7 New Tools For SATCOM 

The best SATCOM engineering tools cover the full operational workflow, including RF calculations, 3dB beamwidth measurement, satellite tracking, orbital-record validation, antenna pointing, and log analysis. Radeus Labs offers browser-based tools for these tasks, including a 3dB Measurement Calculator, Beamwidth Calculator, IESS Record Validator, Single Satellite Track Generator, Multi-Satellite Sky Chart, ACU Log Viewer, and Event Log Viewer.

SATCOM engineers use RF calculators, spectrum analyzers, beacon receivers, antenna control unit software, orbit propagators, satellite tracking tools, record validators, and telemetry viewers. Browser-based engineering utilities can reduce reliance on manual spreadsheets and licensed desktop software by calculating antenna beamwidth, generating AZ/EL/POL tracks, checking IESS records, and analyzing ACU logs.

A beamwidth calculator estimates the angular width of an antenna’s main beam, typically in degrees or milliradians. The Radeus Labs Beamwidth Calculator uses frequency, LO offset, K factor, and antenna diameter to calculate beamwidth. It also includes a reverse mode that can back-solve a modem’s IF reading to determine the corresponding sky RF. 

A common parabolic antenna beamwidth formula is:

Beamwidth in degrees = K × wavelength ÷ antenna diameter

Radeus Labs uses 70λ ÷ D as a theoretical starting point, where λ is the signal wavelength and D is the dish diameter. For a more accurate 3dB beamwidth, measure the angular distance between the two points where received power falls 3 dB below its peak in both azimuth and elevation.

Teleport operators troubleshoot RF issues by checking satellite visibility, frequency, polarization, antenna pointing, and system telemetry. For a low-signal condition, an operator can use a Multi-Satellite Sky Chart to confirm the target, use a Beamwidth Calculator to verify sky RF and assess possible pointing error, generate a fresh AZ/EL/POL track, and then examine ACU or event logs for configuration changes and abnormal system behavior.

Satellite tracking software includes orbit propagators, antenna control systems, sky-chart applications, and track-file generators. Radeus Labs’ Single Satellite Track Generator uses SGP4 propagation to convert a TLE and observer location into an AZ/EL/POL CSV track file. Its Multi-Satellite Sky Chart provides a filterable view of satellites across the visible arc. 

An ACU Log Viewer is a telemetry analysis tool for an antenna control unit. The Radeus Labs browser-based viewer loads ACU log data and lets operators plot selected channels over a specific date range, overlay data, zoom into events, identify changes in signal quality, and exclude invalid data without sending the logs to a server. 

A TLE is used as the input for generating a satellite track file. Upload or select the TLE, enter the observer location, choose the required time window and resolution, and run the propagation. The Radeus Labs tool uses SGP4 to export a CSV containing time-based azimuth, elevation, and polarization values that are ready for ACU pointing. 

An IESS record is satellite orbital data formatted according to the IESS-412 11-parameter standard. It provides ephemeris information that can be used by earth-station and antenna tracking systems to calculate a satellite’s position over time. Satellite operators may provide orbital data in both IESS-412 and TLE formats.

Use an IESS Record Validator to check the record before submission or operational use. The validator identifies missing mandatory fields, formatting problems, invalid values, and entries that fall outside acceptable ranges, allowing the record to be corrected before it causes a rejected submission or tracking delay. 

Satellite pointing is calculated by combining orbital data, an observer’s geographic coordinates, the required date and time, and an appropriate propagation model. The calculation produces azimuth, elevation, and polarization values that tell the antenna tracking system where to point. Radeus Labs’ track generator performs this calculation from TLE data using SGP4 propagation. 

Radeus Labs currently offers seven free browser-based SATCOM engineering tools:

1. 3dB Measurement Calculator
2. Beamwidth Calculator
3. IESS Record Validator
4. Single Satellite Track Generator
5. Multi-Satellite Sky Chart
6. ACU Log Viewer
7. Event Log Viewer

The tools support RF calculations, antenna tracking, satellite pointing, orbital-data validation, and log analysis. They require no installation, account, or software license seat.