A Deeper Dive into High-Thoroughput Satellites with Hector Fenech

The satellite communication landscape is evolving. The traditional services are not sustaining the growth that the space industry is used to, and new services are showing new promises. Broadband access is such an area encompassing two main applications, namely fixed broadband and mobile broadband.

In these days where economics are becoming the deciding factor in satellite projects, the business case is key. The book discusses the motivation for the evolution of a new breed of High Throughput Satellites (HTS) that have emerged from the traditional communications satellites. It looks that the commercial sectors and the technical context that have shaped HTS. A theoretical insight into HTS is provided with the intension to highlight the salient requirements that dimension these satellites. A survey of a number of operational GEO HTS systems is provided.

This initial breed of satellites was limited to geostationary satellites, but it is quickly projecting into low earth orbit (LEO) constellations, often referred to as mega-constellations because often they involve thousands of satellites. The industrial and operational facets of LEO constellations are challenging. The characteristics of GEO and LEO systems are not the same and the book provides an understanding of the theoretical aspects that govern LEO systems in order to highlight the respective sweet spots.

With the advent of 5G, HTS systems have the potential of becoming an integral and essential player particularly to support mobility and provide true ubiquity.

What are problems your book can help technical professionals solve?

  • The performance of HTS systems is often not adequately understood and reduced to a single number: capacity. This is often not all sellable which would make the business case optimistic.
  • Preliminary dimensioning communication system of a HTS system.
  • Preliminary dimensioning of an HTS LEO constellation.
  • Understanding the technical, operational and commercial context of HTS systems.
  • Understanding the performance of current HTS system.
  • Understanding the differences between LEO and GEO HTS systems.

What are important Features of your book and Benefits a buyer can expect to derive from those Features?

For example, a Feature such as “A new approach to circuit design…,” may Benefit the buyer by “Reducing design time, or solving a typical design problem.”

Feature: Broad/complete overview of HTS

Benefit: Although the subject is vast and it is difficult to be complete, a satellite operator’s view is adopted starting from the commercial and regulatory requirements, working through the system engineering of HTSs.

Feature: Capacity estimation methodology

Benefit: A theoretical methodology is presented for the capacity estimation for both the FORWARD link and RETURN link. The methodology be used for preliminary HTS dimensioning and can be adapted to practical scenarios.

Feature: GEO HTS state of the art

Benefit: A survey of most of the GEO HTS systems in-orbit.

Feature: LEO HTS constellation dimensioning

Benefit: A preliminary approach to constellation dimensioning

Feature: LEO HTS state of the art

Benefit: A survey of the LEO HTS systems that are planned.

Feature: HTS and 5G

Benefit: Update of 5G and the benefits of HTS in the 5G ecosystem.

Feature: GEO vs LEO HTS

Benefit: An analysis highlighted the differences of two systems.

What audiences is this book aimed at? How will this audience use the book?

  • Advanced system engineers, future system engineers, communication engineers, communication system engineers, communication mission engineers, bid managers, This book provides the foundations for such engineers working in satellite mission definition.
    • satellite operators or service providers aiming to define new HTS missions,
    • people in the space industry to understand the operators’ requirements and how their technology adds value to the business proposition to operators, payload engineer, bid managers,
    • people in service provision and working with satellite operators to define/negotiate their requirements while understanding the technical constraints covering residential broadband delivery, in-flight connectivity and maritime connectivity
  • Communication engineers, communication system engineers, advanced system engineer, satellite programme manager, payload engineers This book provides the required elements for such engineers moving to HTS projects. It could be used as a reference.
  • Consultants This book provides the background to extend the basic HTS knowledge covering operational, technical etc. It could be used as a reference.
  • Undergraduate and post graduate students. This book gives a good basis for an understanding of the theoretical background of HTS system. It also provides information regarding current systems.

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