Chris Hose Geoff McMillen Christopher.hose@acma.gov.au Geoff.mcmillen@acma.gov.au

Satellite Basics, Filing & Coordination Introduction We’ll discuss: Satellite orbits Satellite services The satellite network filing and coordination process

Orbit Types Satellite Orbits GSO Geostationary Satellite Orbit NGSO Non Geostationary Satellite Orbit Satellite orbits are generally divided into two main types: GSO; and NGSO.

Orbital Types GSO GSO: Geostationary Satellite Orbit Orbit located at an altitude of approximately 36 000 km above the equator. Satellites appear stationary to an Earth bound observer. The most common orbit used for communications satellites. At the orbit height of 36 000 km the orbital period is 23hr 56min - same as 1 day, therefore GSO satellites appear stationary. This simplifies antenna pointing as tracking requirements are reduced. A single GSO can cover over a third of the Earths surface. Therefore 3 GSO satellites can provide near global coverage (restricted at high latitudes). Due to the considerable distance to the GSO, GSO satellite systems require high power and suffer from time delays (approximately 0.5 s for round trip). Until recently the power requirements of GSO systems have restricted there use to fixed type systems. Recent advances in satellite technology have enabled the GSO to be used for hand held mobile type applications (THURYA). Position defined by its orbital (equatorial) longitude.

Orbital Types GSO orbit GEO 36,0000km Pictorial representation of the GSO. Not to scale.

Orbital Types NGSO NGSO: Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit NGSO satellites almost always orbit closer to the Earth than GSO satellites. NGSO’s orbit with varying velocities dependent on the orbit height. Can be broken down into sub-categories: LEO: Low Earth Orbit Due to the lower orbit height of NGSOs multiple satellites are needed to provide global coverage. The lower the orbit the more satellites required (each satellite can see less of the Earth). E.g. Iridium has 66 + in orbit spares. NGSOs generally closer therefore reduced power requirements and propagation delays. LEO ~ 800km orbits (eg. Iridium, Globalstar etc.) MEO ~ 10,000km orbits (eg. ICO) HEO ~ Elliptical orbits (eg. Ellipso satellites which come as close as 520 km (perigee) to the Earth and swing out to 7,846 km (apogee).) MEO: Medium Earth Orbit HEO: Highly Elliptical Orbit

Orbital Types NGSO Orbit Types MEO 10,000km HEO 500 to 30,000 km LEO 1,000km HEOs are unique in that there orbits are highly elliptical (egg shaped) rather than the nearly circular orbits usually used by satellites. HEO orbits allow satellites to ‘linger’ over portions of the Earth for longer (usually the poles ie. Providing high lat. coverage missing in GSO systems) The perigee and apogee for HEOs can vary.

Orbital Types OrbitTypes MEO 10,000km HEO 500 to 30,000 km LEO 1,000km HEO 500 to 30,000 km All orbit types depicted. GEO 36,0000km

Most Satellite Coordination issues involve: Satellite Services Most Satellite Coordination issues involve: FSS -- Fixed-Satellite Service BSS -- Broadcasting-Satellite Service MSS -- Mobile-Satellite Service FSS - a radiocommunication service between earth stations at fixed locations. E.g. INTELSAT type links between nations. BSS - a radiocommunication service in which the signals transmitted by the satellite are intended for direct reception by the general public. E.g. FOXTEL direct to home (DTH)television. MSS - a radiocommunication service with mobile earth stations. An earth station does not necessarily have to be on the surface of the earth, but can be on a ship (maritime) or aircraft (aeronautical) for example. The term earth station refers to the earth side of the link. The distinction between BSS and FSS is blurring.

Other services include: Satellite Services Other services include: ISS - Inter-Satellite Service RNSS - Radio Navigation Satellite Service EESS - Earth Exploration-Satellite Service SOS - Space Operation Service ISS - Inter-satellite Service RNSS - Radio Navigation Satellite Service EESS - Earth Exploration Satellite Service - obtains information on the Earth and its natural phenomena/environment SOS - Space Operation Service - TT&C Telemetry, Tracking and Control. RAS - Radio Astronomy Service RAS - Radio Astronomy Service

Network Filing and Coordination What is coordination? An international (national) process of negotiation between administrations (operators) that enables mutually acceptable use of the orbital/spectrum resource. Why do we coordinate? The orbital/spectrum resource is finite. Required under international conventions to give all nations equitable access to the orbital/spectrum resource. How do we coordinate? Through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) satellite network filing and coordination process.

INTERFERENCE GSO SATELLITES Non-GSO SATELLITES RECEIVING TRANSMITTING TERRESTRIAL STATION RECEIVING EARTH STATION TRANSMITTING EARTH STATION

Network Filing and Coordination

Network Filing and Coordination Difference between a satellite network and a satellite. Satellite Network The regulatory entity (filing) that is filed and coordinated through the ITU. Satellite The actual satellite that is launched and operated. Important to see the distinction between a filing and a satellite. Filing - the regulatory artefact. Satellite - the actual physical satellite.

Network Filing and Coordination A single physical satellite can operate under multiple network filings. For example: OPTUS C1 satellite to be launched at 156E AUSSAT C 156E FSS - Optus commercial payload AUSSAT C 156E GOV - ADF payload Why have multiple filings on the one satellite? Separate filings are preferable when multiple operators have payloads on the same satellite. Allows each operator to coordinate independent of the other. Even when there is just the one operator on the satellite it is common to have multiple filings covering the different frequency bands or services used. E.g. Optus often had multiple filings on their satellites for Mobile, Fixed service/frequency ranges. Can simplify coordination. Allows different operators to coordinate their own payload (as above).

Network Filing and Coordination ITU International Telecommunication Union BR Radiocommunication Bureau Filing/Coordination procedure defined in: Radio Regulations Rules of Procedure Circulars etc. ITU - UN body based in Geneva. BR - Bureau de Radiocommunication (French Acronym) is ITU body responsible for radiocommuications. The ITU constitution (No 196) acknowledges the need for countries to have equitable access to both the radiofrequency spectrum and the Geostationary orbit. This is embodied in one objective of the Radio Regulations is: to facilitate equitable access to and rational use of the natural resources of the radiofrequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite orbit The Radio Regulations are reviewed by World Radio Conferences (WRCs) on a regular basis.

International Goals Two mechanisms of access to orbit / spectrum: The aim is to provide (amongst other things) for equitable and efficient access to the spectrum/orbit resource Two mechanisms of access to orbit / spectrum: For planned approach could similarly consider Australian planning for 12/14 GHz as providing a planned band for satellite only purposes. Coordination Approach Efficient use First come, first served for actual requirements Planning Approach Equitable access Plan for future use

Coordination Procedure “First Come, First Served” Plan Procedure Right is acquired through coordination with administrations concerned by actual usage Efficient spectrum / orbit management Also referred to as the ‘unplanned bands’ Most widely used procedure for gaining access to the spectrum/orbit resource Guarantee for equitable access to the spectrum / orbital resources Spectrum set aside for future use by all countries Predetermined orbital position & frequency spectrum Plans exist for both BSS and FSS Generally less widely implemented than the unplanned bands. Note: for Australia the Planned bands are effectively exclusively for satellite use and are free of constraints from terrestrial services.

Network Filing and Coordination BR Filing Process (Unplanned bands*): 1. Advance Publication Information - API 2. Coordination Request - ‘C Notice’ 3. Notification API - basic information such as frequency range, class of station and nature of service. C Notice - complete information required for coordination purposes. Includes assigned frequencies, emission designators, powers, beam diagrams etc. The BR assess the coordination information with regards to the Table of Frequency Allocations and other provisions of the Radio Regulations. Notification - Similar information to C notice notice, including any changes made during the coordination process. Once successfully Notified the assignments are entered into the Master International Frequency Register (MIFR). A different process applies for the Planned Bands.

1. Advance Publication Information - API Network Filing and Coordination BR Filing Process 1. Advance Publication Information - API Statement of intent to launch a space station Sets a reference starting date for a satellite No priority in being first to advance publish

2. Coordination Request - ‘C Notice’ Network Filing and Coordination BR Filing Process 2. Coordination Request - ‘C Notice’ Operational parameters of network for proposed operation Used by administration to negotiate with other administrations. Determines precedence in unplanned bands.

Network Filing and Coordination BR Filing Process 3. Notification Final step Recording of final operational parameters in the Master Register

Network Filing and Coordination BR Filing Process: Advance Publication Information API Coordination Request CR or “C Notice” Date of Bring Into Use DBIU Notification Information Notification >6 months <2 years >2 years <7 years The Radio Regulations requires information to be submitted within certain time limits. The Coordination process can take considerable time - years. Therefore it is possible that coordination could still be in process when the satellite is first brought into use. The Radio Regulations has provisions that permits this under certain circumstances. There are other submissions required under the Radio Regulations such as Due Diligence. Due Diligence requires information on contracts for both the construction of the spacecraft and the launch to be submitted to the BR. This was brought in to reduce the effect of ‘paper satellites’. A ‘backlog’ in the BR assessing filings has occurred, partly due to the filing of ‘paper satellites’. Paper satellites are filings that are unlikely to ever launch.