Wideband characterisation and modelling of the mobile satellite propagation channel at L- and S-bands

The effects of the wideband propagation channel are critical in the design of mobile satellite systems (MSS), providing world-wide voice and data communications requiring higher data rates and quality of service. The variational effects of the narrowband propagation channel with respect to the elevation angle have been widely reported and modelled. However, there is very little data on the effects of wideband parameters with respect to the elevation angle. These can be very important in characterising the channel for terminal equipment, since they determine the maximum data rates or equalisation requirements for future mobile satellite systems and satellite personal communication networks. There is an increasing need to be able to accurately model the channel characteristics in order to optimise the design of radio mobile satellite systems. The wideband model is useful for simulation and evaluation of the performance of L-band (1540-1560 MHz) and S-band (2315-2335 MHz) mobile satellite systems.