Online Journal of Space Communication Online Journal of Space Communication

Volume 2

Issue 4

Satellite Communication in Canada

(Spring 2003)

Article 21

May 2021

The Future of SatCom in Canada: New Technologies Needed The Future of SatCom in Canada: New Technologies Needed

Virendra Jha

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New Technologies Needed

The Government of Canada has a clear goal of making Canada the most

connected country in the world. The vast geographic topology and wide

population distribution - some in remote communities - raise distinct technical

and economic challenges in achieving this goal. In addition, communications are

already used in virtually all space projects - either for the command of the

Spacecraft, or as the raison d'être of the mission. Undoubtedly, to support the very

systems that make an efficient use of available existing frequency bands. Higher

frequencies of operation will allow for a greater information throughput.

Compatibility of space-borne networks with other networks is a key to the success

of Satellite Communication systems.

Need 2: Internet Access - Personal Communications

The need for reliable access to the information highway, independent of the user's

location, is creating a tremendous drive to improve existing systems and

implement new ones. While there is at present an over-capacity in land lines for

long-haul traffic, the "last kilometre" is not yet in place to ensure wideband,

video-grade access to every user. Personal communications and faster Internet

information throughput will be required, with compatibility of space-borne

networks to ground standards, along with improved data encryption to provide

protection to content owners.

To satisfy the requirement to have a high data rate connection "on the go," the

various data and communication appliances that a person carries - portable

computing platform, phone, beeper, camera - will be wirelessly linked through a

Personal Local Area Network that has a built-in satellite modem to allow

seamless worldwide communication even when traveling on a plane, thus

implementing the "one person, one number" connectivity. This could require

some non-traditional implementation, i.e. non-GEO-stationary spacecraft.

Competition with fiber optic systems for point-to-point communications and

high data rate communications while offering a secure communication channel.

These systems will require the development of space-borne optical transceivers

along with precision antenna pointing and tracking systems including gimbals,

actuators and stabilization systems.

"Multimedia by Satellite" will considerably enhance the speed and capacity of

two-way access and provide a variety of innovative services. We will see a

maturing of remote access applications such as tele-medicine, tele-education and

Internet, with more efficient and affordable access. The ground stations will be

improved, making them more portable and easier to set-up.

Need 3: Data Flow

the optical/IR spectrum and advanced on-board processing/networking will result

in space systems that are significantly more efficient. Since some sensors such as

SAR and hyperspectral imagers generate very large amounts of data, novel

modulation schemes and improvements to microwave components will allow a

more efficient usage of the spectrum, which is now a scarce commodity.

Need 4: Interplanetary Exploration

Future space exploration of nearby planets, such as Mars, will require space

communication technologies that can provide an interplanetary satellite

communication and navigation infrastructure via space systems that are

significantly more compact and efficient. A longer-term commitment is necessary

Deep space exploration and the search for extra-terrestrial life will pose an even

greater challenge in the longer term, with "off-shore" installation of autonomous

listening stations in deep space or on the far side of the Moon or other planets.

Novel communication techniques will extract meaningful signals from

Need 5: Global Navigation Satellite Systems

Global positioning systems and satellite communications systems are becoming

intrinsically intertwined and are now a ubiquitous function in cars, sporting goods

and security devices. In fact, most cars on the road in the future will be linked to

service providers for the entertainment, security, location, communications and

diagnostics functions. The European Space Agency is developing its Galileo

system, the first navigational system entirely devoted to commercial/personal

the participation of Canadian industry in key technology development areas