Assessing the technical and financial viability of broadband satellite systems using a cost per T1 minute metric

Abstract

A cost per 1.544 Mbps (T1) link per minute metric is developed for systems evaluation of satellite based broadband communications systems. Global market models based on Internet growth and computer penetration are developed. Initially systems are limited by the available market, however as the market increases, the design of the system becomes the limiting factor. These limits include satellite power resources, achievable link margins, and rain attenuation. A computer simulation is developed to model the complex interactions between the capacity limits and distributed market models.