Study, modelling and design of intersatellite links (ISL) in millimeter-wave band / Estudio, modelado y diseño de enlaces intersatelitales (ISL) en bandas de milimétricas

The purpose of this Final Project is to explore the wide range of possibilities millimeter waves (and beyond) have to offer in their application to intersatellite links (ISL). Massive LEO constellations, such as OneWeb or Starlink, can benefit from millimeter waves technology, in terms of coverage, more robust global services or less need of ground stations. Therefore, multiple uses cases will be closely analysed and simulated in order to test it. The goals that have been set are, first of all, to properly dimension the ISL using the millimeter waves frequency range. It includes the Link Budget calculation, using Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM). There, we shall obtain useful link indicators such as CNR, bit rate or total losses. Then, both transmitter and receiver schemes are set and specific electronic components from both ends of the ISL are proposed. For this project I have worked with a space mission simulation software called FreeFlyer. The use of this type of tools simplifies greatly the design process of the use cases, and it offers multiple elements to analyse as well. From entire real constellations (such as OneWeb or Iridium), to the dynamic range estimation between two satellites or the possibility to calculate angles for a proposed beam in the transmitter. Once all the parameters have been calculated in FreeFlyer, they are exported to Matlab, where the Link Budget is estimated