Agenda | Tutorials |
Tutorial H |
Introduction To Satellite Communications |
Fees |
$50 USD each |
Date |
Wednesday – February 23, 2022 |
Time |
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM PT |
Overview |
1 Telemetry & Command Course Outline This course provides attendees an introduction to digital satellite communications with a focus on the telemetry and command paths. Attendees will follow the flow of satellite telemetry and commands between the space-vehicle and the operator. Each step in the path (spacecraft, space link, antenna site, ground network and control center) is described; areas of complexity discussed; criteria for architectural decisions are highlighted; and technology trends are presented.1.1 INTRODUCTIONS & ARCHITECTURAL OVERVIEW This section includes a brief overview of the typical end-to-end system architecture, including both the space and ground links. ![]() The main part of the tutorial begins by following a satellite telemetry point (e.g. battery voltage) from the spacecraft to the operator on the ground.1.2.1 Onboard The Spacecraft This section includes a brief discussion of how the telemetry is commonly assembled, what data formats (TDM, CCSDS) are commonly used and design considerations such as Forward Error Correction (FEC) and when to add encryption. 1.2.2 Space Link 1.2.3 Antenna Site 1.2.4 Ground Network 1.2.5 Control Center 1.3 COMMAND PATH 1.3.1 Control Center 1.3.2 Ground Network 1.3.3 Antenna Site 1.3.4 Space Link 1.3.5 Command Verification 1.4 INDUSTRY TRENDS 1.5 CLOSING QUESTION / ANSWER SESSION |
Instructor | Brian Willette, AMERGINT Technologies Inc. |
Biography |
Brian Willette is the Vice President of Project Management And Operations at AMERGINT Technologies and manages the infrastructure and execution of AMERGINT’s portfolio. Brian has over 15 years of space domain experience, and over 25 years of working in the software product development industry, including multiple small internet startups, as well as his time working in the research and development labs. Brian holds a patent, has been published, and sits in the Engineering Leadership Council for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 1995, and will graduate with an MBA in finance in 2022. |
Description of Intended Students and Prerequisites |
Attendees should have a basic understanding of satellite operations and an engineering background. |
What can Attendees Expect to Learn |
Attendees will learn how satellite communications work from the satellite to the operator. This includes an overview of the RF link as well as common telemetry, command and other data formats used in satellite link. |
Tutorials |