Satellite communications systems move into the twenty-first century

This paper discusses the evolution of communication satellite systems and communications satellite technology from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. The paper identifies the key attributes of satellite communications that has driven this evolution and now drives the future directions such systems will take. The paper then discusses the future direction of communication satellite systems including DBS, MSS, FSS and hybrid satellite/terrestrial systems. The paper points to the continued evolution of the satellite payload to use of spot beams, onboard processing and switching, and intersatellite links, with capability for higher EIRPs. The paper also identifies the earth station trends to more compact, lower cost stations, produced in higher volumes, with the handheld phone for MSS operation being the prime example of this trend. The paper then points to some revolutionary trends in satellite communication networks being proposed for MSS and FSS applications involving fleets of NGSO satellites combined with more extensive ground networks involving new networking concepts, new services (such as multimedia) and new hybrid configurations working with terrestrial networks, involving a host of new network issues and operations.