1.2 dB
Attenuation over 10 Miles (above) 110.95 dB
Desired Data Reliability 99.9%
(Fading Margin = 30 dB)
Link Margin = 36 + 7 + 3 - .5 - 1.2 - 110.95 - 30 - (-105)
Link Margin = 8.35 dB
Final Comments
1. Always use the lowest loss cable possible (or within budget) for
antenna cables. Typically, remote sites have short cable lengths
but base stations most often have over 100 feet of cable between
the transceiver and antenna. In this common application,
standard RG-8 cable is suitable for the remote antenna cables
but the base station may benefit from use of a low loss rigid
antenna cable for the long distance between the antenna and the
transmitter. Quite often, 3 dB of loss may be recovered through
the use of low loss cable instead of increasing the transmitter
output power by a factor of two.
2. The above link analysis is calculated on the basis of a clear Line
of Sight path meeting the above nomogram requirements. If
dense foliage, trees, buildings, or other obstructions are between
the transmitter and the receiver, then much more margin will be
required to compensate for the poor weather conditions.

1. Use the nomogram to determine the attenuation in decibels or use

the equation:
Atten (decibels) = 36.6 + 20 * F(MHz) + 20 Log D(miles)
Example: A 30 mile radio line of sight distance at 174 MHz will
equate to Atten = 36.6 + 20 * log(174) + 20 Log(30) = 110.95 dB
2. Next, verify that the distance in miles between the transmit and the
receive antennas is acceptable, given the installed height of the
antenna on a tower at each end. This will confirm that the curvature
of the earth will not interfere with the radio wave propagation. Each
sight under consideration needs to be investigated for obstructions
between the transmitting antenna and the receive antenna. For
example, mountains, major buildings, heavy wooded forests, etc.
all may have a substantial impact to the quality of the link especially
when rain, ice, and snow are covering the above obstructions. Use
the following nomogram to verify antenna height or distance in miles
between stations.
3. Determine the level of reliability desired within a communication link
in terms of percent reliability and read the corresponding value of
fading/multipath losses:

Percent Fading
Reliability (%) Margin (dB)
90 10
99 20
99.9 30
99.99 40

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ASCII CHART
Key Stroke ASCII DEC HEX Octal Key Stroke ASCII DEC HEX Octal Key Stroke ASCII DEC HEX Octal
^@ NULL 0 0 0 + + 43 2B 53 V V 86 56 126
^A SOH 1 1 1 , (comma) , 44 2C 54 W W 87 57 127
^B STX 2 2 2 - - 45 2D 55 X X 88 58 130
^C ETX 3 3 3 . . 46 2E 56 Y Y 89 59 131
^D EOT 4 4 4 / / 47 2F 57 Z Z 90 5A 132
^E ENQ 5 5 5 0 0 48 30 60 [ [ 91 5B 133
^F ACK 6 6 6 1 1 49 31 61 \ \ 92 5C 134
^G BELL 7 7 7 2 2 50 32 62 ] ] 93 5D 135
^H BS 8 8 10 3 3 51 33 63 ^ ^ 94 5E 136
^I HT 9 9 11 4 4 52 34 64 _ _ 95 5F 137
^J LF 10 A 12 5 5 53 35 65 ` ` 96 60 140
^K VT 11 B 13 6 6 54 36 66 a a 97 61 141
^L FF 12 C 14 7 7 55 37 67 b b 98 62 142
^M CR 13 D 15 8 8 56 38 70 c c 99 63 143
^N SO 14 E 16 9 9 57 39 71 d d 100 64 144
^O SI 15 F 17 : : 58 3A 72 e e 101 65 145
^P DLE 16 10 20 ; ; 59 3B 73 f f 102 66 146
^Q DC1/Xon 17 11 21 < < 60 3C 74 g g 103 67 147
^R DC2 18 12 22 = = 61 3D 75 h h 104 68 150
^S DC3/Xoff 19 13 23 > > 62 3E 76 i i 105 69 151
^T DC4 20 14 24 ? ? 63 3F 77 j j 106 6A 152
^U NAK 21 15 25 @ @ 64 40 100 k k 107 6B 153
^V SYN 22 16 26 A A 65 41 101 l l 108 6C 154
^W ETB 23 17 27 B B 66 42 102 m m 109 6D 155
^X CAN 24 18 30 C C 67 43 103 n n 110 6E 156
^Y EM 25 19 31 D D 68 44 104 o o 111 6F 157
^Z EOF/SUB 26 1A 32 E E 69 45 105 p p 112 70 160
^[ ESC 27 1B 33 F F 70 46 106 q q 113 71 161
^\ FS 28 1C 34 G G 71 47 107 r r 114 72 162
^] GS 29 1D 35 H H 72 48 110 s s 115 73 163
^^ RS 30 1E 36 I I 73 49 111 t t 116 74 164
^_ US 31 1F 37 J J 74 4A 112 u u 117 75 165
Space SPACE 32 20 40 K K 75 4B 113 v v 118 76 166
! ! 33 21 41 L L 76 4C 114 w w 119 77 167
“ “ 34 22 42 M M 77 4D 115 x x 120 78 170
# # 35 23 43 N N 78 4E 116 y y 121 79 171
$ $ 36 24 44 O O 79 4F 117 z z 122 7A 172
% % 37 25 45 P P 80 50 120 { { 123 7B 173
& & 38 26 46 Q Q 81 51 121 | | 124 7C 174
‘ ‘ 39 27 47 R R 82 52 122 } } 125 7D 175
( ( 40 28 50 S S 83 53 123 ~ ~ 126 7E 176
) ) 41 29 51 T T 84 54 124 Delete DEL 127 7F 177
* * 42 2A 52 U U 85 55 125

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Power Budget Calculations

POWER BUDGET CALCULATION NOTE Note - Add in the power required by sensors.
Remember this equation: It is necessary to estimate the amount of time spent collecting and
POWER = CURRENT * VOLTAGE transmitting data, as well as the power required for collecting data. It
is best to obtain these numbers using actual measurements of power
Keep the units uniform. If current is in consumption for an operating 8200A. Once a value for the average
milliamps, then power is in milliwatts. consumption is determined, record it and use it as a reference when
troubleshooting a station. A site that shows a marked change in power
consumption warrants a closer look.
The power budget is an analysis of how much power a data collection Once a station’s average power usage is determined, two other
site requires. Analysis is required to determine how long a data recorder important calculations should be made:
or Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) will operate from the battery without BATTERY LIFE AND SOLAR PANEL SIZE
recharging and what size solar panel (or charging source) should
be used. The Model 8200A Data Recorder is used in the following
example. Battery Life
The 8200A’s power requirements vary with the task it is performing. A Battery life is computed in two steps.
power budget is determined by calculating how much time the 8200A
spends in each of its tasks and how much power is used. The following 1. Compute the theoretical battery life. To do this, divide the battery
list shows the power used by the 8200A in some typical tasks. Please capacity by the average power required by the 8200A, as follows:
note power consumption is approximate: THEORETICAL BATTERY LIFE
Quiescent (basic model): 0.25 mA Battery Capacity / 8200 Average Current
Transmitting GOES: 3500 mA Example: Compute the theoretical battery life for a 24 amp-hr battery
Quiescent GOES: 10 mA powering an 8200A with average power consumption of 50 mA.
Transmitting LOS: 2500 mA THEORETICAL BATTERY LIFE
Quiescent LOS: 30 mA 24000mA-hr/50mA = 480 hrs
Telephone OFF HOOK: 50 mA 2. Compute the actual battery life. Since it is not possible to use
Measuring: 5-30 mA 100% of any battery the actual life will be less. We recommend
planning on using 75% of the capacity of a battery. This reduces
To determine the power needed by a site, sum the power required by the theoretical life by 25%. In our example, the 480 hrs duration
each of the tasks, taking into account the relative % of time dedicated to would become 480 * 0.75 = 360 hours.
each task. A convenient way to do this is to make a table (or spreadsheet)
listing each of the tasks, current consumption, and times. Solar Panel Size
Example: GOES 8200A collecting data every 15 minutes and
transmitting once every 4 hours. The size of the solar panel needed for the site depends on both the
average power needed and the location of the site. Generally, use a
panel that provides at least 10 times the average power needed.
TASK CURRENT PERCENT TIME AV. Example: Size a solar panel for a site with average current of 50 mA
CURRENT POWER NEEDED
COLLECTING 30mA * 5 sec/900 sec = 0.2mA 10 * (current * voltage) = 10 * (50mA * 12 volts)
(5 sec to collect data every 15 minutes) = 6000 mWatts ( 6 Watts)
The minimum size panel should have an output of at least 6 Watts.
TRANSMITTING 2500mA * 45 sec/14400 sec = 10.9mA
A standard 9-Watt panel will work great for this example site.
(45 second transmission every 4 hours) Note that the internal charger in the 8200A has a maximum output of
QUIESCENT 10mA * 100% (always) = 10mA 0.75 amps or 9 Watts. If a panel larger than 9 watts is used with the
8200A an external regulator is required. The 8210 can accommodate
TOTAL AVERAGE CURRENT = 21.1 mA
panels up to 20 Watts.
TOTAL AVERAGE POWER (current * 12VDC) = 253
Sutron offers a Microsoft Excel Power Budget Spreadsheet that
milliwatts
computes power consumption, 15 day reserve, and required solar
panel size. Contact Customer Service for a copy. (703)406-2800.

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Other Telephone System Definitions Antenna Pointing Guide*

This guide determines the required azimuth and elevation angles to
dBm Volts
point an antenna at a geostationary satellite. It applies to uplink DCP
(600 Peak-to- antennas and receive site (DRGS) parabolic antennas. The following
OHM) Peak are needed:
10 6.93 • Latitude of Site
9 6.18 • Longitude of Site
8 5.50
• Equatorial Longitude of the Satellite (contact Satellite
Agency for this value)
7 4.91 1. Subtract the site longitude from the satellite longitude to determine
6 4.37 the relative ground longitude. If the result is negative, the site is
5 3.90
West of the satellite. Remember this for step 3.
Example: The satellite is positioned at 135 deg. longitude, and a
4 3.47 site is located at 77 deg. longitude, 39 deg. latitude, then
3 3.10 135 - 77 = 58 degrees relative longitude.
0 dBm = 90 dBrn
2 2.76 2. Look at the nomogram above and find the position that
dBm = dBrn - 90 corresponds to the relative longitude and the site latitude. From
1 2.46
this intersection, read the “A” curves for azimuth and read the “e”
0 2.19 dBrn = dBm + 90 curves for elevation.
-1 1.95 Example: Find the point on the nomogram that corresponds to 58
Reference Noise = 1 picowatt = - 90
degrees relative longitude (computed in step 1) and 39 degrees
-2 1.74 dBm. Decibels above reference latitude. The values for the elevation and azimuth are:
-3 1.55 noise= dBrn e = 16 deg
-4 1.38 Decibels above reference noise in a C- A = 68 deg
-5 1.23 message weighting filter = dBrnc (tone 3. Identify what quadrant the site is located in relative to the satellite
and use the chart to adjust the Azimuth.
-6 1.10 1000Hz at 0 dBm or 90 dBrn).
Earth Quadrant True Azimuth
-7 0.98 Picowatts of noise psophometrically relative to Satellite Az
-8 0.87 weighted (pWp) dBmp (tone 800 Hz at NW 180 - A
-9 0.78 -90 dBm) dBmp = dBrnc - 90 NE 180 + A
-10 0.69 SW A
SE 360 - A
-11 0.62
The site is in the NE of the satellite because the latitude is North and the
-12 0.55 site is East of the satellite. Therefore, add 180 degrees to the “A” number
-13 0.49 to obtain the final azimuth from true North. The final values are:
-14 0.44 e = 16 deg Az = 248 deg
If you use a compass for pointing the antenna, take into account the local
-15 0.39 site magnetic variation from true north. This value will vary by location
-16 0.35 of the site. Be careful when using a compass near metal structures
-20 0.22 or objects as the readings may be inaccurate causing poor antenna
pointing.
-25 0.12
-30 0.07
-35 0.04
-40 0.02
-50 0.01

*Reference :
“Reference Data
for Engineers:
Radio,
Electronics,
Computer, and
Communications”
Seventh Edition;
Edward C.
Jordan, Editor in
Chief, Howard
W. Sams & Co.
1986.

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