Hardware Prototyping of Real Time Weather Satellite Tracking System

This project presents the design and implementation of an automated antenna tracking system for capturing real-time

weather images transmitted by polar-orbiting satellites, particularly the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA) satellite series. The system employs satellite orbital prediction data to automatically control the azimuth and elevation

positioning of a directional antenna, ensuring reliable signal reception during satellite passes. It combines mechanical antenna

movement, embedded system control, sensor-based feedback, and a software-defined radio receiver using the RTL-SDR v3

platform. The main aim of this work is to develop a dual-axis antenna tracking mechanism by integrating satellite prediction

software with a hardware rotator system. The proposed solution is designed to be portable, affordable, and suitable for

educational and research applications, especially for students, researchers, and hobbyists interested in Earth observation and

amateur radio communication. By replacing expensive commercial antenna rotators with a microcontroller-based control

system, the project encourages practical learning through hands-on experimentation. Furthermore, the study examines several

practical challenges involved in satellite signal reception, including Doppler shift effects, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), antenna

alignment precision, hardware implementation, and software-based signal processing and interpretation.