Orbital/Spectrum Planning, Regulation and Policies Enforcement for Satellite Networks in the UAE

Abstract

Orbit spectrum use is rapidly increasing due to the increased number of lunched satellites day by day. This spectrum capacity and allocation usage is thought of in different studies in order to highlight the importance of the efficiency of spectrum use all over the word. The problem presents in the spectrum possible conjunction and can lead to limited availability in the future. In addition, the university students' knowledge, especially in space programs, of the regulations that have been set up to manage the spectrum is limited. A good spectrum management aspects and regulations knowledge transfer are needed. The core in defining Radio Spectrum's management is the Frequencies assignment to satellite communications. To launch and operate small satellites in the space (Nano-Satellites and CubeSats), Radio Frequencies need to be assigned to both uplink and downlink channels. This assignment' requirement lead us to construct our study into main two approaches. First approach is to evaluate the frequency assignment process in the UAE where a real CubeSat's project scenario (MYSat-1) is used for the evaluation in line with the coordination with some contributing authorities like the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in the UAE (TRA). Second approach is a case study of the current UAE's frequency allocation table (FAT) where it compared against leading countries' tables like US and UK. Frequencies Bands, frequencies ranges and services are identified as the study factors. Link budget calculations for selected frequencies are calculated in line with the studied CubeSat's scenario requirement. Results showed that time and students' knowledge of the frequency assignment process is critical factor that can affect the whole deployment success or failure criteria and recommendations are provided accordingly. Second, the Frequency Allocation Table Comparison resulted in differences in the ranges: 420.0-430.0 MHz, 440.0-450.0 MHz, 1300-1350 MHz, 3.3-3.5 GHz, 5.85-5.925 GHz and 3.4-3.6 GHz where no Amateur or Amateur-Satellite Service is allocated in the UAE FAT. Allocation recommendations as well are built based on worldwide deployed applications using those ranges.

Date of Award	May 2017
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Prashanth Marpu (Supervisor)