Satellite Communications gives the reader a thorough knowledge of the subject by going on to cover orbits, propagation, and the equipment that comprises a working system. The authors go beyond the standard treatment of ideal channels to deal with the problems associated with transmitting digitally modulated signals through real satellites and earth stations.
Preface. Introduction. Orbital Mechanics and Launchers. Satellites. Satellite Link Design. Modulation and Multiplexing Techniques for Satellite Links. Multiple Access. Error Control for Digital Satellite Links. Propagation Effects and their Impact on Satellite-Earth Links. VSAT SYSTEMS. Low Earth Orbit and Non-Geostationary Satellite Systems. Direct Broadcast Satellite Television and Radio. Satellite Navigation and the Global Positioning System. Appendix A: Decibels in Communications Engineering. Appendix B: FDM/FM/FDMA Analog Telephone Transmission. Appendix C: Complementary Error Function erfc(x) and Q Function Q(z). Appendix D: The Simple Attenuation Model. Glossary. Index.