Wireless Networks

Satellite Networks

InterConnect has been involved in the development of satellite-based businesses and satellite regulation for more than 25 years.

Satellite radiocommunication networks provide a wide range of applications from mobile and fixed telecommunications, Direct to Home (DtH) multichannel television, broadband services, satellite news gathering (SNG), to meteorological, space research and earth exploration service applications. The digitisation of broadcasting means that in some countries, DtH satellite TV has overtaken off-air broadcasting or cable-TV as the mainstream platforms for transporting TV signals. Additionally, satellites play a crucial role in aeronautical and maritime safety by providing services for navigation, and the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Over the past decade, the spectrum efficiency of satellite communications technologies tripled, and it is expected to at least double or triple again in the coming decade.

The main future satellite communications developments include:

• higher frequency bands and capacities, with a resultant migration of C-band traffic to Ku-band and even to Ka-band
• phased array antennas, spot beam forming technologies, multi-band antennas and adaptive array antennas
• … all of which provide for more and tighter spot beams, and hence much greater capacities per satellite
• further, advanced video and sound coding increases the efficiency of satellite spectrum use, providing more high-quality channels per transponder, and more capacity in the return path.

The use of spot beams provides higher transmit powers and receiver gains, and therefore allows smaller and cheaper earth stations (e.g. USATs) to be used. Higher frequencies suffer higher rainfall attenuation making them unsuitable for high reliability links. But where the application is for example best efforts Internet access, users in rural or remote areas will accept speed degradation or even total loss of service during heavy rain, because for the great majority of the time they are enjoying economic broadband access which otherwise would not be available at all.

If the spectrum resource is to be used efficiently and effectively, the sharing of the available spectrum must be coordinated within national boundaries among users in accordance with national regulations and in accordance with the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for international use.