An overview of mobile satellite systems and their evolution towards satellite personal communication networks

The paper reviews the evolutionary trend from mobile to personal satellite communications. In addition to summarizing technical/market parameters of present-day (GEO) Mobile Satellite Systems (MSS) and MSSs under development (INMARSAT Network, ESA PRODAT and MSBN, OmniTRACS/EutelTRACS, American and Asia-Pacific Systems,....), an attempt is made to identify critical system/service aspects related to the deployment of personal satellite communications. Such aspects substantially deal with equipment standardization and type approval, frequency spectrum allocation and assignment (i.e. licensing), mutual recognition of licences, multiple-entry provision and so forth. The present situation of “little”, “big” and “super” LEOs is depicted, identifying issues to be addressed when designing and implementing satellite personal communication networks (S-PCN). Inmarsat plans to deploy the “Standard-P” system are also indicated