The development of VSAT performance standards in the United States of America

Abstract

AbstractDuring the 1980s, when satellite communication systems and applications experienced significant growth, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. recognized that special regulations were required for the licensing and operation of VSAT systems in order to maintain efficient use of the radio spectrum and geostationary orbit (GSO) and to expedite the authorization of VSAT networks featuring large numbers of earth‐stations. The FSS allocated frequency bands, which are used extensively by domestic satellite communication systems in the U.S. and throughout Region 2, are in the 4–6 GHz and 12–14 GHz bands. In order to satisfy the heavy demand in the U.S. for fixed satellite services in these bands, the FCC devised an orbit plan of two degrees spacing between satellites in the relevant portion of the GSO. In a co‐coverage environment, the two most important technical factors for controlling interference between neighbouring satellite systems are (1) earth‐station antenna discrimination and (2) cross‐polarization. Since VSAT systems, by definition, use very small aperture terminals with relatively low levels of antenna discrimination, it was necessary to establish limits for transmit power flux densities and the minimum size of antennas. These limits, based on compatible operation at two‐degree satellite orbit separations, evolved into VSAT standards for the U.S. domestic satellite industry. To expedite the licensing of large numbers of VSAT terminals, conforming systems were given ‘blanket authorizations’ for all VSATs in a network. This paper traces the history of the development of VSAT standards in the U.S. and discusses the technical considerations which were used in these developments. A brief review of receive‐only (RO) terminals is also provided.