Satellite Communications Glossary

L and S Band.  The L and S band frequencies from 1-4 GHz become increasingly useful for satellite communications because the high frequencies allow high capacities (although still much less than C and Ku band), and propagation is line-of-sight with little man-made noise and relatively low absorption by the atmosphere (although ionospheric scintillation and polarisation rotation must be taken into account).

Line of Apsides.  The line of apsides joins the apogee and the perigee through the centre of the Earth.

Link.  In satellite communications systems, alink is the circuit established directly between two satellite communications nodes.

Low earth orbit (LEO).  In satellite communications systems, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite operates at heights of between 500 and 2,000 km above the Earth’s surface.

Low-noise Amplifier (LNA).  At the satellite communications transponder, the weak RF uplink signal is amplified in a special low-noise amplifier (LNA).

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