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EXAM OVERVIEW

It includes six modules with a total of 96 questions. Candidates are allowed a maximum of 24 incorrect answers to pass the exam. 

• Format: Online, proctored exam 

• Duration: 1.5 hours 

• Passing Score: 75% (72/96 correct answers) 

The exam assesses candidates on three dimensions of knowledge: 

• Factual (What): Understanding key concepts and definitions. 

• Conceptual (Why): Recognizing the importance and reasoning behind practices. 

• Procedural (How): Applying methods to real-world scenarios 

Exam standards

• 1. Advanced RF Theory and Link Budget Analysis

  1.1. Explain key RF metrics, including EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power), G/T (Gain-to-Noise Temperature), and SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio). 
  1.2. Perform link budget calculations: 
  

  • 1.2.1. Analyze uplink and downlink power requirements. 

  • 1.2.2. Evaluate attenuation factors, including atmospheric and rain fade. 
    

  1.3. Differentiate between carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N), carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I), and Eb/No. 
  1.4. Explain the role of antenna gain, polarization, and beamwidth in RF performance. 

• 2. Modulation and Adaptive Coding

  2.1. Explain advanced modulation techniques: 
  

  • 2.1.1. APSK (Amplitude Phase Shift Keying). 

  • 2.1.2. DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X standards. 
    

  2.2. Analyze adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) in response to environmental and network conditions. 
  2.3. Optimize spectral efficiency using higher-order modulation. 
  2.4. Evaluate the trade-offs between bandwidth, power, and modulation schemes. 

• 3. SATCOM Network Design and Optimization

  3.1. Design multi-beam satellite systems:
  

  • 3.1.1. Understand frequency reuse techniques and beamforming.

  • 3.1.2. Evaluate inter-beam interference mitigation strategies.
    

  3.2. Optimize bandwidth allocation for voice, video, and data services.
  3.3. Integrate SATCOM with terrestrial networks:
  

  • 3.3.1. Design hybrid SATCOM-terrestrial systems for seamless connectivity.

  • 3.3.2. Assess latency and jitter in satellite backhaul for 5G applications.
    

  3.4. Describe the role of software-defined networks (SDN) in SATCOM infrastructure.

• 4. Troubleshooting and Maintenance

  4.1. Identify and resolve common SATCOM network issues: 
  

  • 4.1.1. Uplink/downlink interference. 

  • 4.1.2. Network congestion and latency. 
    

  4.2. Use diagnostic tools and techniques: 
  

  • 4.2.1. Spectrum analyzers for interference analysis. 

  • 4.2.2. RF and IP monitoring tools for end-to-end diagnostics. 

  4.3. Implement redundancy and failover strategies to ensure network reliability. 

• 5. SATCOM System Integration and Security

  5.1. Explain the integration of SATCOM systems with terrestrial infrastructure:
  

  • 5.1.1. Gateways, hubs, and teleports.

  • 5.1.2. Role of ground stations in managing SATCOM networks.
    

  5.2. Describe cybersecurity protocols for SATCOM:
  

  • 5.2.1. Encryption techniques for secure communication.

  • 5.2.2. Protecting SATCOM systems from jamming and cyber threats.

• 6. Emerging Technologies in SATCOM

  6.1. Analyze the impact of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations on SATCOM design:

  • 6.1.1. Understand LEO vs. GEO trade-offs in latency and coverage.
    

  6.2. Evaluate satellite network virtualization and cloud-based architecture.
  6.3. Explore advancements in SATCOM-enabled 5G networks:
  

  • 6.3.1. Role of satellite backhaul in rural and remote connectivity.
    

  6.4. Discuss the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in SATCOM optimization.