Radio Path Model
The utility of a communications satellite depends on being able to get a
strong radio signal from it to a ground station. The strength of the signal
depends on several factors which are fixed for a given satellite: transmitter
power, antenna gain, and frequency. Additionally, it depends on the distance
from the satellite to the station, and on the antenna patterns and accuracy of
aiming.
To read about how WinOrbit computes each of these factors, choose:
Path Loss
Satellite Antenna
Observer Antenna
The total signal budget may be calculated from the known transmitter
power and antenna gain, together with the path and pattern losses. For example
:
+30 dBm transmit power (1 watt)
+10 dB antenna gain
- 7 dB pattern loss
-140 dB path loss
+ 10 dB receive antenna gain
----------
-97 dBm received signal
The Path Loss and Pattern Loss are displayed in the RF Info Group in the
Info Window.