10.1 Introduction

This chapter presents an examination of satellite network capabilities, technical attributes, and implementations. Satellite systems employ radio waves in the super-high and extremely high RF (radio frequency) bands of the electromagnetic spectrum for enabling dependable transport of voice, video, data, and still images. Satellite configurations utilize state-of-the-art technologies for facilitating high-speed access to bandwidth-intensive resources and time-critical data. Rapidly evolving satellite networks are further distinguished by their provision of on-demand seamless mobile communication services at anytime and in every place and delivery of broadband multimedia applications to subscribers at rural locations.

10.2 Purpose

The growing popularity of wireless communications and mobile computing intensifies interest in satellite technologies, services, and networks. Satellite communication solutions support a broad array of tele-applications that include high-definition television (HDTV) broadcasts, video-on-demand (VOD), videoconferencing, tele-instruction, and Web browsing. In this chapter, satellite technical features, functions, regulations, standards, and operational considerations are examined. Challenges and prospects associated with utilization of satellite configurations for enabling routine access to present-day and next-generation networks and narrowband and broadband services are reviewed.

Satellites are either natural or artificial. A natural satellite is a celestial body that revolves around a large-size planet such as the Earth. By contrast, an artificial satellite is an object placed into orbit around the Earth. Artificial satellites enable services that include weather forecasting, forest fire detection, scientific research, navigation, E-commerce (electronic commerce) transactions, photographic surveillance, and detection of nuclear explosions. In this chapter, the capabilities of artificial satellite constellations in enabling tele-education and telemedicine services...