Application
Supervisors and engineers who analyse satellite communications systems apply the skills and knowledge in this unit when writing specifications, planning, designing and implementing satellite communications systems. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Research satellite communication systems | 1.1. Research satellite applications with various orbit types for assessing their spatial positioning for specific purpose 1.2. Analyse and report on the architecture, major subsystems and critical components in the communication systems of a recently launched commercial satellite 1.3. Research and report on multiple access techniques and their typical applications |
2. Analyse uplink and downlink variables | 2.1. Determine uplink and downlink criteria that impact on carrier to noise ratio 2.2. Determine up/down link criteria that impact on baseband signal to noise ratio 2.3. Determine the critical parameters of a satellite system 2.4. Research common types of baseband signal processing, their spectral and noise improvement parameters for determining criteria for link budget evaluations |
3. Conduct a link budget analysis | 3.1. Produce a satellite link budget and calculate link margin for a satellite system with specified modulation types 3.2. Analyse the relationship between the bit error ratio (BER) for a given energy per bit per noise power density (Eb/No) and forward error correction (FEC) parameter for determining the operational performance of the link |
4. Analyse properties of geostationary satellites | 4.1. Calculate the look angles for a geostationary satellite from any receiving location 4.2. Research and report on frequency re-use in conjunction with polarisation selection and the use of spot beams 4.3. Analyse and specify the major features of very small aperture terminal (VSAT) systems, and calculate link reliability in high rainfall regions |
Required Skills
Required skills |
analytical skills to solve complex problems by making informed judgements and assumptions literacy skills to prepare reports following an analysis or evaluation planning and organisational skills to develop systems and procedures in solving complex mathematical formulas problem solving and contingency management skills to manage unforeseen issues research skills to gather and record data from measurements technical skills to visualise radio frequency (RF) systems on board operational satellite platforms |
Required knowledge |
antenna calculations: gain beamwidth polarisation effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) BER carrier/noise ratio constellation and eye diagrams decibels, dB, dBm, dBW distance to satellite and typical delays frequency spectrum (satellite bands) G/T ratio geostationary orbit link budget calculation look angle calculations low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites modulation types: n-FSK: 2FSK 4FSK n-PSK: 2PSK 4PSK 8PSK 16PSK n-QAM: 16 QAM 256QAM spread spectrum: direct sequence frequency hopping |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: analyse satellite communications system architecture produce a satellite link budget and calculate link margin for a range of digital modulation types calculate the look angles for a geostationary satellite from any receiving location analyse and specify the major features of (VSAT) systems. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: site on which satellite analysis may be conducted data, calculators and appropriate software tools. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct observation of the candidate performing analysis review of link budget documentation completed by the candidate review of look angle calculation reports oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of satellite communications systems. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTRFN7182A Produce a radio link budget. Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Satellite applications may include: | broadcasting: broadcast satellite service (BSS) fixed service satellite (FSS) defence domestic communications earth observation: mapping meteorology international communications: Intelsat global positioning system (GPS) navigational. |
Orbit may include: | geostationary inclined orbit low earth orbiting (LEO): polar non-polar Molniya highly elliptical orbit. |
Multiple access techniques may include: | code division multiple access (CDMA) frequency division multiple access (FDMA) hybrid multiple access schemes: FDMA/time division multiple access TDMA polarisation division multiple access (PDMA) space division multiple access (SDMA) time division multiple access (TDMA). |
Uplink and downlink criteria may include: | antenna gain bandwidth error correction bits modulation type path loss transmitter power. |
Specified modulation types may include: | m-PSK: 8PSK OQPSK QPSK M-QAM: 16QAM spread spectrum: direct sequence frequency hopping. |
Look angles include: | azimuth elevation. |
Frequency re-use may include: | orthogonal polarisation spatial discrimination directional beams. |
Very small aperture terminal may include: | availability latency multicast topology. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Telecommunications |
Competency Field
Radio frequency networks |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor