The VHF Satellite Communication Test Project, undertaken by the Office of Research and Development of the Maritime Administration, resulted in two test voyages of the S.S. Santa Lucia both commencing from Port Newark, N.J. through the Panama Canal to Valparaiso, Chile and return. Both the ATS-1 and ATS-3 synchronous, equational satellites were employed in the tests. This report describes the systems employed and the analysis of the experimental results. The feasibility of using space techniques for communication to an inexpensive shipboard terminal was demonstrated. It is shown that simplex, duplex or semi-duplex voice circuits; digital computer data; teletype, facsimile and time synchronization of a digital clock are feasible. Results of the propagation, voice channel, digital data, time synchronization and ranging tests are presented. The requirements for a shipboard antenna are analysed. Recommendations are made, based on observations made during the test program, for the effort required to provide an operational maritime mobile satellite system. (Author)


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite




    K/Ka-Band Maritime Mobile Satellite Communications

    Axford, R. A. / Evanoff, G. / North, R. C. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Maritime satellite communications

    Fear, J.L. | Tema Archive | 1989


    "Inmarsat" for maritime satellite communications

    Al-Nakib, N. / Spearhead Exhibitions Limited | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995