A perspective on the evolution of multiple access satellite communication

The evolution of communication satellites is reviewed, with an emphasis on multiple access by large populations of users employing mobile and personal terminals. It is argued that the basic problem of mutual interference rejection is most effectively solved by employing modern digital technology to implement spread-spectrum modulation systems based on military antijam communication systems which are inherently robust to interference. A perspective on the impact of this approach on future networks of low-Earth-orbit satellites is presented, along with concluding remarks on the well-established theoretical foundations of emerging satellite technologies