Payload technology for rural satellite communications

The demand for satellite communications systems has evolved to include personal mobile services and the provision of fixed services to rural areas. Following on from central involvement in all generations of INMARSAT's mobile communications space segment, Marconi Space has been developing advanced payload concepts for geostationary satellites to provide regional services. These retain the heritage gained from the novel payload architecture designed and successfully delivered by Marconi Space for the INMARSAT 3 spacecraft. This paper starts with the top level payload requirements for an example regional system and develops these into a generic payload architecture. The key technology issues are identified, and solutions provided, based on the extensive Marconi Space experience acquired through development of mobile payloads and internal development programmes. Comparisons are made with the issues associated with the proposed global constellation systems.