A highly Innovative Global Broadband Mobile Communication System Concept
- Paper number
IAC-08.B2.1.6
- Author
Mr. Manfred Wittig, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Global mobile communication systems were deployed in the 1990th (Iridium and Globalstar) failed to achieved the expected market success. However, recently a second generation of these two LEO constellations have been or will be procured. This shows evidence that global mobile satellite communications is attractive for a certain class of users. Basic requirements for mobile satellite communication networks are global coverage at high elevation angles, continuous availability and most important attractive service offers. For the first two reasons LEO constellations were designed and deployed. Since the large number of required satellites (remember the original Teledesic concept was designed using 860 satellites) increases the CAPEX and consequently the service cost. This is probably the major reason for the limited commercial success of Iridium and Globalstar. An ideal global mobile (broadband) communication system shall provide global coverage at high elevation angles (not below e.g. 30o) with the lowest number of satellites. This seems to be contradictory. However, a solution will be presented that achieves global coverage with requires only five satellites and achieves high elevation angles even at polar locations. This orbit constellation is to be complemented with innovative payloads to achieve cost efficient broadband mobile services all over the Globe. Innovative L/S-band payload concepts will be introduced as well as Ka-band payloads.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B2.1.6.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.