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227-0443-00L 4 Credits MSC D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ERDW , D-ITET

Space Communications

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Jasmin Smajic, Prof. Dr. Juerg Leuthold, Dr. Maurizio Burla, Prof. Dr. Hua Wang, Reto Muff
VVZ CR 3.8

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:42

Abstract

The course has the following main goals: (a) to give a comprehensive overview of challenges on communication equipment imposed by space flight missions, (b) to present the theoretical fundamentals and existing practical solutions of communication technology for space missions, and (c) to review existing and future communication technologies for inter-satellite links, inter-spacecraft links, as wel

Objective

After completing this course, a student will understand the challenges of space flight imposed on communication components and systems, the available existing solutions of those problems, the main components of communications systems suitable for a spacecraft, and future technologies capable of enabling ultra-fast RF/mm-Wave, THz, and Laser communication links.

Content

- Space missions: scenarios and challenges on flight equipment - Space communications: architectures, assets, payloads, link budgets, and use cases. - Electromagnetic waves: radiation, operating principles of antennas, antenna types, and antenna parameters. - RF electronics and antenna arrays architecture for SATCOM: low-noise amplifiers, beam forming, spatial filtering, and design examples. - Laser communication links for free-space communication, architectures and implementation - Microwave photonics for space applications: analog photonic links, optical generation and distribution of RF signals, and advanced RF filtering using photonic techniques. - Communication channels: channel modeling, incl. atmospheric effects, Doppler, synchronization tracking, beam forming, tracking and finding. - Signal modulation: modulation formats, adaptive optics, phase noise, and quantum key distribution (QKD). - Outlook for emerging use-cases (ranging, time-, nav- and position-transfer (PNT))

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes, Matlab programs, exercises and their solutions will be handed out.

Literature

H. Hematti, Near-Earth Laser Communications, Second Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2023. C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2016. David M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering. J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 2005. https://search.library.ethz.ch/permalink/f/1545k0d/ebi01_prod004701215 Burla, M. (2013). Advanced integrated optical beam forming networks for broadband phased array antenna systems. Enschede, The Netherlands: Ipskamp Printing. https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036507295 Marpaung, D. A. I. (2009). High dynamic range analog photonic links: Design and implementation. Enschede: Twente University Press (TUP) https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036528603 Behzad Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Prentice Hall Communications Engineering and Emerging Technologies Series, 2nd edition, 2011.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 120 minutes
Aids
Open book exam + calculatior allowed.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Space Communications No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Space Communications No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In