Mobile Satellite Communications: Principles and Trends, Second Edition

Demand for Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) is on the increase, with a huge surge of interest in mobile communications in recent years and high-paced advancements in the supporting system architectures, devices and applications. This thoroughly revised and updated book provides a comprehensive guide to the MSS technologies and emerging trends. It takes a system level approach, giving in-depth treatment of technical and business related issues. The author, a leading professional in the area, draws on his extensive experience in industry and research, to provide the reader with a sound and informed understanding of the technology.

Mobile Satellite Communications includes introductory material for the reader new to the field, in addition to exploring prevalent system concepts, architecture, practices and trends for the more experienced. An in-depth review of scientific principles merged with business models and regulatory considerations presents a balanced perspective of commercial mobile satellite systems.

This book will be of interest to practicing engineers in mobile satellite communications and mobile broadcasting, research and development professionals working in these areas, mobile satellite service providers and operators. Academics and students studying satellite systems/technology, specialists in other classes of satellite systems, technical and marketing managers, strategists and planners of telecommunication systems: individuals interested in mobile communications, satellite and telecommunications/broadcasting technology will also find this book insightful.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive treatment of mobile satellite communications topics, including radio link aspects, satellite constellations, architectural and operational aspects, as well as business planning models, MSS radio interface standards, spectrum forecast methodologies and system examples.
• Addresses related themes such as mobile broadcasting, mobile VSATs, search and rescue, and navigation systems.
• Introduces emerging technologies such as mobile broadband, television broadcasting to handheld units, advanced capacity enhancement techniques, hybrid system architecture concepts, including a rich sample of research topics such as multiple input multiple output, satellite-based ad-hoc networks, and highlights initiatives in the use of Q/V frequency bands.
• Includes revision questions at the end of each chapter.

About the Author

Madhavendra Richharia is a practising professional for well over three decades, with experience in diverse areas such as design and development of earth station products, satellite system design and operation, system planning, academics and research. He is currently a senior consultant and director of Knowledge Space Ltd, UK, prior to which he held a senior technical position at Inmarsat for over 15 years. Earlier, he was a faculty member at the University of Surrey. He has also contributed to satellite communication programmes of ISRO as an engineering scientist. He has published a number of technical papers on a variety of satellite communications topic, authored a book on satellite system design and co-authored a book covering concepts and technologies applicable to satellite systems for personal applications. The first edition of this book was well-received and continues to be recommended for many university courses. He obtained his PhD degree from the University of Birmingham UK and Bachelor and Masters from BHU. He is a member of the IEEE and the IET.