Satellite Technology - Uses and Applications of Satellite-Based Systems - Case Study Example

ID # Satellite Technology Introduction A satellite is a modern technology-based specialized wireless communication transmitter and receiver that is launched with a rocket and positioned at different orbits around the earth. Nowadays there are hundreds of artificial communication satellites located in different areas and orbits in outer space around the globe. Additionally, they are utilized for a wide variety of purposes, such as TV broadcast, weather forecasting, Internet communications, and radio communication, as well as Global Positioning Systems (GPSs). Historically, the first artificial satellite was launched by Russia (at that time known as the Soviet Union) in the late 50s. Though, there was not a specific purpose behind that satellite, however, it was used to transmit a repeated simple Morse code signal. On the other hand, today’s new technology-based satellites are able to receive and re-transmit thousands of signals at the same time. These signals can be a simple digital data or they can include a complex TV program (Rouse; The Govt of PEI; Radio-Electronics). This paper presents an overview of the satellite technology. This research will cover a number of aspects such as the functioning of satellite technology, its uses, currently operational protocols, working distances, bandwidth etc. Uses of the Satellite Technology This section discusses some of the fundamental uses of the satellite technology. In the past, when the satellite technology was developing, satellites were interesting, hidden and top secret technology based systems. In fact, they were utilized mainly in a military power, for carrying out tasks such as espionage and navigation. On the other hand, they are currently a vital component of our daily lives. Now we can observe the use of satellites all around us: for example their utilization in weather reporting, TV transmission through DISH and DIRECTV Network, and daily telephone calls. Additionally, in numerous other examples, satellites perform a significant role in a number of areas. For instance, magazines and newspapers are more appropriate for the reason that they broadcast their images and text to a wide variety of printing websites using satellite to increase the speed of the local data and information distribution (Brown; Rouse). In addition, before transmitting data signals down the wire into our homes, cable TV is renitent upon the satellites technology to distribute its data. Moreover, the most dependable limousine and taxi drivers also make use of satellite technology based Global Positioning Systems to determine the appropriate destination (Brown; Rouse). Satellite Functionality New technology-based communications satellites currently have a silent, however deep, influence on our daily lives. These technology based systems are used to connect remote regions of the Earth via television and telephone. Additionally, the modern business organizations conduct their business operations at high speed because of satellite technology. In fact, various newspapers, such as USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, are first designed and typeset and then for the sake of printing newspaper are all transmitted across the nation via satellite (Gulf of Maine Research Institute; Maral and Bousquet). Figure 1 Radio signals Source: http://www.gma.org/surfing/sats.html Figure1 shows that the radio communication signals near the microwave frequency transmission range are most excellent and extremely effective in transferring the huge volumes of data and information traffic, for the reason that they are not redirected through the Earth's environment as minor data transmission frequencies are. In this scenario, they move around in a straight line, and this process is recognized as "line of sight data transfer and communication." If somebody in San Francisco attempts to beam a microwave data signal straightly to Hawaii, this will not be possible to send signals at such distance, in fact that the signal will disappear into space or dispel into the sea. Over small distance, we set microwave towers in each 25 miles or make use of "repeaters" to replicate and improve the quality of data or information signal (Gulf of Maine Research Institute; Maral and Bousquet). In addition, one of the most important functionalities of satellite technology is the GPS system. Additionally, the fundamental standards at the back of global positioning systems are quite simple. In fact, global positioning systems completely depend on satellite ranging. In this scenario, we can find accurately where a satellite is positioned in space and precisely how far we are distant from it. For example a person is missing and attempting to locate themselves. The person determines they are an assured distance from A-Satellite; let’s say it would be 18,000 KM. With this a person can understand that they have to be anywhere in the world on an unreal sphere that has a radius of 18,000 kilometers with the satellite in the accurate middle (The Govt of PEI; Rouse). Types of Satellite Technology This section outlines various types of satellite technology based systems. Basically, communication satellite is a kind of radio-relay-station in the earth or orbit that gets, improves, and transmits digital as well as analog data signals carried in an explicit radio frequency. Given below are some of the well-known types of the communication satellites: (Intelsat; Brown) A weather satellite is a kind of satellites that offers scientific information to meteorologists which they use to forecast weather conditions. These satellites are operational with superior instruments. Earth observation satellites allow researchers and scientists to collect important information regarding earth's ecosystem. Navigation satellites based systems allow the use of GPS technology. These communication satellites are capable of guiding a person with an accurate direction on earth to inside a small meter. Scientific satellites are able to carry out a wide variety of scientific tasks. In this kind of satellites “Hubble Space Telescope” is one of the most well-known scientific satellites, however there are many other kinds of satellite based systems to research and discover the universe. There is another kind of satellites that is called rescue satellites. These systems are used to respond to radio distress signals. There are also some earth monitoring satellites those continually monitor the planet for potential transformations in anything from weather to temperature. One of the main categories of satellites is known as military satellites those are mostly used for military purposes and for the sake of safe and effective transmission of information Protocols for the Satellite Technology This section covers some of the important communication protocols used for the satellite communication. For the sake of satellite communication we need a protocol or structure of communication. In this scenario, for 2-way satellite service to carry out appropriately in conjunction with customary global networks (Intranet, Internet), satellite information networks have to utilize particular methods to tackle with the additional 44,600-mile space section of the link. In the absence of those steps, the augmented latency, the time needed to navigate the additional distance, outlines that TCP strictly limits constant communication performance (VSAT SYSTEMS; Pondent; Hart; Lam). It is an admitted fact that the web based communication depends on the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) to make sure data and information packet are transmitted without issues. In this scenario, transmission control protocol performs its operations by transmitting a specific amount of information, the data window size, then waiting for the target to get an acceptance of data sent by the sender. In addition, with TCP, the network sender is not able to send additional information until it has received a confirmation. Additionally, if an acceptance does not arrive in time, then the TCP communication protocol assumes the data packet was lost. Basically, it is assumed that data packet is lost due to network congestion and we discard. However, after some time the data packet is sent again. When a data packet goes un-noticed, TCP as well reduces the speed of transmission to minimize data congestion as well as to reduce the need for retransmissions (VSAT SYSTEMS; Pondent; Hart; Lam). Moreover, today’s satellite based systems make use of a method known as IP spoofing or TCP acceleration to recompense the additional time necessary to distribute information in a space segment. In this scenario, particular technology based equipment at the carrier’s major satellite hub comes out to broadcast the TCP communication session; consequently it is transferred to the transmitter like a remote location. Moreover, the system at the satellite communication hub performs similar to a relay or forwarder amongst the sender worldwide position and the remote satellite communication unit (VSAT SYSTEMS; Pondent; Hart; Lam). Satellite Altitudes This section presents an analysis of the satellites’ altitudes and communication ranges. Above the Earth, satellite systems are orbiting overhead in a variety of communication bands of altitude. Basically, it allows us to image the satellite networks in terms of how far or near they are from our current location. Normally, the attitudes of satellite altitudes are divided into different categories, which are as follows: (Brown; Rouse). Asynchronous Orbits [Height 80 to 1,200 miles] This orbit includes a wide variety of observation satellites. These are normally positioned at altitudes from 300 to 600 miles. Such systems are normally used for carrying out tasks like photography. These satellites based systems can be used for ice and sand movement, mapping, locating mineral deposits, etc. (Brown; Rouse). Asynchronous Orbits [Height 3,000 to 6,000 miles] This altitude encompasses science satellites those are occasionally in altitudes of range 3,000 to 6,000 miles. Additionally, they transmit their scientific research information and data to earth by means of radio telemetry signals. In addition, these scientific satellites are used for conducting research on plants and animals, earth science, astronomy, tracking wildlife, etc. (Brown; Rouse). Geostationary Orbits [Height: 22,223 Miles] This orbit location is assigned to the majority of weather satellites. These satellites are normally positioned at 22,223 miles over the equator. In addition, these satellites are able to straightly send a wide variety of real satellite images by means of radio receivers and unique PCs applications. Moreover, a number of countries use weather satellites for their storm observations and weather forecasting (Brown; Rouse). The future of Satellite Technology In near future it is expected that there will be new developments in this sector. There is potential expansion is expected in multipurpose telecommunications service depending on huge satellite systems in geostationary orbit and facilitation fixed/semi-fixed mobile communication terminals with a wide variety of media products. In this scenario, the major task would hold the full-duplex communication services to reduce the cost and user terminals offering low data rates up to 384 kilobytes per second available at ‘palmtop’ terminals. In future the satellite technology is also expected to offer a constant earth-observation service. This facility will be openly available and will offer a real-time access to the entire world (Aragon, Mura and Dionisio; Perez). It is also expected that the role of satellite based systems will be increased in military and tactical areas. In the future, we can expect that this technology will be used for more targeted and safe operations for safety management activities (Pal; Sweeting). Conclusion This paper has presented an overview of the satellite technology. Basically, a satellite is a modern technology based specialized wireless communication transmitter and receiver that is launched through a rocket and positioned in different orbits around the earth. Historically, the first artificial satellite was launched by Russia (at that time known as the Soviet Union) in the late 50s. Though, there was not a specific purpose behind that satellite however it was used to transmit a repeated simple Morse code signal. On the other hand, today’s new technology based satellites are able to receive and re-transmit thousands of signals at the same time. These signals can be a simple digital data or they can include a complex TV program. This paper has discussed the uses and applications of satellite based systems. This paper has covered a variety of aspects related to satellite based systems such as their types, technology, altitude, functioning, and operational aspects. Works Cited Aragon, A. Martinez de, et al. Future Satellite Services, Concepts and Technologies. Aug 1998. Web. 29 Sep 2012. . Brown, Gary. How Satellites Work. 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012. . Gulf of Maine Research Institute. How Satellites Work. 06 Jan 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Hart, David. Satellite Communications. 14 Aug 1997. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Intelsat. Satellite Basics. 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Lam, S. "Satellite Packet Communication--Multiple Access Protocols and Performance." IEEE Transactions on Communications, Volume 27 Issue 10 (1979): 1456-1466. Print. Maral, Gerard and Michel Bousquet. Satellite Communications Systems: Systems, Techniques and Technology, 5th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print. Pal, Surendra. Trends in Satellite Technology. 1999. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Perez, Guy. Satellite Technology for Future Applications. 03 Mar 2010. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Pondent, Corr S. Satellite Ground Communication Protocols. 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Radio-Electronics. Satellite Technology. 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. Rouse, Margaret. Satellite. Oct 2008. Web. 29 Sep 2012.. Sweeting, Martin. Future Satellite Technology - an Interview with Sir Martin Sweeting. 2010. Web. 30 Sep 2012. . The Govt of PEI. Satellite Technology. 2012. Web. 28 Sep 2012.. VSAT SYSTEMS. TCP/IP Protocol and Other Applications over Satellite. 2012. Web. 29 Sep 2012. . Read More