The subtleties of satellite communications in the conditions of high latitudes of the Russian Federation

The article analyzes the factors influencing the organization of satellite communications in the conditions of high latitudes of Russia. Using ITU-R recommendations on radio wave propagation, an assessment of signal energy losses is provided for low elevation angles in free space and in the atmospheric layer. Calculations were performed for elevation angles from 1 to 20 degrees in the C- and Ku-bands, taking into account climatic factors characteristic of the Far North: precipitation intensity and total integrated liquid water content in the atmosphere. The calculation results are presented as dependencies on the elevation angle, which allows the obtained data to be used for assessing the energy budget of satellite communication links in critical high-latitude conditions. Signal energy losses due to antenna pointing inaccuracies are also considered, which are determined by the antenna's beamwidth and external destabilizing factors, one of which in the Far North conditions is increased wind load. An assessment of the noise parameters of a receiving earth station is provided, where under low elevation angle conditions, the antenna noise temperature is determined by atmospheric radiation noise, specifically the influence of atmospheric gases, cloudiness, and precipitation. The results are presented as the dependence of noise temperature on the elevation angle for the C- and Ku-bands, based on calculations of atmospheric losses. The conducted research is planned to be used in the development of recommendations for the energy calculation of satellite links in the Arctic regions of Russia at the edge of the visibility zone of geostationary satellites.

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