STUDY OF AN ORBITING DIPOLE BELT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Abstract
The design of communication systems utilizing orbiting dipole belts is complicated by the great amount of interaction among the various design parameters involved. This interaction makes difficult a general treatment of the design problem for such systems, necessitating the study of specific examples. This report studies in detail the simplest example of such a system in which a single equatorial dipole belt is used. An altitude of 8000 miles is used to provide satisfactory earth coverage. This altitude precludes the possibility of a limited orbital lifetime belt. An 800-kg payload of X-band, copper dipoles would provide modest data rates which should suffice for certain military needs. Insofar as a specific belt configuration and dipole design were chosen, the specific results of this work do not apply to dipole belt systems in general. However, the considerations that receive attention, and the approach used in dealing with them, can be used as a guide in the design of any dipole belt communication system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 22, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0613583
Entities
People
- F. Belvin
- T. J. Goblick Jr.
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology