Survey of Research Issues In LEO/MEO Based Global Mobile Communication Systems

On May 5, 1997 a Delta II rocket carried the first Iridium satellites into orbit, by mid-November 1997 thirty-nine satellites were in orbit. It is expected that during 1998, Iridium will become fully operational and available for public use. LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellite based communication systems will provide, in the coming decade, widespread wireless communication services from any place to any place on Earth. Among their cited advantages is the fact that they transcend the boundaries imposed by local, state and regional governing bodies. LEO/MEO have the potential of providing instant communication services to regions lacking of telecommunication infrastructure. They support wireless communication from and to areas not covered by cellular or geostationary phone systems. They make it economically viable to provide mobile communication services to areas with low population density, or to areas with low demand for wireless communications. LEO/MEO based communication systems will offer and support a wide range of services including: voice based communications, paging services, one and two way messaging, data communications, video and multimedia services, broadcasting, positioning, monitoring and data collection, narrowband and wideband broadcasting and communication services.

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