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Why Use Satellites For Communications?
By Editor | June 22, 2009
1) Economical Long Distance Communications- The cost of transmitting information between two users via satellite is essentially the same despite the distance.
2) Broadcast Capability- Satellites can be used as broadcast transmitters relaying signals from one transmitting earth station to multiple receiving stations within the coverage area.
3) Wideband Capability- Satellites are usually wideband devices that can transmit large amounts of information within a given amount of time.
4) Broad Coverage- Technically, a satellite can serve any suitably equipped ground station within its “footprint” or the area of the earth within view of the satellite’s antenna. Satellite’s can provide the same type of service to cities or to rural areas. Transmission from a satellite to a broad area the earth’s surface, not constrained by natural or manmade barriers such as mountains, oceans, or cities. There may be some locales within the broad coverage area where a ground terminal antenna cannot get an unobstructed view of the satellite because of the proximity of mountains or buildings. This can be more of a problem near the fringes of the broad coverage area where the satellite will appear closer to the horizon.
5) New Services-The unique capabilities of satellites are rapidly giving rise to new communications concepts. Business will have a greater variety of information at their disposal in different forms such as voice, data, video, and imagery. Managers will be able to conveniently select from rich variety of satellite-relayed information and services to aid in their decision-making processes and to accomplish their missions.
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