This document outlines the syllabus for an NPTEL course on Satellite Communication Systems. The 40-hour course will cover all aspects of satellite communication including orbital mechanics, satellite construction, link design, earth stations, and applications. Topics include satellite orbits, the space and earth segments, access methods, and the role of satellites. The goal is to provide an in-depth understanding of satellite communication concepts and systems. Students should have knowledge of analog and digital communication before taking this course.

1. NPTEL Syllabus
Satellite Communication Systems - Web
course
COURSE OUTLINE
The objective of this course is to provide an in-depth understanding of different
concepts used in a satellite communication system. It will explain the tools
NPTEL
necessary for the calculation of basic parameters in a satellite communication http://nptel.iitm.ac.in
system.
T h e course will cover every aspects of satellite communication like orbital
mechanics, launching techniques, satellite link design, earth station technology Electronics &
and different access system towards a satellite. Different applications of satellite
communication will be discussed at the end.
Communication
The students should have the knowledge of analog and digital communication
Engineering
system before studying this course.
Contents: Basic principles, Satellite orbits, Satellite construction (space
segment), Satellite links, Earth station (earth segment), Space segment access
Pre-requisites:
and utilization, Role and application of satellite communication.
1. Principles of Analog and Digital
COURSE DETAIL Communication System.
Additional Reading:
Sl.No. Topic No.of
Hours 1. W. L. Pritchard, J. A. Sciulli,
Satellite Communication
Systems Engineering, Prentice-
1. Basic Principles. 3 Hall, Inc., NJ.
General features, frequency allocation for satellite 2. M. O. Kolawole, Satellite
services, properties of satellite communication systems. Communication Engineering,
Marcel Dekker, Inc. NY.
2. Satellite Orbits. 6 Coordinators:
Introduction, Kepler's laws, orbital dynamics, orbital Dr. Amalendu Patnaik
characteristics, satellite spacing and orbital capacity, Department of Electronics and
angle of elevation, eclipses, launching and positioning, Computer EngineeringIIT Roorkee
satellite drift and station keeping.
Dr. Debashis Ghosh
Department of Electronics and
Computer EngineeringIIT Roorkee
3. Satellite Construction (Space Segment). 7
Introduction; attitude and orbit control system; telemetry,
tracking and command; power systems, communication
subsystems, antenna subsystem, equipment reliability and
space qualification.
4. Satellite Links. 8
Introduction, general link design equation, system noise
temperature, uplink design, downlink design, complete
link design, effects of rain.
5. Earth Station. 6
Introduction, earth station subsystem, different types of

2. earth stations.
6. The Space Segment Access and Utilization. 7
Introduction, space segment access methods, TDMA,
FDMA, CDMA, SDMA, assignment methods.
7. The Role and Application of Satellite Communication. 3
Total 40
References:
1. Timothy Pratt, Charles W. Bostian, Satellite Communications, John Wiley
& Sons.
2. Dennis Roddy, Satellite Communications, 3rd Ed., Mc. Graw-Hill
International Ed. 2001.
A joint venture by IISc and IITs, funded by MHRD, Govt of India http://nptel.iitm.ac.in