Satellite repeater system for advanced aircraft/ground communications

This paper considers the application of satellite relay techniques to provide communication paths for aircraft-ground communication over the ocean. It considers the feasibility of a communication system design for air traffic control (ATC) utilizing the reflex repeater as the basic satellite-borne relay device. Implementation of satellite relay techniques would permit continuous line-of-sight operation for reliable ATC digital data links and voice transmission. The paper describes the basic use of the relay system, the repeater electronics, and the communication link parameters required to accommodate the satellite-aircraft link geometries. Examples of typical aircraft-ground link calculations are presented, and the basic supersonic aircraft communication requirements and satellite contact profiles are discussed.