AC Power Systems; Operational Experiences at Satellite Earth Stations

Over the past 20 years or so satellite communications have played an increasingly important role in the world´s telecommunications system. Today satellite communications are a vital and often indispensable part of the networks of most of the world´s telecommunications administrations. This has necessitated the development of highly reliable ac power systems to safeguard services. In British Telecom International (BTI), power systems for satellite earth stations have developed from fairly simple systems to comprehensive ones giving a high degree of reliability The development of BTI ac power systems to meet today´s standards has been the result of many years of operational experience. Valuable experience was gained in the early days of satellite communications at the first UK satellite earth station and the lessons learned have shaped BTI´s approach to ac power systems for satellite earth stations. This paper reviews the early ac power systems and deals with the operational experiences that have influenced BTI engineers in providing today´s highly reliable systems. In conclusion, the paper presents the BTI approach to providing reliable ac power systems.