Affordable Tactical Low Altitude Satellite Technology Task

Abstract

The Affordable Tactical Low Altitude Satellite Technology (ATLAST) program focuses on developing an architecture for a system providing tactical and beyond line-of-sight communications employing a constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). A LEO based approach may result in a cost effective system providing voice and data communications between small, low-power, mobile terminals and hub stations. A constellation of small, inexpensive, lightweight satellites can be launched into LEO at a cost lower than that for higher orbits. Also, using LEO assets requires much less power to close the link. This report presents the approach to designing such a system and summarizes the design. The initial communications requirements are presented, and the impact discussed. Trade-off involving geometries for tactical links are presented. The baseline strawman design is given, including communications link budgets.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA229997

Entities

People

  • Rich P. Kosowsky

Organizations

  • Qualcomm

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Code Division Multiple Access
  • Communication Systems
  • Digital Communications
  • Earth Orbits
  • Elevation
  • Frequency Bands
  • Frequency Division Multiple Access
  • Line Of Sight
  • Low Altitude
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Multiple Access
  • Position (Location)
  • Tactical Communications
  • Terminals
  • Time Division Multiple Access

Readers

  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites