Fundamental Performance Characteristics That Influence EHF MILSATCOM Systems

As technology advances, satellite communications traffic is required to support both civil and military, current, and projected needs. These needs can sometimes be better satisfied if the communication system operates in the EHF band as opposed to the SHF or lower frequency bands. This paper addresses those factors that are of considerable interest to the system designer. In particular, the candidate frequency bands are placed in evidence; then the effects of propagation losses, orbit parameters, terminal antenna gain limitations, EIRP, and low probability of intercept are considered.