Link Budget Analysis and Architecture of a Proposed VSAT Based E-Learning System for ARCSSTE-E

Abstract

E-Learning is aderivative of information technology and has been generally recognized as a modern tool for learning and teaching other than the conventional method of learning (which involves physical contact between the student and the instructor). The case study for the proposed system is the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English (ARCSSTE-E) in Nigeria. Thepurposeof the centre is to develop quality indigenous space scientists in English speaking African countries for the development of various application of space science and technology for sustainable national and regional development. Therefore, to accomplish this, the centre plans to develop the skills and knowledge of candidates in four significantareasof space science and technology such as; Remote Sensing & GIS, Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate, Satellite Communication and Basic Space and Atmospheric Sciences. This paper presents the VSAT architecture, link margin calculations and link budget analysis done to implement the proposed VSAT based E-learning system for the Centre. This is a conceptual frame work. The proposed system is to enhance the centre with tremendous potential to reach out to people within Anglophone countries that cannot make it down to ARCSSTE-E due to lack of sponsorship, constraint in time, distance,Financial or other challenges.