1. Aeronautical Ku-band Satellite Communication Single Focus Workshop 25 March 2010
Peter Lemme

2. KU Band

3. Ku-band Technical Working Group
Formed in Dec 2007
ARINC 791
Part 1: Provisions (form and fit)
March 2011
Part 2: Protocols (function)
March 2012

4. Working Group Participants
Airlines
Delta, Lufthansa, KLM
Airbus and Boeing
Antenna, Radome, KRFU, KANDU
TECOM, Cobham, AeroSat, EMS, Viasat, ThinKom, QEST, Starling
Components
EMS, Rockwell Collins, ITS Electronics, Gore, COMDEV, Tyco, Saint-Gobain, Souriau
Service Provider (ModMan, Space Segment, Internet Gateway, Billing, Operations)
Panasonic, Row 44
Others
DDEi, AEEC, Aircell

5. Ku-band Satellite Geo-Stationary Orbit (GSO)
Multiple transponders for full or partial lease
Each transponder is MHz wide
Single transponder can cover a whole continent
Most coverage over populated regions
Designed for 0.8 to 1.2 meter fixed terminal
Terminal transmit to GHz
Terminal receive 10.7 to GHz

6. Interference
Transmission power spectral density under strict limits from two degrees of the target satellite
Antenna transmit beamwidth most critical factor for compliance
Aero antennas may not comply in some conditions
Spread Spectrum
Reduce EIRP

7. Transmit Limitations GSO Beamwidth EIRP
Skew angle
EIRP
Achieved beam steering accuracy
Spreading factors and modulations
Other interference considerations
Radio Astronomy
Non-GSO operators

8. Data Link Efficiency Spectral Efficiency (bps per Hz)
Modulation, Coding, Spreading
As high as 1.0 under favorable scenarios
Typical efficiency perhaps 0.3
Less then 0.1 under demanding scenarios

9. Data Rates Received at the airplane Transmitted from the airplane
Forward Channel
Single transponder 10 to 50 Mbps (shared)
May receive multiple transponders for nearly limitless bandwidth
Transmitted from the airplane
Return Channel
Single Channel
Data rates typically 64 kbps to 1 Mbps

11. Ku-band Steerable-Array Antenna

12. Aircraft Antenna Installation
Two frame spacings
Seven fittings
32” to 37” swept volume
10” to 12” radome height

13. Regulatory Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service (AMSS)
ITU S (psd)
ETSI EN V1.3.1 (psd)
FCC (gain), (psd)
Availability is not assured
Secondary Allocation

14. Skew Angle Optimum situation Troublesome situation
small azimuth beamwidth across GSO
Troublesome situation
wide elevation beamwidth across GSO
Roll angle
Tropic latitudes

15. Flat Plate 0.16 m x 0.90 m Versus Circular 0.45 m diameter

16. Other Issues and Concerns
Bird strike
Environmental Qualification
Aircraft blockages
Beam steering

17. Summary
ARINC 791 will lead to common provisions and interchangeable components
Viable technology
Ku band forward channel capacity is unmatched
Ku band return channel data rate is competitive with any other radio system
Coverage is subject to market demand