Satellite systems for personal communications

Author

Evans, J.V.

Author_Institution

COMSAT Corp., Bethesda, MD, USA

Volume

39

Issue

3

fYear

1997

fDate

6/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

7

Lastpage

20

Abstract

A number of industrial groups are planning to construct satellite systems to provide personal communications services (typically voice, data, and fax) to users who will employ small, hand-held, cellular-type telephones. Some of these systems (e.g., Iridium and Globalstar) will be constructed using satellites in low Earth orbit. Two (Odyssey and ICO) will employ medium Earth orbit (six-hour period), and still others (ACeS and Agrani) will operate from geostationary altitude. The origin and evolution of mobile satellite communications is discussed first, including the INMARSAT system and several land-based mobile satellite systems in operation. The rival approaches to the personal communications services (PCS) market are then described, and some of the technical challenges inherent in each are indicated. The paper concludes with speculation on the factors influencing the likelihood of business success for the various PCS systems

Keywords

land mobile radio; mobile radio; mobile satellite communication; personal communication networks; ACeS; Agrani; Globalstar; ICO; INMARSAT system; Iridium; Odyssey; PCS; data; fax; geostationary orbit; land-based mobile satellite systems; low Earth orbit; medium Earth orbit; mobile satellite communications; personal communications services; small hand-held cellular-type telephones; voice; Artificial satellites; Business; Ice; L-band; Low earth orbit satellites; Personal communication networks; Satellite antennas; Satellite communication; Satellite ground stations; Telephony;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1045-9243

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/74.598556

Filename

598556