Module 01: Starlink System Model, Public Data, and RF Units

Phase: 1 - Foundation Builds on: None - this is your starting point

Math You’ll Learn

Algebra 2: Logarithms, Exponentials, Ratios, and dB Arithmetic

Starlink is an RF network and an ISP. You need dB math immediately because link budgets, antenna gain, path loss, EIRP, G/T, and noise density all use logarithmic units.

• Exponentials and logarithms - signal power changes across huge ratios, and logarithms make those ratios usable.
  • Starlink application: dB = 10 log10(P2/P1), used for every gain/loss term in an access or gateway link.
  • Starlink application: adding dB values is multiplying linear powers, which is how link budgets become readable.
• Unit conversions and ratios - W, mW, dBW, dBm, Hz, MHz, GHz, bps, Mbps, Gbps.
  • Starlink application: convert public frequency bands and bandwidths from FCC filings into engineering units.
• Scientific notation and estimation - approximate delay, range, and free-space path-loss ratios.
  • Starlink application: compare LEO propagation at roughly 550 km with GEO at 35,786 km.
• Basic tabular data handling - read and validate numeric fields from public data files.
  • Starlink application: parse TLE/OEM-style orbital data and FCC frequency tables.

After this: You can read public Starlink/FCC technical data, convert RF units, estimate delay/path loss, and avoid treating proprietary Starlink internals as known facts.

Resources:

• Khan Academy - Algebra 2: logarithms and exponentials
• Starlink Technology - https://www.starlink.com/technology
• Starlink Satellite Operators - https://www.starlink.com/satellite-operators
• FCC Starlink Gen2 Order - https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-91A1.pdf

What You’ll Learn

The first module changes the entry point from a generic CCSDS protocol stack to a public Starlink system model. CCSDS still matters as background, especially for ephemeris and space interoperability, but it is not the center of Starlink’s broadband network.

Starlink as a Networked System

• Satellites, user terminals, gateways, POPs, backbone links, and operations systems.
• Starlink as a vertically integrated ISP: access network, space segment, ground segment, backbone, peering, telemetry, and automation.
• What is public vs proprietary: frequency bands, orbital parameters, regulatory constraints, some architecture claims, public ephemeris data, and high-level Direct to Cell claims are public; internal PHY/MAC/routing/control-plane implementation is not.
• How to build defensible simulations from public constraints instead of inventing internal details.

Public Data Sources

• TLEs and ephemerides: satellite identifier, epoch, position/velocity concepts, covariance and maneuver metadata where available.
• CCSDS OEM as a useful public ephemeris format.
• FCC filings and orders: frequency bands, orbital shells, power constraints, interference constraints, and gateway authorizations.
• CelesTrak and Space-Track as supporting data sources for public orbital data.

RF and Link Vocabulary

• Frequency, wavelength, bandwidth, noise density, EIRP, G/T, FSPL, link margin.
• Ku service links, Ka/E-band feeder links, and TT&C as separate link categories.
• Why LEO latency is lower than GEO but topology changes constantly.
• Why public data is enough to build useful models for interview preparation and portfolio projects.

C++ and Python Skills

C++ focus: variables, types, functions, structs, file I/O, command-line arguments, parsing text/binary records, unit tests for conversion functions.

Python focus: basic scripting, CSV/JSON parsing, NumPy arrays, matplotlib plots.

Projects

Project 1: Starlink Public Data Parser (C++)

Build a CLI/library that ingests public Starlink-relevant records and normalizes them into typed structures.

What you’ll build:

• Parse TLE records into satellite ID, epoch, inclination, RAAN, eccentricity, mean motion, and related fields.
• Parse a simplified OEM-style ephemeris record into timestamp, position, velocity, and optional covariance fields.
• Parse a small FCC frequency table into service-link, feeder-link, and TT&C bands.
• Validate units and reject malformed records with useful error messages.
• Output normalized JSON for later modules.

C++ skills used: file I/O, structs/classes, string parsing, error handling, command-line arguments, unit tests.

Toolkit: Start the Starlink Network Toolkit with PublicDataParser.

Project 2: Starlink RF Unit Toolkit (Python)

Build a small RF calculator and visualizer.

What you’ll build:

• Convert W, mW, dBW, dBm, dB, MHz, GHz, and wavelength.
• Compute EIRP and chain simple gain/loss terms.
• Estimate one-way propagation delay for LEO, MEO, and GEO altitudes.
• Plot path-loss ratio comparisons for Ku, Ka, and E-band examples.
• Write a short note identifying which values came from public sources and which are assumptions.

Python skills used: functions, dictionaries, CSV/JSON, NumPy, matplotlib.

Technology Reference

Where This Tech Is Used

Books and Resources