What's Next for Satellite Communication Technologies?

Several interconnected and co-located smaller satellites can be assigned the tasks typically performed by a single, massive satellite. Although each satellite may have a distinct purpose, collectively, this cluster would serve as a single, enormous satellite.

Fremont, CA: The satellite industry is undergoing a rapid expansion of opportunities, especially in military and defense applications, broadband IP services, and ground- and space-segment products and services. These technologies have made significant efficiency and performance gains over the past decade.

Satellites' Function in Daily Communication

Few know that most daily communication occurs via satellite rather than ground connections. While significant communication was once transmitted via ground cables, modern satellites—particularly geostationary models—help provide nearly constant and complete global coverage.

Satellite Communication Trends

Data Transmission from Observation Satellites: Several observation satellites have been created to track the Earth constantly to gather environmental data and predict weather patterns. These satellites are equipped with space radio stations that collect data and relay it to Earth via feeder links.

Data Transmission via Deep Space Probes: Deep space probes' transmit power and antenna diameter are restricted due to the severe limitations on the onboard equipment's power mass. A sizeable receiving antenna and high-power transmitter are typically installed in the ground station to compensate for the onboard constraints.

Communication across Satellite Clusters: Several interconnected and co-located smaller satellites can be assigned the tasks typically performed by a single, massive satellite. Although each satellite may have a distinct purpose, collectively, this cluster would serve as a single, enormous satellite. Coordinated control and maneuvering synchronization are essential to keep safety bounds inside the colocation slots.

IoT and Connected Car: IoT and Connected Cars are the newest big things in the satellite sector. Every operator is expanding its portfolio to include linked cars as a new market.

These are the most significant trends, but there are a few others as well, such as the establishment of benchmarks based on Digital Video Broadcast (DVB), the use of optical and inter-platform links, the use of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) in satellite networks, and on-boonboardching applications that take quality of service (quality of service) into account when determining satellite space usage.