A PROBABLE ROLE FOR SATELLITES IN LAND MOBILE RADIO

NASA's geostationary satellites of the ATS series were used as repeaters for land mobile communications in many experiments and demonstrations with automobiles, trucks, towboats, ships and aircraft. Results of a concept study show how a satellite could be used to augment the terrestrial "cellular" type mobile radio telephone systems that are now being developed for metropolitan areas. The satellite-aided system may be cost effective in thinly populated areas where the terrestrially based systems are not cost effective. The two systems would be compatible so that the same vehicle equipment would work through the terrestrial systems where that service is available and through the satellite where the terrestrial service is not available. The satellite would have an antenna that forms many independent beams, each with a multichannel duplex repeater. The beams would illuminate the nation with many "footprints" in a manner corresponding to the cells of an urban terrestrial system. The multibeam satellite can provide geographical frequency reuse appropriate for the areas it serves. It does not appear practical to share channels with the terrestrial systems so additional frequency assignments would be needed in order to add the satellite-aided service to the terrestrial service. Satellite-aided and terrestrial systems are significantly different in propagation characteristics and in cost factors for large area coverage. The experimental results illuminate the differences and suggest that satellite-aided mobile radio telephone systems are worth serious consideration.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08992029
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Technical Papers presented at General Sessions and Committee Workshops 1980 Annual Meeting Communication and Signal Division, AAR, Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C., August 19-21, 1980.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads

  Communication and Signal Division, 1920 L Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Anderson, R E
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 72-87
• Serial:
  • Publication of: ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS
  • Publisher: Association of American Railroads
  • ISSN: 0899-2029

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial satellites; Radio; Transmission
• Old TRIS Terms: Radio transmission; Repeaters
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00335560
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1981 12:00AM