Electromagnetic Properties and Communication Characteristics of PACSAT

Abstract

This report presents an analysis of various technical and system properties of a passive communication satellite concept known as PACSAT. The satellite is a linear array of scatterers oriented toward the center of the earth by the gravity-gradient force. The scatterers are assumed to consist of perfectly conducting spheres that are uniformly spaced. First the scattering cross section of the array is developed and the effects of flexure and near- field operation are considered. The array is then assumed to be in a circular equatorial orbit and various system and orbit parameters are calculated for users in a service area approximating the United States in shape. Finally, communication characteristics are investigated and power budgets presented for typical system configurations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA120243

Entities

People

  • Edward Bedrosian

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bandwidth
  • Command And Control
  • Communication Systems
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Data Rate
  • Doppler Effect
  • Electromagnetic Properties
  • Electromagnetic Scattering
  • Elements
  • Equatorial Orbits
  • Far Field
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • Line Of Sight
  • Near Field
  • Scattering
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites