Global digital satellite highway

This paper examines various current and future digital satellite technologies, including the future of fiber and cable systems in relation to PCS/PCN. The paper presents consumer requirements in domestic applications, as well as in business environments, and a model suitable for most new technologies such as ISDN and SONET is examined and discussed. For this paper´s purpose, ISDN stands for integrated “satellite” digital network and SONET as “satellite”/optical network. This paper examines the potential use of low orbit satellites, satellite to satellite communications, DBS (direct broadcasting satellites) and frequency hopping techniques for current and future needs. The on-board switching and processing techniques are considered. Mobile satellite stations will become a wave of the future. Multimedia transmission, ATM, interactive voice, data and video via satellite networks are examined. A marketing summary for future digital satellite business is provided, and the VSAT market is examined. TDMA and CDMA technologies, with respect to growing demand for spectrum, are discussed. New earth station products in antenna, LNAs, HPAs, and modems are examined. Several company mergers are discussed, as well as what they mean for consumers. Analytical research data, facts, findings and future prediction models and assumptions are used by the author to show how satellites will be the dominant communications superhighway for all