Planning assistance for the 30/20 GHz program, volume 1

Functional requirements for the 30/20 GHz communication system, planning assistance for the 30/20 GHz program, and a review of specified conceptual designs and recommendations are provided

Interference analysis of broadband space and terrestrial fixed radio communications systems in the frequency range 12 to 30 GHz

This thesis presents research into the principles of spectrum sharing analysis methods developed for investigating implications of interference from Nongeostationary Fixed Satellite Service (NGSO FSS) systems into Geostationary Fixed Satellite Service (GSO FSS) systems and Fixed Service (FS) terrestrial radio systems operating or planned for operation in the 12 to 30 GHz frequency range. Spectrum sharing is an effective way of allowing new services to operate without cancelling the existing allocations in the same part of the spectrum. The use of spectrum sharing results in re-use of the available spectrum among different services and, therefore, increases the efficient use of the radio frequencies. However, it is necessary to carry out extensive feasibility studies into technical or operational compatibility between the services involved. Often, sharing constraints are placed on systems, such as the power of emissions and the transmitter and receiver antenna pointings to reduce the interference into negligible levels. Traditionally, radio spectrum allocated to GSO FSS has been shared with FS. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of low Earth orbits and a number of NGSO FSS constellations has been designed to provide broadband data services. This has led to the allocation of certain bands used by the FS and GSO FSS systems to NGSO FSS. In line with the new allocations, NGSO FSS, GSO FSS and FS systems are required to co-exist in parts of the 12 to 30 GHz frequency range. The primary objectives of this research were to identify principal factors affecting the feasibility of spectrum sharing and to develop spectrum sharing analysis methodologies to examine the implications of these factors with a view to identifying sharing constraints that would give rise to an acceptable sharing environment

Data distribution satellite

A description is given of a data distribution satellite (DDS) system. The DDS would operate in conjunction with the tracking and data relay satellite system to give ground-based users real time, two-way access to instruments in space and space-gathered data. The scope of work includes the following: (1) user requirements are derived; (2) communication scenarios are synthesized; (3) system design constraints and projected technology availability are identified; (4) DDS communications payload configuration is derived, and the satellite is designed; (5) requirements for earth terminals and network control are given; (6) system costs are estimated, both life cycle costs and user fees; and (7) technology developments are recommended, and a technology development plan is given. The most important results obtained are as follows: (1) a satellite designed for launch in 2007 is feasible and has 10 Gb/s capacity, 5.5 kW power, and 2000 kg mass; (2) DDS features include on-board baseband switching, use of Ku- and Ka-bands, multiple optical intersatellite links; and (3) system user costs are competitive with projected terrestrial communication costs

Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) study. Volume 1: Executive summary

This is Volume 1 (Executive Summary) of the Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation Final Report for the Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) Study program conducted for NASA Lewis Research Center under contract No. NAS3-24235. This report presents the results of the study effort leading to five potential platform payloads to service CONUS and WARC Region 2 traffic demand as projected to the year 2008. The report addresses establishing the data bases, developing service aggregation scenarios, selecting and developing 5 payload concepts, performing detailed definition of the 5 payloads, costing them, identifying critical technology, and finally comparing the payloads with each other and also with non-aggregated equivalent services

Application of advanced on-board processing concepts to future satellite communications systems

An initial definition of on-board processing requirements for an advanced satellite communications system to service domestic markets in the 1990's is presented. An exemplar system architecture with both RF on-board switching and demodulation/remodulation baseband processing was used to identify important issues related to system implementation, cost, and technology development

Introduction to the Personal Access Satellite System Study

A recent study by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has concluded that the 21st century will be the age of information in which the telecommunication infrastructure will be vital to the social and economic well being of society. To meet the challenge of the coming age, JPL has been performing studies on a personal access satellite system (PASS) for the 21st century. The PASS study can be traced back to a study in which the technical feasibility and potential applications of a high frequency, low data rate satellite system were identified using small fixed terminals. Herein, the PASS concept is described along with the strawman design. Then the key challenges are identified along with possible solutions. Finally, the plan for the future is summarized from the key results

Advanced space communications architecture study. Volume 2: Technical report

The technical feasibility and economic viability of satellite system architectures that are suitable for customer premise service (CPS) communications are investigated. System evaluation is performed at 30/20 GHz (Ka-band); however, the system architectures examined are equally applicable to 14/11 GHz (Ku-band). Emphasis is placed on systems that permit low-cost user terminals. Frequency division multiple access (FDMA) is used on the uplink, with typically 10,000 simultaneous accesses per satellite, each of 64 kbps. Bulk demodulators onboard the satellite, in combination with a baseband multiplexer, convert the many narrowband uplink signals into a small number of wideband data streams for downlink transmission. Single-hop network interconnectivity is accomplished via downlink scanning beams. Each satellite is estimated to weigh 5600 lb and consume 6850W of power; the corresponding payload totals are 1000 lb and 5000 W. Nonrecurring satellite cost is estimated at $110 million, with the first-unit cost at$113 million. In large quantities, the user terminal cost estimate is $25,000. For an assumed traffic profile, the required system revenue has been computed as a function of the internal rate of return (IRR) on invested capital. The equivalent user charge per-minute of 64-kbps channel service has also been determined

Economically sustainable public security and emergency network exploiting a broadband communications satellite

The research contributes to work in Rapid Deployment of a National Public Security and Emergency Communications Network using Communication Satellite Broadband. Although studies in Public Security Communication networks have examined the use of communications satellite as an integral part of the Communication Infrastructure, there has not been an in-depth design analysis of an optimized regional broadband-based communication satellite in relation to the envisaged service coverage area, with little or no terrestrial last-mile telecommunications infrastructure for delivery of satellite solutions, applications and services. As such, the research provides a case study of a Nigerian Public Safety Security Communications Pilot project deployed in regions of the African continent with inadequate terrestrial last mile infrastructure and thus requiring a robust regional Communications Satellite complemented with variants of terrestrial wireless technologies to bridge the digital hiatus as a short and medium term measure apart from other strategic needs. The research not only addresses the pivotal role of a secured integrated communications Public safety network for security agencies and emergency service organizations with its potential to foster efficient information symmetry amongst their operations including during emergency and crisis management in a timely manner but demonstrates a working model of how analogue spectrum meant for Push-to-Talk (PTT) services can be re-farmed and digitalized as a “dedicated” broadband-based public communications system. The network’s sustainability can be secured by using excess capacity for the strategic commercial telecommunication needs of the state and its citizens. Utilization of scarce spectrum has been deployed for Nigeria’s Cashless policy pilot project for financial and digital inclusion. This effectively drives the universal access goals, without exclusivity, in a continent, which still remains the least wired in the world

Space-Based Information Infrastructure Architecture for Broadband Services

This study addressed four tasks: (1) identify satellite-addressable information infrastructure markets; (2) perform network analysis for space-based information infrastructure; (3) develop conceptual architectures; and (4) economic assessment of architectures. The report concludes that satellites will have a major role in the national and global information infrastructure, requiring seamless integration between terrestrial and satellite networks. The proposed LEO, MEO, and GEO satellite systems have satellite characteristics that vary widely. They include delay, delay variations, poorer link quality and beam/satellite handover. The barriers against seamless interoperability between satellite and terrestrial networks are discussed. These barriers are the lack of compatible parameters, standards and protocols, which are presently being evaluated and reduced

A Performance Analysis of a Joint LMDS/ Satellite Communication Network

The goal of this research is to provide a performance analysis of a joint terrestrial/ satellite communication network. The systems of interest are the Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) terrestrial system and the proposed Teledesic satellite network. This analysis is performed using the OPNET network simulation tool. Simulations are run for twelve separate scenarios involving three factors which include: number of users, modulation type, and Quality of Service (QoS). The key metrics for characterizing simulation scenarios are the end-to-end delay, bit error rate, and average system throughput. The results obtained display the benefit of improved throughput, approximately 20 Mbps for the low user load and approximately 8 to 11 Mbps for the high user load, when the modulation schemes where changed. This improvement comes at the expense the bit error rate. For example, the bit error rate increased by a factor of 5 for the low user load when changing from BPSK to QPSK and by a factor of 1.5 for the QPSK to 8-PSK change. The peak end-to-end delay results, ranging from .053 seconds to .446 seconds, proved to support real-time voice communication for all but one scenario (BPSK/ high user load). The QoS proved to be a benefit for scenarios with a high user load (150 users) increasing the average throughput by 2 to 4 Mbps. The QoS also reduced the peak end-to-end delay, narrowing the range from .04 to .104 seconds. The analysis of these three main operational characteristics gives a fundamental look at the joint network\u27s performance capabilities