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Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the status of pertinent technologies for the ground segment of communications satellite systems. It is derived from the 1997/98 NASA/NSF sponsored commercial communications satellite study of technology, markets and services. It is recognized that the ground system technology is often more important than that of the satellites, especially as satellites are increasingly being used to provide services directly to the end‐customer. The current state of technology for several classes of ground terminals is reviewed. This includes Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) for Ku‐ and Ka‐bands, Television Receive‐Only (TVRO) Terminals, handheld terminals, portable and mobile terminals for multimedia and business use, airborne and ship‐borne terminals, hubs and gateways and military terminals.
