Sizing and optimization of high throughput radio-frequency data down link of earth observation satellites

Summary This paper analyses the sizing of networks of radio‐frequency ground stations operating at Ka band or above for the reception of data acquired by low earth orbit observation satellites. In particular, the way to account for the use of adaptive transmission schemes, to cope with the high propagation impairments in the troposphere is detailed. A solution to size optimally the ground stations and satellite memory, relying on propagation channel simulations, is also proposed. The resulting performances are assessed in a latter stage using simulated propagation time series. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This paper analyses the sizing of networks of radio‐frequency ground stations operating at Ka band or above for the reception of data acquired by low‐earth orbit observation satellites. In particular, the way to account for the use of adaptive transmission schemes to cope with the high propagation impairments in the troposphere is detailed.