Satelliittiviestintäverkon

Satelliittiviestintäverkko refers to a communication network that utilizes artificial satellites to relay signals over long distances. These networks are crucial for providing telecommunications services in areas where terrestrial infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables or cell towers, is unavailable or impractical to deploy. Satellites act as intermediaries, receiving signals from ground stations and re-transmitting them to other ground stations or user terminals.

There are several types of satellite orbits used in these networks, including geostationary (GEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and low Earth orbit (LEO). GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers above the Earth's equator, appearing stationary from a ground perspective. This allows for continuous coverage of a specific region but results in higher latency due to the long signal path. MEO satellites orbit at altitudes between 2,000 and 35,786 kilometers, offering a balance between coverage and latency. LEO satellites orbit much closer to Earth, typically between 160 and 2,000 kilometers, which significantly reduces latency but requires a constellation of many satellites to ensure continuous global coverage.

Satelliittiviestintäverkot are used for a wide range of applications, including broadcasting television and radio, providing internet access, enabling mobile phone communication, supporting military operations, and facilitating data transmission for industries like aviation and maritime. The technology has evolved significantly, with advancements in satellite design, launch capabilities, and signal processing leading to increased bandwidth, lower costs, and broader accessibility of satellite-based communication services.