An analysis of low-earth-orbit-satellite communication systems

Abstract

There is an ever increasing need for low-cost communication systems in the world. One such system, low-earth-orbit satellites, can provide store-and-forward, as opposed to real time, communication for many earth stations. The advantages and disadvantages of such a system is presented. Material covering protocols and communications architectures is elaborated upon for the use of amateur radio communications. Doppler shift and its effect on satellites in low-earth-orbit is examined. Efficiency and throughput of the Amateur X.25 Protocol will be explored. The last chapter entails the analysis of the PACSAT experiment.