Satellite Systems for Personal and Broadband Communications, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2000

The important role that satellites play in the field of communications will be manifested by a large number of new satellite systems to be implemented within the next few years. These new systems will basically belong to two categories: (i) satellite networks for mobile/personal communications, mainly with handheld terminals, and (ii) satellite networks for broadband multimedia communications, mainly for fixed but also for portable and mobile terminals. This book gives an overview of both families of satellite systems. In Part I, the basics of geostationary and non-geostationary satellite constellations are dealt with, as well as the principles of satellite communications. Part II deals with satellite systems for mobile/personal communications and ad­ dresses various aspects of networking (multiple access, cell structure, routing, etc.); it also deals with technology, regulation, and financing. Part III is ded­ icated to future satellite systems for broadband communications (Internet, multimedia) and discusses satellite-specific aspects of broadband communi­ cations, in particular on the basis of ATM and TCP /IP. A survey of existing and planned satellite systems completes the book. The authors of this book are scientists at the German Aerospace Center, DLR (Deutsches Zentrum fiir Luft- und Raumfahrt) and work in the Digital Networks group of the Institute for Communications and Navigation.

I. Basics.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Satellite Orbits, Constellations, and System Concepts.- 3. Signal Propagation and Link Budget.- 4. Signal Transmission.- II. Satellite Systems for Mobile/Personal Communications.- 5. Multiple Access.- 6. Cellular Satellite Systems.- 7. Network Aspects.- 8. Satellite Technology.- 9. Regulatory, Organizational, and Financial Aspects.- III. Satellite Systems for Broadband Multimedia Communicat ions.- 10. Multimedia Communications in Satellite Systems.- 11. ATM-Based Satellite Networks.- 12. Network Dimensioning.- A. Satellite Spot Beams and Map Transformations.- A.1 Map Projections and Satellite Views.- A.2 Generation of Satellite Spot Beams.- B. Parameters of the Land Mobile Satellite Channel.- B.1 Narrowband Two-State Model at L Band.- B.2 Narrowband Two-State Model at EHF Band.- B.3 Wideband Model at L Band.- C. Existing and Planned Satellite Systems.- C.1 Survey of Satellite Systems.- C.2 ACeS (Asia Cellular Satellite).- C.3 Astrolink.- C.4 EuroSkyWay.- C.5 Globalstar.- C.6 ICO (Intermediate Circular Orbits).- C.7 Inmarsat-3/Inmarsat mini-M.- C.8 Iridium.- C.9 Orbcomm.- CIO SkyBridge.- C.11 Sky Station.- C.12 Spaceway.- C.13 Teledesic.- References.

Reports recent developments and future technologies A large part of the book is devoted to broadband multimedia communication via ATM satellite systems (hot topic, not given in older books) A survey of existing and planned satellite systems is given (IRIDIUM...) Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras