Code No: R204104D R20 Set No.

1
IV B.Tech I Semester Regular Examinations, January – 2024
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
(Electronics and Communication Engineering)
Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 70

Answer any FIVE Questions

ONE Question from Each unit
All Questions Carry Equal Marks
*****
UNIT - I
1 Discuss potential future developments in orbital mechanics and launch
technologies that may revolutionize satellite deployment and maintenance. [14]
(OR)
2 Explain the concept of satellite constellations and their significance in
enhancing global coverage and system redundancy. [14]

UNIT - II
3 a) Discuss the methods and sensors used for determining the attitude (orientation)
of a satellite in space. How is this information crucial for satellite operations? [7]
b) Explain the role of battery systems in providing power during periods of
eclipse or reduced solar exposure. How are these systems designed for
reliability? [7]
(OR)
4 a) Explain how external forces and perturbations affect a satellite's orbit and how
the attitude and orbit control system compensates for these disturbances. [7]
b) Discuss the components and technologies involved in the communication
subsystem of a satellite. How is data transmitted between the satellite and
Earth stations? [7]

UNIT - III
5 a) Define system noise temperature in satellite communication systems. Explain
its significance in determining the overall system noise performance. [7]
b) Explain the basic principles of transmission theory in satellite
communications. Discuss concepts such as modulation, bandwidth and signal-
to-noise ratio (SNR). [7]
(OR)
6 Describe the factors that affect signal propagation in satellite communication,
including path loss, free-space loss and atmospheric effects. How do these
factors impact signal quality? [14]
1 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
 Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 1

UNIT – IV
7 a) Discuss the concept of spread spectrum transmission and reception in CDMA
systems. How does it enhance security and robustness in satellite
communication? [7]
b) Describe the components and features of receivers employed in Earth stations.
How do they demodulate and process signals received from satellites? [7]
(OR)
8 a) Explain the fundamental principles of Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) in satellite communication. How does CDMA allow multiple users to
share the same frequency band? [7]
b) Explain the key components and characteristics of transmitters used in Earth
stations. How is power amplification achieved, and what frequency bands are
commonly used? [7]

UNIT - V
9 Discuss the operational challenges associated with NGSO constellation
designs, including satellite handovers, tracking and ground station
coordination. [14]
(OR)
10 Explain the concept of Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO)
constellations and their advantages over traditional GEO systems. What are the
different NGSO constellation designs? [14]

2 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 2
IV B.Tech I Semester Regular Examinations, January – 2024
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
(Electronics and Communication Engineering)

Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 70

Answer any FIVE Questions
ONE Question from Each unit
All Questions Carry Equal Marks
*****
UNIT - I
1 Compare the advantages and disadvantages of placing satellites in
geostationary orbits versus low Earth orbits with a focus on communication
applications. [14]
(OR)
2 Describe how satellite orbits and orbital parameters can impact the
performance of communication systems, including signal latency and coverage
area. [14]

UNIT - II
3 a) Describe the concept of sun-synchronous orbits and their significance in Earth
observation missions. How is the attitude control system optimized for such
orbits? [7]
b) Explain the allocation of frequency bands for satellite communication. What
factors influence the choice of frequency bands for specific satellite missions? [7]
(OR)
4 a) Discuss the key components of a telemetry, tracking and command system
used for satellite communication and control. Explain their roles and functions. [7]
b) Describe the different types of satellite antenna systems used for
communication and data reception. How are antenna characteristics optimized
for specific missions? [7]

UNIT - III
5 Explain the key considerations and components involved in designing the
downlink of a satellite communication system. How are factors like frequency
allocation and antenna selection determined? [14]
(OR)
6 Discuss the concept of G/T ratio in satellite communication. How does it relate
to the system's ability to receive weak signals and maintain a strong link? [14]

1 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 2
UNIT - IV
7 a) Describe the principles of Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) in
satellite communication systems. How does DAMA optimize bandwidth
usage? [7]
b) Explain the importance of tracking systems in Earth stations. How do they
ensure continuous alignment with satellites in orbit and what tracking
technologies are commonly employed? [7]
(OR)
8 a) Explain the concept of Satellite Switched TDMA (SS-TDMA) and its
advantages in dynamic allocation of satellite resources. Provide an example of
SS-TDMA operation. [7]
b) Discuss the various types of antennas used in Earth stations, including
parabolic, helical, and phased-array antennas. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of each? [7]

UNIT - V
9 Analyze the challenges related to interference and coordination in LEO and
GEO satellite systems, considering the need for spectrum management and
satellite positioning. [14]
(OR)
10 Compare the resilience of LEO and GEO satellite systems to various
environmental challenges, such as space debris, radiation and atmospheric
effects. [14]

1 of 1

2 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 3
IV B.Tech I Semester Regular Examinations, January – 2024
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
(Electronics and Communication Engineering)

Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 70

Answer any FIVE Questions
ONE Question from Each unit
All Questions Carry Equal Marks
*****
UNIT - I
1 Compare and contrast different types of launch vehicles used for sending
satellites into orbit, considering factors like payload capacity and cost-
effectiveness. [14]
(OR)
2 Explain the methods and techniques used for orbit determination of satellites,
including ground-based tracking and data analysis. [14]

UNIT - II
3 a) Explain the process of data downlink and uplink in a satellite's TT&C system.
How is data transmitted between the satellite and ground stations? [7]
b) Discuss the importance of equipment reliability in satellite systems. What
measures are taken to ensure the long-term operation of satellite components
in the harsh space environment? [7]
(OR)
4 a) Describe the methods used for generating power on board a satellite,
including solar panels and nuclear power sources. Discuss their advantages
and drawbacks. [7]
b) Explain the purpose and importance of space qualification testing for satellite
components and systems. What are some common tests conducted to ensure
space worthiness? [7]

UNIT - III
5 Outline the process of calculating the carrier-to-noise (C/N) ratio in a satellite
communication link. How is C/N used to determine link quality? [14]
(OR)
6 Describe the design considerations for the uplink of a satellite communication
system, including transmitter power, antenna gain and link budget
calculations. [14]

1 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
 Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 3

UNIT - IV
7 a) Provide an example of a TDMA-based satellite communication system
design, specifying frame parameters, user allocations and the advantages of
TDMA in this scenario. [7]
b) Explain the concept of Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) in
satellite communication. How does it allocate frequency bands for multiple
users? Provide an example. [7]
(OR)
8 a) Discuss the key considerations in link design when implementing TDMA for
satellite communication. Include factors like time slot allocation and
bandwidth management. [7]
b) Discuss the methods and techniques used to test the primary power systems of
Earth stations. How the reliability and stability of power supply ensured? [7]

UNIT - V
9 Discuss the factors that affect data throughput in LEO and GEO satellite
systems, including modulation techniques, bandwidth and capacity planning. [14]
(OR)
10 Explain the concept of propagation delay in satellite communication and its
impact on LEO and GEO systems. How do these systems address latency
concerns? [14]

2 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 4
IV B.Tech I Semester Regular Examinations, January – 2024
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
(Electronics and Communication Engineering)

Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 70

Answer any FIVE Questions

ONE Question from Each unit
All Questions Carry Equal Marks
*****
UNIT - I
1 Discuss the various orbital perturbations that affect satellite orbits such as
gravitational forces from celestial bodies and atmospheric drag. [14]
(OR)
2 Provide a detailed explanation of orbital mechanics, including Kepler's laws
and how they relate to the motion of satellites in space. [14]

UNIT - II
3 a) Explain the different methods used for controlling the attitude of satellites in
space. Discuss the advantages and limitations of each method. [7]
b) Discuss the environmental challenges that satellites face in space, including
radiation, vacuum, and thermal extremes. How are satellite systems designed to
withstand these challenges? [7]
(OR)
4 Describe the strategies and techniques employed to control and adjust the orbits
of satellites. How do these strategies vary for different types of orbits? [14]

UNIT - III
5 Provide an example of designing a satellite communication system for a
specific application, including satellite selection, frequency allocation, antenna
design and link budget calculations. [14]
(OR)
6 Walk through the steps involved in designing a satellite link budget for a
specified C/N ratio. Discuss how link budget parameters are selected and
optimized. [14]

1 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|
 Code No: R204104D R20 Set No. 4

UNIT - IV
7 a) Explain the frame structure used in Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
satellite communication systems. What are the components of a typical TDMA
frame? [7]
b) Describe the phenomenon of intermodulation in FDMA systems. How can it
affect signal quality and what measures are taken to mitigate it? [7]
(OR)
8 a) Outline the process of calculating the Carrier-to-Noise (C/N) ratio in an FDMA
satellite communication system. Discuss the factors that influence C/N. [7]
b) Compare CDMA & TDMA in detail? [7]

UNIT - V
9 a) Discuss the frequency considerations for LEO and GEO satellite systems,
including frequency bands used and their allocation for different types of
services. [7]
b) Explain the essential orbital parameters that define the positions and
movements of LEO and GEO satellites. How do these parameters impact
satellite performance? [7]
(OR)
10 a) Describe the coverage area of LEO and GEO satellite systems. How does the
choice of orbit affect the coverage footprint and the number of required
satellites? [7]
b) Compare and contrast the key characteristics of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and
Geostationary Orbit (GEO) with regard to altitude, orbital period and their
suitability for different satellite applications. [7]

2 of 2

|''|''|||''|'''|||'|