Interstellar TV: Calculating Detection Range

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the detection range for receiving signals from interstellar TV using the formula R = √(EIRP·Aer·twc / (4π·SNR·Br·kB·Tsys))·(1 ly / 9454254955488000 m). The user inputs specific values: EIRP = 15000 W, Aer = 15707963 m², SNR = 22, Br = 8·106 Hz, kB = 1.3806504·10-23 J/K, and Tsys = 10 K, resulting in a detection range of R = 0.000093 ly. The user seeks validation of the equation and results, as well as methods to reduce SNR and system temperature to potentially increase detection range.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
  • Knowledge of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
  • Familiarity with Boltzmann's constant (kB) and its application
  • Basic concepts of radio telescope effective area (Aer)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods to optimize EIRP for better signal reception
  • Explore techniques for reducing SNR in communication systems
  • Investigate cooling methods to lower system temperature (Tsys)
  • Learn about advanced radio telescope designs and their effective areas
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, engineers in telecommunications, and anyone interested in enhancing signal detection for interstellar communications.

Urvabara
Messages
98
Reaction score
0
I am just "trying" to watch interstellar TV...

The detection range in lightyears is
R = \sqrt{\frac{\text{EIRP}\cdot A_{e}_{r}\cdot\text{twc}}{4\pi\cdot\text{SNR}\cdot B_{r}\cdot k_{B}\cdot T_{sys}}}\cdot\frac{1\,\text{ly}}{9454254955488000\,\text{m}}, where
\text{EIRP} = P_{t}G_{t},
\text{twc} = \sqrt{B_{r}t} = 1\,\text{for modulated signals,}
\text{SNR} is signal-to-noise ratio,
A_{e}_{r} is receiver's radio telescope's effective area,
B_{r} is receiver's bandwidth which is larger or equal to transmitters bandwidth,
k_{B} is Boltzmann's constant and
T_{sys} is system's temperature in Kelvins.

I put these numbers in:
\text{EIRP} = 15000\,\text{W},
A_{e}_{r} = 15707963\,\text{m}^{2},
\text{twc} = 1,
\text{SNR} = 22,
B_{r} = 8\cdot 10^{6}\,\text{Hz},
k_{b} = 1.3806504\cdot 10^{-23}\,\text{J/K}, and
T_{sys} = 10\,\text{K}.
I get: R = 0.000093\,\text{ly}.

Questions:
1. Is the equation correct?
2. Is my answer about correct?
3. How to reduce the SNR?
4. How to reduce the system temperature?
5. Can I really rise the detection range just only reducing the system temperature? So technically I can watch interstellar TV shows with a very, very small disc, if I can go to very near the absolute zero?
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
Guys? Anyone?

PS.
P_{t} is transmitter's power.
G_{t} is transmitter's antenna gain.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
16K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
495
Replies
4
Views
10K