New telecommunication systems at 20/30 GHz

A system study has been carried out to study the possibility of designing a 20/30 GHz satellite-based national intercity telephony system using small ground stations with three-meter antennas to be located on the premises of the traffic centers to avoid terrestrial connections; the chosen example is a projected Italian domestic system, though the approach should also be applicable to other European countries. The advanced techniques required for the middle term are discussed, including multibeam antenna, satellite-switched TDMA, onboard regeneration, and satellite-switched TDMD. Techniques required for the long term and system parameters (i.e., propagation and quality parameters) are also discussed.