Integration of Commercial Mobile Satellite Services Into Naval Communications

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Integration of Commercial Mobile Satellite Services Into Naval Communications Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive Theses and Dissertations Thesis Collection 1997-09 Integration of commercial mobile satellite services into naval communications Stone, Cary Reese Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/8544 DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY NAVAL POvSTGRaDUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA 93943-5101 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Monterey, California THESIS INTEGRATION OF COMMERCIAL MOBH-E SATELLITE SERVICES INTO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS by Gary Reese Stone September, 1997 Thesis Advisor: Brij Agrawal Second Reader: Donald v Z. Wadsworth Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited =-= REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMBNo. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1 21 5 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Artington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Papenwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED September 1997 Master's Thesis S. 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Integration of Commercial Mobile Satellite Services into Naval FUNDING NUMBERS Communications 6. AUTHOR(S) Stone, Cary Reese 8. PERFORMING 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) ORGANIZATION REPORT Naval Postgraduate School NUMBER Monterey, CA 93943-5000 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the ofificial policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE 11 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. ABSTRACT (maximum 200 words) Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) need to be integrated into Naval Cominunications. DoD SATCOM military- owned systems fall well short of meeting DoD SATCOM requirements in general and mobile SATCOM specifically. This thesis examines DoD SATCOM requirements, especially those affecting communications on the move. From these requirements, three systems ~ Inmarsat, Iridium and Globalstar ~ are identified and evaluated for potential use in Naval Communications. An overview of space communications and each of the three systems is provided to identify general operational capabilities, system strengths and system weaknesses. The Naval narrowband functional requirements process is explored and DoD SATCOM and Commercial MSS ability to satisfy those requirements is assessed. Potential Naval MSS communications missions are examined and possible DoD enhancements are considered for each system as well as the impact these enhancements will have on each system. Recommendations are provided as to which Naval communications missions are best suited for these enhanced MSS. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF MSS, PCS, Naval Narroband Functional Requirements, Space Communications, Inmarsat, Iridium, PAGES Globalstar. DoD SATCOM, LEO, MEO, GEO 168 16. PRICE CODE 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF 20. LIMITATION 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF 19. SECURITY CLASSIFI- CATION THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT REPORT OF ABSTFfACT Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified UL NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89) Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18 u Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited INTEGRATION OF COMMERCIAL MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICES INTO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS Gary Reese Stone Lieutenant, United States Navy B.S., University of Mississippi, 1992 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SPACE SYSTEMS OPERATIONS from the NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL September 1997 //^^//J .# DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL ABSTRACT MONTEREY CA 93943-6(ij( Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) need "to be integrated into Naval Communications. DoD SATCOM military-owned systems fall well short of meeting DoD SATCOM requirements in general and mobile SATCOM specifically. This thesis examines DoD SATCOM requirements, especially those affecting communications on the move. From these requirements, three systems ~ Inmarsat, Iridium and Globalstar ~ are identified and evaluated for potential use in Naval Communications. An overview of space communications and each of the three systems is provided to identify general operational capabilities, system strengths and system weaknesses. The Naval narrowband functional requirements process is explored and DoD SATCOM and Commercial MSS ability to satisfy those requirements is assessed. Potential Naval MSS communications missions are examined and possible DoD enhancements are considered for each system as well as the impact these enhancements will have on each system. Recommendations are provided as to which Naval communications missions are best suited for these enhanced MSS. VI . TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION 1 A. BACKGROUND 1 B. PURPOSE 4 C. ORGANIZATION 4 1 Chapter II . Naval Narrowband Functional Requirements 4 2. Chapter III. Overview of Commercial Mobile Satellite Services .. 4 3. Chapter IV. Integration of Commercial Mobile Satellite Services into Naval Communications Architecture 5 4 Chapter V. Conclusions and Recommendations 5 n. NAVAL NARROWBAND FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS 7 A. NAVAL OPERATIONS 7 1. Forward ...From the Sea 7 2. Peacetime Forward Presence Operations 7 3. Naval Operations — Other than War 8 4. Sealift 9 5. Naval Operations in War 9 6. Joint Operations 10 B. DOD SATCOM FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT 11 1. Requirements Databases 11 2. Requirements Characteristics and Functional Areas 12 3. Operational Deployment Scenarios 14 a. Peacetime Scenario 15 vii 5 b. CombinedMajor Regional Conflict Scenario (CMRC) .... 1 c. Multiple Lesser Regional Conflict Scenario (MLRC) 16 4. Capacity Estimates 17 a. Composite Capacity 17 b. Highly Protected Capacity 18 c. Protected Capacity 19 d. Minimally Protected Capacity 20 e. Terminal Capacity 20 C. DOD SATCOM SYSTEM LIMITATIONS 21 1. Replenishment of DoD-Owned Capability 22 2. Connectivity 23 3. Protection 24 4. Access and Control 24 5. Interoperability 25 6. Flexibility 25 7. Quality of Service 26 D. MOBILE USER STUDY REQUIREMENTS (MUS) WORKING INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM (WIPT) 26 1. MUS WIPT Overview 27 2. MUS WIPT Requirements 27 3. MSS Satisfying MUS WIPT Requirements 28 E. SELECTION OF MSS FOR FURTHER STUDY 29 F. DOD UHF SYSTEMS VS MSS 30 viii III. OVERVffiW OF COMMERCIAL MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICES 33 A. SPACE COMMUNICATIONS 33 1. Space Segment 33 2. Ground Segment 37 3. Multiple Access Methods 38 a. Frequency Division Multiple A ccess (FDMA) 39 h. Time Division Multiple Access (TDK4A) 40 c. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 41 B. INMARSAT 43 1. System Overview 43 a. Space Segment 44 b. Ground Segment 47 2. System Strengths 51 3. System Weaknesses 54 C. IRIDIUM 56 1. System Overview 56 a. Space Segment 58 h Ground Segment 62 2. System Strengths 66 3. System Weaknesses 67 D. GLOBALSTAR 70 1. System Overview 70 IX . a. Space Segment 73 b. Ground Segment 77 2. System Strengths 83 3. System Weaknesses 86 IV. INTEGRATION OF COMMERCIAL MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICES INTO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS 89 A. MSS POTENTIAL NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS MISSIONS 89 1. Polar Communications 90 2. VIP/Flag Communications 91 3. GBS Orderwire Communications 92 4. Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Communications 93 5. Command and Control (C2) of Tactical Forces Communications. 94 6. Maritime Operations Command Communications 95 7. Special Operations Communications 96 8. Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Ship-to-Shore Communications 97 9. Logistics Support Communications 98 10. Moral Support Communications 99 1 1 Peace Keeping and Humanitarian Operations Communications. 1 00 12. Military Support to Civilian Authorities Communications 101 B. POTENTIAL DOD ENHANCEMENTS TO COMMERCIAL MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICES 102 1. Inmarsat 102 2. Iridium 104 3. Globalstar 108 C. DOD UHF SYSTEMS AND DOD-ENHANCED MSS ABILITY TO SATISFY DOD/NAVAL REQUIREMENTS Ill D. INTEGRATION OF INMARSAT INTO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS 113 E. INTEGRATION OF IRIDIUM INTO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS 115 F. INTEGRATION OF GLOBALSTAR INTO NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS 119 V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 123 A. CONCLUSIONS 123 B. RECOMMENDATIONS 125 APPENDIX A UHF SATCOM'S ABILITY TO SATISFY MRC REQUIREMENTS 127 APPENDIX B. ACRONYMS 131 APPENDIX C. GLOSSARY 135 LIST OF REFERENCES 139 INITIAL DISTRIBUTION LIST 143 XI xu LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2-1. Current MILSATCOM Life Expectancy 22 Figure 3-L Typical GEO Satellite Coverage Area 34 Figure 3-2. Numerous LEO Coverage Areas within GEO Footprint 35 Figure 3-3. Frequency Division Multiple Access 40 Figure 3-4. Time Division Multiple Access 41 Figure 3-5. Code Division Multiple Access 42 Figure 3-6. FDMA, TDMA and CDMA in the Time-Frequency Plane 43 Figure 3-7. Inmarsat Satellite Coverage Areas 45 Figure 3-8. Inmarsat III Spot Beams 46 Figure 3-9. Inmarsat A and B Standard Configuration 49 Figure 3-10. Comsat Fiber Relay Network 53 Figure 3-11. Overview of Iridium System 58 Figure 3-12. Iridium Instantaneous Coverage Areas 59 Figure 3-13. Iridium Satellite Constellations 59
Recommended publications
  • Handbookhandbook Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) Handbook
    n International Telecommunication Union Mobile-satellite service (MSS) HandbookHandbook Mobile-satellite service (MSS) Handbook *00000* Edition 2002 Printed in Switzerland Geneva, 2002 ISBN 92-61-09951-3 Radiocommunication Bureau Edition 2002 THE RADIOCOMMUNICATION SECTOR OF ITU The role of the Radiocommunication Sector is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum by all radiocommunication services, including satellite services, and carry out studies without limit of frequency range on the basis of which Recommendations are adopted. The regulatory and policy functions of the Radiocommunication Sector are performed by World and Regional Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunication Assemblies supported by Study Groups. Inquiries about radiocommunication matters Please contact: ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 5800 Fax: +41 22 730 5785 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.itu.int/itu-r Placing orders for ITU publications Please note that orders cannot be taken over the telephone. They should be sent by fax or e-mail. ITU Sales and Marketing Division Place des Nations CH -1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 6141 English Telephone: +41 22 730 6142 French Telephone: +41 22 730 6143 Spanish Fax: +41 22 730 5194 Telex: 421 000 uit ch Telegram: ITU GENEVE E-mail: [email protected] The Electronic Bookshop of ITU: www.itu.int/publications ITU 2002 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. International Telecommunication Union HandbookHandbook Mobile-satellite service (MSS) Radiocommunication Bureau Edition 2002 - iii - FOREWORD In today’s world, people have become increasingly mobile in both their work and play.
    [Show full text]
  • Positioning Using IRIDIUM Satellite Signals of Opportunity in Weak Signal Environment
    electronics Article Positioning Using IRIDIUM Satellite Signals of Opportunity in Weak Signal Environment Zizhong Tan, Honglei Qin, Li Cong * and Chao Zhao School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Beihang University (BUAA), Beijing 100191, China; [email protected] (Z.T.); [email protected] (H.Q.); [email protected] (C.Z.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-1381-0629-638 Received: 9 December 2019; Accepted: 25 December 2019; Published: 27 December 2019 Abstract: In order to get rid of the dependence of the navigation and positioning system on the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), radio, television, satellite, and other signals of opportunity (SOPs) can be used to achieve receiver positioning. The space-based SOPs based on satellites offer better coverage and availability than ground-based SOPs. Based on the related research of Iridium SOPs positioning in the open environment, this paper mainly focuses on the occluded environment and studies the Iridium SOPs positioning technique in weak signal environment. A new quadratic square accumulating instantaneous Doppler estimation algorithm (QSA-IDE) is proposed after analysing the orbit and signal characteristics of the Iridium satellite. The new method can improve the ability of the Iridium weak signal Doppler estimation. The theoretical analysis and positioning results based on real signal data show that the positioning based on Iridium SOPs can be realized in a weak signal environment. The research broadens the applicable environment of the Iridium SOPs positioning, thereby improving the availability and continuity of its positioning. Keywords: signals of opportunity positioning; Iridium; weak signal; instantaneous Doppler 1. Introduction The new methods for receiver positioning based on abundant and various frequency signals have emerged in recent years.
    [Show full text]
  • DESIGN of a LOW-COST AUGMENTATION NAVIGATION SYSTEM: the UNITED KINGDOM’S IMMEDIATE ANSWER to the GALILEO BREXIT
    DESIGN OF A LOW-COST AUGMENTATION NAVIGATION SYSTEM: THE UNITED KINGDOM’s IMMEDIATE ANSWER TO THE GALILEO BREXIT CONUNDRUM Lawal S Lasisi Satellite Applications and Development, Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd, Obasanjo Space Center, affiliated to Federal University of Technology, Minna-Nigeria. e-mail: [email protected]; +2348023151587. Chatwin R Chris Engineering and Design, School of Engineering and Informatics, Room 2B07, Shawcross Building, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton-UK, BN1 9QT e-mail: [email protected]; +441273678901. ABSTRACT United Kingdom’s Brexit from the European Union implies restricted access to the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) System - Galileo; with no access to the secured and encrypted signal used for defense and government purposes, which is restricted to European Union (EU) members. To mitigate this issue, the United Kingdom can, as a matter of urgency, launch a payload on a national military Communications Satellite to provide Navigation Overlay Services for the United Kingdom territory, surrounding waters and neighboring ally countries to meet the requirements of: Defense systems, Aviation, Maritime requirements and the effectiveness of Location-based Services for Emergencies and Crisis management etc. This paper describes the design of a navigation overlay service system as a hoisted payload on a national satellite and the required supporting ground infrastructure, highlighting various applications, services and solutions. Keywords: Brexit, Communications Satellite, Defence, European Union (EU), Galileo, GNSS, Military, Precision Point Positioning, SBAS. 1 INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS) The United States Global Positioning System (GPS) marked the beginning of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). After the First World War, radio time signals offered alternative technology for determination of the Greenwich Time line and thus longitude at sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Satellite Communication with the Merge on Television Communication
    Special Issue - 2018 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) ISSN: 2278-0181 Confcall - 2018 Conference Proceedings Satellite Communication with the Merge on Television Communication Ayyasamy.T Deepika.S Keerthana. K Head of the Department UG Scholar UG Scholar Dept of Aeronautical Dept of Aeronautical Dept of Aeronautical Srinivasan Engineering College, Srinivasan Engineering College, Srinivasan Engineering College, Perambalur-621 212 Perambalur-621 212 Perambalur-621 212 Abstract - In the context of a worldwide communications with run-down batteries, and leftover rocket boosters all network, satellite communications systems are very important. contribute to the count. This online catalogs of satellite has Satellite communications links add capacity to existing almost 26,000 entries! communications capabilities and provide additional alternate Although anything that is in orbit around Earth is technically routings for communications traffic. Satellite links, as one of a satellite, the term "satellite" is typically used to describe a several kinds of long-distance links, interconnect switching centers located strategically around the world. They are part of useful object placed in orbit purposely to perform some the defense communication systems (DCS) network. One specific mission or task. We commonly hear about weather important aspect of the satellite communications network is that satellites, communication satellites and scientific satellite it continues in operation under conditions that sometimes render other methods of communications inoperable. Because of this, II. HELPFUL HINTS satellites make a significant contribution to improved reliability of Navy communications .When satellite television first hit the A.Types of Classification market in the early 1990s, home dishes were expensive metal • Weather satellites help meteorologists predict the units that took up a huge chunk of yard space.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of Satellite Communications
    Overview of Satellite Communications Dick McClure Agenda Background History Introduction to Satcom Technology Ground System Antennas Satellite technology Geosynchronous orbit Antenna coverage patterns 2 COMMUNICATION SATELLITES Uses Example satellite systems 3 Why Satellite Communications? Satellite coverage spans great distances A satellite can directly connect points separated by 1000’s of miles A satellite can broadcast to 1000’s of homes/businesses/military installations simultaneously A satellite can be reached from ground facilities that move Satellites can connect to locations with no infrastructure Satellites adapt easily to changing requirements Some Common SATCOM Systems The INTELSAT system provides globe-spanning TV coverage The Thuraya satellite-based phone system covers all of Saudi Arabia and Egypt DoD Military Communications Satellite System Links field sites with Pentagon and US command centers DirecTV, Echostar Direct-to-home TV XM Radio, Sirius Satellite radio-to-car/home Hughes VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) systems Links GM car dealers, Walmart, Costco, J C Penney, etc. to their accounting centers Common Satellite Orbits LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Close to Earth Photo satellites – 250 miles Iridium – 490 miles Polar Orbit Provides coverage to polar regions (used by Russian satellites) GEO (Geosynchronous Earth Orbit) Angular velocity of the satellite = angular velocity of earth satellite appears to be fixed in space Most widely used since ground antennas need not move Circular orbit Altitude: 22,236 miles Can’t “see” the poles 6 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND People Early satellites Evolution 7 Historical Background: People Arthur C. Clarke Highly successful science fiction author First to define geosynchronous communications satellite concept Published paper in Wireless World , October 1945 Suggested terrestrial point-to-point relays would be made obsolete by satellites Unsure about how satellites would be powered John R.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyrighted Material
    1 Introduction 1.1 Scope The past two decades have seen a quiet revolution in satellite-based services. Once the preserve of governments, international bodies, public utilities and large corporations, today the majority of satellite service users are individuals, who can now access, directly, a wide range of satellite services – typically using personal, mass-market and even handheld devices. These satellite systems now fulfil a variety of personal necessities and aspirations spanning telecommunications, broadcast services, navigation, distress and safety services and (indirectly) remote sensing, in the commercial, military and amateur sectors. It therefore seems an appropriate time for a book that addresses these services from the perspective of their support for, and functionality delivered to, individual users. This book therefore aims to: • enhance awareness regarding the expanding role of satellite systems in individuals’ daily lives; • lay a strong technical foundation of the basic principles and functioning of these satellite systems for personal communications, navigation, broadcasting and sensing applications; • illustrate current practice using selected example systems in each field; • review current trends in relevant satellite and related technology. The book aims to address an audience that is inquisitive and keen to understand the role of satellites in our daily lives and the underpinning concepts, and, in contrast to alternative offerings, the focus in this book is on the individual and the end-user application. It aims to provide all of the relevant concepts, in a clear and concise manner, together with descriptions of key systems as illustrations of their implementation in practice. Satellite services are formally categorized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) according to their broad service types.
    [Show full text]
  • Cable-Satellite Networks: Structures and Problems
    Catholic University Law Review Volume 24 Issue 4 Summer 1975 Article 3 1975 Cable-Satellite Networks: Structures and Problems George H. Shapiro Gary M. Epstein Ronald A. Cass Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.edu/lawreview Recommended Citation George H. Shapiro, Gary M. Epstein & Ronald A. Cass, Cable-Satellite Networks: Structures and Problems, 24 Cath. U. L. Rev. 692 (1975). Available at: https://scholarship.law.edu/lawreview/vol24/iss4/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by CUA Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Catholic University Law Review by an authorized editor of CUA Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CABLE-SATELLITE NETWORKS: STRUCTURES AND PROBLEMSt George H. Shapiro* Gary M. Epstein** Ronald A. Cass** * Unlike the broadcast television industry, in which programming is domi- nated by three giant networks, the cable television industry is quite fragment- ed. Most cable television systems are small operations, and although a few large cable organizations own numerous systems, the individual cable sys- tems they operate typically are dispersed over wide geographic areas and are not interconnected. Thus, compared to television broadcast stations, which, even if not affiliated with a network, generally reach large viewing audi- ences, cable systems constitute small economic units.' The programming "originated" by cable systems-that is, programming not obtained from television broadcasts-reflects the industry's economic structure. Small cable systems are not able individually to procure programming with the same mass appeal as that of broadcast networks or individual broadcast stations, 2 so originations presently are locally oriented and seldom sophisticated.
    [Show full text]
  • Regulation of Global Broadband Satellite Communications April 2012
    REGULATORY & MARKET ENVIRONMENT International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Development Bureau Place des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 20 REGULATION OF Switzerland www.itu.int GLOBAL BROADBAND SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS Broadband Series APRIL 2012 Printed in Switzerland Telecommunication Development Sector Geneva, 2012 04/2012 Regulation of Global Broadband Satellite Communications April 2012 . This report has been prepared for ITU by Rajesh Mehrotra, Founder and Principal Consultant, Red Books. The report benefited from extensive review and guidance from the team of the Regulatory and Market Environment Division (RME) of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). ITU wishes to express thanks to John Alden for editing the paper and to the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) for their comments and advice. This report is part of a new series of ITU reports on broadband that are available online and free of charge at the ITU Universe of Broadband portal: www.itu.int/broadband. Please consider the environment before printing this report. ITU 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. Regulation of global broadband satellite communications Table of Contents Page Preface .......................................................................................................................................... iii Foreword .....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Communications Commission Record DA 94-37
    9 FCC Red No. 2 Federal Communications Commission Record DA 94-37 which would then be redeployed to replace INTELSAT V Before the series satellites in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) at 66 E Federal Communications Commission and in the POR at 180 , which are reaching the end of Washington, D.C. 20554 their design lifetimes and are operating in inclined orbit. 4. In its December 22, 1992 Supplement, Comsat in formed the Commission that the Board of Governors, at its In the Matter of September, 1992 meeting, decided to purchase two INTELSAT VIII satellites from the GE Astro Space Di COMSAT Corporation File No. CSS-92-004 vision (GE Astro) of General Electric Technical Services Company (GETSCO) and to exercise an option to its cur For Authority to Participate in rent contract with the Space Systems Loral (Loral) for an additional INTELSAT VII-A satellite. The Board concurred a Program Involving Construction with INTELSAT Management©s (IM) recommendation that of Certain Additional INTELSAT Satellites, Arianespace be selected to provide launch services for the and Provision of Authorized Services two INTELSAT VIII spacecraft on order, with options for two additional launches subject to further negotiations, and approved a contingent contract with China Great Wall MEMORANDUM OPINION, ORDER AND Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for launch services for the AUTHORIZATION additional INTELSAT VII-A satellite. 5. In its February 24, 1993 submission, Comsat advised Adopted: January 7,1994; Released: January 21,1994 the Commission that the Director General intended to present a recommendation to the March 1993 Board of By the Acting Chief, Common Carrier Bureau: Governors meeting for procurement of an additional INTELSAT VII satellite from Loral.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Satellite Communications Technology for Nren
    INTRODUCTION TO SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR NREN THOMSTONE, CSC, APRIL2004 1. INTRODUCTION NREN requirements for development of seamless nomadic networks necessitates that NREN staff have a working knowledge of basic satellite technology. This paper iAAtoccnc th- cnmnnnento venii;~aA fnr 9 cmtall;to-hicoA rnmmzrn;,-mt;nnc cxrctom UU~”““”” ..LA” w”Luy”-”l*ru ‘”‘IU” vu LVI Y “YbYIIL.” “IUIU “V.A.A*I-*I“..c*VILy “J UCVL.., applications, technology trends, orbits, and spectrum, and hopefully will afford the reader an end-to-end picture of this important technology. Satellites are objects in orbits about the Earth. An orbit is a trajectory able to maintain gravitational equilibrium to circle the Earth without power assist. Physical laws that were comeptualized by Newton and Kepler govern orbital mechanics. The first satellite was the Moon, of course, but the idea of communications satellites came from Sir Arthur C. Clark in 1945. The Soviets launched the first manmade satellite, Sputnik I, in 1957. The first communications satellite (a simple reflector) was the US. Echo I in 1960. The first “geosynchronous” (explained later) satellite, Syncom, went up in 1962. There are now over 5000 operational satellites in orbit, 232 of which are large commercial (mostly communications) satellites. Satellites have become essential for modern life. Among the important applications of satellite technology are video, voice, IP data, radio, Earth and space observation, global resource monitoring, military, positioning (GPS), micro-gravity science and many others. From direct-to-home TV to the Hubble telescope, satellites are one of the defining technologies of the modem age. Video is the most successful commercial application for satellites, and direct-to-home distribution is the most promising application for the technology at this time.
    [Show full text]
  • Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554
    Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Fourth Annual Report to Congress on ) IB Docket No. 10-99 Status ofCompetition in the Provision of ) Satellite Services ) COMMENTS OF GLOBALSTAR LICENSEE, LLC Globalstar Licensee, LLC ("Globalstar") hereby comments in response to the International Bureau's Public Notice regarding the state ofcompetition in the provision of satellite services, including mobile satellite services. I Having persevered through financial and technical adversity earlier in its license term, Globalstar is competing vigorously in the provision ofmobile satellite service ("MSS") with a unique focus on consumers, and is now set to launch the world's first second-generation Low Earth Orbiting ("LEO") satellite constellation. Globalstar faces substantial competition from service providers across a variety oftechnology platforms, as well as from certain equipment manufacturers. Accordingly, in its next annual report on satellite competition, the FCC should find that there is "effective competition" for satellite services. International Bureau Invites Commentfor Fourth Annual Report to Congress on Status ofCompetition in the Satellite Services Industry, Public Notice, IB Docket No. 10-99, DA 10-1353 (IB reI. July 22,2010). I. GLOBALSTAR: COMMITTED TO CONSUMER-BASED SERVICES AND THE LAUNCH OF ITS SECOND-GENERATION BIG LEO CONSTELLATION In 1995, the FCC authorized Globalstar to construct, launch, and operate a "Big LEO" system? Globalstar, now headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, is licensed for uplink transmissions (mobile earth stations to satellites) in the L band at 1610-1618.725 MHz, and for downlink transmissions (satellites to mobile earth stations) in the S band at 2483.5-2500 MHz.3 Today, Globalstar's MSS network currently consists of44 in-orbit, non-geostationary ("NGSO") satellites and 27 ground stations located all over the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Satellite Communications in the New Space
    IEEE COMMUNICATIONS SURVEYS & TUTORIALS (DRAFT) 1 Satellite Communications in the New Space Era: A Survey and Future Challenges Oltjon Kodheli, Eva Lagunas, Nicola Maturo, Shree Krishna Sharma, Bhavani Shankar, Jesus Fabian Mendoza Montoya, Juan Carlos Merlano Duncan, Danilo Spano, Symeon Chatzinotas, Steven Kisseleff, Jorge Querol, Lei Lei, Thang X. Vu, George Goussetis Abstract—Satellite communications (SatComs) have recently This initiative named New Space has spawned a large number entered a period of renewed interest motivated by technological of innovative broadband and earth observation missions all of advances and nurtured through private investment and ventures. which require advances in SatCom systems. The present survey aims at capturing the state of the art in SatComs, while highlighting the most promising open research The purpose of this survey is to describe in a structured topics. Firstly, the main innovation drivers are motivated, such way these technological advances and to highlight the main as new constellation types, on-board processing capabilities, non- research challenges and open issues. In this direction, Section terrestrial networks and space-based data collection/processing. II provides details on the aforementioned developments and Secondly, the most promising applications are described i.e. 5G associated requirements that have spurred SatCom innovation. integration, space communications, Earth observation, aeronauti- cal and maritime tracking and communication. Subsequently, an Subsequently, Section III presents the main applications and in-depth literature review is provided across five axes: i) system use cases which are currently the focus of SatCom research. aspects, ii) air interface, iii) medium access, iv) networking, v) The next four sections describe and classify the latest SatCom testbeds & prototyping.
    [Show full text]