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SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF

THE ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 SATELLITE

This document contains information on the mission, communications features, coverages, frequency plan andimplementation of the ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 satellite.

The ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 Satellite

THE ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 SATELLITE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 SATELLITE.........................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................3COMMUNICATIONS FEATURES ............................................................................................................................3BEACONS ............................................................................................................................................................5SATELLITE IMPLEMENTATION.............................................................................................................................6

TABLE OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 - ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 FREQUENCY PLAN (CENTRE FREQUENCIES IN MHZ)............................................................ 7FIGURE 2 - EUROPEAN RECEIVE COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST........................................................... 8FIGURE 3 - EUROPEAN TRANSMIT COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST ........................................................ 9FIGURE 4 - NORTH AMERICAN RECEIVE COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST (SINGLE BEAM G/T) ............ 10FIGURE 5 - NORTH AMERICAN TRANSMIT COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST (SINGLE BEAM EIRP)........ 11FIGURE 6 - SOUTH AMERICAN RECEIVE COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST (SINGLE BEAM G/T) ............. 12FIGURE 7 - SOUTH AMERICAN TRANSMIT COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST (SINGLE BEAM EIRP) ........ 13FIGURE 8 - COMBINED NORTH + SOUTH AMERICAN RECEIVE COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST ............ 14FIGURE 9 - COMBINED NORTH + SOUTH AMERICAN TRANSMIT COVERAGE FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST.......... 15FIGURE 10 – RECEIVE COVERAGES FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST...................................................................... 16FIGURE 11 - TRANSMIT COVERAGES FOR ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 AT 12.5° WEST.................................................................... 17FIGURE 12 - THE ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 SATELLITE IN-ORBIT................................................................................................. 18


atlantic_birdtm-1(iss1.4_jul02) - 3 -


Introduction

In 1999, EUTELSAT initiated a project for a satellite named ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 to be manufactured by an

international consortium headed by Alenia Aerospazio to provide telecommunications services primarily

between Europe and the Americas.

ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 is designed to provide 24 channels with a minimum operational lifetime of 15 years. The

satellite will be launched in the second half of 2002.

ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 will be deployed at 12.5° W. The satellite will provide service continuity to the

EUTELSAT II satellites in operations since 1998 at one of the “Atlantic Gate” orbital positions providing a

range of services between Europe and North America.

ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 is suited to provide a wide range of telecommunications services, such as business

services, Internet backbone connections, satellite news gathering, television and radio programmes, etc…

The main characteristics of the ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 satellite are given below.

Communications Features

ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 is designed to provide 24 transponders for a minimum operational lifetime of 15 years in

geostationary orbit. The satellite carries transponders with a usable bandwidth of 72, 54 and 36 MHz.

The frequency plan in Figure 1 shows the uplink frequency bands, downlink frequency bands and

uplink/downlink connections. There are 12 channels implemented on each polarization on both uplink and

downlink. The channel frequencies are re-used with the aid of linear orthogonal polarization.

Figures 2 and 3 show the European receive and transmit coverages.

Figures 4 and 5 show the North American receive and transmit coverages.

Figures 6 and 7 show the South American receive and transmit coverages.

Figures 8 and 9 show the Combined North + South American receive and transmit coverages.

Figures 10 and 11 show simultaneously the European and American receive and transmit coverages.



The six B channels in the 14.25-14.50 / 10.95-11.20 GHz bands (each one with a 72 MHz bandwidth) can be

connected on the uplink to either the American or the European coverages. On the downlink, all of them are

connected to the European coverage, and B4 and B6 can also be connected to the American coverage.

The six C channels in the 13.75-14.00 / 11.20-11.45 GHz bands (each one with a 36 MHz bandwidth) are

connected on the uplink and the downlink to the European coverage.

The four D channels in the 14.00-14.25 / 11.45-11.70 GHz bands (each one with a 54 MHz bandwidth) are

connected on the uplink and the downlink to the American coverage.

The eight F channels in the 14.00-14.25 / 12.50-12.75 GHz bands (each one with a 54 MHz bandwidth) are

connected on the uplink and the downlink to the European coverage.

The four D channels along with four of the F channels reuse the frequency on the uplink by employing spatial

isolation between the European and the American coverage.

It is possible to receive from either the American Service Area or the European Service Area, or simultaneously

from both service areas, for the following channel pairs: F5-D5, F6-D6, F7-D7 and F8-D8, in order to achieve

the network facility. This gives that for each channel pair, uplinking from and downlinking to either or both the

American Service Area and the European Service Area is possible, thus providing full connectivity and full

flexibility between these two service areas.

The eight channels with cross-connection capability are identified in Figure 1. The following operational

possibilities are provided for all eight channels:

• A signal received from each coverage can be transmitted to the other coverage. For example, the channel

pair D5 and F5 could be used to provide bi-directional communication between the European and the

American coverages.

• A signal received from any given coverage can be simultaneously transmitted to both coverages. For

example, the channel pair D5 and F5 could be used to “broadcast” the same signal received from one

coverage to both the American and the European coverages simultaneously.

• In addition it is possible to receive signals from both coverages and to transmit them either to one of the two

coverages or to both. In this case, discrimination between uplink carriers must be ensured through FDMA

(i.e. the spectra of the carriers must not overlap).



For example, the lower half of the 54 MHz bandwidth occupied by the channel pair D5/F5 could be used to

receive traffic from the European coverage whilst the upper half could be used to receive traffic from the

American coverage. The combined traffic could then be transmitted to the American coverage via Channel D5

and simultaneously to the European coverage via Channel F5. This type of networking between two different

coverages can offer attractive mission features for certain types of services, particularly suited for networks

distributed over the two continents.

The simple connection of the uplink and the downlink on the same coverage through a single channel is also

possible.

The American coverages shown in Figures 4 to 9 are provided by two antennas. One antenna provides the

receive/transmit North American beam (Figures 4 & 5) and the other antenna provides the receive/transmit

South American beam (Figures 6 & 7). Both beams can be independently switched on/off on a polarization

basis.

When both North and South American beams are connected simultaneously in uplink, the G/T will be reduced

by about 3.5 dB over North America and by about 2.5 dB over South America compared to single beam

operation, as illustrated in Figure 8.

When both North and South American beams are connected simultaneously in downlink, the EIRP will be

reduced by about 3 dB over North and South America compared to single beam operation, as illustrated in

Figure 9.

Beacons

The ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 satellite carries two tracking beacons, designated B1 and B2. B1 uses the tracking

and ranging carrier, which offers a European coverage, while B2 is independent and offers a global coverage.

Nominally, all beacons operate in X polarization.

The beacon frequencies are given in the following table:

ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1

Beacon B1/(TM+RG)* (MHz) - European 11 703.40 or 11 704.60

Beacon B2* (MHz) - global 12 500.15 or 12 749.85

* Frequency selectable by ground command.



Satellite Implementation

The ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 satellite is built by an international consortium led by Alenia Aerospazio of Italy as

the prime contractor and includes DASA, Fokker, Dornier and Bosch of Germany as the main subcontractors.

Alenia Aerospazio provides various platform subsystems as well as satellite integration and test and launch site

activities. Fokker manufactures the solar array and DASA manufactures the propulsion subsystems. Alenia

Aerospazio provides the communications repeater, the attitude control subsystem, the communication antennas

and the TCR subsystem. Within the communications repeater, the power amplifier is provided by Dornier and

Bosch provides the payload filters.

The satellite design is compatible with a number of launcher families, in particular: Long March launched from

China, Proton launched from Baïkonur and with the Ariane 4/5 family launched from Kourou.

The ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 satellite is based on the three axes stabilized ITALSAT-type platform. ATLANTIC

BIRDTM 1 is shown in Figure 12 in its in-orbit configuration with solar panels and side mounted

communications antennas deployed. These 1.8 m diameter antennas, one for receive and the other for transmit,

are of Gregorian type and shaped, and provide the European coverage. The two, top-mounted transmit/receive

antennas, provide the North and South American coverages. These single offset antennas have shaped main

reflectors.

The satellite is modular in concept with the service module housing the platform subsystems and the central

cylinder accommodating the propellant tanks. The North/South walls and the earth-facing panel house the

communications equipment. The attitude and orbit control subsystem supports inclined orbit operation,

extending the satellite lifetime.



B5EB6E/A

F1E

UPLINK

DOWNLINK

11.20 GHz 11.45 GHz 11.70 GHz10.95 GHz 12.50 GHz 12.75

P

P

B1E

B3E

B2E

B4E/A

Pol. X

Pol. Y

14.00 GHz 14.25 GHz 14.50 GHz13.75 GHz

B2E/A

B4E/A

B6E/A

B1E/A

B3E/A

B5E/A

F3E

F5E

F7E

F2E

F4E

F6E

F8E

D6A

D8A

D5A

D7A

F2E

F4E

F6E

F8E

F1E

F3E

F5E

F7E

C11E

C9E

C7E

C10E

C8E

C6E

D5A

D7A

D6A

D8A

13874.50

13916.00

13957.50

14031.25

14093.75

14156.25

14218.75

14291.67

14375.00

14458.3312531.25

12593.75

12656.25

12718.75

11345.25

11386.75

11428.25

11606.25

11668.75

10991.67

11075.00

11158.33

11324.50

11366.00

11407.50

4 Networking Couples: D5 - F5, D6 - F6 D7 - F7, D8 - F8

: Europe and/or America Coverage (uplink selectivity)

: European Coverage: American CoverageA

E

13895.25

13936.75

13978.25

2.55 GHz

2.55 GHz

1.50 GHz

3.30 GHz

C7E

C9E

C11E

C6E

C8E

C10E

Figure 1 - ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 Frequency Plan (Centre Frequencies in MHz)



5°10°15°20° 0°

- 6 dB/K

- 4 dB/K

- 2 dB/K

0 dB/K + 2 dB/K + 4 dB/K + 6 dB/K

+ 7 dB/K

+ 8 dB/K

Figure 2 - European Receive Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West



5°10°15°20° 0°

38 dBW 40 dBW 42 dBW

44 dBW

46 dBW 48 dBW

49 dBW 50 dBW 51 dBW

42 dBW

Figure 3 - European Transmit Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West



20°15°10°5°0°

- 4 dB/K

- 2 dB/K

0 dB/K + 2 dB/K

+ 2 dB/K

+ 4 dB/K + 6 dB/K

+ 8 dB/K + 9 dB/K

+ 10 dB/K

+ 12 dB/K

Figure 4 - North American Receive Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West (Single Beam G/T)



20°15°10°5°0°

38 dBW

36 dBW

40 dBW

40 dBW 42 dBW

44 dBW 46 dBW

48 dBW

50 dBW

51 dBW

52 dBW

Figure 5 - North American Transmit Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West (Single Beam EIRP)



20°15°10°5°0°

- 10 dB/K - 4 dB/K

- 2 dB/K

0 dB/K

+ 2 dB/K

+ 4 dB/K

+ 5 dB/K

+ 6 dB/K

+ 4 dB/K

+ 5 dB/K

- 8 dB/K

- 6 dB/K

Figure 6 - South American Receive Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West (Single Beam G/T)



20°15°10°5°0°

36 dBW 38 dBW

40 dBW 42 dBW

44 dBW

46 dBW

47 dBW

48 dBW

Figure 7 - South American Transmit Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West (Single Beam EIRP)



20°

15°

10°

5°

- 10 dB/K + 4 dB/K + 6 dB/K

+ 8 dB/K

- 8 dB/K - 6 dB/K

- 4 dB/K - 2 dB/K 0 dB/K

+ 2 dB/K

- 8 dB/K - 6 dB/K

- 4 dB/K

- 2 dB/K

0 dB/K

+ 2 dB/K - 10 dB/K

+ 2 dB/K

- 2 dB/K

+ 4 dB/K

Figure 8 - Combined North + South American Receive Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West



20°

15°

10°

5°

36 dBW 38 dBW

40 dBW 42 dBW

44 dBW

44 dBW

44 dBW

44 dBW

44 dBW

46 dBW 48 dBW

49 dBW

36 dBW

38 dBW

42 dBW 40 dBW

Figure 9 - Combined North + South American Transmit Coverage for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West



5°10°15°20° 0°

Figure 10 – Receive Coverages for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West

(-6, -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, +6, +7 & +8 dB/K for Europe / -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, +6, +8, +9, +10 & +12 dB/K for Single Beam North America / -10, -8, -6, -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, +5 & +6 dB/K for Single Beam South America)



5°10°15°20° 0°

Figure 11 - Transmit Coverages for ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 at 12.5° West

(38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 49, 50 & 51 dBW for Europe / 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51 & 52 dBW for Single Beam North America / 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 47 & 48 dBW for Single Beam South America)



Figure 12 - The ATLANTIC BIRDTM 1 Satellite in-orbit

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south america

minimum operational

single beam

american service

european service

single beam

channel pair

south american