Satellites have max 20 watts transmit!


Just saw this statistic in a NASA video about the Deep Space Array.
Turns out that due to limitations in power gathering, etc. satellites transmit power is only about 20 watts! That is true even for deep space probes which have already breached the limits of the solar system.

Wow.

Imagine being able to see a 20 watt light bulb at Saturn from here.
erik_squires

Showing 1 response by sleepwalker65

@geoffkait 

That’s because of the very high gain receivers at the other end. You have to account for free space loss.


Wrongo Geoffy.  Terrestrial GNSS receivers detect the unique pseudo random code that modulates the L1 carrier to ensure they are tracking the same satellite(s) consistently. Others use DSP to lower the noise floor. Hel-loo! High gain signal amplification will (rpt will) amplify noise as well as the signal, a self-defeating means to an end. Get on the knowledge train Geoffy 🚂 🚂 🚂 Toot! Toot!