(WTEC) and its companion. Japanese. Technology. Evaluation. Center. (JTEC) at Loyola. College provide assessments of foreign research and development.
NASA-TN-[09388
International
Technology
Research
Institute
ITRI NI A NASA/NSF
Panel Report
Satellite
on
Communications
oq
Systems
and Technology
EXECUTIVE
rM I •,I"
_ ," U
O, r_l 0
Z
_
0
N
Burton
I. Edelson,
Joseph Charles
N. Pelton, Co-chair W. Bostian
William Vincent
SUMMARY
Co-chair
T. Brandon W. S. Chan
E. Paul Hager Neil R. Helm Raymond D. Jennings Robert Kwan Christoph E. Mahle Edward F. Miller ,,,-..4
A. Landis
"Lance"
Riley
July 1993 0
0 0 J
,nternational
Technology Research JTECdWTEC Program Loyola College in Maryland 4501 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21210-2699
Institute
NASA/Iq_
PANEL ON SA_
Burton I. Edelson (Co-Chair) Director, Institute for Applied George Washington University
COMMUNICAYIONS
Space
Research
William
Robert
W. Bostlan
Clayton Ayre Professor V'mginla Tech
of Electrical
Raymond D. Jennings Engineer National Telecommunications and Information Agency U.S. Department of Commerce
Joseph Pelton (Co-Chair) Director of Graduate Telecommunications University of Colorado, Boulder Charles
S_/SYEMS AND YIlCHNOLOOY
Engineering
Kwan
Chief Engineer SATC_M Program Jet Propulsion Laboratory Christoph Executive
T. Brandon
Associate Department UHF and SHF Satellite
Head Communications
E. Mahle Director
Satellite Technologies COMSAT Laboratories
Division
Mitre Corporation Edward
F. Miller
Vincent W.S. Chart Associate Division Head Communications Division
Head, Communications NASA Lewis Research
MIT Lincoln
A. Landis Riley Manager NASA Communications Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Laboratory
E. Paul Hager Associate Research George
Mason
Nell R. Helm Senior Research George
Professor
Systems Center
Branch
Program
University
Scientist
Washington
University
IN'I'ERNATIONAL
TIGI_IOLOOT
I_SL_O'H
J'rSC/W'l'Sa PBOG_,M The World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) and its companion Japanese Technology Evaluation Center (JTEC) at Loyola College provide assessments of foreign research and development in selected technologies under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). Loyola's International Technology Research Institute (ITRI), R.D. Shelton Director, is the umbrella organization for JTEC and WTEC. Paul Herer, Senior Advisor for Planning and Technology Evaluation at NSF's Engineering Directorate, is NSF Program I)irector for JTEC and WTEC. Other U.S. government agencies that provide support for the program include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Defense. ]TEC/WTEC's mission is to inform U.S. policy makers, strategic planners, and managers of the state of selected technologies in foreign countries in comparison to the United States. JTEC/WTEC assessments cover basic research, advanced development, and applications/commercialization. Small panels of about six technical experts conduct JTEC/WTEC assessments. Panelists are leading authorities in their field, technically active, and knowledgeable about U.S. and foreign research programs. As part of the assessment process, panels visit and carry out extensive discussions with foreign scientists and engineers in universities and in industry/government labs. The ITRI staff at Loyola College laboratories, organize workshop Dr. Michael ]. DeHaemer Principal Investigator Loyola College Baltimore, MD 21210
help select topics, recruit expert panelists, arrange study visits to foreign presentations, and finally, edit and disseminate the final reports. Mr. C,eoff Holdrkige JTEC/WTEC Staff Director Loyola College Baltimore, MD 21210
Dr. George
C,amota
Senior Advisor to JTEC/WTEC Mitre Corporation Bedford, MA 01730
NASA/NSF
Panel
on Satellite
Communications
Systems
and
Technology
EXECUTIVE
The
National
Aeronautics
Foundation status
(NSF)
of
emerging The panel hand.
communications
systems members
concepts, travelled
visited
major
associated the
The
panel,
manufacturers, by representatives compares
States
lesser
The
and
four
study
covers
service
reviewed The
in Russia.
by
report
These
providers,
the
sites
details
and
visited,
by
the information
line
lost
itB l_g
or even
_tion
Table
with
in many
1 shows
its international
that
the
competitors
aritic_I
Europe,
in most
of these
technologies
in the
aatelh'te
United in most
Furthermore, due to research and development abroad, the United States is likely to fall behind
extent
Science
international
are:
t_hnolog_w.
behind
technologies. underway
in Japan, was
the
and the attendant technologies. Russia to gather information first-
organizations,
report
the National
technology.
of U.S. industry.
conclusions
commurd_fform currently
panel's
and
to study
it to U.S. activities.
principal [Tnit_
20 sites
government The
and
The
and
services Japan and
in Europe,
and
panel's
o
17 sites
(NASA)
of U.S. experts
systems
applications, to Europe,
R&D facilities.
collected
Administration a panel
satellite
They
included
and Space
commissioned
States of the
projects Japan, and next
is key now to a
five to fifteen
years.
.
The
mar_t
Currently, position 1960s
sham the
largely and
developments communications
accordingly. their satellite of comparable to our declining respect
founded
1970s.
to a wide range communications These satellite
o," the
US.
U.S. industry
nts/Nm
retains
on technologies
However,
the
of technologies markets. have come as critical
European and communications
commm'do_tform/nd_try'/s
a leading United
position and
States
and
about largely to their future
capabilities is losing
systems
that
because economic
Japanese government policies industries both directly and
policies in the United States in recent years competitive position. Table 2 compares
to satellite
communications
in Europe,
Japan,
in the
and
,,t rh_c marketplace
-- a
developed ground
will
Europe growth,
be
in the
with key
respect to
future
and Japan view and have acted
are designed to numire indirectly. The absence is one factor government the
United
contributing policies with States.
2
Executive
U.S. Scorecard
in Admnced u_
High
Data Rate
USATs
Satellite
and Personal
Summary
Satellite
7BCBNOLO_
Communications
Technolo_u
_
Communications
Communications
Transceivers
Small Satellites Space
Applications
for High
On-Board
Processing
Traveling
Wave
Electric
Temperature
Superconductivity
Tubes
Europe
Propulsion
Spacecraft Antennas IntersateUite
Links
Autonomous
Control
Free
& Russia
Japan
& Europe
Japan Systems US.
HEMT
Japan
Japan
TBCHNOLOOT
LAG
Technology Space
Advanced
Japan
Optical
Japan & Europe
Communications
Batteries
Japan
Solar Array Systems Solid
Japan
State Power Amplifiers
Pointing Large
and Positioning Scale
Advanced New
Deployable System
Application
& Europe
Design
(FETs)
Japan
Systems Antenna and
Japan Systems
Long
Range
Japan Planning
Concepts
Japan
Development
Japan
Table Comparbon
Europe
and Russia
2
of Govermnent
lblu
1w
US.
Policy
Strong
Strong
Moderate
Planning
Moderate
Strong
Weak
Strong
Strong
Moderate
Advancmd
_t
Support
¢:f Industry
Strong
Strong
Weak
Su_
c_'Int_tion_
Strong
Strong
Weak
_teme
NASA/NSF
Panel
on
Satellite
Focus.
This
is not
CommunicaUons
Systems
and
Technology
3
SCOPE Teahno/ogy survey satellite
considered, low
a market
of advanced technology communications field. including
earth
fixed,
orbit,
small
w.
_tSa_F//m
k/_mced
broadcast,
satellites,
mobile,
vehicles
and
technologies and of the technology implementation
U.S. and the
Ofl_er
did
and
industry
L/m/_sffo.,m.
This
does not attempt communications
has
surveyed
has
been
with
respect
European,
report
The
used
focus
of the study R&D and Although
the primary
Japanese,
focus
is focused
and
for that made
on commercial
no
satellite
is on Most from
to a lesser
knowledge
of
evaluation.
U.S. site
But
visits.
technology,
and
or other confidential satellite States or other countries. The
industrial research and for structural differences
mix of public
and,
extensive
as a benchmark
military, defense-related, in either the United
to the
The
panelists'
U.S. technology,
report covers both government and The panel has attempted to account studied
a
in the were
navigation,
being developed in production capabilities.
are considered,
technologies.
review
to review capabilities
rather
systems.
panel
formally
but
unique to the field of satellite communications. in this study is five or more years away
The
not
study
communications,
Tsc.hno/o_.
technology on today's
technologies
systems
Canadian
panel
spacecraft
in operational
Russian
personal
C,ommun/cadorm
applications reviewed
Focus. extent,
process
etc.
is on experimental and advanced demonstration programs rather than launch
or industrial
now under development for commercial use All aspects of satellite communications
and
commercial
a
tremendous
development between
programs. the countries
efforts.
_UND Satellite
communications
innovation.
From
the
technology first
satellite
is telephone
call,
force
to the
moon
for
change
landing
and
in 1969,
today's global coverage of the Olympics have helped create a world community. electronic funds transfers to hundreds
with more than 3 billion viewers, satellites From $300 trillion annually in worldwide of millions of airline reservations, satellites
play
critical
roles
and
fiber
optic
cables,
Today,
more
domestic,
than
regional
in finance, some
business
60%
200
countries
and/or
global
of all
overseas
and linkages,
services, navigation, data collection, communications is the largest and enterprises billion
per
-- it is currently year
within
the
a $15 billion decade.
international
communications
territories defense
rely
year
on
business
Despite
growth
is satellite about
communications,
and mobile most successful per
trade.
200
direct
could
in
based.
satellites
for
broadcast
communications. of all commercial which
to
grow
Satellite space to $30
4
Executive S_
In the the
mid
United
1960s,
when
States
was
satellite
communications
not just the
launch vehicles to satellite International Telecommunications were
originally
dominant
role.
seriously
conditions
have
on
into
an
Japan
the
changed
and
a commercial
predominant
in every
basis
Europe
Today,
only,
giving
felt they would more
than
the
need
reality,
aspect
The agreements under Organization (INTELSAT) was
interim
field.
first became
but was
technology. Satellite
negotiated
leadership
to enter
leader,
which the established
United
States
a number
a quarter
from
a
of years
of a century
later,
dramatically.
FINDINGS The
global
satellite
expansion. mobile
communications
While
growth
communications
Services It is thus
industry
in fixed
satellite
will experience
and revenues could triple a matter of great concern
communications,
the
U.S.
is now services
explosive
has growth
or even quadruple that, on the eve
technology
entering
base
in this
field
in U.S. R&D policy, the United States will soon in a contest with Europe for second place.
Several
countries
communications
introduced
systems
or are introducing
ahead
of the
mobile systems, and have taken the lead are not readily apparent in today's orders United
States
research derive In the
and in the course
respect of
satellites specialized production, one-of-a-kind technologies
However,
technology next
many technologies
the
panel
and
akin to making products. are emerging
The detailed results general observations
States
from
encountered around
applications system
in low earth orbit, satellite designs.
broadcast next
the
is now
which
Without
Japan
and
operational
particularly
in many
be
satellite
broadcast
and
The effects in which the
areas
commercial
and years.
next century. in satellite
at risk.
fall behind
lags
ten
of
of advanced
applications
will
shifting
environment
with
market
is expanding
years.
communications new
slowed,
advanced
States,
phase
over
in critical areas of technology. for communications satellites,
the United
development
five to fifteen
of its work,
to satellite
diversifying; types
still leads.
United
new
by early in the of this renaissance
changes locked
have
a
are
a rapidly
the world: under
architectures
the
development; are
and
emerging,
multi-purpose orbiting megastructures, Concepts in satellite manufacturing
many including
small
and based
and
different highly on mass
VCRs, exist alongside traditional methods for building European and Japanese satellite communications rapidly.
of this study are presented are presented below:
in-depth
in the
full report,
but some
NASA/NSF
Panel
on Satellite
Communications
Systems
and
Technology
5
Major Disparities in the Allocation of Resources The
European
Space
Agency
(ESA)
and
the Japanese
National
Space
Development
Agency (NASDA) both devote about 10% of their total budgets communications and related activities. NASA, on the other hand, allocates 1% to
R&D
in this
area.
Figure
allocation, particularly over Communications Technology
1 shows
the last five years. Satellite (ACTS)
"bump" in the graph of U.S. expenditures, in relative funding levels. This disparity total than
budgets for the Japanese that of the United States.
The
difference
is striking. for the States ten
had
only
and Japan
years,
and
one
each
temporarily is even more
truly
programs
major
have
had
will continue
space
experimental into
research
several
programs
Advanced itself as a
are
disparity that the
significantly
less
Pro2rams
United
the
program,
satellite
States,
future.
flight-based
in this direction
in resource
this strong considering
communications in the
as a decade
differences
diminishes significant
and Developmental
such
as well
dramatic
Only the funding for the program, which manifests
European
flight-based
2 depicts
decade
has
Europe
in major Figure
past
and
in Rese_h
Major Di_rencee
the
to space less than
in the
Europe
It shows namely
research next
programs and
that
Japan
the
ACTS.
United
In contrast,
programs
in the
past
decade.
Service Trends Of the three general satellite communications service broadcast -- only the fixed satellite service (FSS) may providing
global
to a rate
of about
terminals)
are
coverage
expanding
greatest potential communications HDTV, interest
restoral
United
Mobile
and
advantages amounts Significant Japan,
rapidly,
service.
States
to cooperate
the
the
broadcast
1960s. the
but their
demand
European
United
States
in developing
over growing
than
satellite
commercial in the United
satellite
communications
(MSS
far more
has
(very
on satellite
and Japanese
in HDR
services
and
growth
systems
activity States.
in this Satellite
BSS)
area
most
services
The (HDR) and
cables. service,
Little except
are looking and
would
to like
links.
clearly
is underway
broadcast
is light.
HDR
terrestrial means, very rapidly (over
slowed aperture
data rate networking,
operators via ACTS,
trans-oceanic and
now
small
capacity
of fixed services is in high or higher) for data transfer,
of satellite communications of satellite capacity, and are R&D
FSS traffic
FSS, VSAT
growing global network of fiber optic by terrestrial carriers in HDR satellite
for leadership
with
late
Within
area for expansion (i.e., 155 Mbits/sec
to complement the has been expressed
for cable the
since
10% per year.
categories -- fixed, mobile and be said to be a mature service,
exploit
consume 20% per in Europe are
the large year). and
extending
6
Executive
Summary
300 NASA 250
--
NASDA ESA NASA NON-ACTS
.... ---........
l\ I
\
!
"
\
./'
0
_
2oo
-
./!
.._.-'."
z _
150
_
loo
a
5o
,
.-_'.'/ \
I
1960
1970
.)... ............ I
1980
1995
YEAR
Figure
1. Annual
Funding
Jot Satellite
Communications
Programs
6
09 FO Itl "3
5 PSDE 4
O rr n
ARCHIMEDES
3
11
0 ¢r m m D Z
OICETS
ARTEMIS/
COMETS
SILEX
2
ITALSAT
ETS Vl
OLYMPUS
ETS V
EUROPE
JAPAN
1
ACTS
_
0 U.S. Figuze
2.
A Comparative
View:
in the United
Experimental States,
Communications
Japan, and
Europe
Satellite
Projects
N_SA/NSF
Panel on Satellite
rapidly to third world countries. (INMARSAT), which has been recently
extended
exciting,
and
(PCS)
its service
certainly
via satellite
U.S. industry
the
using
_ic_ious
to aircraft
systems
applications
systems, emerging.
and both very large Under these changing
the
future
applications
and
applications overseas, initiative today ten
there
are
thousand
to test
strategic
is no
and
diversifying
even
Clear
more
in the European
/ Industry found
subscribers
in the
full report, all have
and
areas
is the
for
of space
to these
of new of new
aggressively For example, the
LEO
designs are of research
Promotion
pursued Japan's
United
States,
but
system
and
DBS satellites.
lack
of planning
to pursue
broadcasting
and
and
done
United systems
systematically
subsequent need to accomplish program
a clear
in the
long-range
is the designed
COMETS
reflect
ARTEMIS,
same
and
understanding
as is being
The Japanese
OLYMPUS,
and
commitment mobile
possible
to long
satellite
ARCHIMEDES
to or term
services.
programs
reflect
areas.
Roles more
European
industrial
interest
The
that
program European
and
support
for satellite
the governments States. As indicated
Space
policies
planning
are engaged.
earth
Studies
no mechanism
consideration
MEO
in an operational
communications,
goals.
under
considerably
the
radio.
medium
satellite targeting
after
via
problem
and a stronger relationship between Japan, and Russia than in the United Japan
most
services
development
GEO,
important.
began
broadcasting
a serious
system
the
a comprehensive
service
Technology
in satellite
now
goals
the
in cellular
earth,
and/or
into
fairly well in Europe. Equally important follow detailed technology road maps
programs
Govonu_nt
industry
study
important.
Japanese HDTV
commitment
studies
commitments
panel
used
(low
small, lower cost the need for clear
(DBS)
and Advanced
difference
and and
satellite
six million
the identified
Likewise,
The
some
There
systems
scale and conditions,
increasingly
broadcast
technology
follow-on
GEO
all under
are
is strategically
receivers
A noticeable
execute
technologies
become
Systems,
in Japan develop
and
markets
in direct
States.
are
to those
and
Perhaps
communications
and stimulation of markets seem to be more especially in Japan, than in the United States.
Planning,
and
has
MEO
7
M_mts
Markets,
for
vehicles.
is personal similar
LEO,
and Technology
Maritime Satellite Organization service for over a decade, has
land-mobile
field
transceivers
this area. orbit)
and
moving,
handheld
and
Systems
The International providing maritime
fastest
is pioneering
and geostationary earth personal communications. New
Communications
Agency, support
in which planning
and industries in Europe, in Table 2, and detailed
individual satellite both
European
countries,
communications.
government
effort,
communications
although
agencies not as well
and
Japan and
has
private
organized,
8
is
Execut/ve
still
quite
ambitious.
The
Summary
United
States
development of satellite communications, into the national information in_astmcture. Europe
and Japan
direct
support
have
advanced
to industry,
capabilities. Perhaps Japanese governments national
interests
support advanced
given by ESA technology
no
recognized
plan
nor even for fitting satellite
technology
in most
most and
has
development
cases
aimed
programs
at developing
systems
-- a good
example
and Japanese government for the INMARSAT mobile
the
communications
which
provide
specific
significant of all is the extent to which industry work hand-in-hand to promote
in international
for
national
European regional
of which
is the
and and heavy
agencies to the development and personal communications
of
program. Tbrem This panel's revealed base
year-long
many
review
potential
in advanced
of overseas
threats
satellite
capabilities
in satellite
to U.S. industry.
communications
These
communications
threats
technologies
include
across
a slipping
a wide
range
disciplines, rapidly changing markets and applications, and a lack of effective term systems planning and related technology road maps to the future. Most there
is a dearth
of mechanisms
technologies in which ongoing role.
The
United
market result
measured of large
decades. the
States
an industrial
in spacecraft investments
industry
The United States certainly good but aging infrastructure noted herein, counteracted. maintain advanced
its industrial technology
In summary, growing for future
there If the
the
risks
to the
initiatives
of this
U.S. satellite allow
R&D directed
in today's and
flight
of space
technology
believe are
and
recover
panel
have
satellite
of
long of all,
at advanced
play
an effective
communications
hardware
sales. over
is being
depleted
considerably
in the
practices Given these
This
the
last
rapidly. last
is a three Also,
five years.
and a reasonably and other factors
that today's threats could be realized, the United States could from
the
identified
communications the United
can
technology
base
eroded
reason to opportunities
leadership base.
that could
areas has
term
has competitive industrial for test and integration.
is good available
members
lead
construction
in many
the U.S. space
of its launcher
long
and universities
industry,government
still holds
However,
position
for effective
has
industry, States
effects
a number but
to maintain
of
its
slipping
of serious
and
opportunities
exist
its leadership
role.
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JTECH
Panel
E14/E01
in Japan
E06/E01
JTEC
JTEC Panel
on Biotechnology
PB95-249241
Panel
Technology
These
5295
postage
($52.00/12.50)
E10/E01
($28.50/12.50)
JTECH
is not prepaid.
Add
]TEC Panel Report on Space Robotics in Japan (I/91) PB 91 -100040
(3/91)
PB85-249019
Panel
of Comrrmrce,
to change.
321-8547.
JTEC
on Mechatronics
($20.50/12.50)
JTECH
for billing if order
U.S. Department and subject
Japan (2/91) PB91-100032 E14/E01 ($52.00/12.50)
($38.00/12.50)
JTECH
Service,
are as of 12/92
EI4/E01
PB85-242402
E10/E01
Information
Prices
on Advanced
Sensors
In Japan
JTEC
on
Machine
Translation
on
Datal0azw
in Japan
($38.00/15.50)
Panel
in Japan E10/E02
Report
Use
and
Technology
(4/92) PB92-100221 ($38.00/15.50)
JTEC Panel Report on Bioprocess Japan (5/92) PB92-100213 E 14/E04 ($52.00/20.50)
En_3ineering
in
($41.00/9.00) JTEC Panel Report (6/92) PB92-100247
JTEC Panel Report on High Temperature Superconductivity in Japan (11/99)
E 14/E04
on Display
Technologies
in Japan
($52.00/20.50)
PB90-123126 E 10/A02
JTEC
($39.00/12.50)
Panel
Technologies JTEC
Panel
(8/90)
Report
on Space
Propulsion
Panel
(10/90)
Report
on
Nuclear
Power
in Japan
PB90-215724
A14/A02
JTEC
Panel
Japan
(3/93)
JTEC
Panel
Japan
(5/93)
Panel
(10/90) A10/AD2
(2/93)
Handling PB93-129197
Report
on Separation
Technology
in
PB93-159954 Report
on Knowledge-Based
Systems
PB93-170124
($52.00/12.50) NASA/NSF
JTEC
on Material
in Japan
in Japan
PB90-215732
E10/A02 ($39.00/12.50) ]TEC
Report
Report
on Advanced
Computing
in Japan
Systems
Panel
Report
and Technology
on Satellite (7/93)
Communications
PB93-209815
PB90-215765 ($36.50/12.50)
*The rrat code and Ixice are for hardcopy; the ucond for microfiche.
in
