Satellite communications project

[ElectroFractal]

Summary:: Looking for a title and an idea to do a research project on the topic of satellite communications

Hello fellow FP,

I am in desperate need for an idea to do a project, seminar, call it what you like, on the topic of satellite communications for a course. We covered the basics of satellite communications, like orbits, spectrum, digital modulation techniques, hardware. The professor didn't gave us any guidelines, didn't gave suggestions, he said just write something. When I asked for help, he told me that broadband satellite communications are stirring up some interest lately, and maybe it would be interesting to me to write about it. So, what can I do on this topic, how to develop a title, and maybe discuss some examples, some simulations would be nice, and so on.

Thanks for the much needed help, because so far I am clueless and confused.

 

[jedishrfu]

What about GPS satellites and how they work to provide accurate positioning?

there's the military history behind their design and limitations.

there's the competitors launched by other countries.

there's the networking architecture, orbits, coverage and how they work internally ie power source ...

 

[anorlunda]

What can you find out about the SpaceX Starlink system?

What performance will it offer customers for upload/download?
Will weather degrade performance?
How many customers can it handle?
Customer ground equipment needed?
What will the price and terms look like?
What is the competition?

 

[berkeman]

I am in desperate need for an idea to do a project, seminar, call it what you like, on the topic of satellite communications for a course.

Check out this recent thread -- there is some interesting new technology discussed at the end...

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/optical-wireless-communication-ideas.983064/

 

[Borek]

My friends made successful attempts at receiving and decoding images from meteo-satellites using simple DIY antenna and a cheap RTL-SDR dongle.