Earth stations are mainly designed in order to connect to the satellites, receive payload information and send control commands. Along with the advancements of space department technologies, and through developing satellite earth systems which are applicable by spending acceptable money and energy, educational and research programs of space fields at universities and research centers can be developed and boosted. So by having experiences gained through connection with active satellites of space and also by training efficient personnel, when launching satellites, risk and expenses would decrease to a great extent and it would also result in space projects efficiency.Thus space research Laboratory of Khaje-Nasir-e-Din Toosi University has begun designing and launching the first earth station of student satellites called “Jalil 100” in Iran.
“Jalil 100” earth station is composed of different hardware and software components such as: Directed antenna, all-directions antenna, radio, frequency reducer converter, low-noise amplifier, computer and radio interface, rotor, rotor controller and user program .At “Jalil 100” earth station, all directed antennas are cross yagi and with coverings of UHF and VHF bands they can receive signals.
All-directions antenna is used to connect to unknown or indefinite satellites of UHF band. Radios are also used for producing, receiving and transforming connection signals in the process of navigation and connection with satellites.
In order to receive signals from the satellites which send signals from “S” band, frequency reducerconverter is used. In order to receive weak and noisy signals from the satellite, low-noise amplifiers which are related to radio are used. In general format, the use of radio is limited to hand manipulation, and here in order to increase the quality and possibility of performing work scenarios, by the use of user software, an interface is applied between the radio and the computer in order for the radio to be controlled by the computer. For directing antennas and adjusting their azimuth and elevation angles, according to satellite’s location, a rotor and a controller are used for antennas at any time.
And finally,user program is used to receive telemetric information, control antenna, and show earth navigation of the satellite.
Navigating student satellites
Identifying the time at which the satellite can be seen from the station and its passing time
Receiving satellite bus bacon signals
Searching and automatic signaling of antennas to the satellite which is passing over the station
Training efficient and professional staff in order to work at control earth stations and guide local satellites