This paper proposes a feedback-loop type transmission power control (TPC) scheme coupled with first and second order prediction methods and analyzes the optimum control period and residual control error. In order to minimize residual control error, the three main factors contributing to residual control error are analyzed. First, to detect accurately up-link rain attenuation, a channel quality detection method is proposed and analyzed experimentally for puseudo-error detection. Second, rain attenuation rates in Ka band are measured and analyzed statistically. Finally, the optimum control period of the proposed TPC scheme is analyzed. The simulation results on the prototype TPC system show a maximum of 4.5 dB residual control error is achievable with an optimum control period of about 1 second to 1.5 seconds.

A field trial was conducted to evaluate the technical performance of land mobile message communication in different environments. The OmniTRACS system and the Ku-band JCSAT satellite were utilized as the mobile communications system and the satellite, respectively. The trial took place in September 1990 at different areas in Japan. Data collected correspond to about 65 hours of operation, during which a large number of messages were sent via the satellite. Two land mobile terminals operated simultaneously, each terminal having a function of generating messages automatically which simulates a large volume of traffic corresponding to about 50 terminals. Thus, the system was evaluated under the condition that 100 mobile terminals were in operation. Obtained data have been analyzed with a particular focus on the message transmission correlating with actual environments. The analysis was done by classifying environments into five categories: overall condition, type of roads, terrain, areas and weather conditions. The average transmission count per message experienced under all conditions is equal to 1.432 for forward messages transmitted from the hub station to mobiles, and 1.157 for return messages transmitted from mobiles to the hub station. With respect to the classification by the type of roads, for enample it becomes obvious that the performance is generally good except along roads of North-South orientation through dense urban areas. It is concluded that the message communications from/to mobiles are feasible in a wide range of environments, with the performance of success essentially depending on the visibility of satellite.

Weather conditions affect the performance of satellite broadcasting receiving systems. For example, snow accretion on antennas degrades G/T seriously because it reduces received signal power and also can increase antenna noise. We need a continuous measurement of G/T to evaluate the effect of the weather conditions to the satellite broadcasting receiving systems. However, a conventional method cannot perform the continuous measurement because the antenna under test must be oriented in a specific direction (to the zenith) to obtain a noise level in a satellite broadcasting channel. This paper presents the continuous measurement of G/T for the satellite broadcasting receiving systems. We describe details of the measurement method. In our measurement system, a standard antenna is placed at the inside of a room in order to prevent the weather conditions from affecting the gain of the standard antenna. The power flux density at the inside of the room is different from that at the outside where the antennas under test are placed. Employing the effective gain of the standard antenna, we take the difference of the power flux density into account. Moreover, we propose a method to estimate the noise level in the satellite broadcasting channel from the values at the outside of the channel, and clarify the accuracy of the noise estimation. Then, we show measurement results of the G/T values for several receiving systems. From these results, we show that the G/T measurement system has high precision. Also, from the specifications of the antenna gain and typical values of the noise figure, it is expected that the measurement system has a sufficient accuracy.

Surveillance capabilities and operational requirements for future Space-based radar systems are considered. With special attention paid to Air Traffic Control applications, an optimal system architecture is defined. The resulting large antenna dimensions call for novel solutions such as distributed arrays in space.

This paper discusses and evaluates, from the viewpoints of definition, analysis, and performance, frequency assignment schemes that enable the efficient assignment of multiple-bandwidth carriers on the transponder in SCPC/FDMA systems with demand assignment operation. The system considered handles carriers of two different bandwidths, and assigns only consecutive slots on the transponder band to broadband carriers. Three types of frequency assignment schemes are proposed, each of which incorporates one or both of two assignment concepts: (1) pre-establishment of assignment priorities on the transponder band, and (2) establishment of broadband slots to guide broadband carrier assignment. Following a definition of the schemes, equations are derived to theoretically analyze performance factors such as call loss for the narrowband and broadband carriers, and system utilization efficiency. Finally, theoretical performance calculated for various traffic and system conditions are presented and evaluated, for the purpose of comparison between the three schemes. Computer simulation results are also presented, to demonstrate the accuracy of the derived equations and to supply data for models too large for theoretical computation. Main results obtained are as follows. (1) Regardless of traffic or system conditions, the assignment scheme incorporating both assignment priorities and broadband slots shows the best performance in terms of broadband call loss and system utilization efficiency. (2) The establishment of broadband slots improves performance when the ratio of broadband traffic to the total traffic volume is high, but worsens performance when the narrowband traffic ratio is higher. (3) All aspects of performance improve with the increase of the total number of assignable slots on the transponder band.