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Over the last years the demand for satellite communication services has been increased. Global and domestic regulatory developments and support, as well as the emerge of new services, have facilitated launcMng capabilities and reduced the costs of manufacturing, launching and operating the satellites. Financing the telecommunication satellite systems is one of the most relevant issues that prospective satellite operators face on these days. Mstitutional lenders require adequate legal advise in order to properly instrument multimillion transactions where securitization is not enough clear and risks are extremely Mgh. TMs work analyzes the most important sources of financing of telecommunication satellites and the most adequate legal structures and methods based in legislation, legal cases, jurisprudence, doctrine, and legal practice.

Governments have funded the development and production of advanced technology in order to establish supply security and/or to achieve economic growth. The policy of government funding includes three alternatives: the two basic options of maintaining a national project or participating in international collaboration involving a number of sovereign states, and the third option of doing both in parallel. The study examines international collaboration in such a way as to assist in the selection of the appropriate policy option. Particular attention is paid to the perspective of small and large, advanced and less advanced European countries. The research problem is addressed by focusing exclusively on those results which distinguish international collaboration from a national project, summarised under the concepts of collaborative sharing and collaborative efficiency. The former identifies the sharing of funding and technology not to be found in a national project. The latter identifies the difference in efficiency between international collaboration and a national project. Efficiency, indicated by cost, quality and time, is examined under the headings of policy-making, executive management, industrial rationalisation and production volume. Furthermore, collaborative sharing and efficiency are examined in the context of parallel national projects. This focus on the differences between the policy options provides the basis for selecting the appropriate one. Previous studies fail to give convincing answers to the research problem: they concentrate on collaborative efficiency while neglecting collaborative sharing, and they disagree over whether international collaboration or a national project is more efficient. This study attempts to overcome these shortcomings by examining a major case study of international collaboration, namely the European Communication Satellite Programme. The following conclusions are established. To achieve supply security, the collaborative option is considered appropriate for the large, advanced European country, and the parallel option for the large, less advanced countries. To achieve economic growth, the national option is appropriate for the advanced European countries. The smaller, less advanced countries are seen to play only a limited role in government funding of advanced technology.

GPS has become very popular in recent years. It is used in wide range of applications including aircraft navigation, search and rescue, space borne attitude and position determination and cellular network synchronization. Each application places demands on GPS for various levels of accuracy, integrity, system availability and continuity of service. Radio frequency interference (RFI) which results from many sources such as TV/FM harmonics, radar or mobile satellite systems, presents a challenge to the use of GPS. It can affect all the service performance indices mentioned above. To improve the accuracy of GPS positioning, a continuously operating reference station (CORS) network can be used. A CORS network provides all the enabled GPS users in an area with corrections to the fundamental measurements, producing more precise positioning. A threat to these networks is a threat to all high-accuracy GPS users. It is therefore necessary to monitor the quality of the received signal with the objective of promptly detecting the presence of RFI and providing a timely warning of the degradation of system accuracy, thereby boosting the integrity of GPS. This research was focused on four main tasks: a) Detection. The focus here is on a power spectral density fluctuation detection technique, in which statistical inference is used to detect narrowband continuous-wave (CW) interference in the GPS signal band after being captured by the RF front-end. An optimal detector algorithm is proposed. At this optimal point, for a fixed Detection Threshold (DT), probability of false alarm becomes minimal and for a fixed probability of false alarm, we can achieve the minimum value for the detection threshold. Experiments show that at this point we have the minimum computational load. This theoretical result is supported by real experiments. Finally this algorithm is employed to detect a real GPS interference signal generated by a TV transmitter in Sydney. b) Characterization. In the characterization section, using the GNSS signal structure and the baseband signal processing inside the GNSS receiver, a closed formula is derived for the received signal quality in terms of effective carrier to noise ratio ( ). This formula is tested and proved by calculating the C/No using the I and Q data from a software GPS receiver. For pulsed CW, a similar analysis is done to characterize the effect of parameters such as pulse repetition period (PRP) and also duty cycle on the received signal quality. Considering this characterization and the commonality between the GPS C/A code and Galileo signal as a basis to build up a common term for satellite availability, the probability of satellite availability in the presence of CW interference is defined and for the two currently available satellite navigation systems (GPS L1 signal and Galileo signal (GIOVE-A BOC(1, 1) in the E1/L1 band)) it is shown that they can be considered as alternatives to each other in the presence of different RFI frequencies as their availability in the presence of CW RFI is different in terms of RFI frequency. c) Mitigation. The last section of the research presents a new concept of ?Satellite Exclusion Zone?. In this technique, using our previously developed characterization techniques, and considering the fact that RFI has different effects on different satellite signals at different times depending on satellite Doppler frequency, the idea of excluding the most vulnerable satellite signal from positioning calculations is proposed. Using real data and real interference, the effectiveness of this technique is proven and its performance analyzed. d) Hardware implementation. The above detection technique is implemented using the UNSW FPGA receiver board called NAMURU.

Thesis (MScEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Interest in TCP/IP as a communication protocol for use in space communication has increased substantially with the growth of the world wide web (WWW). TCP/IP is a relevant communication protocol for space based communication systems that need to access the broader terrestrial communication network. Low Earth Orbit(LEO) satellites have very short delay times between themselves and the ground, and correspondingly very short connection times. Staying in contact with a LEO satellite continuously through a space-based network requires large constellations of satellites and complex routing strategies. Connectivity with the world wide web using a widely accepted protocol such as TCP/IP is desirable because it would make communication with the satellite over a terrestrial station possible, were it to route communication onto the WWW. This thesis looks at the expected TCP/IP performance over satellite network links, identifies problem areas for current TCP/IP technologies, and makes suggestions for optimizing TCP/IP over such links. The thesis also introduces a new performance benchmark, the equivalence level, allowing for the simplified description of TCP throughput behaviour over a broad range of network parameters. The performance of the Linux kernel release 2.4.18 TCP/IP stack is also evaluated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die belangstelling in TCP/IP as ’n kommunikasie protokol vir gebruik in die ruimte het kenmerklik toegeneem met die groei van die wereld wye web (WWW). TCP/IP is ’n relevante protokol vir kommunikasie stelsels in die ruimte, veral met die doel om toegang tot land gebaseerde kommunikasie netwerke te kry. Lae wentelbaan sateliete het baie kort vertragingstye tussen die aarde en die sateliet, en gevolglik baie kort verbindingstye. Groot sateliet konstelasies en komplekse verbintenis strategie word benodig om ’n lae wentelbaan sateliet deurentyd in kontak te hou met ’n ruimtegebaseerde netwerk. Verbinding met die wereld wye web deur die gebruik van ’n wyd aanvaarde protokol, soos TCP/IP, is wenslik, want dit sal kommunikasie met die sateliet oor ’n aardgebaseerde stasie moontlik maak, sou dit kommunikasie oor die wereld wye web stuur. Hierdie tesis kyk na die verwagte werking van TCP/IP oor sateliet netwerk konneksies, identifiseer probleme met huidiglike TCP/IP tegnologie, en maak voorstellings vir die optimale funtionering van TCP/IP oor sulke konneksies. Hierdie tesis stel ook ’n nuwe werkverrigtings maatstaf, die gelykheidsvlak, wat die vereenvoudige beskrywing van TCP/IP data tempo gedrag oor ’n groot variasie van netwerk parameters toelaat. Die werking van die Linux Kernel 2.4.18 TCP/IP stapel word ook geevalueer.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this thesis was to design and test the interfaces of sensors and actuators. In the complete Attitude Determination and Control System CADCS) the Interface Control Processor (ICP) must be interfaced to various sensors and torquers. The testing of interfaces involves the simulation of sensors and actuators and also two of the Attitude Control Processor's functions, i.e. sending actuator commands and receiving sensor data. The tested interfaces are for two actuators and three sensors. Both analog and digital sensors and actuators are interfaced i.e. reaction wheels, magnetorquers, magnetometer and horizon /fine sun sensor. The simulated sensors and actuators are to be employed on three axis controlled, low earth o~biting micro-satellites. To test the interfaces, a test circuit was developed and the design is presented. Finally the software to facilitate the testing was developed and is also presented with the analysis based on protocol implementation and data rates. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om sensor en aktueerder koppelvlakke te ontwerp en te toets. In die volledige Attitude Determination and Control System CADCS) moet die Interface Control Processor CICP) aan verskeie sensore en torquers gekoppel word. Die toets van koppelvlakke behels die simulasie van sensore en aktueerders en ook twee van die Attitude Control Processor (ACP) se funksies, naamlik die stuur van aktueerder bevele en die ontvang van sensor data. Die koppelvlakke vir twee aktueerders en drie sen sore is getoets. Beide analoog en digitale sensore en aktueerders is gekoppel, naamlik die reaksiewiele, magneetspoele, magnetometer en horison I fyn son sensor. Die gesimuleerde sensore en aktueerders sal gebruik word op drie-as beheerde, lae aardbaan mikrosatelliete. Om die koppelvlakke te toets is 'n stroombaan ontwikkel waarvan die ontwerp hier aangebied word. Sagteware om die toetse te fasiliteer is ontwikkel en word ook hier aangebied tesame met . analises gebaseer op protokol implementering en data tempo's.

Thesis (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Real-time remote monitoring of Africa’s resources, such as water quality, by using terrestrial sensors is impeded by the limited connectivity over the vast rural areas of the continent. Without such monitoring, the effective management of natural resources, and the response to associated disasters such as flooding, is almost impossible. A constellation of nanosatellites could provide near real-time connectivity with ground-based sensors that are distributed across the continent. This study evaluates the high level development of a mission design for a near real-time remote monitoring CubeSat constellation and ground segment for in-situ monitoring in regions of interest on the African continent. This would facilitate management of scarce resources using a low-cost constellation. To achieve this, the design concept and operation of a Walker constellation are examined as a means of providing connectivity to a low bit rate sensor network distributed across geographic areas of interest in South Africa, Algeria, Kenya and Nigeria. The mission requirements include the optimisation of the constellation to maintain short revisit times over South Africa and an investigation of the required communications link to perform the operations effectively. STK software is used in the design and evaluation of the constellations and the communications system. The temporal performance parameters investigated are access and revisit times of the constellations to the geographic areas mentioned. The types of constellation configurations examined, involved starting with a system level analysis of one satellite. This seed satellite has known orbital parameters. Then a gradual expansion of two to twelve satellites in one, two and three orbital planes follows. VHF, UHF and S-band communication links are considered for low data rate in-situ monitoring applications. RF link budgets and data budgets for typical applications are determined. For South Africa, in particular, a total of 12 satellites evenly distributed in a two-plane constellation at an inclination of 39° provide the optimal solution and offer an average daily revisit time of about 5 minutes. This constellation provides average daily access time of more than 16 hours per day. A case study is undertaken that decribes a constellation for the provision of maritime vessel tracking in the Southern African oceans using the Automated Information System (AIS). This service supports the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) initiative implemented by the South African Government, under its Operation Phakisa. / National Research Foundation (NRF) French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI)

No description available.

There has been increasing interest in the use of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) in satellite communication links operating in the Ku and Ka bands. Such systems offers the advantage of low signal margins and therefore, low cost. For the same reason, however, VSATs links can be strongly impaired by tropospheric scintillations. The VA Tech OLYMPUS propagation experiment which includes 12, 20, 30 GHz beacon receivers at an elevation angle of 14° provides us with valuable multi-frequency scintillation data. This dissertation focuses on the characterization of tropospheric scintillations on earth-space paths. Tropospheric scintillations are rapid fluctuations of signal caused by multiple scattering from the sma11 scale turbulent refractive index inhomogeneities in the troposphere. Analysis of the scintillation results from the VA Tech OLYMPUS experiment for both short term and long term studies is presented. The results include spectral characteristics, frequency scaling and statistics of the scintillation intensity, statistics of scintillation fading, diurnal and meteorological trends as well as a comparison with the current CCIR predictive model. Sma11 scale spatial diversity is a potential means to counteract tropospheric scintillation fading; it can be cost effective because of the low cost of VSATs. The VA Tech experiment includes 12, 20, 30 GHz beacon receivers and colocated 20 and 30 GHz diversity receivers that allows us to study this restoration technique. In this dissertation the effects of spatial diversity are studied through a cross-correlation analysis. Experimental results are compared to a theoretical model in which the atmosphere is characterized by an "anisotropic" Kolmogorov spectrum. A method to determine minimum vertical spacing between terminals to achieve good diversity performance is introduced. / Ph. D.

Construction of a Ku-band earth station was completed in August 1989 at the teleport in the Corporate Research Center of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. At that time specific applications for the terminal were being determined. Several satellite networks which can use the Ku-band earth station are explored in this thesis. System level designs are presented for each network. The anticipated performance of the network during clear sky conditions and during periods of rain fade conditions are calculated. To aid in these calculations the software package LAMP was developed. detailed system design of a VSAT network is given in later chapters. The development of VSAT networks considers multiple access and data traffic control protocols. VSAT network performance under various traffic conditions also is determined. / Master of Science