Planning of feeder links to broadcasting satellites at the 1983 RARC

In 1983, a Regional Administrative Radio Conference (RARC) will undertake the planning of the broadcasting satellite service in Region 2 (North, South, and Central America, and the Caribbean) in the 12 GHz frequency band and of corresponding feeder links in the 17 GHz frequency band. It is noted that the planning of countrywide service areas for feeder links to broadcasting satellite systems with multiple beams is both desirable and feasible. It makes possible the broadcasting of national programs from anywhere within the country to any downlink beam with no need to rely on distribution networks and additional feeder link spectrum. Technical sharing criteria for feeder links are needed to guard against feeder link interference. Appropriate values of the planning parameters such as earth station antenna diameter, inhomogeneities, and protection ratios can be selected to ensure that, in most cases, the planning of countrywide uplink service areas causes minimum distribution to the downlink plan.