Direct Satellite Communications Final Report (1986)

004882191986Phase II Report E85.05PDFResearch PaperAK-RD-87-01AccessibilityMaritime mobile satellite systemTechnological innovationsHighwaysPlanning and ForecastingI72: Traffic and Transport PlanningAlaskaUnited StatesAlaska. Dept. of Transportation and Public FacilitiesHills, A.Alaska. Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Research, Development, and Technology TransferUS Transportation CollectionDramatic technological developments are expected to make mobile satellite service (MSS) available within a few years. This new service, which appears to have great potential for Alaska, will make it possible to communicate with radios which are installed in vehicles (mobiles) or radios that can be carried in backpacks (transportables) virtually anywhere on the continent. It is anticipated that the impact on communication services in rural and remote areas will be substantial. Direct satellite-to-mobile service will be made possible by one or more satellites in geosynchronous orbit operating in the 800 MHz and 1.5 GHz bands with high effective radiated power. Narrowband, power efficient modulation techniques will be needed. Mobile units will need low noise receiver front ends and antennas with modest gain. Other ground stations, fixed or transportable, will be able to use the system if they have the same attributes. The new technology should perform best in nonurban areas, where there will be few path obstructions. In urban areas, where buildings can cause path blockage and multipath problems, performance will not be as good. Mobile satellite service is seen as a way to dramatically improve many communication services outside metropolitan areas, filling the gaps left by present terrestrial systems.79