Title :
The IRIDIUM system-a revolutionary satellite communications system developed with innovative applications of technology
Author :
Sterling, David E. ; Hatlelid, John E.
Author_Institution :
Motorola Inc., McLean, VA, USA
Abstract :
Motorola will launch a constellation of 77 small, smart, low-Earth-orbiting satellites forming a digitally switched voice and data network. Called the IRIDIUM system, the functional concept is based on a small, portable, cellular-like telephone that will communicate to/from any place on or above the Earth. The IRIDIUM system is composed of three basic segments: the user subscriber units, the satellites, and the Earth station gateways. In addition, a system control segment is needed for state of health, commanding, and anomaly analysis and resolution. The services the IRIDIUM system will offer from a handheld unit include voice, 2.4 kb/s data, position location, paging, and two-way messaging
Keywords :
digital radio systems; mobile radio systems; satellite relay systems; Earth station gateways; IRIDIUM constellation; cellular-like telephone; control segment; digital switched voice/data network; low-Earth-orbiting satellites; paging; position location; satellite communications system; two-way messaging; user subscriber units; Artificial satellites; Communication switching; Low earth orbit satellites; Radio transmitters; Satellite broadcasting; Satellite communication; Space technology; Switches; Systems engineering and theory; Telephony;
Conference_Titel :
Military Communications Conference, 1991. MILCOM '91, Conference Record, Military Communications in a Changing World., IEEE
Conference_Location :
McLean, VA
Print_ISBN :
0-87942-691-8
DOI :
10.1109/MILCOM.1991.258290
