Tutorial: Propagation Phenomena and Terrestrial Interference in Satellite Television Transmission

Reed M. Burkhart

Each of the primary sources of natural (not man-made) satellite interference is explained here, as is terrestrial interference in satellite communications. Two typical video downlinks (one at C band and one at Ku band) are used as references for quantified comparisons of degradation levels for each interference type. Simple analogies are presented to allow the layman to gain a better understanding of these complex interference mechanisms. It is shown that rain is the predominant degradation source at Ku band, while the atmosphere and the earth produce secondary effects. At C band, degradations are generally less severe — with the exceptions of terrestrial interference and ionospheric effects.

Print ISSN
Published
1989-09
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J02665