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.
Fundamentals of Satellite SystemsBasic Characteristics. Systems Elements. Satellite Orbit Configurations. Frequency Spectrum Allocations. Evolution of Satellite CommunicationSource of the Original Idea. Evolving Satellite Coverage. Specialized Systems: DTH and Mobile . Expansion at New Frequency Bands: Ka Band and Optical. ; Satellite Network ArchitecturesGeneral Features of Satellite Networks. Point-to-Multipoint Broadcast Networks. Point-to-Point Networks. VSAT Star Networks. Position Location Techniques. ; Microwave Link EngineeringPropagation on the Earth-Space Link. Microwave Transmitters and Receivers. Overall Link Quality. ; Modulation, Multiple Access, and ImpairmentsDigital Baseband Signals and Hierarchies. Digital Modulation and Forward Error Correction. Multiple Access Methods. Distortion and Impairments. ; Communication Repeaters and ElectronicsOverview of Communications Spacecraft. Analog Bent-Pipe Repeaters. Digital Processing Repeaters. Standard Repeater Elements. ; Spacecraft AntennasHorn Antennas. Reflector Antennas. Antenna Patterns. Phased-Array Antennas. ; Spacecraft Bus Configuration and Subsystems Mission Summary. Spacecraft Configuration. Spacecraft Bus Subsystems. ; Earth Stations and Terrestrial TechnologyBasic Earth Station Configuration. Performance Requirements. Radio Frequency Equipment. Intermediate Frequency and Baseband Equipment. Tail Links and Terrestrial Interface. Earth Station Facility Design. Major Classes of Earth Stations. ; Launch Vehicles and ServicesThe Launch Mission. Launch Technology and Systems. Typical Launch Vehicles. Launch Interfaces. Risk Management in Launch and Operation. ; Satellite Operations and OrganizationThe Satellite Control System. Intercommunication Networks. Network operations. Human Resources for Satellite Operations. ; Satellite Communication SystemsNarrow-Band Systems. Broadband and Wideband Systems. Optical Satellite Systems. ; The Economics of Satellite SystemsSystem Development Methodology. Space Segment Economics. Earth Station Economics. Analysis of Network Economics. ; Future Directions for Satellite CommunicationsNew Satellite Applications. The Evolution of Space Technology. Ground Station Technology. ; References. ; List of Acronyms and Abbreviations. ;
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Bruce Elbert
Bruce Elbert is president of Application Technology Strategy, L.L.C., and was formerly senior vice president of applications systems development at Hughes Space and Communications. Bruce is a series editor for Artech House. He holds an MSEE in communications engineering and computer science from the University of Maryland and a BSEE from the City College of New York.