SATELLITES AND FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BROADCAST,
Abstract
The investigation revealed that the large, versatile, high-gain antennas that can be boosted to, and erected in, the compellingly attractive environment of synchronous orbits are technologically feasible. The accurate, long-life control of these antennas in both attitude and orbit will enable us to increase satellite relaying capacity by tens of millions of times and multiply the effective available spectrum by hundreds to thousands of times. This could support an unprecedented increase in the application of electronic communications. It could provide a relaying cost-rate competitive with the shortest microwave relay, a much more beneficial usage of the spectrum, and a variety of capabilities not otherwise available. It becomes economically attractive only when large capacities are used, in which case it may have a serious impact on current systems and investments. The technology should also make possible satellite TV broadcast directly to homes at UHF frequencies with better quality signals at less broadcast cost than with conventional transmitters. However, transmission of broadcast programs with a general multipurpose broadband access to the home through central exchanges may prove to be the most appropriate means of distributing the bulk of future broadcast-like programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0650343
Entities
People
- J. L. Hult
Organizations
- RAND Corporation