Elbert B. The Satellite Communication Ground Segment and Earth Station Handbook

Artech House, 2001. — 383 p.
Our ability to apply space technology to communication needs on earth is necessarily dependent on the ground segment, and the earth stations that comprise it. Little has been documented on the methodologies and practices that ground segment developers employ to design and implement these facilities. Another aspect is the powerful trend toward consumer-style user terminals that bring satellite communications down to an affordable and practical level. This situation was the primary motivation for this handbook, and we were able to draw on over 30 years of development in this field when putting it together.
The book is organized into 11 chapters that discuss the history, requirements, systems engineering, hardware design, and operations and maintenance of earth stations and user terminals. Our approach is to provide a thorough understanding of the technology and implementation issues for the ground segment, rather than delving into copious detail on each element. This is how we could keep the book to a tractable form and allow the reader to learn how to develop specific approaches for fixed, broadcasting, and mobile satellite applications. A cover-to-cover reading will provide a comprehensive review of almost every aspect of the system, considering real-world aspects of earth station design and engineering. From there, the book provides a reference for subsequent analysis and selection of the appropriate design approach. References containing detailed information on specific engineering issues and solutions are included with each chapter.