Nex-G Innovations

Certified VSAT Professional

Module 1 - Introduction To Satellite Communications (SATCOM)

• Communications Satellites
• Common Types of Satellites - LEO, GEO, MEO, HEO
• Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Networks
• What is a VSAT System?
• How does a VSAT Work?

Module 2 - VSAT Network Architecture & Components

• Deployment Options
• International and National
• VSAT Network Architecture
• VSAT Topologies - Star and Mesh Topologies
• Traffic Multiplexing
• Multiple Access and Assignments Strategies
• Modulation and Modems
• Channel Characteristics
• Security and Encryption
• VSAT Service Provisions and Quality
• VSAT-based IP Communications Technology
• VSAT Equipment
• Basic VSAT Components - Transmitters, Antennas,Power Generation
• Air Interfacing and Networking
• Downconversion and Upconversion
• VSAT Components: LNB, BUC, Cables, IDU/modem, Feed systems
• VSAT Block Diagrams

Module 3 - VSAT Access Methods and Modulation

• Fixed Point-to-Point Links
• Bandwidth Sharing
• TDM, TDMA, FDMA, SCPC, DVB-RCS, DAMA, CDMA
• Modulation and Coding
• Analog and Digital Modulation
• BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
• Overview of Shannon's Theory
• Symbol Rate and Bit Rate
• Intersymbol Interference (ISI)
• Forward Error Correction (FEC)

Module 4 - RF and Microwave applied to VSAT

• Electromagnetic Waves and Frequencies
• Amplitude, Frequency and Phase
• The Spectrum
• Bands: C, Ku, and Ka Band
• Signals and Noise
• Amplitude and frequency review
• Overview of Watts, decibels, and gain
• Signal Power and Bandwidth
• Noise power and Bandwidth
• Overview of C/N and C/No, and Eb/No
• EIRP, G/T, SFD, Input/Output Backoff
• Link Budget
• Fade Levels
• Link Margins
• Availability
• Fade Countermeasures

Module 5 - Propagation Effects

• Blockage
• Free Space Loss
• Water Loss
• Rain Zones
• Elevation Effects
• Solar Transit Outages
• Transmitter Distortion Concepts
• Amplifier saturation
• Gain Compression
• Gain Expansion
• Distortion Spectrum
• Uplink Control Process

Module 6 - Earth Stations and VSAT Terminals

• Components in VSAT terminals
• BUCs, LNBs
• Antenna and Feed Systems
• Modems
• Large Earth Station Equipment
• Typical Block Diagrams

Module 7 - VSAT Antennas

• Types and Operating principles
• Gain
• Antenna Patterns
• Beamwidth and Diameter
• VSWR and Return Loss
• Sidelobes and Effects

Module 8 - VSAT Dish Pointing Concepts

• Latitude
• Longitude
• Azimuth
• Elevation
• GEO Arc
• AZ-EL Beam Movement Across the Arc

Module 9 - VSAT Footprints

• Downlink signal strength
• Downlink EIRP
• Uplink and Downlink Footprints
• Contours

Module 10 - Polarization

• Launching Linearly Polarized Waves
• Matching TX and RX Antenna Orientations
• Cross-Polarized Signals and XPD
• Pol Frequency Re-use and Cross-Pol Transponders
• Cross-Pol Interference
• Linear and Circular Polarization

Module 11 - Fundamentals of VSAT Installation and operation

• Review of the VSAT Installation Process
• The key installation steps - Site Survey, Mounting the Outdoor Equipment, IFL and Grounding, Dish Pointing and Cross-Pol, Indoor Equipment, Testing the Link
• Importance of High Quality Installations
• Need for high-quality, interference-free installations
• Site Survey
• Line of Sight (LOS)
• Azimuth and Elevation
• Site Survey Checklist
• Equipment Installation
• Accurate Antenna Pointing
• Antenna AZ-EL Pointing
• Carrier Lineup and Cross-Pol Checks
• Grounding
• Lightning Strikes
• Maximizing Link Quality and Preventing Interference
• Indoor Electronics Installation
• IP Network Configuration Concepts
• Ethernet, Internet Protocol (IP)
• Overview of IP Addressing, IPCONFIG, DNS, and DHCP
• Configuration Gateways, Subnets, and Netmasks
• Proxies
• Troubleshooting and maintenance
• Common Field Mistakes
• Troubleshooting VSAT Link
• Troubleshooting Network, and Interference Problems
• Issues the DC Voltage Dop on Cables; Installing the IDU
• Finding the Terminal IP address
• Uplink alignment
• Preventive Maintenance