Parametric Approach to Thin-Route Earth-Station Requirements

Raymond D. Jennings

Abstract: Satellite communications are likely to be used to provide thin–route telephone service in developing countries only if the cost of earth stations can be substantially reduced. A parametric analysis of earth–station design and service capabilities is presented. Parameters of the analysis include six values of earth–station figure of merit, G/T, ranging from 17.5 to 30.0 dB/K, five values of antenna diameter ranging from 3.0 to 10.0 m, low–noise amplifier temperatures ranging from 55 to 200K, high–power amplifier output powers ranging from 1 to 400 W, INTELSAT and Palapa (typical of many domestic satellites) satellite resources, and frequency modulation as well as digital encoding with phase shift keying for voice service. Link budgets are developed from which the numbers of carriers that can be supported by 1/4 transponder are calculated. Assuming single channel per carrier as well as multiple channels per carrier service, the numbers of duplex telephone circuits per 1/4 transponder are calculated. Traffic analyses are performed to demonstrate the relationships between numbers of telephone subscribers per earth station, numbers of circuits provided at each earth station, and quality of service. Sampled cost information is presented and used to estimate earth station costs.

Keywords: satellite communications; earth-station cost; earth-station design; telephone; thin-route applications; traffic analysis

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