SYSTEM STUDY ON ADVANCED GIGABIT SATELLITE-COMMUNICATIONS

The high data rate satellite networks are expected to play an importan t roll in the global communications networking in the 21st century. CR L has started the three-year-long research both on system concept and key technologies of the experimental high data rate (''Gigabit'') comm unications satellite. New technological challenges are required for pr oviding the connectivity for the future growing multi-media applicatio ns in the optical fiber network era; a wide area coverage with the Ka band narrow spot beams for the global high data-rate access, high-spee d and flexible satellite switches and an interoperability with the ter restrial optical fiber networks. (C) 1998 International Astronautical Federation. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.