Paul I. Wells

Abstract: This report discusses the recent, current, and planned activities in domestic satellite communications in the United States. The present satellites in the domestic satellite service are discussed and the general technical characteristics are presented. Several uses of earth stations operating in the domestic satellite service are discussed, with particular attention given to the effect the Federal Communications Commission has had on the growth in numbers of earth stations. In conjunction with small earth stations, the impact of the antenna size and preamplifier noise temperature on overall earth station cost was studied. A summary of current activities on the Federal Communication Commission Docket No. 20271, the preparation for the 1979 General World Administrative Radio Conference is presented. Particular attention was given to FIXED-SATELLITE and BROADCASTING-SATELLITE service applications in the frequency bands between 2.5 GHz and 50 GHz. Finally, tariff cost information for domestic satellite and terrestrial telecommunications services is presented. Telecommunication services tariffs on file with the Federal Communications Commission were used in this'report.

Keywords: satellite communications; domestic satellite communications; small earth stations; World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC); low noise amplifier (LNA)

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

For questions or information on this or any other NTIA scientific publication, contact the ITS Publications Office at ITSinfo@ntia.gov or 303-497-3572.

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