With a Preface by noted satellite scientist Dr. Ahmad Ghais, the Second Edition reflects the expanded user base for this technology by updating information on historic, current, and planned commercial and military satellite systems and by expanding sections that explain the technology for non-technical professionals. The book begins with an introduction to satellite communications and goes on to provide an overview of the technologies involved in mobile satellite communications, providing basic introductions to RF Issues, power Issues, link issues and system issues. It describes early commercial mobile satellite communications systems, such as Marisat and Marecs and their military counterparts. The book then discusses the full range of Inmarsat and other current and planned geostationary, low earth orbiting and hybrid mobile satellite systems from over a dozen countries and companies. It is an essential guide for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of this industry and military tool. • Revised edition will serve both technical and non-technical professionals who rely every day on mobile satellite communications • Describes and explains historic, current, and planned civil, commercial, and military mobile satellite communication systems. • First Edition charts and tables updated and expanded with current material for today’s mobile satellite technology

Mobile satellite services are set to change with the imminent launch of satellite personal communication services (S-PCS), through the use of non-geostationary satellites. This new generation of satellites will be placed in low earth orbit or medium earth orbit, hence, introducing new satellite design concepts. One of the first texts to cover this rapidly evolving field, this text provides the reader with an overview of mobile satellite systems, from their initial introduction (Inmarsat), current satellite-PCS (referring to such systems as Globalstar), through to Satellite-UMTS and an understanding of the following: * The design concepts associated with non-geostationary satellite systems (constellation, link budgets, Doppler) * The concepts of UMTS (network architecture, aims, in the context of IMT-2000) and the role foreseen for the satellite component (complementary to terrestrial network, network extension, global availability) * Inter-working between satellite and terrestrial networks (network architecture, ATM Adaptation Layer) * Radio interface technologies (WB-CDMA, TDMA, transmission environment) * Regulatory issues * Future services and applications * Potential satellite markets (prediction techniques, effect of tariffing policies on potential market) With leading edge information, this valuable resource will be indispensable to researchers, engineers, operators and market evaluators in satellite service industries and research institutions, as well as postgraduates and research students in the field.

Global mobile satellite communications (GMSC) are specific satellite communication systems for maritime, land and aeronautical applications. It enables connections between moving objects such as ships, vehicles and aircrafts, and telecommunications subscribers through the medium of communications satellites, ground earth stations, PTT or other landline telecommunications providers. Mobile satellite communications and technology have been in use for over two decades. Its initial application is aimed at the maritime market for commercial and distress applications. In recent years, new developments and initiatives have resulted in land and aeronautical applications and the introduction of new satellite constellations in non-geostationary orbits such as Little and Big LEO configurations and hybrid satellite constellations as Ellipso Borealis and Concordia system. This book is important for modern shipping, truck, train and aeronautical societies because GMSC in the present millennium provides more effective business and trade, with emphasis on safety and commercial communications. Global Mobile Satellite Communications is written to make bridges between potential readers and current GMSC trends, mobile system concepts and network architecture using a simple mode of style with understandable technical information, characteristics, graphicons, illustrations and mathematics equations. Global Mobile Satellite Communications represents telecommunications technique and technology, which can be useful for all technical staff on vessels at sea and rivers, on all types of land vehicles, on planes, on off shore constructions and for everyone possessing satellite communications handset phones.

This is a satellite communications primer.

Whether you are a technical or management professional, you can turn to this highly understandable and comprehensive overview of satellite technology, applications, and management. Thoroughly updated and expanded, this third edition boasts a wealth of new material, including added coverage of systems engineering as applied to satellite communications, clear explanations of all aspects of building and using a satellite systems, and discussions on digital communications and processing in modern satellite networks. The new edition also examines critical success factors and how to avoid the pitfalls in selecting satellite and ground resources. The book covers all the fundamentals of satellites, ground control systems, and earth stations, considering the design and operation of each major segment. You gain a practical understanding of the basic construction and usage of commercial satellite networks-how parts of a satellite system function, how various components interact, which role each component plays, and which factors are the most critical to success. Moreover, the book explores the economic, legal, and management issues involved in running the business of satellite communications.

This book discusses current theory regarding global mobile satellite communications (GMSC) for maritime, land (road and rail), and aeronautical applications. It covers how these can enable connections between moving objects such as ships, road and rail vehicles and aircrafts on one hand, and on the other ground telecommunications subscribers through the medium of communications satellites, ground earth stations, Terrestrial Telecommunication Networks (TTN), Internet Service Providers (ISP) and other wireless and landline telecommunications providers. This new edition covers new developments and initiatives that have resulted in land and aeronautical applications and the introduction of new satellite constellations in non-geostationary orbits and projects of new hybrid satellite constellations. The book presents current GMSC trends, mobile system concepts and network architecture using a simple mode of style with understandable technical information, characteristics, graphics, illustrations and mathematics equations. The first edition of Global Mobile Satellite Communications (Springer, 2005) was split into two books for the second edition—one on applications and one on theory. This book presents global mobile satellite communications theory.

An accessible introduction to the practical aspects of satellite communications. Provides historical background of satellite communications and discusses the wide range of applications throughout the world. Includes descriptions of all the commercial satellite communications systems currently available and their applications in government, broadcasting, and business. Also covers the growing use of satellite communications by developing countries. Contains extensive appendices listing satellite equipment and organizations.

This compact text provides a thorough, readable treatment of the principles of satellite communication and its various technologies and components. It presents a clear analysis of subsystems of satellites, orbital mechanisms, launching mechanisms, earth and space systems employed in satellite links, and analog and digital communication through satellites. Besides, it explains the different methods used to access the various services provided by a satellite. The text avoids complicated mathematical derivations, but the results of these derivations and their references are used throughout the book when required for understanding the technical concepts. Primarily intended as a textbook for undergraduate students of electronics and communication engineering, telecommunication engineering, and information technology, this easy-to-understand book will also be useful as a reference for professional engineers.